I have been thinking about this post for awhile now. Since I am not a great writer, I hope I can do it justice!
I can remember the day Brad brought me to this house to get my approval on him buying it. We were 19, engaged, and ready to start our lives together. I remember how much I disliked the house. It was too white, from floor to ceiling. It was not big enough or fancy enough. The yard was too small and close to the railroad tracks. Neighbors were too close. Nothing about it was good. But it was a property his great uncle had built just a few years prior and had been renting. He was willing to sell it to us basically out-right (not making a profit) just to get rid of it and not rent anymore. That was perfect for afore mentioned 19 year olds!
Before long we were celebrating our first Christmas in this house. And in about 7 weeks, we will be celebrating our 12th Christmas in the same livingroom.
I spent many years disliking this house. Focusing on all the things I wish we had. We were always talking about moving.
Then, probably 5 years into our time here, a former pastor of our church (not my dad) preached on building God's Kingdom. I went away feeling very convicted that I had been spending way too much time focusing on building my kingdom and not God's Kingdom. Why are we on this earth, anyway? Is it to see who can accumulate the most "stuff?" Is it to always want or need the next best things? Is it constantly wanting more? I think we all know the answer is NO! Do I even need to add: not that having things is wrong.
If we are Christians, we are here to build God's Kingdom. Our job here is heavenly. Being the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing lost souls to God, serving in His church, taking the time to raise Godly children who will follow in the building of God's kingdom.
Once I re-focused my life, different things became important to me. The negative things about our house and life became less of a problem. Moving was no longer at the top of our list. It became 'What can I do for God while he has me here?' Instead of 'how can we get away from here?'
In the past few years, our house has become a gathering place for all the neighbor kids. They have become my burden. I am convinced that they are the reason I am here.
When Brad told me he wanted to try to sell the house for a job opportunity in NC, I was very hesitant. I started thinking who will take these kids to church if I'm not here? Who will tell them that even tho their parents are in jail or just not in their lives that someone loves them and will never leave them? Who will tell them that there is hope and they can be happy. I know that God will replace us if he wants us in NC. After 3 months of not a single showing, I'm starting to think more than ever that we are where God wants us. That is very hard to hear when you want to hear something else.
We don't have to be contemplating major life changing decisions to need a re-boot. I think as moms, wives and working women we also can get into the rut of what is my real purpose here? Is this all my life is about; making meals and doing laundry, running errands and being a servant to the family? No! Our life should be all about building the kingdom of God! Yes, that includes taking care of our families and being Godly wives, mothers and workers.
So I want to ask you, whose kingdom are you building? What have you done for God lately? I hope you are focusing on God's Kingdom. It is something I have to work on every day.
