It Isn't the Same

Have you ever had something about you be the same for so long that you didn't really notice God changing you?  For so long, my profession, my heart, my everything has been about children.  I wanted to be a teacher from 6th grade on (maybe earlier).  I worked with children all through middle school, high school and college - baby-sitting, nursery, teaching, tutoring, etc.  When I graduated college, I began teaching right away - taught kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade during my 9 year span.  When I had my daughter, I began teaching the children's Sunday School class at our church.  I figured that is where my gifts are, that is my passion...right?  Well, recently I have realized I hadn't been so passionate about teaching Sunday School - not that I don't love the children and want to serve them and teach them Christ's love for them, but I just haven't been excited about doing it. 


A close friend was telling me about how a lot of times the "struggles and trials" we have been through become our passion.  God uses those to allow us to help others and encourage others b/c we've been through it and came out the other side.  Well, as she was telling me this I was thinking what has been my struggle or my trial?  I thought of 2.


1)  My marriage!  I mean, not now - right now it is pretty great and my husband and I praise God often, but at the beginning it was pretty rough.  We started out as two non-Christians who were basically sharing an apartment.  We didn't consult the other on anything - we didn't communicate very well at all and we fought constantly.  God brought us so far in teaching us, through HIS word about how to treat each other.  He taught me how to be submissive to my husband (which doesn't mean letting my husband walk all over me or beat me or any of the "negative" things some people think when they hear the word submissive) and how to let him lead our family.  The Lord also taught my husband how to love me and be more sensitive to my needs and my desires.  Because we had a rough marriage for about 4 years, I can relate through those wives who are struggling in their marriage, I have a heart for those women who want "out" because I was there. 


2)  Being a mother!  I really struggled in the transition from being a working wife to being a stay at home mother.  I knew it was what I needed to do and it was best for my daughter, but it took a lot of prayer and a lot of struggle to get to where I was content with this new "job" that God had called me to do. 


So, my passions have changed.  I am passionate about helping women who are struggling in these areas and providing encouragement for them because, like I said, I have been there.  I am not so sure what specific ministry God wants me to be a part of in order to use these struggles to help others, but I am keeping my eyes open. 


I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will follow you!

Setting an Example

I've tried various methods of cleaning my house, but the one that seems to work the best for me now is this:


Monday - laundry (all), general cleaning from the weekend
Tuesday - Bathrooms and gather trash
Wednesday - Dust
Thursday - vacuume and mop and laundry (just clothes)
Friday - catch up day - grocery shopping


I am thankful that I have a husband who isn't overly concerned with whether the dishes get washed each day or if the floors got mopped that week because sometimes I am really slack in my household chores.  The thing I have realized lately though, is that I am setting an example for my daughter, not only with what I am doing, but with the attitude I do it with. She has started commenting on the fact that I need to do ALL those dishes in the sink.  I usually reluctantly say, "I know, I know, I'll do them soon" 

If I want her to do her jobs the right way, all the way and in a nice way - then I need to do mine that way as well.


Lilly's Jobs:
 
Clearing and setting the table.
Wiping the table.

Moving the trash can to the back after the trash man comes.

Putting the silverware away.

Folding the wash cloths.


So, as I learned in the Frazzled Female study this past semester, I will make a list of the things I think need to be done that day and pray over it.  If it isn't important to God that I get it done then I pray He will let me know so that I only do what He wants me to that day.  All the rest, I pray He will allow me to do with a cheerful heart.

Blueberries

A few days ago, some friends and I took our children blueberry picking.  My daughter and I went last year and the blueberries we picked lasted us a good 9 months, so I was excited to go back and do the same thing this year.  It was very warm outside by the time we made it to the farm (here in Texas it gets like that :) )  so I think all of us moms had similar thoughts - lets just pick the blueberries, fill our buckets, and get to where the a/c is.

Our children, on the other hand, had different ideas.  They wanted to eat the blueberries and run in and around the rows.  As moms, we kept saying, "Don't eat them, pick them."  But, how could we expect them to resist the temptation of eating a delicious blueberry that was right in front of their face?  Could I resist a temptation like that?

Were they wrong? I don't think so....

The moms knew we were trying to prepare for the future, have blueberries to eat for later.

The children were enjoying the experience, enjoying what God had provided at the moment. 

I know I can learn from the children and remember to stop and enjoy the moments we are given at the time.  :)