Embracing Him

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

During the Christmas season a gift exchange was held on a forum I frequent. I mailed a gift to my sweet Christmas buddy and received a terrific gift in return.

I have been wanting to read Passionate Housewives Desperate for God for quite some time but had never gotten around to purchasing it. My Christmas buddy noted that I wanted to read the book and she was thoughtful enough to mail an author signed copy to me as a Christmas gift.

A few weeks ago, when one of the leaders of the church’s womens’ department came to speak to our moms’ group, she suggested that we add an inspirational book to our devotional time. Now that I have Passionate Housewives Desperate for God within reach, I’m reading it along with my Bible during my morning devotional time.

In the short time I’ve had the book, it has already been a tremendous blessing to me. Authors Jenny Chancy and Stacey McDonald offer a fresh Biblical perspective of the modern day homemaker. The book dispels the myth of the desperate housewife and encourages homemakers to recognize their call to work inside the home, to embrace the blessings of caring for their families, and to seek God as they go about their daily tasks.

At times, we all become discouraged by, annoyed with, and passive about the work we have to do. However, if our work matches God’s will, He will provide the encouragement we need to pull ourselves out of the rut we sometimes fall into. For me, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God has done just that. This book has given me the extra dose of encouragement and the swift spiritual fanny kick  I sometimes need to make it through the day. I’m so glad Jenny and Stacey obeyed God when He asked them to write this book and I thank my Christmas buddy for being so generous!

Photo: Courtesy of yoshi3329 (Flickr)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

It’s quiet here and there’s not much on my “to do” list. I’m caught up on all of my laundry, I’ve already started my dinner preparations, the week’s grocery shopping is complete, there’s a minimal amount of housework to be done, and for a most of the day the girls have been playing together…happily.

This will probably sound strange, but not having a long list of things to do makes me uncomfortable. Such a lull doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s difficult for me to savor the moment. I spend the day fighting a nagging feeling that I’ve forgotten to do something important. I worry that an uncompleted task will rear its ugly head later in the day at the most inopportune time.

My approach to the quiet moments God offers should be better and it’s a concern I’ve been praying about. And now that I have time to think about it, I have an idea as to why today is so peaceful. I think God is working on me and answering my prayers.

Last week, I was listening to Chip Ingram’s radio broadcast Living on the Edge. Since a new year has begun, He was encouraging his listeners to start the year properly. Pastor Ingram stressed the importance of spending quality time with God and then challenged listeners to devote the first 20 minutes of each day to time with God. Pastor Ingram was certain that our days would progress much more smoothly if we did so.

This advice is not new to me.  A couple of years ago when we joined our current church, JT and I took new members classes. In one of the classes the Assistant Pastor taught a lesson on how to get the most out of our days. We were not surprised when he recommended starting each day with a period of devotion with God.

For the past week, I’ve followed the advice of Chip Ingram and our Assistant Pastor. I’ve shifted my devotional time to first thing in the morning. Now before my feet hit the ground running, my knees greet the floor humbly before God. As a result, my days have been better! I’m more relaxed, less stressed, and more focused. My mind doesn’t feel as full and I’m able to see God at work as I complete the day’s activities.

Today, I’m praising God for hearing my prayers, answering those prayers, providing me with peace, and alerting me to the source of this peace. Though I know I shouldn’t be, I’m constantly amazed at the marvelous things that happen when I embrace Him! This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Photo: Courtesy of DijutalTim (Flickr)

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. (Romans 7:18-19)

Ever since Adam and Eve nibbled on forbidden fruit, we have been battling sin. Even after we admit our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, our personal war against sin yet rages on. Paul notes that though we want to do the right thing, our sinful, human nature can make it difficult for us to do so.

None of us are exempt from losing control and misbehaving. Just last night, I snapped, made a poor choice, and was later left asking myself, “Why, oh why, did I do that?”

I was having difficulties uploading some information to my blog so I sought help from JT. In the process of fixing one problem another problem was created when I was accidentally locked out of my blog’s administrative panel for a while.

According to JT, what followed was “quite the shootout” as my anger met his stubbornness head on! Was it my intention to blow up at JT? Was it his intention to take a stubborn stance? Certainly not, but we both succumbed to sin and ended up doing things we ought not and did not want to do.

Last night, JT and I were both reminded that the battle against sin is ongoing. Sin is an annoying parasite that latches onto us, irritates us, bites us, and infects us. Thankfully, our Savior Jesus Christ is the soothing salve for our sinful short comings! We can’t rely on our own strength as we wage this war against sin. We know what we want to do, but God knows what we ought to do. It is only in His power that we are able to act in a manner that glorifies our Heavenly Father. Thank God we can lean on Him and not wage this war against sin alone!

Photo: Courtesy of PauloElias (Flickr)