My True Boss!

Who do I work for anyway? This question has taken root in the forefront of my mind. I have to constantly remind myself of the fact that I do not work for anyone here on earth; not my husband, my children, or anyone else. My growing up years were years of wanting to please my parents, make them proud. I think that is a normal aspect of childhood, though I tend to take the people pleasing to new heights! And so it spilled right over into my marriage. For some reason, I always fall into the habit of wanting to seek my husband's approval. I often find myself disappointed when he doesn't have the reaction to things that I had hoped for. My expectations of how he will react to something rise without my even noticing. Those expectations blindside me every time he fails to have the reaction I had hoped for. (Of course I never let him in on what I was hoping for!) Whether it's a new project, something I have been teaching the kids in school, or how many things I have accomplished in a very busy day, I constantly look to him for approval or a pat on the back. He has even told me many times over, "I'm not your boss. You don't work for me." He is right. I work for God. But it's so easy to forget that because, though God is truly always with us, He is not tangibly here to tell me how He thinks I am doing. He can't give me His feedback. Those are the times I need to seek His Word to remind myself of His love.

 However in the day to day busyness I fall into the trap over and over again of seeking my husband's approval. Even the approval of others. This leads me nowhere but feeling disappointed. It's also exhausting because you cannot possibly please everyone here on earth. It can be maddening to try. If 1 Corinthians 3:19  tells me, "For the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God's sight." Then why would I live to please anyone in this world? To live up to anyones expectations? Only God's opinion of me matters. 

 A couple of years ago during a homeschool conference I attended, one of the speakers encouraged us to remember that we work for God. And we should offer it all up to Him every day. She said to always say, "All for you Lord. All for you." When I remember to say this in the midst of my frustration that no one notices what I am doing, it does help. I just need to remember to say it and believe it!

A few verses from Scripture to encourage us in living to please God alone....


 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for The Lord rather than for men, knowing that from The Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is The Lord Christ whom you serve. 
Colossians 3:23-24


How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?  John 5:44



So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.1 Corinthians 10:31
 ...Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4


 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10


 Don't put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath... Isaiah 2:22


...Always give yourselves fully to the work of The Lord, because you know that your labor in The Lord is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58


...the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:8-9


By God's Grace may we remember to offer up our daily tasks as a prayer to Him, saying, All for you Lord. All for you. 

God bless,
Jen

Allowing God to Order My Days

I tend to get-as my husband would say- "wrapped around the axle" about all that I try to accomplish. I am a worker bee. I like to get things done. I feel a sense of purpose when I have completed a task. I LOVE crossing things off my "to do" list! I believe I have inherited this trait from my hard working mom. She was always busy with many tasks. She has 6 children and 17 grandchildren (plus great-grandchildren!) and we have all kept her busy! She was also very active in the community and our church growing up. She used to joke that she had lists for her lists. I completely understand this as I have many lists, usually sorted by topic, or "To Do Now", "To Do Soon", and "To Do ASAP". I know, it's a bit over the top, right?! But it's who I am.

I find it difficult to maintain balance between homemaking tasks, homeschooling tasks, keeping up with family and community etc. I tend to gravitate toward doing really well keeping up in one area but then neglecting the rest. We are either having an amazing school day with many projects going, while the laundry doesn't get done and/or I am late in making dinner. Or I am on task with the house, everything is in order but we aren't having that great of a school day.

I have found that I feel like my kids are interrupting what I need to accomplish! (Don't judge me too harshly!) Remember, I said I feel a need to accomplish things and motherhood usually does not allow for that!! Recently I came across the photo below, posted by Sweet Kisses and Dirty Dishes.

 

Well if that didn't put me in my place! This is actually something my husband has been trying to get me to understand for years. It seems to come so naturally for him. He doesn't understand why I get so wrapped up in trying to do so many things; why I won't just focus on mothering. Our children ARE my work. They need to come first. But there is the lingering question of, "But what about all the other things? I can't just NOT do lesson plans, or grade work and pull my portfolio together, or many of the other thousands of things that really do need attention at times."

