Vision for Appointed Time

Habakkuk 2:3 – “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and will not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

Habakkuk 2:4b – “. . .but the just shall live by his faith.”

Sometimes we, as mothers, think that our “ministry of mothering” is in vain. We get caught up in the day-to-day, repetitious tasks that need to be done in order to keep a home running smoothly. Those things often go unnoticed by our husband and children, and are evidently taken for granted – clean house, fresh clothes, cooked meals, stocked pantry, replenished refrigerator, budget maintained, daily wake-up calls, social secretary, child chauffeur, teacher, etc., etc., etc. And we think, “Does any of it really matter?” The same thing day-in and day-out; routine is followed and schedules are kept. And we, as mothers, are at the center of it! If WE don’t keep up the pace, our homes will fall apart! We can get tired and weary. But we need to keep “looking up” and remember that ours is a “ministry”…. A ministry to our husband and children…. A ministry that God has called us to, in blessing us with a husband to encourage and serve, and children to love and raise. And we WILL receive our reward. We must not lose heart!

As Christian mothers, we will have eternity and its rewards from a loving, heavenly Father. If we are faithful to that in which He has called us, we will hear the precious words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matt 25:21).

We, as mothers, must keep our vision, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Hab. 2:3). “The fulfillment of God’s promises may seem to tarry, by our reckoning. But God has an appointed time for their accomplishment, and we can be sure it will come on time, for He does not lie.” (Defender’s Bible p. 971)

So, weary mother, “Keep on, keeping on!”. Count it a joy to serve, as you iron your husband’s shirts, help your children with their schooling, and fix your family dinner. Let your faith in God’s Word see you through. “For the just shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4b). We “shall rejoice in time to come”(Prov. 31:25b). For God promises in Proverbs 31:30-31:

“But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Maribeth Spangenberg is a homeschool mother of nine, whom she and her husband, Steve, have always educated at home. Her three oldest children have graduated from homeschool highschool. She continues to teach her remaining children at home.