You may have it all together, but when it came to me, well, balancing kids, husband, house, dinner, sports, weekends… well, the list goes on for all of us! A typical week for me could be challenging to say the least. Matt would get home around 6:45 to dinner, hopefully, then sit on the couch with the remote while I scrambled to finish laundry, pick up toys, order kids around, pass the living room and give husband dirty look for doing nothing. And then the devil starts… “So, just because you don’t get a pay check for all you did today, it’s not work? You didn’t get to clock out? Who does he think he is? He needs to be helping fold and put laundry away!” This was an every night occurrence. So upset that I was still going up until bed time trying to “earn my keep.” I was letting my husband slip into this “bringing home the bacon roll.” Not his fault, mine. After a few weeks of exhaustion, mental that is, I began seeking God in helping me change my attitude. I knew my husband was a great man. Driving 59 miles one way to provide for his family! How could I have these terrible thoughts? Well, of course it was the liar, Satan. God asked me what I wanted out of my life. (husband and kids included) I really searched and was in Genesis seeing the life of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, their families. I wanted God to be the center. I knew with Him as the center, we would be blessed. We are at church 7-8 hours a week. But, other than my own daily reading, what were the rest of the family doing. I wanted family time every day. 30 minutes at least of all 6 of us talking about God, His blessings, our struggles, prayer.
Rusty Reese spoke in SS about getting up early to spend time in the word and with God. He mentioned times where Jesus had prayed before the sun had come up, symbolizing seeking God first in your daily lives. I began thinking about my family. It would be an easy task for me. I would implement a God and I time for the kids before their studies, but Matt left the house at 5:30am. Is it reasonable to ask him to get up an extra hour to start his day off with God? I began praying more diligently for him specifically. I realized how my husband didn’t have the opportunity to start his day with a devotion. Then God reminded me that he had an hour plus drive every morning. I decided to find a way to use that time. I went to my local library to see what kind of CD’s they had on devotions and Bible reading. I found they had the entire Bible on CD. It’s also considered an honor system item that isn’t “checked out” and doesn’t have a required return date. I wanted to set Matt up for a great day everyday. I knew he could get there by having a morning devotion but knew it would be a hard task seeing how early he leaves. But God was able to take time that can normally be so bothersome and use it for His glory! Now, Matt gets a morning devotion! I had planned on recording daily readings for him if I could find something else. So, glad to be blessed with these CD’s!!
We started to see differences in both our attitudes. I also began giving myself “work hours” like everyone else. Being a stay @ home mom, who home schools, I decided to limit the amount I “let” myself do a day. My husband does so much that I didn’t want him coming home to work too. But, I didn’t want to still be folding laundry and allowing Satan to tell me he wasn’t helping. So, after dinner, no more house work! I found it was still there for me the next day. I also, realized that my children were VERY capable of doing chores, even liking it. Who knew? Most importantly, when my husband didn’t feel the pressure of laundry, dishes, floors, my evil eye, he was ready to spend his time with us. He started leading us in a short Bible study after dinner, usually while kids were having dessert. It didn’t have to be long, just short, sweet and to the point. The kids get it and they are eager to share what’s going on in their lives. They want you to know, but they want to know you have the time to listen.
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