Back to School Prayer

By: Jenifer Metzger

All over the world students and faculty will be heading back to school in the coming days. This year my oldest grandchild begins school and I am so excited for him!

I'd like to invite you to join me in praying over children, teens, and young adults students, as well as all those who work in the school system in any capacity and homeschool families.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for those headed back to school. Our children heading to elementary school, preteens heading to middle school, teens heading to high school, young adults heading off to college, those who work in the school system, and homeschool families. They all matter and we are thankful for each and every one.

We ask You right now for your hedge of protection to be around all of them. Keep Your guardian angels encamped around them and allow no harm to come to them. Stop any plans the enemy has for harm. Protect them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I pray, Lord, for students of all ages. As they learn, help them to retain. When things get hard, give them the strength and desire to press on. Let this be a successful year as they learn and grow.

I pray for those who work in the schools. As they prepare lessons, organize events, clean buildings, or whatever they may be called to do, give them wisdom. Help them to be gentle and patient with those they are teaching or guiding. Allow them to get good sleep at night and wake each morning ready for a new day.

Lord, help all those heading into the schools -children and adults alike- to be includers. Help them to reach out to the friendless and be a friend. Help them to stand up for the one who is different. Help them to always have a smile ready to show and a kind word ready to speak.

I pray for the homeschool mamas who work just as hard as those in the brick and mortar buildings. As they care for their families and homes, do the chores, and teach their children, strengthen them. Sustain them. Help them to find their support village and be a support for others.

And last, we pray for the believers heading to school. Help them to boldly stand up for You. Unashamed and ready to share the Gospel of Jesus. Help them not to waiver in their faith but to stand with feet firmly planted in You.

We pray all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Teaching Our Daughters to Be Strong Women

By: Jenifer Metzger

This world tells us to raise strong daughters, and we know that it is our job to raise strong daughters. We have our girls -whether our own daughters, nieces, granddaughters, little sisters, or any girl we have influence over- for a short time. In fact, we only have 6,570 days from birth to their 18th birthday. We only have 936 weeks from birth to their 18th birthday. We only have 18 summers. The days of our influence are short so we need to take this task of teaching our girls to be strong women serious and get busy.

To teach our girls to be strong women, we first need to understand what it means to be a strong woman.

The world will tell us that to teach our girls to be strong women, we need to teach them to be independent, never show weakness, take care of themselves, walk away from those who hurt them, work hard, play harder, and make self care a priority.

While some of the world's views are valid, some are a bit off.

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls to love themselves. Our girls need to understand that they were created in the very image of God Himself and they are beautiful and they have worth.

So God created man in His own image;

He created him in the image of God;

He created them male and female.

Genesis 1:27 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls to be dependent on God. We need to teach them to trust in Him and His ways.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls that there is strength in our weakness. We don't have to handle everything on our own.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore I will most gladly boast all the more
about my weakness, so that Christ's power may

reside in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls to forgive others. They need to know that Christ forgives us so we should never withhold forgiveness to others.

Bearing with one another and forgiving one another

if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the

Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

Colossians 3:13 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls that we were not called to do this life alone. They need to find their tribe of sisters and cultivate those relationships.

Iron sharpens iron, and

one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls to work hard. Not only work hard, but work as though every single thing we are doing for God Himself.

Whatever you do, do it from

the heart, as something done

for the Lord and not for people.

Colossians 3:23 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls to take care of themselves. We need to do this by teaching them that they are the temple of God.

Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s

temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16 CSB

To be truly strong, we need to teach our girls to make Bible reading a priority. We must teach them so they know how to read the Bible and pray.

This book of instruction must not depart

from your mouth; you are to meditate on

it day and night so that you may carefully

observe everything written in it. For then

you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

Joshua 1:8 CSB

When we teach our girls these principles, we are training them to be strong women. However, we need to do more than tell them, we need to be an example. Let your girl see you forgive others, talk positive about yourself, read your Bible regularly, pray, and more. Let her see an example of a strong, Godly woman when she sees you. And if you feel you haven't been that example in her life, start now.

