Being fruitful is not something
we can put off until the laundry is done, the freezer is full of prepared
meals, and our children are older. It is easy for us as ladies especially, to
feel overwhelmed with the task of bearing fruit on top of our
seemingly-never-ending to-do list. And there lies the problem. Bearing fruit is
not something we can put on our list to check off when it’s completed. Bearing
fruit is what Christianity is all about. It is the very reason for our “to-do
list.” Obviously, we bear good fruits by striving to be godly wives and
mothers, but what about reaching others or encouraging our spiritual family? The
great commission applies to us, but too often we use our family obligations as
an excuse to put that on the back burner and often fail to ever go any further
with our good intentions. So I’ve
listed a few ways I personally try to be fruitful on a daily basis as a
stay-at-home mom (& wife). It is my hope and prayer these will encourage or
inspire you to be fruitful as well!
1.
Keep pamphlets/tracts about the church in your
purse to leave on the table when you go out to eat. Many of your local
congregations have these in the foyer & are more than happy to provide them
for you. (One I like to leave is “Come and See” by Garland Elkins.) You can
also do this with invitations to gospel meetings and other events your
congregation is involved in!
2.
Keep those same pamphlets/tracts in your car to
pass out when an opportunity arises. I even stuck labels to the back of these
tracts with our local congregation’s information and my blogsite. I keep Bible
study workbooks in the car as well.
3.
I like to mail all the bills I can because it is an
opportunity to put something such as a business card from The Light Network or
a small pamphlet with information about the Lord’s church. You may be thinking
that this is pointless & no one will read it, but how do you know? You may
be right, it may be thrown away, but it is a means of teaching. What if we were
all doing this? What if everyone at your congregation did this? Can you imagine
how many tracts would be sent out?!
4.
After sealing anything I mail out, I try to write
“In God We Trust” or "God Bless America" on it. I even ordered some stickers from Oriental Trading
with these words that I would encourage you to get as well, if possible.
5.
I love sending cards to people, but since the
arrival of my little boy finding time to do so is increasingly difficult. I’ve
found that organization is the best way to get this accomplished. I try to send
birthday cards each month. These can be prepared in advance and just left in a
prominent place to help you remember to mail them. I also prepare (in advance)
cards of encouragement to send to those who are shut-in or nursing home
residents. If you aren’t sure what to say on these, write a Bible verse and
sign your name! Trust me, the recipient will still love it whether or not you
are full of eloquent words. I try to keep a variety of cards on hand (and all
in one place) to send as the need arises (i.e. sympathy, get well, etc.).
Below, is a picture of my Pinterest inspired card box and a (hopefully helpful)
explanation of its contents.
What
suggestions do you have for being fruitful?