Counting the Cost

by Shannon Milholland

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, 

after you have suffered a little while, 

will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10

My mom stayed home with me. I expected to grow up and do the same but when my fiance graduated from college his first salary was the same as my Dad's had been over four decades prior. Our lifestyle and desires demanded I work and when a baby happened along two years into marriage, I chose to be a working mom.

Still those stay-at-home moms seemed to me to have it so easy. They spent lazy days at the park or the pool. They colored and played with playdough. They had plenty of time to plan and execute elaborate meals and entertain. 

My first marriage ended in divorce and I thought my dreams of life at home died with it. But God's poured out mercy at abundantly on a single mom and her two little girls. God sent a knight in shining armor...okay so it was an executive with a red Corvette. In two year's time we met, fell in love and at long last my dream of being home with my children was fulfilled.

Life as a stay-at-home mom wasn't near as idealistic as I had envisioned. Most days I felt lost and useless. Whether I realized it or not, I had defined myself by my work and the sense of accomplishment it gave me.

I hadn't counted the cost.

Two children and five years later, Scott would leave the corporate world to enter vocational ministry. In 30 days time, we lost significant income, our dream home, our church home and living near family. 

More devastating was the emotional losses. I cried nearly every day. Never had I felt more alone or lonely.

I hadn't counted the cost.

Whether you're a 30 year ministry veteran or ministry virgin, ministry will demand loss. 

Have you counted the cost?

What ministry requires none of us have the capacity to give. We have to limp every morning into His waiting arms. He fills what others empty. He alone can make us strong, firm and steadfast because...

He already counted the cost.
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Shannon is a morning runner, an afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus.

She is the voice of Jesus & My Orange Juice, a fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. Shannon finds joy among piles of laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of contentment in life, through the written and spoken word.

Connect with her online at ShannonMilholland.com or on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.