#1 God showed me that I needed to be more present with my kids. Let me explain--in 2010 I began my first full-year journey in ministry at THE FLIPSIDE. I absolutely love what i do and I absolutely love the people that I get to journey with there. I am part-time staff but I tended to give myself full-time...my time with my kids began to be more and more distracted. They are getting older and so they play nicely together(most the time) and so I would often be checking my emails or texting or reading scripture(not that this is bad) or planning an event or whatever while I was playing with them or when I should have been playing with them. Last season I was involved in 4 bible studies, momtourage, and more. ANYWAY all this to say my goal is to set boundaries for myself that help me be focused on ministry when it is ministry time-- but be fully engaged in my kids when it is their/our time!!! It is amazing how they love me so much-- it blows my mind. They want me to play with them and be with them always and I know that will go away one day so I NEED to savor it and really be present! We have been on some amazing journeys at the park already this year and I dont bring my phone or my watch we just go til we are done!!! I pray that these moments will be with them for a lifetime. Thank you Holy Spirit for Convicting me!
#2 I CAN be a virtuous wife!
PROVERBS 31: A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life...She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue...Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. --There is much more to this passage but this is just a glimpse.
I used to think this person was something that didn't really exist anymore. I have read and read this passage but I never could relate to it I found myself just completely disconnected from this women...this wife of noble character--NOT REAL. Well a couple weeks ago God let me to a book called BEAUTIFUL IN GODS EYES by elizabeth george...it takes Proverbs 31 and breaks it down in a way that is allowing my eyes to be opened to the realness of this women and the realness of me becoming this women...I understand that it will be a lifetime mission and I need to take it one step at a time-- but it is possible!! This book is helping me develop a plan and it is helping me see the importance of me striving to be this women...The consequences if I don't are real, Jovan will not know these standards when he goes to choose a wife and Juliette will not have a real life model of this women to strive to become. I want them to marry Godly people, I want them to be Godly people! I have to model this--IT MIGHT BE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND THE MOST REAL THING I CAN DO FOR THEM!!!--I am scared to death but I know that God has surrounded me with all the tools--BIBLE, resources (like the book I mentioned), amazing ladies to journey with, a patient and loving husband, a job that keeps me wanting more and more of Him, beautiful kids worth fighting for, holyspirit to convict me, and MOST IMPORTANTLY HIM!!! pray for me...
#3-- I HAVE A LIFE VERSE--i am reading another book by Bill Hybels--the power of a whisper. He suggested that one should have a life verse. As I began to pray about this I realized I DID have one I just didnt know it! The journey to finding it is the main reason I know it was given to me before I even realized it--thats a different story--I talk about that in an earlier blog...anyway it is Hosea 10:12 sow for yourself righteousness; reap the fruit of unfailing love and break up your unplowed ground--for it is time to seek the lord until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
This verse means so much to me and I am running out of time to write but the main point of understanding that it is a life verse for me-- is that I now understand that my life is going to be a continuous journey of seeking His love, working out the kinks of who I am and choosing a life that matters. Now that I know this is my life verse-- I feel like I can manage it. It is strange how much this revelation has helped me have more endurance. I can stop asking God "when am I gonna be better?" and start receiving the truth that I will be better when He comes and until then I have a lot of work to do!!! And honestly I am ok with that!!!
Jesus died on the cross for me and there are starving children in this world-- the least I can do is give my all to this life He has given me!!--It is a beautiful life He has given me and I don't want to waste it...I will not waste--Father I promise I will not wast this life you have given me...Thank you Thank you for saving me from this world and thank you for giving me purpose and thank you for trusting me!!
Chasing after Him with everything He has given me!!!
mommaavila--virtuous wife in training!--lol