P.S. These principals will teach your boys how to be strong men too...

Discussion:
1. Who was/is your example of a strong, Godly woman?
2. What other ways can you think of to be an example and teach your girl to be a strong, Godly woman?

Keep an Attitude of Gratitude on Thanksgiving

By: Jenifer Metzger

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

Tomorrow we gather together with loved ones to enjoy fellowship and feast. There will be love and laughter. Deep conversations and reminiscing. Football games and parades. Delicious food and desserts. We will have so much to be thankful for.

There will also be messes to clean up, empty chairs where loved ones once sat, and possibly even tension from a strained relationship. So how can we navigate the holiday and keep an attitude of gratitude even during the messes and pain?

Keep your eyes firmly fixed on God. Even though the holiday brings so much busyness, be purposeful to start your day with Jesus. Open your Bible and enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Don't let your day fully start until you've spent time with the Father.

Pause throughout the day to give thanks. When you look over and see Grandma sitting in her chair watching the little ones play, whisper thanks to God for her. When you see the guys head outside for a game of catch, give thanks for fun and physical ability to play. When the kids are playing and get a little loud, thank the Lord for youth and laughter. When you sit down to enjoy your meal, give thanks for God's provisions. And when you see the sink full of dishes, thank God for the loved ones you were blessed to share a table with.

Remember the good times. I lost three of my grandparents right around the holidays, my grandfather even moved to heaven on Christmas morning. So the holidays can be difficult and that sense of loss is always there. When those waves of grief come -whether from the loss of a loved one, broken relationship, loss of a job, or loss of a dream- remember the good times. Remember the laughter and love. Remember the blessing.

Be kind. It's no surprise that we don't always see eye to eye with everyone. Sometimes it's political. Sometimes it's in how we raise our children. Sometimes it's with a loved one who isn't a believer. Whatever your situation is, show kindness. Don't let differences cause discord. Be kind. Show love. And when necessary, gently agree to disagree and change the topic.

While the holidays are busy and can sometimes bring a degree of stress, they are also a special time to spend with those we love. Keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, give thanks for all the things big and small, and you'll have an attitude of gratitude.

Discussion:
1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
2. How do you navigate difficult moments of the holiday?

Meals Hold Possibilities

 By: Joanne Viola

 

We are getting ready for our annual family vacation. Part of the preparation is planning dinners for all of us and then the food shopping.

A week of meals, three meals a day for seven days and ten people. Ten of us of varied ages, preferences, and allergies.

Meals can be a sacred time – the time cut out of each day where we all come together to the table. It is special even when we all do not eat the same foods so in actuality, it really is not about the food.

It’s about the people, family, and presence.

The verse crossed my path and has had my attention for several days now:

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, 
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” 
(Acts 2:42, NASB) 

This time together was more about forging community than simply eating a meal. There were four practices which unified and bonded the group of believers:

• They taught the new believers the instruction and words Jesus had shared with them.
• They had fellowship, meaning they had close relationship with one another. They spent time together, discussing life and sharing goods. They helped one another with their daily challenges.
• They “broke bread”. This not only meant Communion as a remembrance of the Lord’s Supper, but also included the sharing of meals. They invited each other into their homes.
• Prayer. This was corporate prayer which occurred in their larger gatherings, and also prayer in their private homes. It took place in the dailyness of life. They carried the burdens of one another.

The Book of Acts shows us how to forge community, relationships, and connection.
It reminds us to make the goal of each meal
about the people, family, and presence.

Reflection: 
How can we begin to view the possibilities hidden in every meal? How do you encourage conversation and connection during mealtime?

 

Image by Temel from Pixabay

 

Storing Up Treasure

 By: Joanne Viola

 

“I am going to start a new online business,” I announced jokingly to my children.”

“I am going to become an online virtual babysitter.”

During the years when we all were spending way too much time in our own homes, also known as isolation, Facetime was the means by which we stayed connected.

By we, I mean my grandchildren and myself.

The time occupied my grandchildren and gave their parents a little break. One never knew what to expect or what adventure a bored child might take me on.

Truth be known, I loved every minute of it.

