Thoughts on Time...and God

Does anyone else feel like waiting on God to do "His thing" is like holding your breath underwater for a really long time? I am NOT a patient person, although I'm developing into one (slowly), thanks to my children. In my immediate family, my impatience is notorious to the degree that my dad would call me "Impatience Johnson." I always held to a lesson Grandma taught me: NEVER ask God to grant you patience because He will give you ample opportunities to learn it. Grandma always has been, above all things, practical and wise.

And yet as I've grown up, I've really begun to understand how time works. One second will always be just one second. One minute will always be sixty seconds, and so forth. Time is a constant. Sometimes, it's an asset, and sometimes, it's a liability.

Furthermore, I've come to a real epiphany on time: it does not work the same way for God as it does for us. Since He created it, He can bend its rules as He sees fit! Our job is simple: bring our needs to God, and He'll respond with His solution. In most of my circumstances, waiting for the solution has been much more difficult than realizing I had a need. Why? I want to do the work. I want to be the clever one who thought of a solution to her problem. Where's the glory due to God in that?

When we wait for God to act or answer our questions, sometimes it really does seem like forever. Realize this though: sometimes, He's just waiting for one of His other kids to be obedient and be the blessing we need them to be. We are just as responsible for the way we use our time as we are the way we use our bodies, money, belongings, etc. When we don't have an issue that needs heavenly intervention, we need to be most "in tune" with God to make sure we are doing everything we can to help others out. Just because we're doing well doesn't mean that our neighbors are!

I urge you (and myself) to be especially aware of all the opportunities we have to be a blessing. Sometimes, it just needs to be a smile and wave at the neighborhood kid who looks a little down after school. Other times, it'll be acting on a conviction that came as a result of prayer and communion with God.

The point is, we need to be using our time to enjoy God, as John Piper encourages us to, and to fulfill our commission of spreading the Gospel. This can be done through full-fledged, "legit" ministries, like being a full-time missionary, or by being a godly role model for our at-home family and church family. God calls us to serve exactly where we are. We don't have to be like Paul to be doing our godly job! Use your time well!

-Domestic Goddess out.

My One Year Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to me!!! I've been a stay-at-home mom for a year now! I am happy to report that although I'm still not GOOD at this job, I'm getting better. I have a much more solid grasp on my daily routine, tasks, and schedule.

For anyone who is considering taking the plunge and becoming a F/T SAHM, be encouraged. I thought I'd go crazy and find a job within two months of F/T mommy duty. I was wrong. I love being at home with my kids. Sure, they drive me a little batty sometimes, and they really test the expanses of my imagination/creativity, but it's all for our own good.

I love being here for their firsts and seconds and thirds as well as for their not-so-polished times. We're all learning and growing from each other, and I think we're really developing as a family because of it.

If you're a fellow SAHM, thanks for the inspiration. If you're thinking about becoming one, give it a try. You can always find another job and daycare later.

And let's all remember: all moms, whether we're working or with the kids, are to be praised. Nobody knows better than us how much we love our offspring or how much we are willing to do for them. Keep on keeping on, and when things get hard, just remember: God is a parent, too, and He still loves us! :)

-Domestic Goddess out.

My Review of Poodle

Originally submitted at Simple

Eco-friendly washable suede and certified organic cotton toddler shoe. The suede is from an eco-certified tannery (BLC/ISO 14001) and organic cotton comes from non-genetically modified seeds and is grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides.'Soft and fuzzy certified organic cotton fleec...

Poodle

Great Shoe!

By gtrj from Raleigh, NC on 3/30/2010

 

4out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Breathable, Comfortable, Stylish

Cons: Fades Quickly

Best Uses: Running, Casual Wear, Walking

Describe Yourself: Comfort-oriented, Practical

Love these shoes. They are perfect for everything, and I am so excited that they're better for the environment than the average kids' shoe.

My daughter wears these shoes everywhere, from the park to the zoo to church. They are very durable, and I love that they're washable.

My only gripe is that the material faded out immediately after the first washing. In the long run, though, the fading makes the shoe look kind of "vintage", and we get lots of compliments on them.

I bought these shoes a little large, but now that my daughter is the actual shoe size, they still fit perfectly. Thanks, Simple, for making a great shoe and running such a responsible company!

(legalese)