The lot is cast into the lap..
William was having a tender moment with Jetta today. It went something like this:
William: Did you know you are a gift from God? A special gift.
Jetta: Excuse me.
William: Why, did you poot?
Jetta: Yeah.
Isn't that just like a kid; you try to have a heartfelt conversation and they poot on your efforts. Or, you try to discipline them and are angry, then they turn around and give you the same glare or roll of the eyes that you once gave your parents and they break the hard moment. I love my kids; they completely turned my life upside down but they make me and my life better and richer. Which brings me to my first line. It's from Proverbs 16:33. "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is the Lord." There is no way of knowing before you have children how your life will be turned upside down and inside out; but God knows the beginning from the end. It's not just with kids; it's also with work, friends, school, church, or marriage. We have ideas of how things will happen, but with the lot is finally thrown into our laps it's usually a whole 'nother ball game. The lot that is in your lap was dispositioned by the Lord; it went through His hands before it came to you. These children that were thrown into my lap were placed there by God and entrusted to me. These children that were the catalyst for me leaving a lucrative career to stay home and wipe butts without a thank you or paycheck, these children that are the reason I am solely a clearance rack coupon stacking girl instead of a throw it in the cart shopper, these children that make me laugh when I really want to be annoyed; they are my lot. And I'm thankful for the lot. I'm thankful that no matter how difficult the task before me I have the hands and ears of God willing to lead and teach me; His arms to hold me when it's rough going; and He causes His face to shine on me when I'm weary. Life is not perfect, it is not the way I thought it would or should be, there are things that just absolutely stink which I have no control over, and I am typing this in the midst of some struggles; but I'm thankful for the life I have and wouldn't want to trade it for anyone else's. Even when the kids poot while their daddy is trying to boost their self esteem. Especially when they poot.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Jetta and I were folding towels a few days ago; and she is my designated wash cloth folder. After folding nearly all of her share she decided to just lie down. I told her there were only two more left and for her to get up and finish them, then take a break. Her response? "I just need to rest for a little while."
How often have I done that to my mother, pastor/leader (ouch!), husband, children, and worst of all, God. Maybe not that often, but often enough to be convicted. Proverbs 31:13 identifies an important quality of a virtuous woman: she works willingly with her hands. When she's working, she is doing it willingly, readily, gladly, and is inclined to her work. Proverbs 31:18 says that her candle doesn't go out by night. This doesn't mean the woman never sleeps (could any mortal be virtuous after never sleeping?) but it means that she is ready, willing, and inclined to work or do when needed/required (sick kid/family, unctioned to pray/read, etc). This working willingly thing is hard for me; I like working, I like being busy, I like doing things... when I want to. But that is not what willingly means. It means I do it as I am doing my work unto the Lord; whether it's feeding an infant or a homeless man, cleaning diapers or a customer's bank account, vaccuuming a cathedral or cleaning a toilet... willingly, without griping/grumbling. The work that our hands have been called to do is to be done willingly, readily, and completely. Don't lay down before the work is completed; don't faint when you are still at the start line. Let's be brave enough to be called virtuous, excelling over those who only do virtuously yet lack the actual quality of being virtuous.
How often have I done that to my mother, pastor/leader (ouch!), husband, children, and worst of all, God. Maybe not that often, but often enough to be convicted. Proverbs 31:13 identifies an important quality of a virtuous woman: she works willingly with her hands. When she's working, she is doing it willingly, readily, gladly, and is inclined to her work. Proverbs 31:18 says that her candle doesn't go out by night. This doesn't mean the woman never sleeps (could any mortal be virtuous after never sleeping?) but it means that she is ready, willing, and inclined to work or do when needed/required (sick kid/family, unctioned to pray/read, etc). This working willingly thing is hard for me; I like working, I like being busy, I like doing things... when I want to. But that is not what willingly means. It means I do it as I am doing my work unto the Lord; whether it's feeding an infant or a homeless man, cleaning diapers or a customer's bank account, vaccuuming a cathedral or cleaning a toilet... willingly, without griping/grumbling. The work that our hands have been called to do is to be done willingly, readily, and completely. Don't lay down before the work is completed; don't faint when you are still at the start line. Let's be brave enough to be called virtuous, excelling over those who only do virtuously yet lack the actual quality of being virtuous.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Hello again.. It's been a while since I've been on here. I think it's because I couldn't find a layout with polka dots before; I just adore polka dots.
Polka dots aside, in the past three years or so I have been a busy lady. Went through three promotions at work, had another baby, and became a stay at home mom. Crazy how staying at home with the kids is more exhausting than working a full 40 hour work week and then coming home to care for the hubby, babies, and home. Basically, the grass isn't always greener. But, while the grass may not always be greener on the other side; the side you spend more time on and with is going to be the better grass. It was a hard decision to stay home: I had been with my company twice the amount of time that I have been a wife, let alone mother. I worked hard for my promotions, salary, and reputation. I spent a lot of time on that grass.