Now I am doing it with other grandchildren who live a little distance away from us. Facetime has become a gift in ways I didn’t realize until the other day.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:19-21, NASB)

Sure, the verses are exhorting us to store up spiritual treasures. But if we dig a little deeper, we just may come to realize there are many sorts of treasures to which we can apply this principle.

Most often we think of treasure as being wealth of money, jewelry, and property. But treasure truly is that which we esteem as having great worth or value.

And that can also include our families.

The silly things I talk about and do with my grandchildren on facetime is a treasure. A treasure of memories which I hope will last through eternity.

We are making connection, forging relationships, and laughing. Hopefully these days won’t be forgotten.

Face to face communication is important, vital to relationship. God knew that. Think about it.

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.”
(Exodus 33:11, NASB)

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part,
but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”
(1 Corinthians 13:12, NASB)

“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”
(Revelation 22:4, NKJV)

We will one day see Jesus face to face, and until that day, we get a glimpse of Him through His Word, through creation, and through other believers.

Until that day,
we store up treasure so that in our lives
we make Jesus known to those around us.

 

Reflection:
How do you spend time making memories with the people you love?
What do you need to do in order to make these sort of experiences a priority with those you love?

 

Photo by Alexander Dummer on Unsplash

 

When Your Child Doesn't Believe in God

By: Jenifer Metzger

Recently a friend asked me to join her in prayer. Her child informed her that he didn't believe in God. Nothing breaks a mama's heart more than when her child says they don't believe in God. We fear what it means for their life now, and we deeply fear what it means for their eternity.

I have no greater joy than this: to

hear that my children are walking in truth.

3 John 1:4 CSB

I think we can all agree that we greatly desire for our children to walk in truth and to know Truth. So what can we do when our child doesn't believe in God?

Hit your knees! Nothing in this world is more powerful than prayer. Mama, I know you've been praying, but keep on praying. Never stop. Never grow weary of praying for your child. Cover your child in prayer every single day and all throughout the day. Get your anointing oil out and pray over things your child touches. Ask God that your child would feel the power of God as he touches those items. Just pray!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord

has granted me what I asked of Him.

1 Samuel 1:27 CSB

I know this verse in 1 Samuel is about Hannah having asked the Lord for a child. But we are going to shift here and just see that she prayed. Hannah was a praying mama even before her child was in her womb!

Lead by example. Whether we realize it or not, whether we like it or not, our children are watching us. They see everything we do and hear everything we say. One of the biggest ways you can lead your child to Christ is by living for Him in a way that would make your child want to live for Him too.

Not lording it over those entrusted to

you, but being examples to the flock.

1 Peter 5:3 CSB

Pray over outside influences and be careful what and who you allow to influence your child. It is impossible to protect our kids from every little thing. Minus putting them in a bubble and keeping them locked indoors, they will be influenced by the outside world. Pray that God would protect your child from negative and evil influences. Monitor what they watch on tv, read, listen to, friends they hang out with, etc. If you feel it is an influence they do not need, do not be afraid to say no. When they see or hear something that is a negative influence, use it as a teachable moment. Talk to them about it, see how they feel about it, and pray together about it.

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen

you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 CSB

Keep communication open. Talk openly and honestly with your kids. Don't just talk at them, but with them. Give your child a chance to voice his opinions and work through them while you listen carefully. Then always go back to the Bible. Always point them to Scripture.

I want their hearts to be encouraged and

joined together in love, so that they may have

all the riches of complete understanding and

have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.

Colossians 2:2 CSB

Friends, if your child -young, teen, or adult- has walked away from God or doesn't believe in God, don't lose hope. Keep on keeping on. Continue to pray and live for God. Let your child see you living the life God calls us to live. Remember that the Word says to train up a child.

Start a youth out on his way; even when

he grows old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 CSB

If this is where your child is right now, leave a comment or email me. I would love to pray for you and your child.

Discussion:
1. Has your child ever claimed they don't believe in God or maybe they are questioning their belief? What was your reaction?
2. What is another thing you can think of that we should do if our child claims they don't believe in God?

