Terry Jones of Christian music group Point of Grace lived a life of success and stardom in the Christian music industry for 13 years. But last month she left the ministry in order to spend more time with her husband and three small children. Making the decision was difficult for Terry and her husband Chris, but the peace they have experienced as a result has been resounding.

"I have always felt the pull between home and the road," says Terry, who describes herself as a "home body." "I like to be home; I like my family around; I like being with my loved ones." But she also enjoyed the ministry that she was involved in with Point of Grace. It was hard work but fulfilling, and the relationships that she built carried strong ties.

"I made a lot of friends in Nashville—our manager, our record company, the road crew, even the people that helped us with our money," Terry says, "and most importantly, the three girls whose relationships I have made for the past 13 years. We were very, very close friends. Just the thought of leaving them was excruciating."

But the weight of keeping up with a fast-paced career and having a stable home life was becoming too much to bear, especially after her third child was born and her oldest child began kindergarten. Terry found herself running in circles to make everything work.

"It was hard to pull off being the mommy and the wife that I desire to be first and foremost and having this huge career," Terry says. "My priorities were my family and my husband, and yet my time was being consumed with my ministry. I started wishing I could be home instead of having a caretaker taking care of my kids."

It became too much for one person to juggle … literally. On their last tour, Terry and the kids packed up 16 suitcases to take with them. "And really my heart was at home. God began working in me, telling me that I didn't have to do all of this."

For several months Terry and Chris struggled with the idea of leaving the group. "I'm in love with my husband and I'm in love with my children. And I'm so in love with them, I can't stand not being with them. For me, the decision to be with them everyday was easy," Terry says. "But I thought I might let everyone down by leaving. I didn't want them to be hurt by that. I wanted to make sure they were happy even when I wasn't because I didn't want them to miss a beat."

Finally, Terry came to terms with reality and knew what she had to do. After much prayer and consideration, she announced her decision to leave the group.

Terry and Chris faced their fears of disappointment, hurt, and bitterness, and in return they found love and overwhelming support. "That was the most unbelievable thing to me. I didn't know how people would respond because it's so public what we do," says Terry, "but God was so faithful as He showed me the precious, sweet responses of people who shared heartfelt encouragement. It was good to feel like I was surrounded with support."

The last few weeks have been especially difficult. Terry and Chris are facing a future that is largely unknown: How will this decision affect finances? What will it be like to have Terry home all the time? How will they deal with the loss of identity with Point of Grace and being involved in such a fulfilling ministry?

"It's going to be a different set up for our whole family," Terry says. "It's hard. But during all of this, the thing that I've realized the most is that when God calls us to something, He calls us to obey Him, follow Him, and follow our hearts. He doesn't say this is going to be easy."

Through all the pain, Terry and Chris know they've done the right thing. "I've never felt such a peace about a decision in my whole life about anything. It doesn't make sense that it would be so peaceful for me, though I'm so torn about it. It's that peace that surpasses all understanding. I know without a shadow of doubt it's the right thing to do."

Already life is much more relaxed for Terry, Chris, and the children. "I don't feel like I have to get everything done in the two days I'm home," Terry says. "If I don't get the laundry done today, who cares? I'll do it tomorrow. But right now, let's just go blow bubbles and play in the backyard!"

The children are too young right now to really appreciate what their mom has done for them and their future, but Terry knows. "My mom was home every day when I was little, and that gives stability to a child—seeing her mommy and daddy together loving each other every day," Terry says. "Seeing the example of my mom in my life … she's who I want to be like."

Some days are easier than others, but when discouragement comes, Terry thinks of a certain moment with her daughter Mallory. As they sat in Mallory's room, looking for books to read, Mallory brought out her Bible. Terry flipped open to a picture, and on it was written Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." As Terry recalls, "It was so fitting at that moment to be in my little girl's room, reading her Bible, and getting such a peace from the Lord that this is the right thing."

In Point of Grace's e-newsletter Heart to Heart, Terry shares her thoughts to fans and loved ones. In one sentence to her family, she sums up her joy for the future, "To my family," she writes, "I can't wait to wake up every single morning and go to bed every night knowing every part of your life. I LOVE being your mommy and Chris, I LOVE being your wife."