You Want Me To Do What?

I have been praying for years that God would use me in extraordinary ways. I want to be sold out for Jesus. I want to do great things for the kingdom. I want to live a life that is worth remembering, one that will last for eternity and not be burned up like the chaff when all is said and done.

I want to do these great things.

Buuuut...

I don't want to do that.

What's "that"? That is all the everyday stuff that I've sort of pushed aside, ignored, excused away and just said "no" to that God has clearly called me to do.

Stuff like:

• Enriching my husband's life. (Prov. 31:11)
• Clothing my children. (Prov. 31:13)
• Feeding my family. (Prov. 31:14,15)
• Being a good steward of our family's finances. (Prov. 31:16)
• Opening my door to those who need a helping hand. (Prov. 31:20)
• Keeping a clean and attractive house. (Prov. 31:22)
• Being a helpmate to my husband so that he would be able to live a life worthy of praise. (Prov. 31:23)
• Filling my home with laughter and joy, not fear, frustration or anger. (Prov. 31:25)
• NOT BEING LAZY! (Prov. 31:27)

The Lord used three separate instances to make it very clear to me recently that: 

1. If I am a wife and a mother, which I am, then I do not have a choice about whether or not I do these things; this is a COMMAND to me.
2. I have been seriously lacking in many of these areas. I am not a fan (understatement of the year) of housework, and I have been allowing my husband, who actually does not mind most of it, to pick up where I am lacking.
3. AND THIS IS KEY!! IF I DO NOT PICK UP THE BALL, STAND UP AND OBEY THE LORD IN THIS AREA, I CAN GIVE UP ANY CHANCE OF SUCCESS IN ANY OTHER AREA OF MY LIFE, PARTICULARLY MINISTRY!

First and foremost, God has given us all a set of basic instructions on how we are to live our lives. This is the starting place. If we cannot be faithful in the small things, what makes us think that God will bless our ministries outside the home? (Luke 16:10)

Men, there are many verses which outline your responsibilities, particularly if you are a husband and a father, and I pray that you would be faithful to obey them. But, ladies, this is for us:

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame to the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

It took a women's conference, a Sunday sermon and an e-devotional to finally break through my very thick skull, but the Lord was so graciously persistent and patient, and I think I finally got the message. I pray that we would all be faithful in the little things, which really aren't so little, before we attempt to take on the "bigger" things.