I find myself saying, "If I just didn't have to do this," "This is hard," "This is too much," "I feel so alone," "If I can just get it right and be done with it."So, we look for ways to do "it" better, faster and easier. It doesn't matter what it is. If it's not Chocolate or Vacation (woohoo!!!), we want to know how to get past the moment of dread. And it can be anything from doing the dishes, facing the never-ending laundry, disciplining the sassy-mouthed child, picking up the 15th dirty sock today, struggling in prayer and finding words to say to that hurting friend, figure out what's for dinner every night for 365 days a year...every year!!! How do I get through this trial. How did I get here and how do I get out. Why do I have to deal with this...again!
I have journals of notes that represent all the sermons, marriage and parenting conferences I have attended over the years, filled with all the "how tos." My bookcases are filled with books for couples, parenting, organizing the home, dealing with conflict, being assertive, overcoming addictions...on and on.
BUT....the more I study in it, I am finding all I really need is My Bible. I find myself wanting only to have my husband or children, lost friends, saved friends, read it alone. There in it holds our hope for the future and our joy for the moment. It tells me "how to" do this thing called Life!
A few minutes ago I received a devotional in my Inbox that spoke to this same subject. Getting past the rules and how-tos and move to the Source, not the fixes. So true! Because we are more of an informational based society than relational, we just want answers to "get through." What about in the moment? Is it possible to enjoy the difficult or mundane or exhausting moment? I say YES!!! It's a matter of the HEART:)
Just this week my Mentor called me out my "grumblings." What if I asked God to turn my grumblings into thanksgiving. Was I doing "that" for myself, in my own strength, because I "had" to or was I taking care of God's stuff, meeting a need with a servant's heart? Dishes, laundry, conflicts, trials, traffic, even anxieties or attacks can be overcome with joy. These things must be done, (anything we know we need to do but don't want to...cuz I know some of you actually like doing some of those things!), can't avoid them, but I do not need to have a grumbling attitude about them?! If I am asked to do something I can respond with a huff and a grumble or I can with joy,
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," (Colossians 3:23).
I get to choose my attitude. I personally do not like dusting, laundry, mopping, changing linens, picking up after other people's messes, but I know that God has called me to this season of Mothering, Being a Wife and Friend and Church Member, with certain trials and temptations in my life. Therefore, I must know there is a reason. Being rooted in the Word of God, it shapes my "how-tos." It shapes and molds my heart and mind. I may not always see the "why" but I will know "how."
"For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Mark 7:21-23
There is a place for instruction outside of God's Word. I think what we are missing is where we should start...
Step 1 "How To" Know God Intimately: His Love and GIft of Salvation.
Step 2 Understand His Great Love for you and in that, "How To" be the You He created you to be.
Step 3 Walk in and Learn About His Amazing Grace
Step 4 Live in community, not forsaking fellowship with other Believers, receiving help with wisdom and encouragement and accountability
Step 5 Walk Through Each Moment in Grace, choosing a heart of Love
Step 6 Seek out the applications of Hearts of Grace through resources given
Being in The Word, we find help...
John 14:26-27 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Titus 2: 3-8 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled,pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."
I Thessalonians 5: 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
I Thessalonians 5: 14-18 "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,encourage the fainthearted,help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Laundry- never-ending and exhausting...but leads to clean clothes, praise God for clean clothes to place on my family.
Dishes- smelly and sticky but when they are clean, I can serve fresh food and serve my family, reminding me of my Daily Bread's provision.
Picking up other's stuff- learning the act of servanthood when not deserved or appreciated, showing me how Christ walked on this earth, humbled and with purpose
Cleaning bathrooms- keeps my family healthy and fresh, reminds me of how God washes me white as snow, cleansing me from my sins...every week after week.
Listening to the whiners- I get to show patience and practice self-control, giving gentle correction and turn their grumbling hearts to what God has purposed for them
My end goal is not "task accomplished" (although my husband might disagree-lol!). My end goal is to reflect the sacrifice and servanthood of Christ, serving with blessings and not bitterness.
Whatever I face, even amongst tears, I can work through it with joy. I'm never alone. I have my Helper and other tangible helpers to keep me focused on Christ, knowing in the end, my goal is to honor God. To love Him back. For my heart to be shaped into His even if it hurts for there is joy in the moment knowing I am protected and purposed for. There are no wastes in His economy.
God is my ultimate sweet-joy!! He makes me smile, fills me, satisfies my cravings and I so look forward to my times meeting with Him. He is the chocolate drizzle over all my life!!! I'm not different than my kids desiring a reward for the toil. I am learning which reward I am wanting...it's more of Him! "Better is one day in Your house than thousands elsewhere!!" I will spend my whole day with Him, making it a great day!! For me, everything is sweeter and made better with Chocolate! Keeping my eyes on the outpouring of sweet joy for every moment!!!!
Precious are You Lord, the Joy of my Salvation!!!! My Saving Grace in the toil of Life!!!!!
I Love You Jesus!
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