Have you written anything to help us treasure Christ more?
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(But before you do, go HERE to read about the KEY TO EVANGELISM in the 21st century! (Hint: It’s something every single one of us can do whoever we are and wherever we live!)
Visionary Link Up: Treasuring Christ, and the Key to Evangelism
About Wemmick GirlNatalie Klejwa is a child of the King, wife of 20 years to Joe, and mother to 9 miracles ages 0-18.
Natalie is the creator of Apple Valley Natural Soap, which gives her children an opportunity to earn money at home and expand their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Passionately believing in the sovereignty of God and the sufficiency of Scripture for all of life, she has rejected the Wemmick culture box and prefers the ancient paths found in the Word of God. Natalie taught high school English when she was single and has been discipling women for 25 years through full time campus ministry, personal mentoring, writing, and Bible studies.
More recently, she is the founder and administrator of the Visionary Womanhood blog, author of Visionary Womanhood Gatherings: A Family Strengthening Mentorship Tool for Women and Maidens, and a contributing author of The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking and You Can Do It Too: 25 Homeschool Families Share Their Stories.
You can hear her being interviewed on Kevin Swanson's Generations with Vision radio program.
Oh…as I franticlly dig for the right words or scriptures I would love to humbly share what is racing through my heart and head. It is indeed a blessed thing to show hospitality, to invite a coworker and their family, a family in the church whom you have yet to know more personally, a family from a club or sport you are involved in, this is good. We must take care and not move haistaly. I think hospitality and reaching out to a hand to the distaff (or giving to others) as well as our mission field, take different forms depending on where our path is in the family of God. If you are a single man, let’s just say, then picking up a hitchhiker or pulling over to help someone change a tire is a different thing than if you are a single lady. If there is a person asking for money for lunch and you are out on a filed trip or running errands with your children, maybe you can’t buy lunch for everyone, but maybe out for drinks would be fine. *smile* Still consider the patience of your children. They are people too. *smile* I want to make sure it is clear that there are more ways than just inviting a stranger off the street into your home. We can reach out and show hospitality in so many ways.
We have opened our home to many of my husband’s co-workers when they are new to the area or are visiting for business. Many of them know of God but don’t have a relationship with Him. We invite them into our home to join our family for supper after a long day at work then visit after dinner. Part of the blessing is not having dinner ready when they get here and to have them help in some way. *smile* This gives us more time to visit with them. When we do this, the children are my priority and my beloved helps out but his focus in the guests. This way our kids still get to bed at a descent time and we are able to share Christ with others. It’s our way of deviding and conquring. *big smile* Just a thought from one momma of two growing blessings who need to see how to share Jesus in many different ways. *big smile* Thank you for sharing this today. Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
Thanks for the great reminder to show hospitality to the lost & to the believers, & for hosting the linkup, & God bless!
I have been thinking and wrestling with this topic for the last few months, ever since my 5th baby was born. I have struggled, greatly, with just accomplishing the basic tasks of caring for my home, my family, homeschooling, and the one ministry that God has called me to. I guess I really have two questions.
First, when is it okay to say “no” to inviting someone in your home? I have many people who ask to come over with their children during the week, Two, even three different ones each week. Others who want to talk on the phone at length about difficulties in their lives. I have been saying no to these things because I feel like if I can’t handle the basics right now, I can’t add more too it. We do invite families to our home on weekends, but I feel badly for turning people away during the week. I am always saying no to someone.
The other question is about unbelievers. If you have had them to your home, share the gospel many times, and they have rejected it, at what point do you (if at all) “shake the dust off your feet?” And how do you balance evangelizing in your home with protecting your children from sin?
Thank you!!
Hi Jess,
I’m not sure God is calling you to do this type of thing in your current season of life. You could divorce your husband and send your kids to foster care…and then you’d be available to do all kinds of good deeds for the Lord! LOL! (You know I’m kidding…but you get my point?)
Jesus said “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
He loves you regardless of how much you can show hospitality at any given time in your life. You can’t do anything more to earn His favor than just being YOU…because you are bought with the blood of His Son. Jesus did it all. That frees you up to DO or NOT DO what you are able to do.
Here’s how I think of this whole thing: God has given us the HUGE task of caring for little ones (and big ones too for some!) As God enables us and gives opportunities to “bring in” others, we can do that. But that doesn’t mean we say “yes” to every wind that blows in our direction.
God has a lot of children on this earth. While He’s got you doing one thing, He’ll get another child to do something different. We can’t ALL do it ALL. And He doesn’t expect or require that. And while we’re on the subject, we don’t have to compare ourselves or look “down” on those who are called to something different than we are called to. (This happens a lot with us Wemmicks, doesn’t it?!) (And I’m not saying YOU are doing that…I’m just throwing that out there because it is something I wrestle with and know others do too…it is likely we all do that periodically. So I mention it. : ) )
You concentrate on the task at hand….your baby and little ones…and one day God will open up doors for your whole family, OR individuals in your family, to minister to others in ways you never dreamed. Love you Jess!!!
Thank you Natalie, SO MUCH. I often fall into the trap of thinking if I’m not fulfilling every command of scripture at once, I’m failing. Have I given to poor, visited those in prison, cared for the widow and orphan TODAY?? My goodness it seems ridiculous. You are right, seasons of life, and GRACE. I read a great thing by CJ Mahaney the other day. He said that while we are continually being sanctified, we will never be more justified than we are right now. Totally kills that desire for works based salvation creeping in. And thanks for the reminder about not looking down on others. Even if you weren’t saying I was doing so, I struggle with a critical spirit and appreciate the reminder. Love you friend!!!