while still in my slippers.
I have been told repeatedly that I needed to put together a devotional book. Maybe I should say I have been strongly encouraged and to not do so is not acceptable. I took to heart the words spoken and written to me. I feel inadequate and uncomfortable. The words I have written on a daily basis are for my benefit. I put the thoughts down in writing as I learn and grow in my own life. Some days are filled with joys and victory. Other days are spent...struggling with the nitty grittiness of life.
This is a start of putting all my quiet moments in one place...for those who want to put on their slippers and in the comfort of your own home...allow God to work on those areas of life that are common to all. We should be searching the Scriptures daily, allowing God to work in our hearts, and changing our desires to be His desires. Sunday mornings aren't enough!
God gave me a wonderful husband twelve years ago. He challenges me in my daily walk to be the wife and mother that God wants me to be. He understands his role as a husband and father in God's Word and takes that job very seriously. It is because of his leadership, I can function in the role God has given me. When I am submitting to that God-ordained leadership in my life, I have peace and contentment. When I get stubborn and fight for my way, chaos errupts. I feel it in my spirit, I hear it in my voice, I see it in my reflection. The problems begin!
You wonder, how or why is that a problem! What is the big deal?
Nine years ago, a little girl was born into our family. A year and two weeks later, another little girl came to live with us. And eleven months and five days later, a little boy joined our family. It is not all about us anymore...we are parents...we are examples!
The first few years were spent in survival mode. Daddy worked many, many hours. Mommy slept very, very little. And the children were very, very busy...growing, learning, and changing. I struggled...daily!
My mother's words finally made an impact on my thinking, "Being a mother is the hardest work you will ever do. This is your ministry right now. God gave you these children and it is your job to be the best mother to them and the best wife to their father."
I still struggled...looking at what other women were doing or had. I had always done certain things. I didn't have the energy or time to give to those things now. It aggravated me. What about me and what I wanted?
I had to come to a place in my life where I made the choice to do...with my whole heart...what God had given me to do. I had dreamed of the day when I would be a wife and a mother...yet...here I was....and I wasn't content. It wasn't always fun. It was too hard. I couldn't do what I wanted when I wanted. My husband was always gone working. Three children in three years equals alot of work.
If only I could...
If only he would...
If only I had...
One day...I heard what I was saying...in my head.
I understood my selfish heart attitude. I watched our children playing. I saw what God had given us. I was hit with the realization that I was unthankful. My actions and attitudes grieved my Savior's heart. I had to confess those attitudes and thoughts. I had to admit and confess to the anger and frustration.
God had given me everything I had ever desired...an education, a husband, a job, a home, a loving family, a church home, and children. He had blessed me beyond measure...and I wasn't even thankful!
I wanted more. Nobody knew those thoughts...or so I thought! Those thoughts came out...in my attitude toward my husband and in my actions around our home. The outside looked fine, but the inside was full of turmoil. I am not perfect. I do not have it all together. Just ask my husband...just ask my children!
I am a sinner...saved by grace...bought with a price! My life ought to glorify God in word, action, and attitude. Our Christian life is a journey. Some days we are walking along in peace, and other days, we are taking two steps back.
On our family blog, I started having my quiet moments and recording them...so I could reread them on my two-steps-back days. My quiet moments were once few and far between. At this point in my life, I am not only surviving...but I am thriving with the Lord's help! The right heart attitude makes way for a teachable spirit. He has given me ministry opportunities as I have yielded my will and time to Him. He has taught me many things in the years that I have spent at home with our children. They have a mother who is thankful for the blessings of each day. As the children have gotten older, I have more time to study and enjoy the quiet moments with my Lord.
I am grateful for these times that are spent while I am in my slippers!
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