SACRIFICE ( A post revisited and updated :0)

(c) Tomo Yun www.yunphoto.net/hl/photobase

It is in a womans nature to want to nurture, protect and care for those around them. I've been thinking about this for a while now.

Sacrifice is the way of a Christian life. It is a beautiful aspect to our faith.. The beauty is that when we give we are really only giving a little of something up in order to recieve a part of something so much greater.

Yet, sometimes (at times) even the giving of ourselves can be done for the wrong reasons. We can overly focus on one thing or another and this in itself can weary us. We forget that this is a sign that we are not leaning upon HIM enough. Either by seeking HIS word, praying or doing the thing HE wants us to do even though that thing in itself may seem less important or rewarding or noticable or grand.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

I remember when I only had two girls instead of four! I would get so tired all the time. I was wearied, much more than I am now. Looking back I was not taking HIS Yoke upon me but my own carefully crafted one. The one of " a perfectly clean and well presented home" The one of
"looking especially after my appearance" and the one of "Taking on responsibilities" outside the home which although seemed like they were the right things to do, were in fact simply feeding my sense of personal fullfillment. They were serving my identity, not my soul and not my God.

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Eventually, and somewhat conversly with nothing left inside to give I felt myself become even more burdened, even more incapable.

God does provide us with the strength to continue on our ordained path when we need it. He is our rock and fortress when we become weak. Through faith and obedience we are given the grace to endure struggles in life. But sometimes we try to take our own ways instead of his.

Our nurturing, protecting and caring starts to involve issues such as control, pride, idolisation. An attempt to recreate the ideal, picture perfect life that our minds and hearts desire and aspire to instead of allowing life itself to mould us gently.

"Abba Abba Father. you are the potter we are the clay."

We have to allow those gentle rivulets of turning clay change us slowly. If we try to speed up the wheel our whole pot will collapse!

If we are taking on more than we can handle it may be the case that we are not listening to that still, small voice of God within us.

It maybe that we are trying to plough our own field without the necessary tools instead of Gods field where every tool is provided when needed.

By stepping back a little we allow others the opportunity to flourish and grow. My husband and children all help with the chores around the house. I do the largest proportion, which is only fair as I don't work outside the home, however my husband is as hands on with the little ones as I am. As a wife and mother my duties don't stop at 5 pm and as a husband and father my husbands don't either.

If I as a wife and mother take over every responsibility from childcare to household chores am I not robbing other members of my family of the chance to learn how to serve in love and grace within their home. It warms my heart to see my little ones eagerly clamber up the stairs, polishing rags in hand in search of any piece of wood they can find to shine up good as new : )



Robert A. Heinlein: "Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy".


I take great pleasure in watching the older two care for their youngest siblings.


"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings." Hodding Carter

The impression of Jesus related within all of the gospels is one of resounding peace. The time for every eventuality was pre-ordained, he knew this and did not contest it. And He wanted to give this same gift of Peace to us too.

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

I believe God means for all his people whether they be, young or old, male or female, both within the realms of family and community, to work together in praise and servitude for him as well as each other.

Even the best of intentions can come undone if they are not in keeping with Gods plan.

Sometimes all we are asked to do is take a breath.

Inhale his word;

receive his grace.

Here is a great link on the subject from The Flourishing Mother called Take my yoke I found the other day :0)