And I Asked Myself

I idled on my swing, savoring the fresh and peaceful morning.  I pondered what needed to be done today.  Sometimes, I dread the work.  Sometimes I slay the work.  Either way, the work still needs to be done.  And I asked myself, 

"But can I be thankful for the work today?" 

I wondered this.  I often chronicle things I'm thankful for in my journal, but today, I wrote reasons I could be thankful for work.  

~ Through work comes provision.  

This is often how my Father, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, works.  He frequently provides through work.  It isn't always a surprise check in the mail, though those miracles have happened to our family!  And, my work looks different and unique from others' work.  Today, that means, I'm thankful to weed, plant, and mess with the garden.  That means I'm thankful to stack the wood and oversee the wood-splitting.  Today, that means, I'm thankful for preparing and cooking food.  I'm thankful to be hanging clothes on the line.  I'm thankful for clothes to rotate and organize.  All this work reminds me of the ways that God continues to provide for our family.  I'm thankful for the daily work He provides!  

~ Through work comes order.

God is a god of order.  This is why a neat and tidy home lends itself to refreshing us and our families.  The disorder of this world came in at the fall of man and the toil and struggle are now a real part of our everyday life.  So much of my work is helping to bring about order again (and again and again).  Remembering that through what I do, order is brought about, helps me to be thankful for the work.

~ Through work comes character.  

Much is said in the book of Proverbs about the virtue of work.  Not only does my daily work build character in me, it also builds character in my children.  I am grateful for this.  I want to grow more Christ-like every day and a big part of that is doing EVERYTHING I do as unto the Lord and not just for people!  Do it with all your might!  Do it all for the glory of God!  What character can develop from this attitude daily!  That puts an entirely different spin on the work that the Blossoms and I must do today.  

I needed this reminder, friends.  More thoughts to come soon, I hope.

Just You Wait

For those people that I've met in grocery stores and restaurants who say,

"They're so pleasant, but just you wait til the teen years."  

Yep, just you wait til they can make supper when you're totally overwhelmed.  

Just you wait til they can order you a thoughtful gift off Amazon.

Just you wait til they can wield their sense of humor, cracking us up and infusing joy in a tense situation.

Just you wait til they can quietly observe, read a person, and share wise thoughts with you.

Just you wait til they can work like an adult. 

Just you wait til they can run to Dollar General for you.

Just you wait til they can appreciate your favorite books and movies.

Just you wait til their conversation is scintillating and thought-provoking.

Just you wait til they can lighten your load.

Just you wait til they can thank you for all you do.

Just you wait til they can creatively solve a problem that's been baffling you for days.

Just you wait til they bake whoopie pies and cookies and bread at the drop of a hat... just because we're in the mood.

Just you wait.

Don't buy into the lies, friends.  Children are a blessing.  Teens are no exception.

And if you haven't seen the fruit of the steady plodding of motherhood yet, don't lose heart.  

You will reap, if you do not faint.

For Those Responsibilities

"Thank you, Lord, for all the responsibilities You have given me."

I breathed the crisp morning air, realizing that I do not often thank the Lord for my responsibilities. 

It's a new way to look at things.  

Rather than dreading them or chafing at the toil and labor involved, 

thanking God for those responsibilities turns it all around.

Most of the responsibilities in my life stem from blessings from above.

Why do I let work and toil and labor and struggle take the joy out of what I do?

Lately, I'm taking time to thank God for my responsibilities.  

May I be a good and faithful steward, Lord.