Day 20

It has been a gray, overcast week here in South Carolina. But, the darker it is outside, the brighter the lights shine on our Christmas tree! The dark is only fitting. It is making the way for our Savior—the Light of the world—who came to rescue us from the darkness deep within our souls. We—including our children—do not need more self-esteem, as the world would have us believe. We need more God-esteem. More realizing of who we were without Him and who we are with Him. 

God. With. Us.

The journal continues...

'This one thing I do' says Paul [Philippians 3:13].   

'One thing' is a phrase that is important in the Christian life. 'One thing thou lackest,' said Jesus to the self-righteous rich young ruler [Mark 10:21]. 'One thing is needful,' He explained to busy Martha when she criticized her sister [Luke 10:42]. 'One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after!' testified the psalmist [Psalm 27:4]. Too many Christians are too involved in 'many things,' when the secret to progress is to concentrate on 'one thing.'* Like Nehemiah's reply to the distracting invitations, 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down!' [Nehemiah 6:3]. It is wholly a matter of values and priorities, living for that which matters most.

So many things nowadays fight to distract me from my "one thing"— my God-given ministry to my husband and children. These distractions come dressed in pure gold, falsely promising to be more valuable and lasting than changing a diaper, switching a load of laundry or reorganizing Legos. I see so much of what I do in a day as pennies in a pot that if I could add $20 here, $100 there to, then maybe my life could be worth more. 

But, if I were to see my "one thing" as everything, as true wealth because it is my calling from God with a great purpose that only He can see, but has promised, I would not need many things or more things to define my life by. And, instead of spreading small pieces of myself all around, I can devote my whole self to my family and define myself not as a passionate, purposeful wife and homeschool momma, but as a passionate believer, devoted to the purposes of God.

My Dare:

To view a day of minimal accomplishments as RICH—so long as the needs of my family were met and my God worshipped.

Well, Friend, have a joy-filled Christmas! I look forward to meeting with you again on Monday as we begin the week anew—not tired and worn out after a busy holiday weekend, but alive.




 * Warren Wiersbe, Be Joyful