I just went through and looked at a few comments that had been left on another posting.
I read a post from Anonymous that I would like to address.
God has really been working on me about His will for my life. Ask my kids. I have been on this kick for quite a while.
When I was young, I wanted desperately to know what God's will was for my life. I was about to graduate from highschool, head off to some college and do something with my life. I was scared. I wanted to do what was right. I wanted to head in the right direction. So, I went to some people that I truly respected and believed knew the answers to life's big questions. And I said, "How will I know what God's will is for my life?" Each adult, without exception, gave me the same answer: "O-o-o-o-o-h-h-h-h! You'll just know!" Now, what kind of answer is that? No kind, that's what.
But, God in is his great compassion for my thick head has been so good over the last twenty years to teach me what His will is. You see, I am married. I answer to my husband. Whatever he says, goes. So, where I live, where I go, how I spend my time is not truly up to me. (Disclaimer: My wonderful husband is not an ogre. He is a godly man, and a very strong man and I treasure his protection over me. Otherwise, I could hurt myself.) And for me, the direction that my husband leads me IS God's will for me. I tell my children that where they live, who their siblings are, who their parents are, how they are educated is God's will for them. As He leads and opens opportunities for them, that is further direction from God towards His plan for them.
I say all of this because sometimes we can look at another person and see their life and long for something different in our own. You have the life that God has allowed at this time. If your children go to school, whether secular or private, and that is what your husband wants, that is God's will for you. Be thankful. Your Jerusalem may be far greater than mine will ever be. You are getting out there, influencing other children and ultimately other families. How you influence them is up to you. I don't necessarily have that opportunity. God gives each one a work to do.
So, you have carpet in your kitchen? Great. Your kids are probably less likely to break dishes than mine are. Your feet don't walk across a cold kitchen floor and catch missed crumbs that are still laying about. What a blessing!
Beyond all that I have shared, what is God's will for your life? "In everything give thanks, for THIS is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you." "I have learned in everything to be content." "Continually offer up that sacrifice of praise" "Do all things without grumbling and complaining" "Do your work as unto the Lord and not unto men for in this you will inherit a blessing."
When you are riding in the car with your children on the way to school, spend time singing together. Point out the beauty and creativity of your Father who loves you. Talk to your children about how good God is. Tell them how He is at work in your life. Travel time is excellent. You have a captive audience to share with. Let you children see you taking delight in life, in your relationship with your Saviour, in your husband and in your children.
When you are vacuuming your carpet in the kitchen, sing. Use it as a time to worship. Use it as a time for prayer, just you and Messiah.
I cannot stress enough, you don't wake up each morning ready to praise God in every circumstance. You train yourself by doing it. It is a habit that you can create in yourself.
I will be praying for you. My heart is filled with compassion for you and your family. May your heart be filled with joy and with a quiet spirit. May you be blessed with that wonderful, amazing peace that passes all earthly understanding.
God bless,
Elizabeth
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2 comments:
Ah Elizabeth,
You read quite well between the lines of my post. I do not want you to think, however that I am unhappy. It is my husband's wish that I work and not homeschool, but I learned long ago to submit my will cheerfully. I was quite miserable and made everyone else also until I learned to. I teach at a Christian school, where my children attend also. Their teachers are godly men and women. We go to school together and come home together. I even see them during the day. My husband likes things neat, but he helps me a lot. You can see that God has poured blessings on me, and I am thankful. My heart remains at home, though. I am so grateful for any time that I have for being domestic.(Now if I could only think of something to make for supper when it is 4:00 and the meat is all rock solid in the freezer, since I didn't think to take it out before we left this morning). My post was just to point out that while those at home may long for a greater ministry, some of us out here sometimes long for one like yours. I don't know many like myself, longing for home, but I know many who have begun at home, even homeschooling and abandon it for "freedom". After a long day, my laundry still needs done, dishes washed, that carpet vacuumed, when am I going to grade those tests, and oh, I still don't know what to make for supper ;). Fortunately my family likes rotisserie chicken and bagged mashed potatoes. They are just getting a bit tired of the inevitable chicken noodle soup that I make the next day. By the way, if you would put a bag of egg noodles in your chicken and dumplings and skip the tortillas, your husband might like it better. Also, homemade egg noodles are really easy and sooo delicious. Your girls could make them and they freeze well. Reading blogs like yours posted on the LAF site is like reading beautiful home magazines. I know my home will not look like that, but I can adapt some ideas for my own.
I know that what I am doing is God's will for me. I did not seek a job. He opened the door and sent me through. I have learned so much about submission from it.
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