When Ben and I talk about our "American Dream" it has nothing to do with owning a house, a white picket fence, or the perfect 2.5 kids.
We want a challenge. We want adventure. We want danger. In reading "Captivating" and "Wild at Heart" as well as several other books I have discovered that we are not meant to live this life of comfort and ease, but rather we are meant to live dangerously!
I worry about moving to Africa, not because I think that something will happen to me (my life is of no use to me if I am cautious with it) but because I worry about losing Ben, being raped, or having something to happen to my children. But if I let these things hold me back, if I let my fear restrict my passion then I am simply falling to the lies of this world! The lies that no one is worth the things that I have to sacrifice. My husband is not MINE, he was a gift given to me by God and really he is on loan to me while we are on this earth. My children are not my own, because as soon as the come out of me or are brought to me they belong back to their maker. So in looking at the people in my life in this manner I realize that I cannot keep them because as soon as I let them go I will truly live.
6 comments:
Girlfriend... I think you and I are a lot more alike than either of us realize. Great post!
This makes me happy... I keep thinking that we need to do coffee or go hiking sometime soon! Just us girls!
oh i am hurting right now...not because i am a stay at home mom, but because i think you will be missing the joy of raising your own children. I would love for you to read "created to be his help meet" by debi pearl. i truly learned to rest in my place of submission to my husband, it is where God designed for us to be.
Why are the orphaned children of Africa important enough for your undivided attention but not your own children that God has chosen to give to you??
i think some of this comes with time...i am not expecting you to be exactly where I am right now, but i do think that you could move ahead of me to start earlier learning the beautiful reality that God created for us as women.
Oh no... I wish that you would not feel sorry for me. The beauty of this world is that we are all different, the only reason I would be a stay-at-home mom if we ran an orphanage is because that would be my full time job. I have complete respect for you because you are a stay-at-home mom, but I do not know that I ever will be. I think that the reality of the way that God created me is to be powerful and strong and live the adventure. It may not be conventional but I would be missing out on so much more if I ignored the calling that God has placed on my life. I will never say never, some day I may have to be a stay-at-home mom, especially if I am allowed to adopt as many children as I would like to, if that day comes then I will learn to be content. Perhaps I will never be a stay-at-home Mom and I am fine with that as well. I truly hope that you do not feel sorry for me because I feel called to use my gifts for something different.
Yeah! Let's do it! I'm all for coffee some time. I get off work at 3 most days so we could meet then... though I don't know when your classes are. And interestingly enough... I've read that book your friend recommended... twice actually, and LOVE it! And still feel that you and I have a lot in common. I think it all comes down to the principles and the heart of God for us all that's at the core of it... and the playing out of that looks different for different women, but the heartbeat can be the same. Anyway, that's vague and unclear... so let's do coffee soon! :-)
I can relate to your fears so much, Sarah. Losing BJ, my children resenting our calling, etc. And you are so right--we MUST follow God where He calls us--the opposite of that would be grave because we would miss out on the path God has called us to.
I read Aimee's comment and I have to say I completely agree with her. She's not feeling sorry for you like you think, though. To me, she is desperate, like I am as well, for the world AND Christians to see the value on what it means to day-to-day, night after night, moment after moment be there for your own children.
My heart is not to bash you at all--I pray it does not come across that way. I, just as Aimee did, am challenging you to think outside of the box.
Okay, I'm emailing you now :)
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