My Household

 By: Grace Metzger

 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and
 you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:31

I grew up in a Christian family. My parents are pastors, my sister and brother in law are pasters, mercy, even my grandparents are pastors. I thank the Lord every day that I was blessed to have a childhood that was rooted in faith. But not everyone is in that same situation. Some believers have loved ones who have never even set foot in a church. They have spouses, parents, siblings, children, etc, who are not saved.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

If you were a Christian in the late 2000s, you might remember the movie Courageous. A wonderful movie about a father making a decision to become closer to God. Once he started working on his relationship with Christ, the whole family follows in suit. He was able to witness to his own family enough that they all became saved. 

So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
Matthew 7:20

Your faith can be an inspiring, influential thing for others. You are able to show everyone how amazing God is by living your life for Him. They will recognize that something is different about you by your fruit. They will recognize that you are joyful even in the darkest nights, that you are peaceful throughout the storm, that you patience during the waiting period. They will know that there is something about you that they want. So what do you do when they ask you how can you be like this even in the hardest times? You will be given the greatest opportunity that any Christian has, and that is to talk about Jesus with someone you care for. 

So are you living your life right now that they are recognizing your fruit? Are you prepared for the questions they have? Having your love ones around you not being saved, not knowing the joys that come with a relationship with God, can be difficult. But it's also a blessing because you can get the incredible blessing of ministering to them.

Don't wait to do it. Don't get fearful and say you will do it another day. Do it now! You don't want to miss your chance to minister to them. Talk to them about God, share your testimony, invite them to your church, and above all pray for them. Ask God to use you to bring them closer to Him. As believers we are blessed to know how amazing being in a relationship with God is. So share that blessing with others!!

Discussion Question: Do you have a love one who isn't a believer? Have you taken the time recently to discuss God, invite them to church, or pray over them?

I Was Listening After All

 By: Paula Short

As a teenager, I spent a lot of time doing typical teenage things like listening to music and hanging out with friends, talking on the phone, or I had my nose in a horse story.

It's common for parents to think their children aren't paying attention when they're talking about something important. This was the case for me when my parents talked about Jesus. They would have conversations about church, faith, His word, and evils to look out for in the world. I remember my dad saying Paula, you should be paying attention. I would look up from my dinner plate from time to time, but I was really daydreaming. Yes, I was a daydreamer. However, I must have been listening because Jesus has become the love of my life.

I grew up in a Christian home, and my mom modeled living for Christ. We would go to church together as a family, and they taught me about Jesus. Still, I was never paying close enough attention to connect with Him. It wasn't until I went through some difficult times, not just poor choices; they were terrible, hardships and downright hitting rock bottom, not once but several times, and losing precious family in my life, that I started to seek out a deeper understanding of Him.

As I began to explore and "pay attention," I found myself drawn to Jesus. His message of love and acceptance, grace and mercy struck me, and I began to feel a deep connection to his teachings. It was then that I realized that my parents' conversations about Jesus had impacted me, even if I didn't realize it then.

Boy, was it a long road, but it wasn't long before Jesus became the love of my life. While my parents may not have seen it then, their conversations about Jesus helped shape my faith and bring me closer to Him and the love I feel today. I find comfort in his teachings and feel a sense of purpose in following his example.

It's funny how sometimes things that seem insignificant or go unnoticed at the time can profoundly impact our lives. I'm grateful for those moments of unintentional listening that helped shape my faith. I must have taken in more than I realized because here I am today, living my life for Him.

I Must Have Been Listening

They spoke of Jesus oh so often, 
But I pretended not to care. I thought
it was just talking, forgotten, But their 
words became my prayer.

They taught of love, forgiveness, 
grace, And how He died to set us free.
I listened quietly, with no trace Of how 
their words were changing me.

Now I see that they were right, 
Jesus is the love of my life. Their 
teachings, once out of sight, Are 
now my beacon in the night.

So thank you, Mom and Dad, for 
sharing The truth that set my heart 
ablaze. I may have seemed like I 
wasn't caring, But I was listening 
all those days.

Reflection

Did you pay attention well growing up?
Is there anything you "learned" when you didn't think you were listening?

