I love stumbling upon opportunities to share Jesus’s love in daily life. Growing up as a missionary kid, ministry was my family’s life. I came into young adulthood knowing that how I went about my day and how I interacted with the people around me served as an example of Jesus’s love. I wasn’t then and am still not always the best example. I am a fallen, sinful human, but it was only natural that this mission mind set followed me into motherhood.
Let me set the scene: We are at the grocery store at 8 am when the local retirement village bus pulls up to let all the residents off. It is grocery day for the grandparents, and my sweet chunky girl is just lighting up the isles with her smile. What a beautiful thing to see. It is heart warming to see the wrinkled faces of life worn people brighten when they catch a glimpse of my little girl!
Shopping with the Early Morning Crowd
Mornings are the best time for those who are new to life and those who are nearest to the end of it. Both experience the most energy early in the day. Morning brings a clearer mind. Temperaments are more even, bellies full of breakfast and off they go, right? Why not! For those of us who can get out early the world is full of quiet and peace. The grocery store is lovely when most of the world has just arrived at work.
It took a few of these run ins with the retirement bus for me to realize how God was using my baby girl. A grandma would walk up to her in the store and comment on how big her cheeks were. Then she would tell us how her grandson had cheeks like that. Just looking at her sleeping or chilling in the cart would make Grandma smile even when Shuugs didn’t smile. Someone might tell a little story about their grand kids or their own children when they were little. I heard lots of “What a sweet thing!” by random strangers when they passed by. They made a happy emotional connection with my child in the cart.
The grandpas usually made me laugh the most. They would have some silly quip about watching out for future suitors. Some liked to make sure I knew how much trouble she was going to be when she got bigger. Their smiles were just as big and sincere as anyone’s.
Smiling Mission
These ministry moments were not about my sweet baby or even me. These ministry moments were for the people whose stories I would never know. It was about people who carried worries I could not share, but who reached out to make a connection. God showed me it is my choice to be available. I could open myself up to complete the circuit of connection by smiling back. We could afford the time to linger in the grocery, graciously accepting compliments, hearing stories and even accepting some unsolicited advice along the way.
I know sometimes you just want to run in and grab your bread and milk and get out. I feel you! I didn’t linger in every isle waiting for people to come adore my baby. On a fussy, sick or sleepless day it was different. I put my head down got my fast walk on. It was about getting in and getting out. Once I saw the difference in people’s faces after receiving a smile from my little girl or just admiring her chubby cheeks it was different. I started planning more time to allow those moments to happen when I could.
When she started talking there was no stopping her from trying to get attention. The minute she saw someone she greeted them even if they were at the far end of the isle from us. She would yell “Hi!” and wave frantically. She waved expecting a response from some stranger who might not even notice us. That was a little embarrassing at times. I learned to shrug it off as toddler antics and no one else seemed to mind.
The Shy One
Not all of my babies have been as outgoing as Shuugs. Little Bear is quite shy, so when the grandmas come up to say hello he shrinks back a bit. I don’t expect him to give a warm smile, but I gladly give them one. I’ll say, “He takes a while to warm up” and then ask how their day is going. Sometimes as they walk away he will smile, but I still notice the offer of attention and conversation lightens their day.
One sweet grandma sticks out in my mind because we still run into her in the store. She is memorable because of the purple birthmark that colors most of her face. She is quick to tell you it scares people, but that there is nothing to be afraid of. I smile and talk to her so my children do too. We say hello and smile, she has the loveliest smile to give back. As time passed we learned that she likes to draw. She will pull out some little scrap of paper to draw a cute cartoon dog and give it to my child. They enjoyed those moments too.
The blessings are the smiles. So many people in those early years would walk by and just smile. We might not exchange a word, but if we exchanged a smile I gave thanks. I recognized that moment of ministry.
Awkward!
We had awkward moments too when we were ready to move on and grandma’s story was getting long. I tried to be patient, but sometimes I had to find a way to excuse us. “Happy babies don’t last forever, we better keep moving, thank you for the chat.”
Occasionally we had the too close for comfort moments. These occasions happened when someone wanted to touch little hands or during the times when she was sick. Winter gets long and you just want to keep everyone’s germs away. Usually a nudge of the cart, pushing it out of reach was enough of a hint.
It’s OK If This Isn’t YOU!
Maybe you cringed as you read this. Your introverted self was was dying at the idea of talking to so many strangers. We are not all called to the same sorts of ministry. Your little one may not be healthy enough for many people to linger over him. IT’S OK!
This ministry is for those who feel it’s calling, but there is a thought behind this post for all of us. Even though as moms we feel isolated at times and pulled away from the ministry that filled us before children. We know that raising children is a ministry in and of itself. Motherhood does not mean that we stop ministering outside our home, instead we need to look for new and different opportunities for ministry. If you are longing for connection to other people you can have that.
Keep your eyes open. Your ministry may come in strange new forms. I never imagined my baby as a missionary until God brought the retirement bus to my grocery store. He will continue to use you if you open yourself up to thinking of all things as ministry. Where have you noticed his nudging? It doesn’t hurt to give it a try. Come back and share!
