Below is a passage from a daily devotional Kley and I are reading together before bed each night, and this one particularly hit home for me in this season:
In the matter of drudgery, Peter said in this passage that we have become "partakers of the divine nature" and that we should now be "giving all diligence," concentrating on forming godly habits (1 Peter 1:4-5). We are to "add" to our lives all that character means. No one is born either naturally or supernaturally with character; it must be developed. Nor are we born with habits- we have to form godly habits on the basis of the new life God has placed within us. We are not meant to be seen as God's perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace. Drudgery is the test of genuine character. The greatest hindrance in our spiritual life is that we will only look for big things to do. Yet, "Jesus took a towel and began to wash the disciples feet..." (John 13:3-5).
We all have those times when there are no flashes of light and no apparent thrill to life, where we experience nothing but the daily routine with its common everyday tasks. The routine of life is actually God's way of saving us between our times of great inspiration which come from Him. Don't always expect God to give you His thrilling moments, but learn to live on those common times of drudgery of life by the power of God.
It is difficult for us to do the "adding" that Peter mentioned here. We say we do not expect God to take us to Heaven with flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as if we do! I must realize that my obedience even in the smallest detail of life has all of the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If I will do my duty, not for duty's sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ.
June 15- My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
While I wouldn't describe my life as drudgery and I am so thankful to be able to stay at home with my girls, this excerpt from this devotional was really good for me to read in this season. While I wouldn't trade staying home with my girls, there are a lot of things about being a stay at home mom that are the same every day, like the daily routine and the common everyday tasks. There was a moment this week where Kley got home later than I thought he would and I was trying to finish a project inside, but the girls were going wild and needed to get outside to play, and later when he came home I apologized for being angry when he arrived because in that moment I felt so stifled at home while he got to go out and experience the world. Overall, I am thankful to not feel that way, but in that specific moment I did. I'm sure many, if not all, stay at home parents have felt that way at times. While I don't always handle every frustrating moment well, I am so thankful for grace upon grace and the opportunity to be with my girls so much.
I want to build Godly habits. I want the everyday essence of my life to exhibit the miracle of His grace. I want to be obedient even in the smallest details. We have been talking with one of our girls recently about not responding in anger, that it's okay to feel angry but it's not okay to react with screams, growls, or unkind words. How convicting for my own heart as well- whether I react that way outwardly or inwardly. I often think too highly of myself for controlling my outward words or tone of voice, while neglecting to repent of the sin of reacting in anger inwardly.
What great responsibility we have as parents, whether we stay at home or not. I pray for joy in serving my family and obedience in the smallest daily tasks. Norah, Lucy, and Ellory, being your mom is a great gift and you teach me so much each day.
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