Monday, July 25, 2011

Ready For That Confession?

Remember the beginning of my confession from last Monday? which was encouraged when I began to read Large Family Logistics.  However, the below has nothing to do with having a small family or a large family.  It has to do with...
well, I hope you’ll keep reading and be encouraged.  
Here are some of the things that I felt the LORD was telling me about managing our home, our school, and well, just all of US.  It’s time for me to re-focus and get serious. 

“Yet, if at any stage of life you feel you’re ‘flying by the seat of your pants,’ taking each day as it comes without having anticipated it, planned for it, shaped it, and prayed over it, then take time off and get back to poring over your goals.  Then you will control your days, instead of letting them control you.” Anne Ortlund. 
The Bible reminds me that “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29:18 
I’ve lost my “vision” and am “scattered” much like sheep scatter without the care of a shepherd. (Mark 6:24).  And my home and family are also somewhat “scattered” because I have unclear and undefined goals for myself, for the children, our home, etc..  Yes, we had to go some what auto-pilot when we had so many little ones the same age, and were fighting Corbin’s asthma so often.  However, I feel the LORD is nudging me back to a “Plan Of Care”.  
Also, I have been convicted that I have become lazy - idle - sluggish.  I have fed this idleness long enough now that it has become a habit.  


But I’m committed to turning this around.  I’m committed because the LORD has made me a “Shepherdess” to my little flock.  Study Ezekiel 34:1-24 about how seriously the LORD feels about the Shepherds of Israel not caring for the children of God.  Instead they looked only after their own comforts and their own pleasures.  
I long to be faithful in tending to my family and home.  I am reminding myself that love is a choice and a commitment.  So, “what I feel like” doing doesn’t dictate what I do each day.  Jesus “went about doing good” in Acts 10:38, and I am to follow His example here in my ministry.  I must also be faithful, skillful and diligent in my daily work.  
The ministry of meal making is a priority that I must be mindful of.  One of the things the LORD said to the Shepherds of Israel in Ezekiel 34 is “Should not shepherds feed the sheep?”  I am to practically care for the health of my family.  To do that I must not be lazy about my menus.  I need to plan ahead and look to wherever is necessary to feed my family well within the budget constraints that we have.
I am praying and seeking His goals to “make the best use of the time” (Eph. 5:16).  And I pray that as wives and mothers, daughters and sisters, we will seek the LORD for wisdom and thank Him daily for the very precious ministry He has given to us.

9 comments:

  1. Shonni,
    I love that you've poured out your heart in this post and I appreciate your honesty. Often times I feel so inadequate and reading this post is a reminder of how each of us has our struggles and how much we need to lean on the Lord.

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  2. Oh, Shonni, this speaks volumes to me. Lately it seems I really am flying by the seat of my pants, and we don't even home school! Chaos and clutter drive me crazy, and that includes scheduling chaos and clutter! I'm taking this to heart!

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  3. Thanks for the kick!
    That´s just what I needed now!
    (Sorry my english is not the best)

    Greetings from germany
    Babsi

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  4. Oh wow.. I was reading the same scripture(without vision..) yesterday. We had a family meeting last night just about this. I have that book too a sweet friend wrote it!(Large Family Logistics.

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  5. Oh PRAISE the LORD your comments section is back....I have been praying for that... : ) What a blessing it was to read your heart and how you are desiring to get back into the center of Gods will for you and your family..May the Lord give you strength to walk the path He has laid before you..
    Blessings to you this day...

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  6. Wow, does this ring a bell. After 3 babies in 3 years I totally lost my focus and vision. With our boy coming from China, I, too, am feeling the need to steer back to a better plan. Your post is definite confirmation for me. I am reading Simplicity Parenting and one thing I realized is that I need to stop letting my schedule dictate my environment and instead create a better rhythm where everyone knows what to expect. Great book. Especially because of our kids from hard places who NEED to know what's next.

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  7. This describes my summer. But it is so interesting that you brought this up bc I just started reading the MOTH book bt the Maxwells yesterday.

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  8. I feel like I'm in the same boat. Every day is reactive anymore...never proactive. I'm living like I still have two kids...but I have six! Praying for all of us who feel we are floundering each day to keep the focus on our mission fields right in our homes!

    Blessings, Jennifer

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  9. I have read this verse several times over the summer and felt the same way!

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