A Mom’s Van is Her Ministry, and It’s a Big Deal

My van is my ministry.

Our van cycles in and out coolers, chairs for games, suitcases for vacations, sports bags, bug spray, sunscreen, umbrellas, and hoodies. Our met needs surround us.

Our van carries our kids to their school and activities. Places where they get to figure out what they’re good at and what they’re not. Activities to challenge them, grow them, and give them experiences to learn from.

Our van is their safe place to talk. The doors close and words can tumble out half-hazard, unfiltered, and with no judgment. Everyone can sort through their thoughts surrounded by listening and support.

Our van holds our community. Friends are invited, carpools welcome, and interaction encouraged. Stories and laughter ricochet off the walls of our car. Friends riding along make life more fun.

Our van is reliable. It shows up continually to pick our kids up day or night. If I wasn’t planning on grabbing my kids right then but they want me to, they text, and I’m scrambling for my keys.

Our van is where I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It’s a place where I hope my kids grow up seeing God’s character echo in their daily lives…

The One who holds us all meets our needs,

gives us talents to celebrate and share,

longs to hear our untangled thoughts,

nourishes through community,

and can be counted on again and again.

So many hours have been and still are spent in our van that it has become my ministry.

A very important one.

Shopping for your family?

Best Booklist for High School Teenagers

Best Booklist for Middle School Tweens

Inspirational Books Moms Will Love to Read

Gift Ideas for Moms of Tweens and Teens

Gift Ideas for Teenage Boys

Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls

Gift Ideas for Dads

45+ Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers for Tweens and Teens

Easter Baskets Stuffer Ideas for Big Kids

Dorm Room Essentials

And so many more great lists of must-haves built just for families of big kids on Empowered Moms and Kid’s specialized Amazon Affiliate Storefront…

Join this community of moms raising big kids

Your brain bounces between your day at work, what time(s) your kids need to be at practice, your teen’s missing school assignments, that you haven’t called your mom lately, the load of the laundry to be switched, “What’s for dinner?” and “Why are 3 of my brain-tabs frozen?”

You are raising tweens and teens and college-age kids – the unique parenting phase where everything gets easier…and harder.

Join our community of raising big kids and get occasional email encouragements in your inbox including instant access to the freebie library. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Cheryl Donely

Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.