Well, guess what? This amazing opportunity that God has led other people to do, isn't a God thing for me right now, and I'm not going to do it, nor did I consider it very long. You see, God gave me a very clear calling, and no matter how great this opportunity seems, it doesn't fit under the purpose of my life right now.
One day a thought hit me like a brick in the head. You know when you're reading those verses like, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations." (Matthew 28:19) Well my "nations" at this time in my life are right under my own roof! Now anytime I read about the lost and hear pastors preaching about going out to the world I first think what that means in my own household, and most of the time I feel God urging me to keep doing my mission work right at home.
I do care deeply and am able to do some things that still fall under my purpose as far as giving and serving in my community, and the day will come when I can do even more and include my little guys in the process. I'm really thankful for those individuals and families that have the calling to go into the world, because the homeless, orphaned, and hungry people really do need great Christian people serving them.
For now though, I'm fully devoted to just being a wife and mom, and all those so called "amazing opportunities" can just keep passing me by. I've got amazing opportunities happening each day as I serve my husband and train my kids!
What "amazing opportunities" have you passed up to fulfill a seemingly lesser calling?
Erin
Oh Erin, I think I'm walking through giving up an amazing opportunity in my life right now. You're advice about praying for God to take away the desire to do something, if He's calling you to do something else, was such great wisdom. I've been doing that ever since you told me.
ReplyDeleteToday I tried to design at my computer while my kids rested, even though I know God is asking me to give it up, and I got more and more stressed. What used to be fun was horribly painful today. I told Tony tonite, "I've got to stop holding onto this." I'm so thankful God's making it not fun anymore, but I'm still fighting Him on it. It's a challenge, since in some ways my identity is tied up in it, but I really think I turned a corner tonite. I'm so thankful for your testimony to this in this blog post. So thankful I have your wisdom around to speak into my life. So thankful I'm falling more and more in love with being a mom to my wonderful kids.
Erin, this is awesome!!!! I love how God has changed our hearts. See you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteErin, You hit the Truth dead on. I honor your decision and your willingness to trust Him with your "heart's desires" and to walk where He calls you. Your children are blessed to have a mother who puts them above her personal wishes. Motherhood is a calling and your "nations" need you there to disciple them and teach them to love Him with all their hearts.
ReplyDeleteOh, Erin. You are going to be blessed beyond measure.
ReplyDeleteI've done this a few times in my life. Walked away from something, and of course people think you're crazy and don't understand. I had a full ride to OSU, but I knew it wasn't the right time for me to go, so I didn't. I sold Avon and it was fun for so long, but then it was overwhelming and my babies needed me so I stopped. There are other times, those are still painful, because I ended up second guessing my decisions later. I am learning more and more how to trust God and what that looks like to let him direct my path, even if it is to "only" be a mom. If being a mom were that simple, ha ha!
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