Sep. 17, 2008 - Try It, You'll Like It! BFS #102
Memory Verse: Psalms 26:2 NIV
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.
Assignment: This week I want you to do something for someone else. Do you have a neighbor that needs you? Do you know an elderly person or single mom that could use you? What about the homeless? Pack even one single sack lunch and give it to someone in need. Do you know someone in blogland that is struggling right now and could use a note from you about how much you care? Pray about this. Let God put on your heart the perfect thing for you to do for another. Now, here is the kicker…I DO NOT want you to post about what you do. Whatever you choose to do is between you and God. Our rewards are in heaven, not here on earth, Mathew 6:1. I want you to post about how doing this “act” made you feel. Was stepping out of your comfort zone in this area as hard as you thought it might be? Could you see the gratefulness in their eyes? Hear it in their voice? Tell it from their typing? Do you think you might make doing things like this a more regular part of your time? If this is an area that you are already active in, tell us how you feel this has impacted your life.
At first glance, I thought this assignment would be near impossible for me to carry out. Not because I don't enjoy serving others or want to serve others, because I do - on a daily basis. It's just very difficult sometimes to get OUT of where I serve to serve in other areas, What am I talking about? My family, This is my number one area of service. I believe many times we wives and mothers forget our sole responsibility, our sole purpose. It is to be a help meet to our husbands, This is what we were created for (Genesis 2:18). We were created to serve.
Living in this world can easily distort our purpose for even existing. This is not a demeaning role - it's very high calling and a difficult - extremely difficult - one at that. As a help meet, I am required to be sacrificial in every area of my being! That's not to say that my husband doesn't allow me any freedom, because he does, But it requires me to put my own wants on the back burner in order to meet the needs of my husband. This is a proactive and purposeful lifestyle. It is something I must daily work at. Yet it is also something I see fruit in very often.
Is it worth it? Yes, it's more than worth it. My husband and I have a blissful marriage because we understand the roles God has given each of us. I can see relieved stress in my husband when I take the inituative to help him in the "little things" (i.e. making his lunch, keeping the house tidy, cooking him meals, even bringing the trash cans in after garbage day). Often I will even call him at work and specifically ask him if there is anything that would help ease his day or that I can do for him that day.
Is it hard? Absolutely. There are times I get angry because I feel like I give, give, give and some nights hubby will come home and play on the internet or play station for an hour and a half while I'm still "working"; running around doing dishes, bathing kids and trying to get them ready for bed and I feel like I'm alone. Does he do it intentionally? Nope. For one thing, the man can't read my mind. If I need help, all I need to do is ask. Not slam stuff around to get his attention and let him know I'm upset that he can't see I need help, etc,.(and yes, I've done that) This only adds fuel to the fire. And I pray. I tell God exactly how I feel, because with God I don't need to hold anything back (talk about a great friend!) It is then God gives me instructions on what I'm to do or He remind s me that he has worked hard all day, too, and sometimes just needs that "wind down" time. Most days God uses my husband to meet my needs for affection, acceptance and emotional support - but there are times that God is the one I receive these things from directly - so either way, my needs are being met. Through it all, I am learning to put more dependency on God for my needs, then on my husband. This is not to say my husband is "released" from fulfilling my needs, but I don't nag him to do so. I pray and trust God to do it and it is usually, almost always, through my husband these needs become met. They may not always be on my timetable, but they are met just the same - and usually and the exact time I need them.
Serving inside the home is the most difficult ministry on the planet-this includes working moms/wives. For one thing, you cannot just step out of it (unless you believe in divorice, and I am not talking of cases of abuse or unfaithfulness. Just everyday life and the struggles that go with it). I don't want to live the rest of my life in a marriage that is broken due to selfishness. Love is not an emotion - it's an action. And to truly love someone is to deny yourself and put them first.
Here is a picture of me helping Gabriella plant flowers in her garden. It's the only one I could find and my hands were at work (and dirty!)
Another favorite verse of mine: A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1
Please visit Blogger Friend School for more wonderful answers and experiences to this assignment,.
Comments
Sep. 18, 2008 - Wonderful!
Posted by Denise
Thank you for sharing and for saying it all so beautifully. Sometimes the most important time for me to step out and help or bless someone is within the walls of my own house. Too true.
The LORD bless and keep you and give you peace, sister.
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/butterandhoney
Sep. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MrsTamara
Beautiful post and thank you for the gentle reminder of serving in our own homes! May the Lord continue to use you in this area of servanthood.
Blessings,
MrsTamara
BFS Teacher
Sep. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by kimalita
Written so beautifully...........and what a reminder for us moms to be servants within our own home first.
Sep. 18, 2008 - Oh I can relate to the hubby part
Posted by Sheri
but the guy I married has changed and is soooo much better at helping-I mean he does laundry and cooks most dinners when he is home! It relieves such a burden from me (esp. when I had been doing mommy/daddy time whilst he was away for work and that can be up to 10 days at a time). So there is hope and with constant prayer-it will balance out. My biggest change had to be how I reacted to the situations, not him. I can only work on me and pray for him. Anyhoo-thanks for the good post.
Sep. 18, 2008 - Great Verse!
Posted by Kristi
Sounds like you are truly the Proverbs woman!! Keep up your good works!
Sep. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
This was wonderful.
I esp. liked when you said
`I pray and trust God to do it and it is usually, almost always, through my husband these needs become met. They may not always be on my timetable, but they are met just the same - and usually and the exact time I need them.`
God is an on time God
Blessings,
Michelle
Sep. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Michelle122161
oops! I meant to leave my blog url and forgot.
I was too lazy too sign in earlier. :)
Anyway, I like your profile pic.
Have a Great week.
Michelle
Sep. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Did you "step outside your comfort zone" to plant the flowers? Just a question my dear
Sep. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Learning By Living
"Living in this world can easily distort our purpose for even existing. This is not a demeaning role - it's very high calling and a difficult - extremely difficult - one at that. " AMEN!! I just love what you said here.. Our society is making the role of mother and wife less important each year and some of us sadly will say we are "JUST" mom's or wives... Praise the Lord that you have chosen to serve your family as God intended.. Thank you for sharing this!! many blessings
