Sep. 25, 2008 - Thankful Thursday and Pop Goes the Bubble
This week I am thankful for laughter, for a merry heart does good like medicine. My husband told me just the other day that I laugh so much that I should be the healthiest person on earth. 
Speaking of laughter, if you take the time to read the devotion posted below, I am sure that it will give you a 
.
I am also thankful for the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. I have written devotions several times regarding my own struggle with computer usage. I have done much better lately, as far as making sure that I am doing something productive. However, the productive things I've done have required MUCH of my time. I recently switched history curriculum to go with a more literature-based curriculum, which required a LOT of time on the computer, trying to find the books I would need for this program. I am also in the process of preparing to speak at a Mom's Night Out on the topic of preparing for high school. In the midst of these endeavors, I have quit spending as much time in the Word. Because of that, I have felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to pull back from my computer time again.
I usually take a Sabbatical the month of October from visiting my favorite forums on the Internet. It always helps me to regain a proper focus, as well as prepare my heart for the soon-to-come holiday season. I am so thankful the Lord is patient with me in this struggle to find a balance amidst the computer usage and the myriad of other things that seem to cry out for my attention. Lord, help me to grant that kind of patience to my dd as she struggles with things in schools, with her ever-changing hormones, and with life, in general. 
Pop Goes the Bubble
I remember when Rachel was only 2. She was in the bathtub, and passed gas. She looked down into the tub, and excitedly exclaimed, "Oh! Bubbles!" Needless to say, I cracked up. Even as she grew older, she was still fascinated with bubbles. She could be in the tub playing, and I would hear her yell, "Mommy, come here! You have to see this bubble!" Invariably, the bubble which brought her so much joy would be gone before I could make it in there.
There are many things which this world offers us which can seem so appealing and so pretty, but just like the bubble, in an instant, the "beauty" of it all is gone. Let's take a look at some scenarios.
The job that offers such prestige - prestige, which could fade at any given moment. The job market doesn't seem to be too stable these days. Pop! There went the "bubble." (That same job could require you to be away from your dear family and miss out on precious time that could never be recaptured.) The O.T. is so clear about how we are to diligently teach our children about spiritual things. How can we do that when we are gone so much of the time? When we are finally able to be with them, who would have the energy or the patience to be instructing them in righteousness?
Please don't misunderstand, I am not knocking women who MUST work outside the home, but oftentimes, working outside the home is because we "MUST" have this new house, this bigger house, this fancy car, the fancy clothes for us and for our children.......It becomes a matter of working, not to provide for the family, but to get THINGS to satisfy us. Oops, did the "bubble" just pop again? 
The lure of the mall. We get bored so we go shopping. We get frustrated, so we go shopping. We get happy, so we go shopping..... You get the picture. The mall is a lure to many women. While we are there, we tend to buy impusively. Later, when we get home, and have to explain the charges on the credit card, or why we don't any longer have the money to buy the groceries, the temporary "high" which we get from shopping so quickly fades. 
The lure of activities for our children. I see so many families, who get their children involved in so many activities. So many, in fact, that they hardly ever get to spend much time together. They miss out on the precious family meal times, or the chance to just spend an evening playing games. Too often, it ends up being a time where everyone is rushed, Mom is yelling, the kids are arguing......and the list goes on. Once again, the "bubble" pops, and the glitter of this activity fades away. 
There are even some things which are good, noble causes. BUT, if God has not given us the OK to be involved in these activities, the "bubble" will pop again. For instance, maybe you want to be involved in Women's ministries at your church. But being involved there can put another demand on your plate, which is already full, just trying to take care of the family, the house, the laundry, the grocery shopping. You may be maxed out with just the everyday tasks that HAVE to be done. Being involved in women's ministries may make you feel like you are being a better Christian, or that you are doing your good deed by being there, but it could also be the thing that leaves you frazzled because maybe this just isn't the "season" for you to be heavily involved in anything besides your own family. 
Let me explain a little further on these things. The Bible says that there is a season for everything. I can give you a personal example regarding the women's ministry. (I used that illustration because it fit my situation.) Our women's group would meet on Tuesday mornings. I wanted to be there and be part of the group, but I homeschool, so which is my priority? Yes, I could rearrange the homeschool day so that I could teach later, but for me, my better hours of the day are in the morning. If I didn't get school done in the morning, chances were very high that it wouldn't get done at all. The teaching and training of my child on Biblical principles and academics was higher on the priority list than attending the women's Bible study. (A side note on this - now the women's group is meeting on Wed. nights. Since we are there every Wed. anyway, this has turned out to be a real blessing to me.) 
I Cor. 3:11-13 says "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." (NIV)
II Tim. 2:20-21 says, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also utensils of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble use and some for menial and ignoble use. So whoever cleanses himself from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences will then himself be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work." (Amp. Bible)
Father, may you help us to see clearly the purpose you have for us at this time. Yes, it may change down the road, but help us now to see it, to embrace it, and to welcome it. Help us to be content in the ministry where you have placed us, and to find joy in the journey. Help us to focus our energies on the things which would bring honor to Your Name, and to pull ourselves away from those contaminating, luring things which this old world would love to offer us. Help us to find that life abundantly - the life which is in You, alone. Amen.
© 2003, Stacy R. Miller
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Sep. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Lynn
Stacy,
Girl.. What a great post and the bubbles made me laugh. Great devotion. Thanks for stopping in at my place. I will miss you much in October girl. Hugs.
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Sep. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Twinkle Mom
That was a fantastic TT and devotional...I loved it!
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Sep. 24, 2008 - http://myblog2002.blogspot.com
Posted by Pia
stacy, you nailed it!
"The job that offers such prestige - prestige, which could fade at any given moment." - i think this is what God is telling me. i think He is telling me to go! you have no idea what i went through last night. horrible! but thank God He's there to keep my sanity intact and my values strong i sensed danger.
God bless you, stacy and thank you for this.
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Sep. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Great post and devotion!!
Thanks for sharing.
Sweet Blessings,
Darlene @ http://puffspocket.blogspot.com
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Sep. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Michele
God bless you dear. Thank you so much for an amazing post.
Michele
http://michele-risingabove.blogspot.com
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Sep. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Debra
Stacy,
I can relate to this post so much. All the outside activities taking away from what God has called me to do inside of my home. I was set free the day I took a firm stand on that issue. I lost many friends, but my King was smiling! Blessings to you today!
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Sep. 25, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Posted by Iris
Yes, laughter is wonderful - I know that I feel much better when I take myself not so serious and laugh about my mishaps :)
I believe that God gives us different ministries throughout our life-time. I do hope that I will always recognize them.
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week. And thank you for sharing your thoughts on ministries/life...
Be blessed today and always.
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Sep. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by genny
Thanks for sharing very good post. TC
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