Today everyone has been a little grumpy. Asa cried for about 10 minutes because I wouldn’t play the pick-me-up-set-me-down game with him at 6:15 this morning. Lydia kicked all her toys across the floor when I asked her to put them in a basket. And me? Well, I’ve rolled my eyes a few more times than normal, I signed too loudly and spoke too harshly. It’s been one of those mornings that would have been better spent under the covers, in a cubicle or at preschool.
Yesterday at church the pastor (Jeff Henderson from Buckhead Church) began a new series entitled @work. I was immediately uninterested because well, I don’t work. Of course, he took the time to list stay-at-home-parent as an occupation but I know he was just being nice.
The entire sermon was based on the scripture in Colossians that says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” His challenge was to show others at work that GOD is AT WORK in your life. Not by witnessing. Not be being addicted to your job or be an uber-servant. But by just living your life in a way that says, “Hey–God is in my every day life. He’s working on me. And this is what that looks like.”
Although I thought the sermon was great, I felt like I couldn’t really relate. After all, I don’t have a boss. I just kinda do what I do. If anything I’m the boss. Or maybe Lydia and Asa are the boss. (*whew* some days more than others!)
After our less-than-lovely morning, we sat down to lunch and everyone was a little whiny. Even me. I was not looking forward to our lunch of tuna, egg noodles and peas. As we silently ate our food, we were listening to a kids’ cd and the song, Amazing Grace came on. Yeah, like THE Amazing Grace.
And I got tears in my eyes. “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me!” I felt wretched today—disobedient kids, no shower, messy house, yucky lunch, crying baby and absolutely nothing “worthwhile” accomplished. And as I contemplated how God’s amazing grace can work on my sorry-mommy attitude just like it can work on a former slave trader, I thought of yesterday’s sermon:
Whatever you do {take care of your kids, do the dishes, keep your house, make a craft, read to your kids} work at it with all your heart {without eye rolls, heavy sighs and short words} as if working for the Lord.
And although there is NO WHERE ELSE I’d rather be than here raising my kids, this little “epiphany” today made me realize how important my job is. I’m not just raising my kids. Or teaching them to read. Or cooking good food to sustain their life. Or building memories. I’m working for God. Just like a pastor, a missionary, a king, an artist or a businesswoman. And that’s all I really want—to show my kids that God is @work in my life.
I can relate. I too get a little “annoyed” when things are referenced to the “working” mom. My job is never turned off, it’s always “on” and the reminder to live it for God is always a good reminder. Even when I think what I do at home isn’t being appreciated, I know that He sees it and it makes him happy.
Thanks for the nice thought post.
.-= Shelly´s last blog ..DIY Pirate costume on the cheap – o. =-.
THANK YOU for this post and for putting things back into perspective for me. Reading this is exactly what I needed today.
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Halloween Weekend Safety =-.
A long time ago, a collegiate minister told me that the Quakers (?) have a prayer for everything: washing dishes, brushing your teeth, gardening. When I feel really downtrodden and don’t want to do the dishes, I often pray, “God, let me wash dishes for You. Make it a service to You.” It certainly changes my attitude.
.-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..The Tale of the Breaking Point =-.
beautiful. exactly what I needed today, too.
Amanda,
I have many of ‘those’ days! trust me…
Our church talked about the same EXACT thing yesterday! Wow…God must really be telling us something b/c I too wanted to shut out the sermon. Then I realized how important it is that we (SAHM’s) reflect God in our ‘work’ just as though we are at a 9 to 5 with coworkers.
What a great perspective. I need to remember this ALL the time. Thanks!
.-= Beth@Not a Bow in Sight´s last blog ..How to Survive the Swine Flu (H1N1) =-.
Do you happen to remember the quote about how God is interested in clean floors and well-made shoes? I was sort of tuning it out until he said that and I missed WHO the quote was by. Let me know if you remember that part…
I definitely struggle with the identity part of not having a “job”–what is it that I do? What is it that I am? Sometimes I feel like I don’t measure up. The sermon was a nice reminder that what I do is important and meaningful not because of what it is, but because of WHO it is for.
.-= vanessa´s last blog ..thanksgiving themed books to read with your preschooler =-.
Thanks for sharing the pastor’s wonderful message, and for putting it into such a lovely context. It occured to me once that I used to take out my “mothering frustrations” (you know, just feeling overworked, underappreciated, and always, always tired) on my husband and kids, until I realized something. Fact is, my husband didn’t make me a mother, my kids didn’t even make me a mother. God made me a mother, and if I had a beef, I needed to take it to him. 😉 Meaning, of course, that I needed to pray that he would give me strength to be able to serve with a glad heart and communicate wisely and with love any of my needs to my husband and children. It’s a message I’ve had to tell myself a hundred times since then, which makes me glad that God is so full of mercy and patience. 😉
.-= Stacey @ Tree, Root, and Twig´s last blog ..Our Subversive, Thrilling Halloween =-.
Beautiful post. Thank you for this reminder. 🙂
.-= Musings of a Housewife´s last blog ..Entering the Home Stretch =-.
that made me cry. i needed that reminder.
he is so good!!! so good indeed!
.-= melissa from girlymama´s last blog ..welcome to operation restore order =-.
Thank you for the reminder. I needed it! Today was a difficult day for me, as well. Son with a broken foot, spilled coffee, broken lamp, running late for nursery school, out of toothpaste…all before 9:30am. Lord, give me strength!
.-= Tara Rison´s last blog ..Halloween Night =-.
I really needed this today! Thank you!
.-= Janna´s last blog ..Things That ROCK…and things that don’t =-.
Thank you for sharing this so honestly! God knew I needed to read it and remember what the REAL point of being a SAHM is for me.
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..30 Days of Thanks – Day 2 =-.
Girl, I feel ya. Thanks.
.-= Heather @ Not a DIY Life´s last blog ..Top Ten Reasons I Need Coffee =-.
Hey Amanda!
Great little blog today!
Just wanted to pop in and wish you good luck on your phone interview this week (if you haven’t had it by now-I haven’t been to the disboards thread in a few days)!
Make us North Georgia Disney fans proud girl!
so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
.-= domestic extraordinaire´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday-Happy Birthday to The Nephew Edition =-.
Love this more than you know!! Awe. Some. Amen. love that perspective!
.-= Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..Y’all, we’re having a Yard Sale! =-.
Amanda, I may be emailing/calling daily for the reminder on this. As of Tuesday, I’m a SAHM. I am scared. And thrilled. Thanks for your encouragement that it IS a wonderful job and can be “worked” at.
.-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..I’m Always Looking for an Excuse to Not Really Write =-.