Living Daily What Matters Most Day 7

My last post in a series of 7 on Doing what God designed us to do under His Direction, in every season of our life, to give us balance, margin and vitality. 

ENJOYING
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" ~ John Piper

Ecclesiastes 5.18-20...
it is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work--whatever they do under the sun, for however long God gives them to live... to enjoy your work and accept your lot in life is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

it is ironic that as I face today's topic of enjoyment, I have been  holed up in my room, hiding from the sun, skipping church and nursing a sick headache, a stiff neck and an upset tummy. The headache is fading thanks to some kick-a** coffee and  two extra strength Excedrin. The moist /warm flax seed bag on my neck has offered some temporary relief of the tight muscles and the tummy issues... well they will settle with time. Sent hubby to church without me and if the extra caffeine in my system will let me, I will take the nap he so encouraged me to indulge in. Bruce worries when I don't feel well. I know he feels helpless and that bothers him as much as knowing I feel lousy.

But, the topic is enjoyment and I think it is worth noting that in the middle of this word is JOY. There is definitely a gift in finding contentment in life. Despite my post of yesterday as I fussed over finding my sweet spot, I do strive for contentment and joy and think that often I hit the mark. YAY! The times when life seems darkest are the times when I have not walked as close to God as I could. As long as I stay on the right path-- seeking God's presence and soaking that up-- my life has joy.

~my stay-cation station~

the last little while I have felt almost bi-polar emotionally. One minute I am thankful for being at home, doing all the many little things I do each day, the next minute I feel restless and think I should get a job. One minute I am content to play Malibu Barbie in the backyard, the next I'm drooling over Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" wishing we could shake the dust from our feet and head out on the highway.

I love my life and yet I'm restless. Is this all part of something God is trying to tell me?

I feel like I am on a quest. At the start of the summer, right after my job ended and Mom got hurt, and I turned down the job offer for working somewhere else, I thought "this is my life now and this is okay." I had Mom (and the cat) to tend to. I was being intentional about connecting one-on-one with several gals from church. As we near September, things are beginning to ramp up. Alpha, Small Groups and a chance to be a table leader in this years session of Dream Realization School all lay before me. One minute I am excited and enthused about it, the next I am invisibly pulling at my hair and shrieking inside "what are you thinking???" From energetic to lethargic in 2 seconds flat... and then back around again to being enthused? See what I mean about feeling a little bi-polar? I'm all over the map!!

God wants me to find satisfaction. In Him. That's the bottom line. Not to find it in books or busyness, work or even relationships. that seems strange but I know that when I put God first, make Him my primary concern, make my relationship with Him my primary focus, everything else falls into place. This whole week's worth of blogging has been about balance margin and vitality. About living daily what matters MOST. God is what Matters Most.

Perhaps the reason I go through these times of restlessness is to shake me out of the ruts and make me take stock in my life. Re-evaluate things a little. Seek after God a little more diligently. Seek First the Kingdom of God.....  sort out what matters most.

Jesus knows what depletes me. He also knows what refuels me. He knows the demands on my life and the best use of my life.

Ah, there's the light bulb. This summer has been a season in my life (pun intended) to re-evaluate and take stock. I need to trust that He will help me sort out what matters most in every season of my life... if I will just wait. listen. and learn.