My husband and I have been going to a Tuesday night bible study for couples. The last couple of weeks, we have been talking about money, needs vs. wants and being content. Last night, as we talked about being content, I was convicted. Well, God has been working on my heart for the last couple of years and it just finally hit me last night. You see, I have struggled with being at home, teaching my kids and being the housewife that I should be. I do not have a college education and have talked many times to my husband about going to school to get a degree. Why? To help out with the bills, so that we could give our kids so much more.
I always knew I wanted to have kids and be at home with them during their childhood years. Homeschooling came to us years later and now we are in the 9th year of teaching our children. I always thought I was content being at home with them, but a little voice in my head (Satan), has had me question that, question my husband and most of all question God. Had me asking myself about being able to have more, have more money, more material items for the kids, bigger house, newer car.
It has taken time and God has been working on me the last couple of years, but I am now content being at home and teaching my kids. This is what God has planned for our family. It is our responsibility to raise our children and provide them with love and teach them about God. Yes, I am learning to be content, being content with what God has blessed me with.
Yes, I am going to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart and be thankful.
Join us over at Seeds of Faith for iFellowship today. There are a lot of wonderful blogs who link up. I know I am always blessed when I read those who share their heart.
Also linking up with Rebecca and Jennifer today!
Joy….I didn't finish college until 5 years ago. I finished for the same reasons….yet, now I'm having to pay it off. The irony is…my education can never be taken away…but, since I'm at home…we're paying for that education…and I don't have a job to help pay for it. God is so teaching me to be content…before I quit my job I made REALLY good money….now, I make kisses and giggles…I've struggled with jealousy and now, God has released me from that as well…through true contentment in his plan for my life…and he's done that through loving friends like you, who have shared their struggles without judging, but being open and honest and pointing to the only one who can truly change ourhearts!!! Thank you for your post and for linking up!!
this is a hard lesson to learn…it took us to lose almost everything to realize it's not things that make us happy. only that peace comes from the Lord!
This is a lesson that God is also teaching me. I graduated college, thinking that I'd teach for a year or so before having kids. I found out I was pregnant before the month was out. We've been hit hard financially, and often I think that if I would stop being lazy and work, things would be better. But I know that is Satan, that it's just a lie. Because God has been faithful, and we've been taken care of. The biggest and best next thing isn't nearly as important as our family, right now. Thank you for reminding me of this. I needed it today!
Jeniffer~www.sistersncloth.com
I have fought this same battle too. I have even had family members tell me that we wouldn't have financial issues if I would go back to teaching in the public school classroom. My husband and I sat down and figured out that it would actually cost us more than I would bring home for me to go back to work!
The bottom line is what you said. We have to know what God has called us to do, be obedient, be content in that calling, and know that He will provide.
Thanks, Joy!
it is so hard to be fully content and thankful sometimes. Even more difficult to teach it to my children who live in a day where everything is pushed at them all the time. I love God's gentle reminders to trust Him in all things and be content with what we have. great post!