Women With a Mission

Most women are results-oriented.  They have a purpose and they push themselves to fulfill that purpose, whether it be child-rearing, homemaking, career-building, or ministry.  The fact is that women are born with a natural drive for missions.

Of course, not every woman will board a big plane and jet off to some remote island to live among the aborigines to preach the Gospel.  But every woman whose heart has been transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ will, in fact, impact the lives of many through her own life.  Let me give you some “for instances”.

Susan is a mother in her late 30’s.  She’s a full-time single mom, recently graduated from nursing school, working for the state to fulfill her tenure before venturing into the nursing career she’s always dreamed of.  She’s compassionate beyond description when loving the elderly, helping them through end-of-life issues, and being the arms and heart of Jesus to them in their final days.  Then, she takes the reins of funeral dinners and ministering to the bereaved family.  Susan is a missionary by every definition of the word.

Rachel is a pastor’s wife in her late 40’s.  She has Multiple Sclerosis yet worked for several years as an international representative for a large well-known corporation until her body finally gave out.  She manages the church calendar, heads up the childrens ministry, is Sunday School Superintendent, leads worship, organizes dinners and events, and accompanies her husband on visitations and hospital calls.  She leads a women’s Bible Study, answers the phone to answer every question people can think of, and does it all with a smile and a hug.  Rachel is a missionary by every definition of the word.

Terry is a wife in her 30's with five young children.  She’s a stay-at-home home-schooling mom who runs a household with the utmost of frugality.  She raises a large garden, preserves her food, and grinds her own grains for baking homemade breads and pies to feed her growing family.  She raises livestock to provide milk and butter, makes her own cheeses and other milk products, raises goats, pigs, and other farm animals while her husband farms and works construction.  Her children are award-winners for scripture memorization, are respectful, and are wise beyond their years when it comes to living off the land.  She teaches her children from the Bible, is always ready to embrace a neighbor and lead them to Jesus when troubles overwhelm them. Terry is a missionary by every definition of the word.

 Thelma is a retired factory worker in her early 70’s.  Her husband passed away several years ago and yet she continues to live by herself in the home they build together.  Her children are long gone and occasionally come to visit bringing her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren to “experience grandma’s cooking”.  She fills her days praying for her family, her friends, and her church.  She intercedes for missionaries all around the world, sending them cards and little notes of encouragement while slipping scripture cards she creates from old greeting cards into each envelope.  She sends get- well cards to everyone she knows who has been “down and out” as she puts it, scans the bi-weekly community newspaper for the hospital news and obituaries to see who else she can minister to with her notes.  Thelma is a missionary by every definition of the word.

Jennifer is a wife with adult children who have moved away.  Her husband was forced into early retirement yet together they have seen God’s miraculous provision.  She has loved and encouraged her husband during the dark hours of financial challenges that led them through bankruptcy, losing their vehicle, losing their home, and losing their financial integrity. She has stood by him when no one else would, offering constant encouragement, building him up, careful never to say anything that would cause her husband to lose face in the community or with friends and family.  She rises early to honor her husband with prayers while making his coffee before he rises; does her best to fix his favorite foods, keeps a clean house that is always welcoming to visitors. Her life’s goal has been to honor her husband and her family in a way that is pleasing to God.  Jennifer is a missionary by every definition of the word.

The list could go on … these are real women with names changed but factual life circumstances.  They are missionaries without leaving their hometowns.  Yet, not one of them would ever consider themselves to be a missionary.

God has given each of us a passion and purpose in life.  When we are on the path to fulfill His destiny for us, we are women with a mission … we are missionaries.

The word “mission” actually means “task, assignment, purpose, charge, undertaking, duty, operation”.  Whether our undertakings are in our own home, our own church, our own community, or thousands of miles away, we are missionaries.

The next time your church celebrates and honors missionaries, remember you are a missionary by every definition of the word.

© 2009 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved