Stretched Out

Does God ever stretch you out beyond what you think are your limits??!
He has a way of taking me way out of my comfort zone and making me see things His way.

Currently I want nothing more than to be a comfortable, part-time employee at my job. I want my Tuesdays and my Thursdays off to enjoy being a home maker, maybe having an occasional lunch with a friend, and running errands and taking care of business around town (ie shopping for a new dishwasher!). I want to be well-rested, have time for writing frivilous things on my blog, and spend time catching up with friends on facebook & email. I have books I want to read (and that includes my Bible!), I have Food Network TV shows I want to watch, I have projects I want to finally get done, and I have rooms that desperately need cleaning up or cleaning out. So much to do, so little time, it seems.

And yet, over and over, God reminds me that I'm not in this life to do all the things that *I* want to do. I am here to serve Him by serving others. Now that my children are growing up and in school, God seems to like me staying busy, often outside the safety of my own home. I personally dislike being busy, at least that exhausting busy where you leave the house at the crack of dawn and don't get home til after dark.

Yep, those are the kind of days God seems to allow me to have over and over again, even though I resist. Apparently, days like that build character - and show me that God cares more about my character than my comfort. It does make me entirely more thankful for the days "off" that I do get - and I can't complain because I have more time "off" than most of our staff at church (although I did take a pay cut to have that advantage). :)

Today was one of those days that I really don't like. They are the days that I dread getting up to start because I know they will be long and tiring. It was one of those Mondays where I had to face several things I really don't like to do - or I should say, I don't mind to do them but I don't necessarily ENJOY doing them. One was sub-teaching Biology, another had to do with an incident with a student that I had to deal with. It is a heart-breaking situation that I can't write about, but needless to say, this child needs much prayer. The emotional aspects of my job are way harder than any of the accounting or paperwork I do because I dwell on things entirely too much; I let things bother me that I should give over into God's capable Hands.

To top off the busy-ness of the day, we had to go straight to a basketball celebration after work - and it lasted over 2 hours, I think!! All I know is that after a brief stop at the grocery store, we didn't get home to eat supper until almost 8 p.m.

And tomorrow and Wednesday don't look any "easier" with me substitute teaching, group piano lessons, working a full office day on Wednesday, and church on Wednesday night. But God doesn't promise an "easy" life, He just promises to be with us! :)
(and our lives are so much easier than the days gone by or Christians who are persecuted or those who have debilitating illnesses; it's all about keeping things in perspective!)

I am not complaining - I am not whining. I am just sayin'...
I feel the adrenaline rushing as I anticipate getting through the next 2 days - and I feel the migraine lurking in my forehead. I also feel God prompting me along, asking me to let go of my own plans - and just do my ministry. I am not necessarily good at sub-teaching, but I am available. That's what matters. I am being stretched by God and allowed to be of service. I'd rather just stay home and serve myself and my little family - but God is showing me it is far better to exhaust myself for His purposes. It doesn't make me a holier person, it just makes me someone who is trying to do what is right, even though I often go about it all wrong.

I miss the days when my "ministry" was just taking care of my babies and my home. This new phase of life with children in school and a husband who is in ministry is a whole different world for me still, even after 4 years. I guess I'm not very good at change - God has to work hard to mold and stretch me to conform to His will, but He is very effective. I know that I can not deal with these busy days in my own strength, I have to rely on His sufficiency. I can have His joy in my journey through even the busiest, most emotional of days.

On long days like today, I am thankful for those who do work full-time in ministry. They encourage me more than they know by their faithfulness. It is not a burden. It is a privilege to do what I do, to have a tiny part, to give a little bit of myself - to be stretched into my place of service. After working full time for 3 years, I've actually kind of shrunk into the position I am in today. :)

I know some of our busy days are self-inflicted. Our kids don't have to play sports or take piano lessons. It is worth it to give my time to see my kids enjoying their activities like tonight at the basketball season-end ceremony (even if it did last 2+ hours!!). It is another reminder that my life is not just about me.

Anna's team:

Andrew's team:

The smiling faces that make it all worth while:

Today's prayer is something I will pray for not only Dan but for me too. I want to serve God and others with PURE MOTIVES. I want to obey God from my heart and glorify Him in everything!

Day 30
Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)