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Tuesday 15 January 2013

Living the dream?

 twixt downs and sea - work for the Lord

 

My work, my job and my home, should be my dream job. If you asked me to describe my ideal job, my ideal home and family, this is it. As a little girl all I wished for the future was a house and garden, a husband, couple of lovely children and a part time job helping people. Some time to read, some time to be creative, a good church fellowship. Tick every box.

And I believe that whatever you do, you are doing it for God.

Why, then am I so often discontent, moaning and half-hearted.

When I feel slighted at work, looked over for a good job, expected to do extra stuff for no thanks or reward, treated unfairly, I so rarely react with grace. In fact I complain, whine and tell myself I am going to give them only what is in my job description – no more.

At home, same thing, people don’t help or do their chores, leave me a mess to clear up and I stomp about, banging the bin lid and muttering.

Result, dream job, ideal home ruined by grumpy, graceless, lazy Twiz. And of course it rubs off on everyone else. And what a dreadful witness.

Well, no more.

Last year I read The Good Wife's Guide. And I started to serve my husband. And my children. And my colleagues. And everything got easier. Rather than walk past the bin 6 times complaining that no-one has emptied it and are they expecting me to do it for them, I just do it, the first time. Joyfully. (well, not resentfully anyway).

I’m still a work in progress. A lifetime of being told to be assertive, stand up for your rights, don’t be a doormat is hard to overcome at once. Service. And following that example of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Intentional service. Intentional use of my time and gifts. that’s my goal.

And just to remind myself of my One Word, as I’m linking up with Melanie I want to steward my time responsibly and intentionally,

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, Ephesians 6:7

5 comments:

  1. Wow this post is echoing in my head! Last year my word was CONTENT..... a long hard year and still I am a work in progress!
    "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" Galatians 6:9

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  2. Yes, contentment is so what I need. Thank you for the encouraging verse - I shall ponder on that one.

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  3. This is a good reminder for me. God really worked on my heart about this a couple of years ago. No matter who helps, or who complains, or whose mess I am cleaning, my ultimate motivation should be to bring glory to God. And a sour attitude brings no glory to God. I read Ann Voskamp's "1000 Gifts" a couple of years ago. It was life-altering for me in this area. Blessings!

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  4. I loved this! Colossians 3:23 is one of my favorite verses. I do the same thing sometimes....I have so many blessings in my life, yet I can complain about the littlest things, then I end up with a sour disposition, ruining my day and making it miserable for those around me. My one word for the year is Jesus....daily, hour by hour and minute by minute I have to remind myself of this, to live the way He would want me to live so His light can shine through me. Thank you for this wonderful reminder!

    Blesssings~
    Shari

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