August Challenge - Question 4

It's the last day in August. The time has gone by pretty quickly, and now I have a chance to post the last of the August challenge questions for this month. Who knows, maybe I'll turn back and post some more thoughts in September. In the meantime, here is a question that pulled at my heartstrings.

I remember when my children were all little and I thought I'd never live through those days of constant demands and endless needs. Now I have no more preschoolers at my house! What stage of life are you in? Are you content or wishing it would end? Write about the view from where you are right now.

What I wouldn't give to have my kids little again! When my youngest was born, I had an infant, a 10 year old and an almost 13 year old. Different stages, different needs, but I loved being with each of them. There was much to be learned, by them and by me, about them and about myself.

Today, my oldest is 24 years old, my second is 21 and my "baby" is 11. The two older children are living on their own, going to school and learning to live apart from the family unit they've known all their lives. Only the youngest is with me. I believe God gave me my youngest child because He knew how difficult it would be for me to let go of 2 children at once. The pain was so intense I wanted to go to sleep and never awaken to it again. I thought sending my daughter away to college was hard; saying goodbye to the two of them at the same time was almost unbearable. If not for my little boy I might have crawled into a corner and bawled.

Am I content with this season in life? I don't know if content is the right word. I'm learning to accept that this is part of life, and that my children need to leave the nest just as I once did. I know I will be content at some point, but I'm not sure I'm there yet. Do I wish this season would end? No. Much as I would love to keep my children little and with me forever, I realize that just cannot be. They were given to me to raise into independent adults; if they stay with me forever, then I've failed as a parent. Only when they leave and show the maturity they've acquired can I know for sure I did the best job I could with them. Do I wish I could go back in time, even if just for one day, and have them little again? Oh boy, would I!!!

August Challenge - Question 3

I've just been to Marybeth Whalen's blog and found another interesting question that I want to ponder on. This is the 3rd question for me, the fifteenth on her blog.

What did you want to be as a child? How was that desire an indicator of the person you'd become? If you have kids, write about how you can foster those desires (to help, to teach, to nurture, etc.) in them.

I grew up in the 60's and 70's. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, as were many of the moms at the time, though the tide had already begun to change in the 60's and less women were staying at home with their children. My father refused to allow my mother to work outside the home, and with 4 children I can say my mom had her hands full anyway.

My mother taught me the art of homemaking from a young age. I would get up on a chair to help wash dishes, and remember vividly burning my fingers trying to iron clothes at age 5. Sewing and crocheting were part of my "curriculum", though I never excelled in either. Cooking was much more productive. I was in the kitchen on my own by age 9. It started with simple things, frying eggs, boiling pasta, making pancakes. By the time I was 14 I could prepare an entire meal for the family with little to no help from my mother.

When I turned 14 my mother took a nasty fall and was in bed with a herniated disc for a couple of weeks. Being the oldest, I was in charge of taking care of my mother and my younger siblings, and running the household. I hadn't realized until then how much my mother had taught me. I would get up early in the morning, prepare breakfast for myself, my brother and sisters, and my mom, and make something for my mom's lunch so she wouldn't have to get up for anything. I would see the younger kids off to school and head off to high school myself. When I got home, I had to finish my homework quickly so I could make dinner, help the younger kids with their homework, feed them, feed my mom and dad when he got home from work, clean up, get some laundry done, and prepare for the next day. It was exhausting work, but at the same time it was satisfying. I was helping my family and making sure everything ran smoothly. I knew then that this was the path I wanted to take. I didn't care about a career or making lots of money. I wanted a home for myself, my own mini corporation if you will.

Of course, things don't always go the way we plan. Until 3 years ago, I worked to help support my home and family. It was never what I would call a career; my career was motherhood, and I've enjoyed it more than any amount of money I could have ever earned. Honestly, I worked because I felt I had to, and on some occasions I did, but I didn't love it. I made the best of it and kept in mind I was doing it for my family.

I'm thankful God gave me the opportunity 3 years ago when I lost my job, to stay home and just be a homemaker. I know many feminists consider this a step-down, but I see it quite differently. For years I worked so that others could make money and live comfortably. Now I work to keep my family comfortable. It brings me great joy to serve my loved ones, no matter how menial the job may seem.

I'm also thankful my own daughter has learned many of the skills my mother taught me. While I didn't have her ironing clothes at age 5, she does know how to prepare a meal, clean up, do laundry, simple sewing, maintain a household budget, decorate...her friends laugh at how domestic she is, but they also are impressed with her abilities. I don't tell my daughter she has to be a homemaker if she wants to do something else. She has to follow the path God lays out for her. But I'm thankful knowing she's prepared to take care of a family one day, and I know she too will experience great joy in doing so.

August Challenge - Question 2

I had wanted to participate in this more frequently, but my internet connection has been on and off this week. I believe it's the weather, since we've been getting rain everyday and thunderstorms more often than not. Here is one question, though, that I wanted to tackle because I've asked it myself in the past.

