Three weeks left until the end of the semester… and it can’t come fast enough. This stretch of homeschooling has proved to be much more demanding than I had anticipated, and as a consequence, has extracted a lot of blood, sweat and tears from my kids… and from me.
You know, I don’t really mind the hard work and pulling alongside with the kids to get the job done, but I can’t help but think that every now and then it would energize me and give me a little boost on the tougher days to know that someone noticed and appreciated my efforts. Unfortunately, the energy I put forth to get us all through another school year seemingly goes unnoticed, and thus, the motivation to keep moving forward can sometimes be elusive.
As a Christian, have you ever felt that way?
We know what the Word says, but sometimes it’s easy to wonder why it’s so important to struggle, to live righteously, to invest in the lives of others, and to obey the Lord in all things. Maybe if you or I had a visible platform to teach or preach, it would seem different. But most people labor behind the scenes, interact with their families, attend a few social functions every now and then, and that’s about it. For us, it can seem like this week was like last week which was like the week before that, with only birthdays and holidays punctuating the passage of time. Having noticeable impact for eternity seems to be such a distant concept that it might make it easy to rationalize ‘minor’ disobedience. After all, what’s the real harm in cutting corners on your job, holding a grudge against your family members, or having a facebook conversation with that old flame. No one really knows, and certainly, no one cares.
But such an errant attitude about godliness and its function misses the real purpose of our lives. Our days aren’t intended to be spent striving to get by and to end with amassing as much as possible, all the while hiding and hoping that God won’t actually notice our disobedience and as a result, let us slide on the consequences. However, if we have even a slight understanding and appreciation of what Christ has done for us through His life, death, and resurrection, it should make us less interested in our personal agenda and in seeking the recognition of our peers and more motivated to be clean vessels offered to a holy God so that He can draw others to His life through us. This perspective should give a revived motivation for obedience and godliness.
So, as I finish this blog and head back to the books with my kids, my desire is to encourage you to hang in there. Be bold. And be strong. What you do –and what you don’t do- matters more than you think. God intends to use you in ways you don’t know and can’t yet imagine. So even when no one appears to notice, continue to “walk in a manner worthy of your calling” (Eph 4:1). Renew your strength and commitment daily by remembering the encouragement and the promise given in Galatians 6:9. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.“
Enjoyed this post. 🙂
Nice way of reminding us about this, Karen. I think some of the most important things I’ve learned in life are the lessons that came during these times, truly.
Be loving! Be bold!
-Scotty
God sometimes lets us go and go and go until we say “I can’t.” It seems like the end from our perspective, but that’s right where we need to be for Him to start working! Hard lessons, but just like you said… that’s when we learn the most important things! Thanks Scotty!
I loved your introduction and how it weaves into life. I have waited all day for my grown children to call me today and wish me Happy Thanksgiving and finally I called them. I could have gone to bed waiting instead I did something about needing to hear from them. I have been focusing on not complaining this month. Parenting and home schooling, you are brave. I helped with homework and that was enough. LOL. I said a prayer for you and your children that as they succeed, your joy will be made complete. I look forward to when the Lord says to me Well done, good and faithful servant. You are loved and I am loved by our children. Blessings. diana
Thanks for the encouragement and prayers, Diana! I think what you did in calling your kids is a good template for all of us. Instead of living in resentment, choose to set aside personal feelings and just “do” what needs to be done. Thanks for this reminder… and for taking the time to read and comment! We are all loved greatly by our Heavenly Father! Blessings!
Thank you again Karen for the inspiration. ..most basic message…keeping moving…do not stand still…follow He who guides…seems do basic yet I tend to forget. I need to forge ahead in the toughest of times but also in day to day life. His light that shine and lights my path…your message is just the gentle “push” I need.
It’s easy to forget the simplest things, isn’t it? Glad you were inspired!
“I want PATIENCE Lord, and I want it now!!!” The more I read your blogs Karen, the more I get to know your personality (virtually) and your heart. Why is it that human nature often wants immediate gratification after performing an act or service to someone else? The actor Jack Nicholson’s line in a movie, while sitting in the witness chair, “You want the TRUTH? You can’t handle the TRUTH.” The truth lies in the evidence of our faith. “Because you have guarded and kept My word of patient endurance [have held fast the blessing of My patience with the expectant endurance that I give you]” ~ Revelation 3:10. Thank you for painting a picture of “a patient, steadfast waiting” for someone or something. Including your efforts of homeschooling.
I think we look people to affirm us because God has placed the desire for affirmation in our hearts. Of course, He wants us to know that through faith, we have it in Him, but as with most of His gifts, we seek substitutes and replace his divine design with a plastic version that never fulfills. The hopeful outcome of those longings will be to push us to seek him more deeply. I always love you comments, Mel! Always challenging me to think about things more deeply! Thanks once again!
Hi Karen, your words remind of a scripture that YHWH laid in my heart a while back:
I do believe that our work is not in vain, we may not see it right now but everything we do build one on top of another and He uses it for our good in future times.
Very good verse!! I agree. We tend to look at our lives from only an earthly perspective, not realizing the impact that we really have. Thanks for reading!
Karen, I appreciated your encouraging remarks here: “What you do –and what you don’t do- matters more than you think. God intends to use you in ways you don’t know and can’t yet imagine.”
Great reminder. Thanks Karen!
Thanks Connie & Amanda! Appreciate your reading!
A good reminder when it all seems uphill. Thank you!
exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thanks. I know exactly how this feels
Thanks for reading, Jeff! Hang in there! You matter to God!