Sunday, October 26, 2008

Rising To Finish

I LOVE the topic at the well today:
"Arise and shine - being an exceptional Mother in the midst of the ordinary."

Lisa, from A Second Generation of Homeschooling is leading us at the well, and throwing out questions that are sure to keep us talking for awhile:

1. What daily tasks seem mundane or monotonous to you?
2. How can we change our outlook when completing these tasks?
3. What impact do these tasks have on our husband and children? How does it make a difference in their lives?
4. Is it okay to focus on earthly recognition when completing these tasks for our loved ones, or is receiving an eternal reward sufficient? What does Jesus think is more important? Should that be our focus, as well?


If you want to get just a glimpse of the very heart of God, go by Lisa's blog and read what she has to say while introducing this topic. It will get your brain juices flowing in the right direction. And by all means, sign up and give us your thoughts on the subject, even if you've never done so before. You'll enjoy the conversation that follows as a result.

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When I saw this topic, I was intrigued by the phrase “Arise and Shine.” I had never thought of it in terms with tasks around the house before, but oh, what a lovely thought. An insightful and anointed one, for sure.

If I could truly approach each task in my day, even the boring ones, with that kind of attitude, how different my home would be—how different my faith would be.

A song popped into my head immediately that I used to teach to my preschool kids’ choir years ago. I think the Lord knew I needed a little bit of that song to light the fire under me in regard to this topic:

"Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,

To shine for Him each day;

In every way try to please Him,

At home, at school, at play.

Refrain:

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I’ll be a sunbeam for Him."


I don’t think it matters if I'm 5 or 50—Jesus wants me to shine for Him. So I’ll level with you now…where hasn’t the sun been beamin’ so brightly lately in my home as it pertains to this probe?

One word: Completion.


Don’t mind cooking, but I hate the cleaning up. I’ll wash your clothes, I’ll dry your clothes…I’ll even fold ‘em, but do I have to put ‘em away? I’ll buy the groceries, but it sure is tough to move it from countertop to cabinet. Oh, and the receipt for those groceries? Do I really have to tell you they’re stuffed in a wad in my purse?

This is getting way too personal…

But how has the Lord changed my outlook regarding these tasks?

One thought at a time.
One scripture at a time.
One piece of Godly advice at a time.
One call to the Lord for help at a time.

AS the Lord transforms me in my weaknesses, His strength clearly shines through.

Judges 5:31b
“But may they who love you be like the sun,
when it rises in its strength."

And when He beams through me, breaking through my humanness and weakness, it brings light to the whole family. It gives them hope. It gives them a standard. It gives them an example to follow.

So finishing what I start may seem mundane when I’m muddling through the everyday stuff, but really, it is just the opposite. It reaps eternal consequences. Can you imagine if Jesus had not finished the work the Lord gave Him to start?

No, putting my laundry away will not save a dying world from their sins, that is a fact. But it will demonstrate the Lord’s character in a way I’ve been chosen to do so—with the work He’s given me to do.

Colossians 3:17 (the Message) says:
"Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—
be done in the name of the Master, Jesus,
thanking God the Father every step of the way."

"I will ask Jesus to help me

To keep my heart from sin;

Ever reflecting His goodness,

And always shine for Him.

Refrain:

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I’ll be a sunbeam for Him."


Thank You Lord, for finishing the work You were given to do,
and the love You showed when You did so.
May I never see the everyday as ordinary in light of this extraordinary sacrifice of Yours.
Remind me, Lord, that I should have Your very attitude in all that I do,
and that you will light the fire of completion under my hands and feet
as I submit myself to Your will.
Forgive me for whining, Lord.
Reflect Your goodness and strength through me, Lord, I pray.
In Jesus' name, Amen.


In the Key of HE,


Reference: I'll Be a Sunbeam
Nellie Talbot
Copyright: Public Domain

16 friends shared a comment:

Anonymous said...

Laura, your obvious love for the Lord and devotion to His cause and His people are truly a blessing to me. May God richly bless your life and ministry.

God bless,

Bill Williams

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

There you go again. Nailing it on the head. I'm so glad you're my friend!
Hugs to you.
Kim

LAURIE said...

Loved your post today AT THE WELL. "Completion" - what a great word to challenge us with today. We should do everything to the best of our ability, even those "day-day" chores. Thanks for sharing and thanks for your kind words over at my blog. -Blessings, Laurie

Joyfull said...

Beautiful post. May we shine for Him in everything we do. I loved your thoughts on completing tasks. I am married to a perfectionist and am learning how important it is to complete everything also!

Laurie Ann said...

What a beautiful post and a beautiful example you are, LauraLee. I loved what you wrote, "And when He beams through me, breaking through my humanness and weakness, it brings light to the whole family. It gives them hope. It gives them a standard. It gives them an example to follow."

AMEN! Good wisdom and encouragement found in your post. I loved it.

june said...

I read the words arise shine.
I even wrote the words arise shine,
but, I did not see them in that light.

Thank you so much for sharing.

June

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

OK...off to stripping the sheets with a little piece of sunshine in my heart and on my face...

sort of.

peace~elaine

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Beautiful!!!!!!!!

I am taking a break from At the Well to blog about the election.

Thanks for such wonderful inspiration.

Blessings!

Ashley Wells said...

What a wonderful post! Completing is so difficult sometimes! Why can't the clothes just put themselves away? LOL!

It was so nice to see you at the well today!

-Ashley

Yvonne Blake said...

Lalee, you've put a tune in my heart.... A sunbeam, a sunbeam...

Thanks!

Vonnie

Joanne Sher said...

This is SO true. I remember at one point in my life when I was getting frustrated with all the things I had to do as a new mom, that I made myself "pretend" that whatever I was doing, I was doing specifically for Jesus. (For instance, when I had to get up at 2am to nurse Annika, I pretended I was nursing Jesus) I'm sure you can imagine how that improved my outlook!
I think I may have to give it another try with cleaning bathrooms ;)
Thanks so much for sharing this, my dear.

Laury said...

Love this, Laura. Very practical teaching. Thank you, my friend:)

Blessed Among Women said...

"Can you imagine if Jesus had not finished the work the Lord gave Him to start?

No, putting my laundry away will not save a dying world from their sins, that is a fact. But it will demonstrate the Lord’s character in a way I’ve been chosen to do so—with the work He’s given me to do."

Wow that was profound! Thank you! I am so blessed to have met you ladies! Ya'll really are an inspiration to me!

Sita said...

I've learnt as I surrender each day to Him that whatever is presented to me has been allowed by Him, and as such requires my whole heart...whatever that may be..for the audience of One...and leave to Him the rest...I remember when my kids were very young, I could nevr finish doing anything--the demands were endless--finally, I learnt it was OK--I just had to do my best...the rest could be left for another day...for God's time is not our time--and I thank Him...

Rebecca said...

This was good stuff! Especially the part about, "demonstrating the Lord’s character in a way I’ve been chosen to do so—with the work He’s given me to do." Very inspirational.

Patty Wysong said...

Ouch. That one just plain hurt! I stink at completion, and my house and life shout that fact. (much to my honey's dismay) Thank you...I think. LoL