Some people think the number 13 is an unlucky number. Do you ever feel unlucky? Read Psalm 73 about Asaph, who felt unlucky but then reached some wonderful conclusions. Journal some verses from this Psalm and why these verses were special to you.

Hmm, do I feel unlucky? There are times when things don't go the way I'd like, when issues and problems come out of left field and I'm left wondering how these things could happen. Is it luck, bad or otherwise?

For that matter, what is luck? According to the World English dictionary, it's "having or bringing good fortune; happening by chance, especially as desired." So the question really is, do I believe things happen by chance, or is there a definite reason for what happens in my life and the life of everyone else?

I'd read Psalm 73 a few weeks ago. I've been reading one Psalm per day, and I'm in the 90's now. I recall understanding where Asaph was coming from. "How is it good things happen to bad people?" Asaph was asking (verses 3-9). It seems unfair that wicked, scheming people appear to get away with their evil doings, yet whenever a righteous person tries to do what is right he is chastised, ridiculed, even persecuted. Is it a matter of luck? Asaph realized it wasn't. He tried figuring it out on his own; verse 16 says when he tried to understand it all, it was too painful. Then he went before God, and once God revealed His justice, Asaph was able to comprehend the truth. "Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction." (verse 18). We can only see what's happening before our eyes, but God sees the bigger picture. He knows what's going on in each person's heart, and He knows perfectly well where evil desires lead. It may seem these people are "lucky" for a time, but in the end righteousness prevails.

I don't believe in luck. I do, however, believe in blessings. I believe that God bestows gifts upon those who obey Him and seek to please Him. Does that mean we never have problems? No. Problems have a purpose in our lives, too: they bring us closer to God, and teach us to seek His will. Then they can be used to help and encourage others. Problems start off as painful, but with the right attitude can be turned into blessings.

Am I unlucky? Not at all. I am blessed beyond measure, and loved beyond words.

August Challenge - Question 1

The first question for the August challenge is an interesting one, and I thought it would be a good one to tackle. Here it is:

How do you want to be seen in ten years? Think beyond just one area of your life-- really dig into socially, spiritually, physically, etc.

Well, let's see. For starters, 10 years from now I'll be 57 years old. *makes face* My son R will be 34, my daughter A will be 31, and my baby will be 21 years old. Wow. I have trouble seeing my older kids as adults now, I don't know about them in their 30's and my little guy a man.

How do I want to be seen in 10 years? I don't typically think of this, as I'm a firm believer in not worrying about tomorrow, as tomorrow has its own troubles, but focusing on the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33-34). But the question posed is how I'd like to be seen in 10 years, not what I'm planning. Because let's face it, I'm not in control of what my future holds, God is. So let's look at it from the perspective of who I would like to be as opposed to what my future plans are.

I think in 10 years I'd like to see myself in heaven! That may sound a bit morbid, but Jesus did say He would come again for His church (1 Thessalonians 4:17). It would be awesome if Christ came in the next 10 years! It would be the end of suffering, of tears, of pain. Oh what a glorious day that will be!

But since we don't know when that day is, if I'm still living here on earth, how would I like to be seen? First off, I'm hoping by then I'm a grandma! I'm not pushing my children to marry, and I want them to be with the one God has for them, but I would love to be able to hold my grandchildren 10 years from now, and play with them, and take them on trips to Disney World, and spoil them as only a grandma can. I've heard about the love of a grandma, but I believe it's one of those things you have to experience personally, and I'm looking forward to that!

With 3 children all grown up, I would like very much to be more involved in ministry and volunteer work. I think Americans live a sheltered life. We know there's poverty and disease and suffering out there, but we avoid looking at it or touching it ourselves. To alleviate the guilt we write out a little check and hope that will make enough of a difference. I'm not against donations, those are always welcome at any charitable organization, but I think it's not enough, at least not for me. I want to be hands-on. Whether that's building and/or repairing houses, or helping out at a food bank, or spending time reading to folks living in assisted living facilities, or any other of the many noble organizations that help folks in need, I would love for God to put me in a place where I can be used by Him to comfort others. That would bring me much more joy that having a fancy house, or a large bank account. It would be more fulfilling than taking trips or eating at expensive restaurants. If I can bring happiness to others, then I'll see the meaning of my own life all the more.

What about you? How do you see yourself in the next 10 years? Think about that today.

August Challenge

Marybeth Whalen over at Cheaper By The Half Dozen is hosting an August Challenge. Each day there's a question, or a verse, or a quote to journal about. I wish I'd seen this sooner! I love writing, and I love things that make me think and ponder. I won't do all of the questions, since today is already the 13th and half the month is gone (did that not happen waaay too quickly?!) but I'll journal about a few of them, those that strike me the most. Head on over to Marybeth's blog and try your hand at journaling too!