Perhaps God will lead you to volunteer for some type of mission work later on, and I hope you’ll remain open to this possibility. Many churches and mission organizations depend on volunteers to help them, and I wish more people would consider these opportunities.

But it’s a mistake for you to think you have to wait until later on before you can serve God! God wants you and your husband to serve Him right now—and you can, by being faithful parents and helping others in Christ’s name. All around you are people (including your children) with all kinds of needs, and God wants to use you to touch their lives with His love and mercy. Ask God to help you see others the way Jesus did: “He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Begin by asking God to help you be the best parents you can possibly be—not only by what you do for your children, but by the way you live. Ask God also to help you point others to Christ—at work, among neighbors, even in casual contacts. Do others see Christ in you? The Bible says, “Set an example … in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

In addition, find ways to serve Christ through your church—teaching a class, singing in the choir, becoming involved in service projects. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

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