A High Calling

"...that our God may make you worthy of His calling..."
This verse has been on my mind a lot these last few days...God's calling, being worthy of God's calling. I have always thought of a calling as something in the future, something to do, somewhere to go, something better and more important than what I'm doing now. But reading this verse it struck me that THIS is my calling-- what I'm doing today, yesterday, tomorrow. My calling is being a mother, wife, homemaker.
God has called me to care for the souls of these two little girls, to teach them, love them, protect them, discipline them. He has called me to love Dan unconditionally, to honor and encourage him. He has called me to take care of my home, to keep it, decorate it, and make it a place of refuge and fellowship. This is a portion of what I wrote in my journal yesterday:

"it struck me that this, being a mother, is my calling....not trying to be something I am not, not trying to accomplish things that just aren't possible at this season in my life, filling my day with my 'me agenda'. That is not to say that I can't pursue my interests, but I need to hold them in perspective with what God has called me to: being a mother, a wife, a homemaker. But God in His care of all of me and all of my life has also given me talents, interests and hobbies--things that make life pretty, rich, beautiful: sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking, music...They are things that bring joy and adventure to life, treasures and skills to pass on to my children. They are a part of my calling..."

This is a high calling. It is doing laundry, scouring my sink, making dinner, taking Emma around the block on her bike, showing Mary where her nose is, putting fresh flowers from my garden at the kitchen table, changing diapers, reading stories, packing lunches. It is realizing that each day holds something new. This calling is no less important than that of a pastor or a missionary or a business man. It is a high calling, the care of souls, the loving of a man, the creation of a sanctuary. 

Comments

[mommyzabs]

Word girl PREACH IT :)

[Heather]

Thank you so much for the comments you wrote in my blog this morning. I really enjoyed looking through yours. I was reading your lastest post and was inspired to look at my life in a different way. I'm glad to have a spiritual blog to look at now. Have a great day. Heather

[Andrea]

wow, beautiful beautiful words. can't tell you just how much I needed to hear (read) this, how deep it hit me for where I am in my life-- right here, right now. I have really been struggling with it (this calling to be a mother, a wife, a homemaker). I am often overwhelmed by the amount of work it takes and how it just never seems to stop. actually, I love the wife and mother part but really have problems when it comes to managing the house. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning (and so that drives me crazy) but not great at the cooking thing (which makes me feel like a horrible mother!). I have a hard time because I want so badly to be doing the things I love instead of the day-to-day stuff... I also struggle with the idea that the work I do is not important, not valued... I know that this isn't true (and also, that it is a vanity thing for me in the first place, which is something else to deal with)... anyway, all of this builds up until I have some sort of breakdown and I fear I'm becoming resentful, too. I have been praying for wisdom, for patience... for god to help me work through this selfishness, this immaturity. I want to embrace my calling without letting go of my gifts, my talents... the personal things that bring me joy. so I just want to thank you for sharing your thoughts, the words from your journal, this scripture... I am encouraged this morning and looking at things differently.

[jessica]

I've been reading so many craft blogs lately and I've realized that they are wearing on me and bringing me down because they bring my focus to all of the things I want to do but don't have time to...

Anyway, it was a breath of fresh air to read your post and remember exactly why I have chosen the path I'm on and that it is the best path in the world.

[tammie]

thank you.

[Grace]

what inspiring and lovely words! thanks for sharing this!

[emily]

thank you for these inspiring words. you echo my sentiments exactly. best regards--and please keep writing!

[Libby]

Just found this...what a great encouragement! The last paragraph was particularlly wonderful! I have had all of the same thoughts-- and my oldest daughter's name is Emma too (and we go around the block on her bike often!)

[christina]

what perfect timing for this reminder. many of these thoughts have been surfacing recently. thank you for putting it into words. it is also another reminder that I need to start journaling again soon.

[melmo]

I have to remind myself of this truth over and over. It's very encouraging to read another mother and child of God coming to the same conclusion.

[amandajean]

what a great post.

[spuncrack]

Hi. I figured I should finally come out of lurkdom. I saw that you listed this as one of your favorite posts and I have to tell you that it is also one of mine. I found your blog last fall and searched through your archives and found this post. I cried when I read it. What you say here and how you say it sooo resonates with me. I often wrestle with "my calling" and you said so beautifully what my heart wanted so very much to hear. Thanks.