The Happy Non-Homemaker

Normally I have the day off on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this week, I will be substitute teaching instead. I was saving my pictures for a Happy Homemaker post - but it may be a long time before I am that again (not sure how long this teacher will be out, her husband is recovering very slowly from major surgery).

While I am glad to help out at the school, honestly, truthfully, I resent the upheaval of my nice part-time work schedule just a little bit. I know God will use this week to stretch me (I'm not a teacher - dare I write that again??!) and to show me yet again it's not about me and my finely-tuned schedule. It's about serving others & doing what I can to help. It's a lesson I wish I had learned many years ago - but I'm a late bloomer! :)

Never the less, I will miss the following things on my days off this week - and they will be sweeter when I can do them again perhaps in the next week or two.

I love to "catch up" with God when everything is quiet on my days off. I can do that any time - but there is something special about being alone at home with only the Lord. I love quiet - no music, no noise - I crave it and look forward to it so much. Don't get me wrong though - I do have my "shows" that I like to have on in the background while I work sometimes. :) I rarely just sit & watch TV - although I do "waste" plenty of time on my computer, reading blogs, emails, and catching up on Facebook! I'm definitely NOT a perfect time manager!! :)
My side of the bed - my favorite place to sit & read books and my blogs & to write & to study. My other favorite place is on my couch (where I am right now) with a cozy blanket (on a chilly evening like tonight) - my kids running in and out of the room - and my husband asleep on the love seat near by.

I started out my household journal with this yellow notebook a few months ago - and just in the last few days I've been transcribing everything to a cute, new, hard-backed, spiral-bound journal! I write all the wonderful recipes I come across in there & other ideas and inspiration I find along the way.

I have never considered myself very domestic - but I'm slowly getting there. My cooking has improved significantly lately (finally! ) - and my appreciation for HOME is huge after having worked outside the home for almost 5 years now. No where is safer than home! Working in a ministry & with children, for me, it is so emotionally draining to listen to the problems other families have or to know about the heartache many face and often about the poor choices people (especially Christians) make that destroy their lives. It makes me just want to hug my own little family tighter & closer - and thank God for His protection and blessings and goodness. We don't deserve it, and life can change tragically in a moment. I need to be more thankful for the little things & the "normal" moments & the common day occurrences.

I will confess it isn't as easy for me as it sounds when I write it down in my blog. I feel sorry for myself, complain, get grumpy, and find myself very discontent with my life in general. I get jealous of those who have the life I used to live or who aren't fettered by a job. I mourn over missed opportunities and over what wasn't, unfulfilled dreams and wishes. I am sad that I'm not independently wealthy (ha! but seriously, wouldn't that makes things a little easier?!) - but I know that this is where GOD wants me right now. There is so much GOOD to focus on instead. That is what I am trying to remind myself of as I write today. Life IS good, but more importantly GOD is good!