Life around here gets jumbled, and as much as I try to get it all done, I'm just not the super-dee-duper, keep the house spotless and my kids bright and shiny Mom that I'd like to be! In all honesty, sometimes I get the kids in bed and head straight for the couch to watch some fairly pointless tv show or fiddle on my laptop!
That being said, it's funny how God finds ways to call me on the carpet when I get a little lackadaisical about it all. In 1 Chronicles today, King David was talking to his son Solomon about the temple. As David pulled out his "blueprints," Solomon must have felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work he was about to do. But listen to what David said to him:
"Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary ... " "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God - my God - will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord." (I Chronicles 28: 10, 20)
This encouragement is not just for Solomon, it is for us as well! Proverbs 14:1 reads, "The wise woman builds her house, and the foolish tears it down with her hands." This tells me that we, as women, are builders commissioned by God, just as Solomon was. The temple we are building, though, is right at our fingertips. It's in the hearts of our children, in the home we create for them, and in the character we're trying to build in them!
When life starts to pile up around us, and the job feels so big that we don't even know where to start, just remember David's words! Be strong and of good courage, AND DO IT. I love that! Not 'be strong and of good courage, and think about it,' or 'be strong and of good courage, and come up with a good plan, or commiserate with friends, or wait until tomorrow.' God has chosen each one of us to build our own homes, and we need to do it! And the best part is that He will not leave us or forsake us until we finish all the work He has called us to do!
If that makes you nervous, David also tells Solomon in verse 9, "If you seek Him, He will be found by you." Solomon took those words to heart when he asked the Lord for wisdom. We, too, need to remember to seek the Lord, and make sure that we are following His blueprints for our life and not our own. His plans for us are far more beautiful than ours could ever be!
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"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
I am like you.... I learned early on I cant compare myself with some women who are on go constantly. I was never like that even when I was young! I love that you show in scripture that God gives us direction. We all need to be reminded our place in our home and what needs to get done. Isnt it funny how it almost seems sneaky when the cats away to sit and do nothing. I have also learned over the years that our job is 24/7. Since we dont punch that 8-5 clock I think its probably ok to take some time to sit/rest whatever that means to you. Of course if you do that toooo much it could be a problem, but most if us probably know when that is and I know in my home my husband would probably let me know! LOL....
ReplyDeleteMy kids are older now and my season has changed and its not as crazy as it used to be, however, I still do need to maintain a household of order. Some days easier than others! Our first job is to always keep God first and these scriptures are a wonderful way of keeping our life as wives and moms in the correct order! Our seasons change... but with that comes new blessings that God has given us. My newest season now calls me gramma! LOVE IT! Thanks AMY!
Thank you for sharing! You're right ... the comparing game just doesn't get us very far, and usually all it does bring feelings of guilt that are not from the Lord! The daily work does need to get done, and that's a part of it! God is so gracious when He blesses us with time to rest and rejuvinate, too, though, so we can have the energy we need to take care of our families!
ReplyDeleteI'm also learning that just as the physical part of my home is so important, the emotional and spiritual parts of my home need to be built up as well. For me, those are the areas that can seem the most daunting, but I know God will be with me to the end!
I am learning that as God asks more of us in the various areas of our lives, He also asks more of our time with Him! Making further sacrifice to spend more time or better quality time with Him is pleasing to Him, and better restores me!
ReplyDeleteI praise Him for His faithfulness to us...and it seems to deepen while the whirlwinds of our lives encircle us. Thanks for your encouragements Amy! :)
I agree, DeAnn, especially with the "better quality time" part. It's so easy to do a quick, cursory of scripture or just pray while I'm up and about doing other things, but when I really sit down and pray and read (like I know I'm supposed to) ... He always meets me there! We need Him so much, but why is that so hard to remember when life gets busy?!
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