Focus
Focus is not my strongest attribute; there is a reason I chose to call my blog “sidetrack’d”.
Prompted by some fleeting thoughts of going back to school (something that distracts me from time to time), I spent quite a bit of time on Thursday and Friday reflecting on what God has called me to do with my life. Much thought and prayer (over a couple of years) have led me to the following conclusions: I feel strongly that God intends for me to be home with Little and any future children; Matt and I feel that God intends for us to homeschool (though this may change…Little is only 7 months old, after all); I feel that my ultimate purpose in life is to be the wife and mother that God has designed me to be; and I feel that my highest calling is to glorify God in all I do.
These thoughts were called back to mind on Sunday when Scott, our minister, made this statement: “Jesus knew his purpose and maintained his focus.” If I know my purpose is being a wife and mother then all of my thoughts about school or work opportunities or whatever else are just noise, distractions from being satisfied with where God has placed me and what he has purposed for me at this point in life.
Might I go back to work one day? Sure, if that is what God purposes for me. Might I get another degree someday? Sure, if that is part of his plan. But right now I need to focus on doing the things I’m currently being called to do. I have books to read, beauty to enjoy, and blog posts to write. I have a home to run, a budget to balance, laundry to wash. I have diapers to change, feedings to give, a child to raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I have a husband to love, to respect, to live life with. I have a God to listen to, to learn about, to glorify.
John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” If I focus on being satisfied in Christ the other things will fall into place.
