But God operates on a different agenda than I do. I have so many things to "fill" my day with, but what has God asked me to do today? Meaning, I can never complete everything that I have on my "to do" list. The demands come at me from all sides. But did I finish the work that God gave me to do today? Am I distinguishing the demands and things that I think "I am supposed to do" from what God has really asked me to do today? Often I see other women accomplishing what appears to be so much more than I am, and I can quickly compare and become discouraged. But the tasks God is asking me to complete are not going to be the same as someone else's. I once was sharing with husband that I feel like a failure because I can't complete all the tasks that I thought I "should" complete each day. He asked me, "who said you 'should' do them?" I realized I didn't have an answer. It was an imaginary agenda made up from my perceptions of what I thought other people wanted from me. He remarked that instead of comparing myself with my upbringing or with other women, I should only regard my day only by the light of what God has asked me to do.
Joy, fulfillment, and a peaceful spirit come from being able to let go of the things that I cannot do, and simply do what God is asking me to do today. Some days it may be cleaning the house so my husband comes home to a clean environment he can relax in. Other days, I may have to let the house go, to focus more completely on the needs of my children. Sometimes, it may be that I need to spend time on my business. Keeping my heart in tune to the needs of my household and family, and being able to let go of things that aren't beneficial to keeping a house in harmony, is hard for me. In no one day can I keep the house up, work on the business, make meals, play with the kids, discipline the kids, attend to my husband, run all my errands, spend time with God, and keep up my friendships. I think a peaceful and joyful heart is one that adapts to the need of the day, as God shows to me throughout the day what the most pressing needs are. The promises of God are a direct result of following God. May I follow Him in what often appears to be the mundane, but all-demanding, tasks of each day.

Beautiful. Catching rainbows. Clinging onto the promises of God. Remembering that He is faithful.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know I'm not the only one who worries/stresses about that stuff (minus the kids and husband, of course)! It's SO hard to let go of it sometimes, but we're so much better off when we do. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteP.S. The shoes are fantastic!
Well said, Jenny. A joyful, peaceful heart, resting in the Savior. That's the goal - not the to-do list.
ReplyDelete