Fulfilling Our Calling on the Homefront
Fulfilling Our Calling on the Homefront
By Jane Berry
“Families in relational networks discipling the nations” is one of our
core values, and actually, one of my favorite. I have wondered how
women could practically live out this core value before our family
members, friends, and neighbors. As a ministry leader, wife, and
mother, I have looked for ways to make this value a meaningful part of
my life. Various strategies have been suggested to make this a reality on our teams and in our ministries. I think there is freedom to begin with our immediate family members and the natural networks they provide. How we function in our relationships can draw others to our Lord or turn them away. I have always believed that our external success is proven by the internal workings of our relationships.
American women today face the dilemma of being part of the “sandwich generation,” so called because they are “sandwiched” between caring for their children and caring for their parents. This designation has made national headlines. More and more women (and some men) are caring for aging parents. Many Navigator women have voiced similar conflicts as they seek to minister, while at the same time being a caregiver to children and/or parents.
What takes priority? How do we decide? Will friends and supporters understand? Is this a legitimate expression of the mission? Should one thing suffer at the expense of another? There are many questions. Some of the answers may be found in creatively managing the seasons of women’s lives. We need to pray and think together of creative ways to balance life and ministry while fulfilling our calling.
I did not expect to become part of this growing national trend. However, a few months ago, God asked me to demonstrate my commitment to family in this way.
Let me explain: Richard’s mom was widowed in the late ’80s. Though she was independent, her life was full of challenges. We invited her to leave her home in New York and join us in Georgia many times; but she often felt our lives were busy with ministry and raising our own children. She thought she would only be in the way. We could not convince her to make such a daring move.
Now, 20 years later, there is no choice. She is 95 and needs 24-hour nursing care. For many reasons, we chose not to place her in a nursing home.
Last December, we moved Richard’s mom into our household. With the help
of a day nurse, we made the not-so-hard decision to give her some love,
joy, and TLC for the last years of her life. Family, neighbors, and friends are involved with us in this adventure. Nieces and nephews (in their twenties and thirties), for whom we pray, are drawn near. Christianity is irrelevant to their lives; but they marvel at the commitment and sacrifice they see. I thank God that the Gospel is spoken in deed.
In light of this challenge, I solicit your prayers for wisdom in balancing this responsibility with the demands of ministry. Actually, it has come to the place where because of this and other factors, I have had to cut back drastically from my responsibilities with the National Women’s Network to focus on this new and acceptable demand on my time.
I would covet your prayers for God to show me my best contribution to the Network in light of my limited availability. The Lord has used Romans 8:28 to reassure me at this time: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Jane Berry is the director of The Navigators’ National Women’s Network.