It's All Lies

January 1 came and went without resolutions for me this year...because I had already thought about it and didn't want to make them! Ha! But, in thinking about them, I decided I wanted to be intentional about a few things this year that I've let slip. One of those things is reading 1 book per month...which just seems ridiculous to say because I used to blow through books in a WEEK! That, my friend, was before children, and DVR, and Facebook, and Pinterest...and evidently I lost the joy and discipline of sitting down to read. I want to change that.

First book on my list for the year: Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Have you ever read a book that is hard to continue reading because you keep on getting convicted and have to stop and talk things out with God...sometimes a few days of talking before you realize there is no use fighting it, His words are true and you're in the wrong. Oh yes...that is this book. In fact, I'm a little concerned I might not finish it in January because I keep on having to stop and get right with God! Which I guess is a good thing, right?

Ok...that was the back story...onto the reason for this post. Two Things...

The Lie: I don't have time to do everything I'm supposed to do.
The Truth: There is time in every day to do every thing that God wants me to do. (Ps 90:10-12, Jn 17:4)
Sad truth realization to me is that I often feel this way, although I might not say it aloud. But really, there is SO much to do in a day/week/month! And I always feel like I'm behind! The author pointed out something I've never thought of. When Jesus' work on earth was finished, he said "I have finished the work which thou gave me to do." And he did it in 3 years...don't you think he probably had the biggest TO DO list the world has ever seen? He did what his Father asked him to do...not what his disciples or the multitudes thought he should do (like overthrow the Romans)...just what God wanted. Also, he didn't take on anyone else's list, he had his orders and finished what God gave HIM to do.
The Takeaway - I can't be concerned with what everyone else thinks I should be doing, and put their items on my daily agenda. God has given me the items He wants me to accomplish each day, and I have to know what is and is not on the list. Oh that's so hard for me!!! What are the true priorities in my life right now and how do I need to go forth each day to accomplish them? I've started thinking about that each morning and asking for guidance and wisdom to know the difference between His agenda for me...and others that come into my day.

The Lie: A career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being a wife and mother.
The Truth: There is no greater measure of a woman's worth or success than the extent to which she serves at the heart of her home. (Titus 2:4-5)
In all openness, I will share a pet peeve. When I am asked what I do for a job, I usually brace myself as I answer, "I stay home with my girls." Responses to that phrase tell me sooooooo very much about the individual. My favorite response is, "Wow! I could never do that, but good for you." See, I actually chose this a long time before kids were even in the picture for us, and I STILL struggle with that choice somedays. No one tells me "Great job on the laundry!" or "How did you make this? It's fantastic!" or "Your husband's shirts look so crisp!" But for years I'd get congratulated on a proposal I put together for my boss, or flowers for each Admin's Day, or publicly recognized for a job well done in some area. Funny thing...no one recognizes the work I put into my family when it is the hardest work I've ever done. Instead I get comments like, "I'd be so bored if I had to stay home each day" or "My kids would drive me crazy if I was with them all day." And let's just be real...there are somedays I would love to be back in the workplace. Lots going on, talking to adults instead of playing referee, working lunches at nice restaurants instead of messy, loud, lunches of kid-friendly food that I made, inhaled, coaxed, and then cleaned up. Love the quote the author uses:" It is true that many "perfect jobs" may come and go during the childrearing years, but only one will absolutely never come along again - the job of rearing your own children and allowing them the increasingly rare opportunity to grow up at home."
The Takeaway: ((Whew...anyone still reading this??)) This SAHM thing, that's on my agenda everyday!! And even though I might've made the "choice", it is my current calling. The tasks sometimes seem menial and insignificant, but the love and training I can give my girls, the support and respect I can give my husband...there's not a menial, insignificant thing about it. Others will always inflict their opinion onto my life, but only one person's opinion matters, and He is very clear about the true priorities in life. I may not get to have the perks a double income gives, but I am never going to regret this choice during this chapter in my life.

So talk to me...if you're still here... #1-Are you prioritizing your day or are you letting it run you over? and #2-Are you letting the worlds' opinions of your life outweigh God's plan for you? What lies have you been believing? It's a judge-free zone! I've just let you in on just how much prayer I need ;o)