So one day recently, in a moment of complete frustration about all I couldn't get done that day, I put it all on paper. (yes, my life is a spreadsheet!) I listed all the things I feel like I need to do, under the categories of Homemaker, Homeschooler, Daughter/Sister/Friend, etc etc. (and don't forget personal prayer time, which without I am not a very good mama!)  This was a very general list of the basics, not too detailed. I offered it up in my prayer time and said, "Lord, I know you gave me plenty of time in my day, but I am not managing it to the best of my abilities. I am not using my time very wisely. I feel completely overwhelmed by all I feel I need to get done, and nothing seems to be getting done because of it. So I give you my tasks and ask you to order my day. Show me and lead me in doing what YOU would have me to today." I cannot even express to you the freedom that came with giving it up, letting go and asking God to order my day. My days have been flowing more freely and without as much stress-on the days I do this! I find that I am getting things done in a balanced way and most importantly, feeling peace about what isn't getting accomplished. Tomorrow is another day!

Remember, I told you I claim no perfections! So please do not have an image of my days perfectly flowing while I have a peaceful, patient disposition. Life is still crazy busy and I am still overwhelmed, because there is a lot on my plate. However if I take the time to offer my day up to God it does work better.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

My grace is sufficient for you...2 Corinthians 12:9

Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!" The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who seek Him. Lamentations 3:23-25

With His Grace I will remember to seek Him first each day~
Gods Blessings,

Jen

Good Friday

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross,

you have redeemed the world.

How do we thank Him for loving us THIS much?

I took this picture with my cell phone last Good Friday at The Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, MD. We couldn't believe what we saw.....

His light shines always-even in the darkest moments.

Remembering His Passion today.....

Holy Week

Just a few more books I am using for Holy Week!

A tradition in my family, as far back as I can remember, is that my father would make crosses out of the palms we received at Palm Sunday Mass. He'd give them to each of us and say, "Peace be with you." These crosses were always special, but never as special as they have become in recent years. My father's health has been declining the past 4 years, so each Palm Sunday I'd wonder if this would be the last year he would be able to make these. I have kept every one these past handful of years and I am so grateful I did. My dad didn't make them this year. I suspected he wouldn't be able to. So I checked the special place that I have been keeping most of them and there they were; a whole drawer full of them, a little treasure-trove! My heart felt so good when I saw these. I will always cherish them! Here are just a few, made by my Daddy's hands....

Is This How Jesus Felt?

 January 5, 2013

  Desert places....have you been there? I come to them now and then on this journey. Places, and times where I feel alone in my walk. Where I feel persecuted for following God and His will. It happens more often than I'd like. The toughest part I think, is when i feel persecuted by people closest to me; those that I would hope know my heart and my intentions. This is when the persecution is the most painful. Recently I had a situation that was particularly painful. I felt attacked for standing up for something I felt was the right thing to do. The blessing in it though, was that God allowed me to see the pain He went through for me; for us. How lonely must Jesus have felt in the desert. How forsaken during His Agony in the Garden. He knows the pain in my heart in these times, because He felt it too. I was so very grateful for this moment where I felt Jesus said to me, "I have been there and I am enough for you."

 Scripture tells us that to follow Him will not be easy. Doing God's will can be difficult and takes courage, but it's what He desires. We need to keep our eyes focused on HIM in order to be able to "take up our cross and follow Him".  Here are some verses I cling to in these times. They give me hope and I pray they will do the same for you if you struggle with feeling isolated for doing God's will.


Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12


But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44


If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.... If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also...They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. John 15:18-21

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

For the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God's sight. 1 Corinthians 3:19

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of The Lord, because you know that your labor in The Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

...the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:8-10  

...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

... But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  1 Peter 2:20-21

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:14-17