Who is serving Who?

The day started out well.  I woke to sunshine poking me in the eye, begging me to get out of bed and start my day.  I had an hour or so before the little ones realized they must be missing out on something great and came staggering upstairs.  I was actually feeling joyful in the midst of folding laundry and getting it back into its starting position.  I was enjoying serving my children.

I find it much easier to cut the little ones slack in the area of being demanding people.  They can't reach the milk and really do NEED my help.  They can't tie their shoes.  They really don't know where some things are.  They aren't being spoiled, they are just being helpless.  I have had days when I was sick in bed, and could literally not roll over by myself.  I learned a lot about compassion and what it feels like to have to wait for someone to notice you need help.  It has served me well.  I guess I am thankful for those hideous flu bugs that knocked me out a time or two or three, (I am a slow learner).

My pre-teens and teens however start to rub me the wrong way.  They are fully capable of getting their own milk.  They can not only take care of most of their own needs, but if they were so inclined could actually help those that are younger than they are.  I'm starting to feel a twinge of conviction here, how many people in need do I walk right by all consumed with my self importance and don't see their need that I can meet?  Ouch, I may need to pray about that.

How easily we get caught up in the desire to be entertained, or amused and forget that our mission here is to serve others.  My job is to meet the needs of my household, and in turn teach them to meet the needs of their neighbors.  I have somehow slipped off the road and seem to be bouncing around in a field somewhere.  I seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time driving my children to activities, many times during our dinner hour, and not spending time preparing to spend time with them, and then enjoying our time together.  We have gotten so busy with activities that we are sacrificing fellowship, with each other and with our friends.  What it is producing in my older kids is a very self centered mind set.  They seem to think my job is to get them from point A to point B with all the appropriate clothing, gear, and food, and to stay and cheer them on of course.  While this can be fun at times, it is getting exhausting in the long haul.

I'm not sure the answer is to cut out activities, but I definitely need to pray about what I am doing.  I have some kids that seem to be burning out on things they seemed to once love.  Hospitality has been very challenging given the crazy sets of schedules.  I haven't made meals for another family for several months.  The kids have completely forgotten how to pitch in and make a lovely home for guests.  We have become very van centered instead of home centered.  Some of it may be our stage of life, but does it need to be this way?  I don't know.

What would Jesus do?  It is times like this I would really love to move to Africa for a couple of years to get a change in perspective.  Since God does not seem to be moving me that direction, I had better get a grip on what I should be doing here and now.

#745-749

Patient friends that don't mind having me drop in unannounced.

Children who still take naps.

Scheduling errors that work out for the best.

Hugs from my teenagers.

Air conditioners.