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{I'm linking up with Home with the Boys and reading Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson. If you'd like to join in, here is the original post from Erin with the details and reading schedule.}
This week, the chapter we read is about changing my will.
I'm using the YouVersion app on my iPad to record my thoughts as I read each morning. These links will take you to my notes at YouVersion.com.
Best quotes and passages from chapter 2:
- “Will we do God's will or our own?” pg. 48
- “The only true, biblical path of blessing for a mother is to reach out to the children God has given her, to raise and nurture them to become godly adults. Fulfillment will come only when a mother is willing to do God's will.” pg. 48
- “… to lay down a good thing in order to find the best.” pg. 49
- “[Mary's] decision was to make God's will her own. She would dedicate her life to God's purpose, even though it would surely mean a life of uncertainty and difficulty. She would sacrifice her life in order to do God's will, even if it meant rejection and loneliness.” pg. 52
About a year and a half ago, God put an inextinguishable passion into me. I was working full-time as a communications director in a church. Jonathan was three years old and I had recently found out that I was pregnant with Jacob. I blamed it on pregnancy hormones at first, but Josh kept telling me that it wasn't hormones. I had such a strong desire to be home with Jonathan and this new little one. Jonathan loved his daycare. Things at home were running pretty smoothly. But, I was growing frustrated with the atmosphere at my job and the desire to be home was growing stronger.
I didn't want to make the leap. I didn't want things to change. But the more I prayed and the more I talked to Josh, I couldn't resist. We started with a baby step but knew that the big leap wouldn't be far away; we would be ready or we'd be pushed off the cliff. Turns out it was both at the same time – we started to jump but got a nice push at the same time! {Read the story as told last summer.}
That passion? It was first to be home with my boys. Second, it was to homeschool them. This seemed way out of my comfort zone, but as I looked at my life I saw that God had been preparing me for this for a very long time.
Just because I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing doesn't mean I don't struggle. I have to let go of my will daily. I have to let go of my selfishness daily. Like this morning when I would rather have slept in. Like when I'm paying bills and think how nice it would be to have that second income again. Like when I'm cleaning up messes left by little boys (and the big boy too).
It's a daily struggle. But we all have to face it. Remember that we're in this together. You're not alone.
