Living Daily What Matters Most Day 6

doing what God designed us to do under His direction in every season of our life gives our lives balance margin and vitality.


Day 6....


WORKING
Work works best when you use your gifts and abilities, provide for your needs and some wants, and are able to do the works you were designed to do.

Colossians 3:23-24 (from The Message) Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work. 

 

Work is something I struggle with. I mean, as far as a working occupation goes. I have yet to really find my 'sweet spot' in life, when it comes to a career/occupation. I have come close.... I wanted truly to be wife and mommy and I entered into that realm early in my life (married at the age of 17 and had 2 babies by the time I was 22) and you would think that was that. Except the being a wife part quickly soured as the marriage was spoiled to begin with.... and divorce always has a long (lifetime) lasting effect on the children.


So, divorced, with kids, and no real job training or education, forced me into the working world with limited prospects. Waitress, cashier, production work... minimum wage and flexible schedules were what awaited me.... Oh, joy. 


And I thought about that verse 'whatever you are doing, do it as unto the Lord..." and I tried to live that. But the job that would take my gifts and abilities, use me the way I was designed for, was-- has been --elusive to say the least. From coffee shops to grocery stores, from office's to behind the wheel of the school bus, I experienced things I was good at and things I should stay far far away from!! 


My sanguine personality was well suited for customer service and my compassion and desire to help made me a good assistant. But with my quickly draining battery, it never took long for me to feel flattened and done. (I think the thing I enjoyed most about driving school bus was June, July and August and that's saying something.)


So, when I re-read this verse about understanding that is it the Lord I am working for, and then I read this quote about work working best when I am using my gifts and abilities.... I have to wonder. My gifts and abilities include creativity. Writing. Tapping into my compassionate nature and touching peoples lives with my words. That won't happen nearly as much if I'm working in an assembly line or bagging groceries. 

The 5 plus years of owning my own business (Curves for Women) did allow a certain amount of creative expression as I crafted monthly newsletters and came up with ways to keep the ladies motivated towards weight loss and getting in shape but the stress of running things behind the scenes took its toll on me and I had to get out. 


Now I spend my days trying to keep my home, his castle, ship-shape, acting as gopher-extraordinaire for my husbands construction company, and exercise my creative flairs through blogging and Faith Writers.


is it enough? should I be looking for another job? Is the right job out there for me? I want to be able to spend my day, whether its cleaning house or running errands, tending to my mom or to my husband, knowing that I did my best, did it as UNTO THE LORD. I want my day to be an offering to God. How does the song go.. "I want to sign your name to the end of this day knowing that my life was true. may my life-song sing to you" (Lifesong by Casting Crowns)


I think I have a ways to go....