What About Me- Terri Maxwell

WOW!
I have been reading a few of the Mom's Corners from the Titus2.com website-- and the Lord has brought JUST the right ones to my mind for me... (as He always does).

She did a 5 part series titled "What About Me?" you can see them here:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

I just want to share and keep record (on my blog) of a few highlights from these corners.

She had taken her questions to the Lord to seek his truth to see what He says about this "me time" vs. what others even homeschooling moms might say--- the difficult, but exciting truth -- the scriptures do not endorse the same counsel we tend to give each other....
She looked for verses that indicated she was entitled to fun, entertainment and relaxation--she did not find any that applied, but found many verses that have to do with being a servant, dying to self and taking up our cross.

She did find the importance of having time set aside in her day to SPEND WITH the Lord-- reading the word, praying and memorizing scripture. Time for herself was to be spent with the Lord.

"The World's view of work, almost any kind of work, is that it is to be accomplished as quickly as possible so we are free to pursue our personal pleasures."

(That was painful for me to hear... as I have lived that way all my life- work hard-- get the work done-- RELAX-- have "me time"! "

We are often bombarded with a philospohy that says "Take care of yourself, make time for yourself, you deserve a break, don't push too hard."


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

He will give us rest-- rest for our souls-- These verses don't appear to be saying we wont have to do anyting-- but rather that the Lord Jesus is doing it WITh us.. HE is the one strengthening us for the task.

"When I am yoked with Christ. He is working in me and with me. It is not a labor and striving unto weariness, but rather it is one of might an victory!"

“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10

"This story speaks volumes -- We don't see the master commending his servant and ofering him a quiet evening witha warm bath and refreshing drink for his dillgent work all day-- The world's philosophy seems to be quite the opposite of what this example shows-- "You have worked hard, now you deserve a break..Take time for yourself..It's your reward."

**Terri has mentioned several times in these corners-- she is NOT saying we won't EVER be able to rest from our labor-- HE provides rest for us-- He will give each person the rest in different ways at different times.**

One of these rests are the SEVENTH DAY REST- a Sabbath rest. put normal work aside-- keep meals simple-- no school, cleaning or laundry... REST.

Is our focus on getting through our work so we can have time to ourselves??? We need to find joy in what HE has called us to do rather that when I can have "fun"!!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13


To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:29


"It is easy to buy into the "what about me" mentality because it most certainly is the bent of my flesh. Because of this-- it is necessary for me to go to Jesus with questions about my time, my focus, my energy, my expectations and my needs."


No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,[a] 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 1 Timothy 5:9-10

(WOW-- How often do we hear the Titus 2 woman-- this woman needs our attention as well!!-- note to self-- POST THIS VERSE)

"A busy woman-- one who has worked hard all her life as she obediently followed Christ. We a picture of a woman, with her heart fully focused on the Lord, who spends her time in serving others."


As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. 1 Timothy 5:11-15

"In these verses I beleive we see the possible results of a self-focus in our lives as women- idleness, tattlers, busybodies. Perhaps today we have a tendency to wander more from house to house via computers-- but the idea still applies. The direction then, to keep this kind of sin is to marry, bear children, and guide the house."

"If we are feeling overwhelmed it may mean we need to go to the Lord and to our husbands to re-evaluate priorites Too often, moms struggle NOT because of their daily work and homeschooling, but because of other responsibilities they have taken upon themselves."


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23


My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26


Embrace the workload we have with diligence, determination and JOY!

**Again-- Terri is NOT saying we will NEVER be able to spend time doing what we would choose to do-- that we will never be able to relax or should ruin our health by over working.. SHE is encouraging acceptabce of the workload we have-- THE LORD will give opportunities for what we like to do-- HE will bring PHYSICAL rest-- He gives us rest to our souls when our hearts are TURNED TO HIM-- rather to ourselves.

"I can resist the workload of my homemaking tasts-- I can be disappointed I don't get time for my own fun or pleasures. On the other hand I can be filled with delight that I am able to homeschool I can view each minute I have with my children as an opportunity to turn their hearts to Jesus. I can rejoice over every act of service I am able to offer my husband and my children. I can say "Lord MY time is YOUR TIME.. use it as YOu will. trusting HIM fully with my life."


**some side notes in Part 4 from other Moms on the journey

"If God has ordained us for this servanthood-- surely HE will provide the strength, ability and rewards in doing."

King David and Jesus himself-- they were RENEWED and STRENGTHENED by spending time with the FATHER.

"I find when I want time for "ME" I am often sorely lacking in time with HIM!"

We are not to be working as though it ALL depends on US-- as if the Lord were not there--

Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Proverbs 127:1-5