I am a blessed woman who believes strongly in small, quiet ministries & simplicity. As it is written, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them...do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." The reward is not the point, but the serving, giving and doing; doing that is done stealthily! Add to that recipe a nice dose of humility and brokenness, and the Lord has something wonderful to work with in us all.
I am thankful to God for family, friends, and being able to mentor, read, and learn with a neat group of book club moms. They help keep me accountable! "Authenticity" has been a big buzz word in the last decade or so, but I wonder how many really ever achieve it. It is something I reach for, as well. The goal from my mid-forties (and now into my fifties) has been to even out the extremes, as much as is within my power; to keep things spaced out, not overcommitting or overscheduling our family.
I love to garden. It is hard work, but the rewards are edible and amazing. I get to teach and tutor Spanish, but I also enjoy repairing old, broken books, doing photography, travelling, and on occasion, I still love to sing. I was raised singing and serving people with my family.
I used to be very busy working on women's teams and in homeschool group leadership. It took a lot of time from my family, but I learned quite a lot, and it kept me busy. I'd like to say it kept me well-rounded, but I think it actually made me too lop-sided and even stressed out some days. For what comes next? More and more planning, more and more commitments, and nothing new under the sun. I want to be available when God brings that "new" thing for me to do; that opportunity to bless others which I may have missed out on if I'd been too busy with redundancy.
I'm content with all the growth and learning that God led me through during that season. I do not regret it. I gained some very dear friends through it as well. However, I am very thankful that the Lord helped me redeem my time for family, both immediate and extended. Toward the end of that busy time, I studied with top bookbinders and developed a passion for bookbinding and restoration, as a much-needed diversion and development of skills. It has grown into a nice little hobby; a way that I can serve my family and others from my own workshop and home. I have met some of the most interesting people through this craft. It also provided a way to help me see beyond the motherhood years, which I have loved VERY much, but it is providing for a nice transition into adulthood without children at home.
Now that Hubby and I have some married kids and all four are in their twenties, we sit in this 'land of transition,' allowing God to bring new opportunities our way. Things are so different now than they used to be, and that's not a bad thing. It is the way life works. Hubby and I are going with that flow, and rolling along quite contentedly, using the tools and the time God has given us. We are really empty nesters, now. Best of all, Hubs has finally been able to transfer his teaching to a school closer to home. No more long commutes for him!
I hope that I can live up to the scripture "she smiles at the future" from Proverbs 31. Sometimes I think I have it down, but I know that I still have little fears lodged in my heart and mind. I just have to keep giving those to God, and trusting Him for my future, our family's future.
Yes, I am blessed with a wonderful husband and family. I am grateful and content, but that doesn't mean that I'm through learning and growing just yet!
My life verse is 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
"You yourselves are taught by God to love one another...but we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly...and not be in any need."