Remembering Those Silly & Serious Conversations

 By: Joanne Viola

National Days. They are often a fun and silly way of remembering things, perhaps celebrating them. For instance, today October 31st is –

National Knock Knock Jokes Day.

Seriously, who knew? You probably thought I was going to say something about Halloween. But no.

Knock knock jokes. Those silly and ridiculous jokes every kid loves to tell, and our family was no different.

The years of driving my son to elementary school were ones familiar to joke books. He always had one, or two, sometimes three joke books with him in the car. Other times, it was Calvin and Hobbs who took the ride with us.

Those were the years when children were permitted to sit in the front seat. He would read them all the way to school and laughter filled the car. I’m still not sure if I was laughing at the actual joke, or at the sheer sound of him laughing till he was wiping his eyes. Either way, the joke books took many a ride with us.

One silly tweet, and one national day, rolled together to make me realize – let’s love and laugh deeply.

Our children are now adults, married with children of their own. Talk with our children now surrounds politics, news events, and religion. We don’t always see eye to eye on everything. There are days I long for the knock knock jokes as they were way funnier than some of our adult discussions.

Today my heart is filled with appreciation for the “ministry” of knock knock jokes in our family. I am grateful for the rides in the car and the conversations held within our travels. My gratitude runs deep as I have never forgotten a teaching by Chuck Swindoll in which he encouraged parents to develop authenticity with their children.

Teaching our children the precepts of God will only happen in the everyday and ordinary goings on of life:

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house
and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
(Deuteronomy 6: 6-9, NASB)

Our homes and our tables must be safe environments for relevant and needed conversations. Our words need to be grace filled and covered in love.

May our homes be slathered thickly in the love of Jesus
and rooted in His Word.

 

Where do your relevant and needed conversations take place as a family?

 

Photo by Eva Blue on Unsplash

 

 

Until I Arose

 By: Joanne Viola

This past year has been a challenging one for most people; many would even call it difficult. Every aspect of our daily lives has in some way been affected and altered.

As women we are facing many emotions in managing our homes, our children, our jobs, and ourselves. But right there in the Old Testament book of Judges, we can find hope and take strength.

The people of Israel were constantly waging battle as they were oppressed by the kings and peoples of other nations. In the middle of one such battle, we encounter Deborah, a woman.

Deborah was a prophetess and a judge who encouraged a general (Barak) of the Israelite army. One would think as a commander, he would have had all the know-how and strength needed for battle. Yet it was Deborah  who spoke and commanded Barak how to move forward in one battle which brought victory.

In her own song Deborah states what had occurred:

“Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose,
until I arose, a mother in Israel.” (Judges 5:7, NIV)

It was when she spoke words of encouragement and instruction that Barak invited her to go into battle along with him. He may have had the stamina and the will to fight, yet he needed her words to gain the courage to go into battle.

During these challenging days we find ourselves living, may we realize the power of our words. They can build up as easily as they can tear down. They can bring hope and strength as much as they can bring defeat and discouragement.

As wives and mothers, we can’t just sit back and leave our families to the wiles of the enemy. We must arise and speak words of wisdom in our homes, in our conversations, and over our families so they, too, will arise and fight for good.

Never underestimate your worth as a woman –
“They held back, until I, (insert your name), arose,
until I arose, a mother in (insert your town).”

 Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash 

 

 

 

He Will Give Us Rest

By: Jenifer Metzger

The holiday season is beautiful! There is so much to love and so many memories to be made. But for some, the holidays can be difficult.

With the holidays come such a rush and busyness. We say we are going to slow down and enjoy the season. We say we aren't going to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. We say we are going to focus on the true meaning of the season. Yet, by the time Christmas gets here, we are once again overwhelmed and stressed.

He will give us rest.

For some, the holidays are difficult due to the loss of a loved one. We try to enjoy the season but memories flood and our heart aches for the one we miss.

He will give us rest.

For others, the holidays are good, but we are reminded of a broken relationship. Maybe that relative that is hard to get along with or maybe the one that won't come around. We walk on egg shells to avoid a conflict. We feel so on edge that the day becomes stressful.