Now I am home with two kids everyday.. by myself. But God is faithful. I could look longingly at the other side of the fence; where my decisions were respected and obeyed (or, at least where those under my authority had the decency to pretend they respected the decisions), where I had authority at my place of work, where I was the person to go to for answers. Now, my minions try to boss me around. They want to be the teachers when they have yet to master the art of bathing. This grass looks brown-oh it's beautiful, but sometimes it's crunchy on my feet where I want comfort. I'm not allowed as much caffeine as I feel I need since I'm nursing the mini minion; yet there is no sleeping in or turning in early. Corporate America is beginning to look like a vacation. Did you know that a three year old will expect you to kiss a boo boo, even when they got it while being willfully defiant (I got that phrase from my mom-she loved it)? You told them a million times not to jump off the couch, they bump their head, and all of a sudden now they need your support. Back at my old job, that would have been a write up. At this job, it's a kiss and half a box of junior mints. But I digress.
The point is, this grass I'm spending time on won't be getting too green if I don't meet it's needs. So, I water with the Word, sow in prayer, and sun it in worship of the Son. I may not get the accolades that I in my selfishness wish I would receive (the bonuses in this job are not monetary. no shopping spree at Coach for me in the near future!); but this is the grass I want to have flourish and grow. I'm not perfect in my efforts, but I am making the effort and am willing to learn and be trained. My time on this earth will not be for long: I want each moment and memory to count.
I leave you with two verses today in regards to grass, and just who makes it to grow. If the Lord would favor me in my work outside my home; then He will certainly favor me in my work within my home.
"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." Psalm 147:8
"Ask ye of the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zechariah 10:1
Rain on my household Lord; rain on us with your mercy, justice, friendship, healing. Let your Spirit fall on us like rain and grow us in grace. My trust is in you, this is the time of rain Lord: provide the rain. Lord, grow this grass, make it green, something of beauty, something to reflect your goodness, something to lead those who spend time on it to You.
Polka dots aside, in the past three years or so I have been a busy lady. Went through three promotions at work, had another baby, and became a stay at home mom. Crazy how staying at home with the kids is more exhausting than working a full 40 hour work week and then coming home to care for the hubby, babies, and home. Basically, the grass isn't always greener. But, while the grass may not always be greener on the other side; the side you spend more time on and with is going to be the better grass. It was a hard decision to stay home: I had been with my company twice the amount of time that I have been a wife, let alone mother. I worked hard for my promotions, salary, and reputation. I spent a lot of time on that grass.
Now I am home with two kids everyday.. by myself. But God is faithful. I could look longingly at the other side of the fence; where my decisions were respected and obeyed (or, at least where those under my authority had the decency to pretend they respected the decisions), where I had authority at my place of work, where I was the person to go to for answers. Now, my minions try to boss me around. They want to be the teachers when they have yet to master the art of bathing. This grass looks brown-oh it's beautiful, but sometimes it's crunchy on my feet where I want comfort. I'm not allowed as much caffeine as I feel I need since I'm nursing the mini minion; yet there is no sleeping in or turning in early. Corporate America is beginning to look like a vacation. Did you know that a three year old will expect you to kiss a boo boo, even when they got it while being willfully defiant (I got that phrase from my mom-she loved it)? You told them a million times not to jump off the couch, they bump their head, and all of a sudden now they need your support. Back at my old job, that would have been a write up. At this job, it's a kiss and half a box of junior mints. But I digress.
The point is, this grass I'm spending time on won't be getting too green if I don't meet it's needs. So, I water with the Word, sow in prayer, and sun it in worship of the Son. I may not get the accolades that I in my selfishness wish I would receive (the bonuses in this job are not monetary. no shopping spree at Coach for me in the near future!); but this is the grass I want to have flourish and grow. I'm not perfect in my efforts, but I am making the effort and am willing to learn and be trained. My time on this earth will not be for long: I want each moment and memory to count.
I leave you with two verses today in regards to grass, and just who makes it to grow. If the Lord would favor me in my work outside my home; then He will certainly favor me in my work within my home.
"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." Psalm 147:8
"Ask ye of the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zechariah 10:1
Rain on my household Lord; rain on us with your mercy, justice, friendship, healing. Let your Spirit fall on us like rain and grow us in grace. My trust is in you, this is the time of rain Lord: provide the rain. Lord, grow this grass, make it green, something of beauty, something to reflect your goodness, something to lead those who spend time on it to You.
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