Monday 10 June 2013

Work and Rest - God's Perfect Week


I was very encouraged by a particular part of our sermon yesterday.  It was about the Sabbath and how Jesus took ownership of and restored the Sabbath to open up the access to the presence of God and point to the eternal Sabbath.  I am not going to get in to the ins and outs of Sabbath keeping, except to say that God created us to work 6 days and gave us the 7th as a Day of Rest.  When done for legalistic reasons, the Sabbath can be a real drag, but when seen as part of God’s perfect plan, the way He created us to live, it is a blessing.
 
Now I want to focus on the first part;Six days you shall labor and do all your work…” Deuteronomy 5:13

Our Pastor noted that we were created to work and that our primary reason for working is not to bring home a pay-cheque, but to glorify and serve God.  I found this hugely encouraging as a Stay-at-home-Mom.  So often these days, in our society, work is not valued unless it is for income.  Many women feel the need to “contribute” to the family by working, whether from home, being an entrepreneur, doing a little something on the side, or even outside of the home while they arrange alternate care for their children.  I’m not going to talk about whether you choose to work or not, make a supplemental or even the primary income.  This is about validating that the unpaid work of a Stay-at-home-Mom counts! 

I definitely work, and no one will deny the work involved in raising children and maintaining a home.  

But it still needs to be acknowledged.  I am doing the work that God has called me to at this stage in my life.  And whether or not I go back to work for pay when my kids are in school or become a volunteer for my kid’s school, I will still be working.

My days are full and busy, that is mostly true.  Does blowing bubbles with my kids count as work?  Does writing a blog (debatable ;).

Although the to-do list is never ending, there is a lot of fun to be had at the same time.  Do your work faithfully and take it seriously, but enjoy it all the while.

On another note, I have been pretty in to reading other people’s blogs lately and am just becoming aware of this phenomenon that is blogging.  However, reading about how to be a “Better Mom” is quite ironic if I am taking time away from my family to read.  I need to be careful to guard my time.

I also want to give a shout out to Moms with kids at home who are baking another bun in the tummy oven.  You are doing your work on the inside – take it easy and let your expectations down.  You can’t do it all, so don’t try and let other people help you.  This is a precious time.  

Once again I want to say what a blessing the Sabbath is.  When taken as a day of rest and worship after an honest 6 day work week, it is truly refreshing, renewing and rejuvenating.  
Remember to do all you do for the glory of God and accept his gift of Sabbath Rest.  It is His perfect will, how could you want more?

With a Bushel and a Peck of Faithfulness,
Stephanie 

“Ora et Labora” – Latin “Pray and Work”

Linking up with GraceLaced today - what a great reminder to be content and humble, to see the fullness of God's grace in our everyday, ordinary lives - through Christ the ordinary is made extraordinary.