He will give us rest.

If the Christmas season brings stress, heartache, loneliness, or pain, remember that God will go with you and give you rest. Let Him be a part of your season. Let Him hold you up when you feel like you just don't have it in you to stand anymore. Let Him bring joy to your heart when it is breaking in two. Let Him wrap His arm around you when you are hurting. Let Him cover your mouth when you need to let things go. Let Him open your heart when you need to forgive. Let Him be what you need.

Friend, God is with you this holiday season. He is always with you. Enjoy your Christmas knowing that He will give you the rest you need.

It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.

Christmas Peace with Extended Family

By: Sarah Geringer 

Today's devotion is an excerpt from my book Christmas Peace for Busy Moms.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

Colossians 3:15 NIV

The first Christmas story includes a story about extended family.

When Mary found out she was pregnant, she went to her relative Elizabeth's home. Elizabeth was near the end of her own pregnancy. These two relatives in miraculous circumstances gained peace and joy from one another's company.

Time with relatives during Christmas is often a joy, blessing and source of strength. It can be a refueling of peace.

Time with relatives during Christmas can also be a challenge and an opportunity to spread peace to people who are difficult.

Peace in our extended families is possible at Christmas, but it isn't possible without Jesus, and it isn't possible without intent.

If you set out early in December with the commitment to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, you will be a peacemaker instead of a peace-disrupter at family Christmas gatherings.

Irritating words will turn into moments to breathe deeply in God's peace.

Offending actions will become opportunities to take the high road of peace.

Conflicts will become stages for peacemaking.

Remember you are called to peace; you were not set in your family by accident, but you are called to be a peacemaker in the unique family God gave you.

This Christmas, will you purpose in your heart to bring peace to your extended family? Will you allow the peace of Christ to rule in your heart so it can overflow to all your family members, even onto the difficult people? 

Will you choose peace over conflict so you can point your relatives to the Prince of Peace?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for my family. I thank you for both the easy relationships that strengthen and encourage me, and the hard relationships that challenge me to grow. Make me an ambassador of your peace this year. Fill me with your peace so I can share it with family members who need to see you in me. I invite you, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to rule in my heart today so your perfect peace can overflow to my loved ones in the days ahead.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Canva.com

Work Willingly at Whatever You Do

By: Melissa Baker

The laundry is piling up AGAIN! It seems like just last night you had it all caught up, and now the laundry hampers are filled to the brim with dirty laundry. 

The dishes are overflowing in the sink. You ask yourself, "how do we use so many dishes within a 24 hour period?"

The house is a complete mess. There are toys everywhere, trash and clutter lingering around every corner, and no one else seems to notice (or care for that matter). 

We have all had those days. Days where it seems like no matter what you do or how often you clean something, five minutes later, you are repeating the same task again and again. You are drowning in household chores and errands, and you just want to throw in the towel. I get it. That is my life most days. I drag myself to do each tedious thing that needs done, picking up after everyone, doing literally everything without any help whatsoever. As a stay at home mom, I often find myself complaining under my breath about having to take care of everything. But then I am reminded that God doesn't want me to go about my day dreading everything on my to-do list. Nor does He want me to expect a "pat on the back" for taking care of things. I should be doing things not for my family's approval but for God's approval. Yes, it's great to be appreciated! But the work we do, it should be for God, not man.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord 

rather than for people.

Colossians 3:23

I also don't think Jesus was going around grumbling about having to do His Father's business. He had a willing and joyful attitude. The very definition of a christian is to be "Christ-like". But if we are constantly down in the dumps, complaining about everything we do, how are we being christians? We are to do our best to be like Jesus! 

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.

Philippians 2:14

We also must remember, that what we put in is what we are going to get out of it. If we put in the hard work, we are going to get the "crop" we long for. If we try our best to do everything to the best of our ability, we will get the best results. This not only applies to chores, but to just about everything in life! From work to fitness, relationships, etc. If we invest in something, only then will we reap it's benefits.

.....A man reaps what he sows. 

Galatians 6:7

Have a great day!