Serving the Lord

 Tonight I was a bit bummed and weary from a busy day, so I decided to use my 'work night' as a 'me night' instead.  I treated myself to a hot soak and am now listening to some soothing instrumental music as I write to you.

God has been moving our focus more and more on Him these days.  With so much going on in the world around us, He is our hope, our source of joy and contentment.  Spiritual things and being intentional about them are recurring themes that run through my thoughts.

What can I do for Him?  What do I do with the time He's given me?  How do I honor Him in my daily, mundane activities?

My time is often consumed by my family, my role as 'mama' is quite a primary one.  Our conversations are often sprinkled with spiritual concepts and scripture.  Very rarely, do I have time to do much outside of our busy family life.  I try to treat others with kindness and act with humble integrity when we are out in our community.  Living out God's character is a goal, showing His love and grace through my imperfectness is something I aspire to do.

Recently, my daughter has joined the high school worship team at church, it's kind of like a worship team in-training, as they are only meeting on a temporary basis working towards leading worship on a specific day later this year.  Practices are an hour long so I don't have time to return home and accomplish anything before having to pick her up again.

I was using that hour to run errands or work on lesson plans.  But one day in church, it just seemed that our youth pastor looked burdened to me and I had the desire to help ease that burden.  We are to be the body of Christ, so I volunteered that hour to help out in any way needed.  For three practices now, I have spent time cleaning bathrooms.  

I cleaned a urinal for the first time.  So yucky!  I work hard and am usually quite tired and sore afterwards.  Before I go to volunteer, each time I wish I hadn't volunteered, and each time I long for a reason to just stay home or do my own thing for that hour.  But instead, I honor my commitment and each time, I end up finding joy in serving the Lord with the time and abilities He has given.

Last time, our youth pastor and associate pastor thanked me.  I was awkward with it since I am terrible at accepting compliments or gratitude.  I said that I hoped they noticed because I was trying to do the deeper cleaning that probably doesn't get done often. (I'd scrubbed things like the walls just getting off some of the grime and little stains here and there that you might not notice, but makes a difference in the long run).  The associate pastor said with wide eyes and eyebrows raised that yes, he had noticed, and no, those things didn't get cleaned often enough.  

Just that little bit of validation made me feel so happy and renewed my motivation to continue on next time, and to continue to improve my efforts.  I've always hesitated in making a volunteer commitment at church because my family has to come first and life has a way of being so unpredictable.  Being able to give this occasional hour, has been the perfect, God-supplied, way of serving Him without sacrificing my other God-given responsibilities.

If you're ever in the position to notice someone's service of sacrifice, thank them.  That small thanks stretches such a long way!  And if you are desiring to serve, ask God to show you where, when and how.  He will open the door that is best for you!

Middle Aged Couch Potato

I've developed some tendonitis in my hip/knee and have been working on it the past few weeks.  It's somewhat humorous, basically it is an injury from overuse/misuse of my hip, and as I learn exactly which muscles are responsible, it amazes me the simple actions that caused me injury.

Folding laundry was one.  I use the back of my couch to lay out shirts before I hang them on hangers as I sort.  Our couch is enormous and I have to lean over straight legged to reach the back of the couch.  That action over time has caused me pain in my knees and hip muscles.

Another one was carrying my toddler on my hip.  He's getting big enough to where my out-of-shape self cannot support his weight for frequent long periods.  I discovered this on our walks around the block.  Walking and carrying him when he gets tired hurts.

Lastly, how I sit with my legs folded under me at nights to watch shows with my hubby, I always lean them towards the arm of the couch and that action pulls on my muscles and stretches them for too long a period of time.  This also means that crossing my legs or ankles also causes pain because it pulls on those injured muscles.

So this is a great example of what happens when you become a middle-aged couch potato.  Who knew being a stay home mom could result in injury? I am learning to stand and sit better, and I am also learning to be more active intentionally.