Moving Forward in a Whirlwind
by Linda Reiser

I grew up on a farm in the Midwest. There we often saw whirlwinds shoot the soil to great heights, carrying dirt upward and forward through a field. They were often harmless but the "whirl" of activity, the action, was incredible to watch.

Our lives sometimes seem like whirlwinds. The motion, the activity is incredible! Strange, isn't it, how it is very hard not to be busy? These days, people expect us to be busy and when people say "I guess you're busy, as usual," they may mean that as a compliment!

Jesus does not say we should not be busy with worldly affairs. He does not tell us that what we do is unimportant, valueless or useless. Rather, He asks us to shift the focus of our attention, to change our priorities. He does not speak about a change of activities, a change of pace or a change of contacts, but rather a change of heart!

Jesus asks us to set our heart on the kingdom of His Father, to let the Spirit work within us and among us in all we think, say or do.

This year, the whirlwind in my life was attending many of your LWML district conventions. What did I observe in that incredible whirlwind of activity? Women focused on serving, women moving forward in mission emphasis, in prayer and fellowship. The emphasis was certainly on the heart and what God has gifted each of you to do because of His grace and love.

Although much "business" was happening because of convention activities, there was also a great deal of calm in the whirlwind of activity. The calm was evident during Bible study, prayer time, singing and the joy that was evident on the faces of women who are serving the Lord with gladness!

What is this whirlwind carrying and where is it going? It is carrying forward the mission of sharing the Gospel message with the lost as God blesses our commitment to higher mission goals in the districts. As He answers our prayers and puts our mite gifts to work, God brings hope in Jesus Christ around the world. Just as the whirlwind carries the topsoil to a new location, our activity should carry the message of Jesus to our friends, family and neighbors.

If you want this "whirlwind" focus in your group, contact your Mission-Ministry Vision (MMV) Consultant. She will help your group sharpen its purpose, its focus for mission outreach and plan effective programs.

2003­2005 Mission Grants

"WHEREAS, the women of our church offer a potential but heretofore oft neglected power in the church" These were the very first words in a resolution adopted enthusiastically by the LCMS at its 1941 convention. A loan of $1,000 from Synod was used to launch the LWML. (This was repaid in full Dec. 17, 1943). Today, 62 years after our organizing convention, the LWML has been blessed to give over $16 million to global missions and missionaries through our national grants, and we still have an amazing potential to offer.*

When you contribute your mites, you are joining with women who went before us and women who will follow. We are all Lutheran Women in Mission, serving the Lord with gladness!

- Linda Reiser, President