One of the saddest things I've heard came from a woman, about ten years ago, who approached me after I returned from visiting our mission work in Asia. This woman, a grandma, said she thought it was neat that I was able to go, and said, "When I was young, I felt God calling me to be a missionary. But, well, I ended up getting married and having kids, and it never happened."

There was a definite tone of regret in her voice. She had lived a good life. But...what might have been? I think that question still plagued her, 40 years later.

Instead of pursuing a glorious calling, she got married and raised good kids, who are now also raising good kids, and I'm sure those kids will grow up and raise good kids. Good, successful, comfortable, respectable, non-risk-taking kids.

Which is better: that our society have all of these good church-going progeny, or that instead this woman, as a scared but obedient young woman, had gone to Africa and perhaps died there a few years later?