Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Wholehearted Part 2


After all of those beautiful thoughts and observations yesterday, the next step is considering how we can apply these things to our own lives.

What does it look like to live wholeheartedly and with eagerness in my daily life? I want these things to be true of me in how I serve God and those He has placed around me.

I think I've realized that sometimes I am wholehearted about the things I want to be wholehearted about and can be sort of halfhearted about things that aren't as important or interesting to me.

How often have I been a halfhearted wife, mom or home educator? Um, let's not answer that one, mkay?

What would it look like if I was wholehearted in my daily tasks and the ministry that God has placed around me every day? I think one of my weaknesses is being wholehearted until I get tired and then falling into the halfhearted camp more and more as I start feeling overwhelmed with being behind.

This summer, I've made a concerted effort to be off my computer more and more. And, guess what? I am accomplishing more and realizing how much time I have allowed myself to check out so to speak. When I feel overwhelmed, it is simple and sort of comforting to just lose myself on Pinterest for five minutes or forty-five. Ahem.


When I am diligently and wholeheartedly managing my home and family - things go so, so much smoother. Why is this such a hard lesson to learn and implement? Because at the heart of things, I am selfish and want my own way sometimes!

I think I find this especially hard to maintain when we have started school. Sitting and waiting idly next to children who need to be kept motivated and on task feels like a waste of time since I am just sitting and waiting idly. Wasted time is one of my biggest pet peeves and yet, I just admitted that I waste time too - hmmm, double standard anyone?

But, when I'm sitting and waiting next to my students, I get sleepy and unmotivated to hop up and get back to work when they are finished - it cultivates a sort of non-healthy slow to our days that string together into weeks. And, this is how I start to feel overwhelmed and behind in all my home tasks that are not getting accomplished.


I'm honestly not sure what the answer is to this pattern that I've noticed in myself - but I want to be diligent in seeking God through this. Especially as we are starting school this week - I want to be wholehearted and eager but also wise.

One thing will be that when I start to notice things feeling even a small bit behind, I can declare a re-set day and get back on track much more quickly than letting it go on and on and on until it takes a whole week to feel caught up again.

I'm re-reading verses from yesterday such as, "In their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them." 

And this, "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 

All these verses are shared in the NIV, and I also love the above verse in the ESV, "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded."

Do not let your hands be weak, do not give up. Be strong, take courage!

I also really like these verses in 1 Chronicles 28:9-10, "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work."

Solomon was given a large task to do - build the temple for God's house. It is a huge task and one with great importance. The task of being a wife and mother is large too - sometimes it feels huge, but it is so valuable and of great worth to serve our families for eternal purposes.



Have you taken time lately to consider what a valuable task we have as wives and mothers to serve our families? The gift of home and family is enormous and we are privileged to take part in that every day.

How will I serve that mission field today? This week? Will the way I'm serving build up our home or tear it down?


Please share what helps you to remain wholehearted and eager in carrying out the tasks God has for you - I can't wait to learn from your ideas!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very thought provoking post, Monica. For me, getting up early is the most helpful. I have my routine that starts my day off on a positive note. I find that I NEED quiet, alone time and have found that the only way I can get that and not put my family aside is to get up early.(alone) Bible, coffee, quiet time and get breakfast going. It's a routine that works well for me. I know it is hard to get up sometimes and everyone is in a different season of their life but I always see a good result when I am consistent with this.(Sometimes I do need a quick nap after lunch!)
Jo
P.S. I do have to be careful that my attitude is right because I can get cranky if interrtupted! Not exactly the attitude I was looking for. ;o/ :o)
AND....good for you for cutting back computer time. I know the feeling of getting caught up on the Internet!

Anonymous said...

I liked this post a lot. I understand how things pile up while you are schooling and I can get impatient or easily distracted at times and not give my kids my best (and yet I expect their best work). So humbling.

I need to take a computer break from time to time too. I find I am more distracted the more I use the computer and when I have a break for the day, I feel much better about myself, calmer and less distracted. Interesting.

Elise said...

Preach it, Sister! I've realized, in my half a minute of reflection that I am sloppy and lazy. I've been praying that the Lord will help me to be more intentional in ALL areas, as they all need a little help. I'm also learning that I shouldn't hold my children to a higher standard than I myself can attain. Good food for thought here!

Elise

Tina Leigh said...

I was listening to Pastor Jack Graham this morning who was talking about how Joseph made a wholehearted decision to be the best slave he could be because ultimately he knew he was serving God & of course we know how Joseph's wholehearted approach turned out! I'm not, very often, wholeheartedly serving when it's something I don't feel wholehearted about. This new journey I'm on with homeschooling a kindergartener, tending his special needs & appoitments, & managing our home & farm...let's say I'm overwhelmed at times. The messiness in my home (from the running) adds to my craziness. That reset day you talk about is something I'd like to grasp hold of. I'm very blessed that in this season of our life, I can stay home and care for our home and more importantly, the needs of my son, but I do take it for granted at times. What keeps me wholehearted and eager to run this particular race....journaling & praying. Seeing the face of my child & his struggles is a reminder to me that God has called me to this privilege. Looking back at our life and realizing God's faithfulness to me & my family brings me back to being wholehearted & eager. And QUIET TIME & COFFEE!! And exercise. Thanks Monica!