Thank you for those of you who had prayed for me regarding this change and my continued request for a reasonable accommodation for my managers to allow me to work, not exceeding 8 hours per shift. Please keep me in your prayers and thank you from my heart for remembering.
When it comes to worries, it’s still not easy to not somehow get a little anxious when faced with a new challenge. My priority was always to care for my family as I had enjoyed being off on weekdays. I was able to keep the house, cook more nutritious meals, prepare lunches for my husband and son, and just be there to drop off or pick up my child to and from school. But now, things will change. Priorities will definitely change.
As I had a quiet time with the Lord tonight after dinner, I had been at peace about this change since the last few days. I know that everything has a purpose in Him. As I consulted Him about this change, He reminded me how pressures, demands, or tasks can assault our schedules. Somehow, we tend to run out of energy and time in the long run. Until there is little to give from our part. Everything is a rush! And the truth is….we often leave behind those priorities that truly matter the most.
I have been working weekend nights enjoying this schedule and same agenda for many years. And now with this change, it’s actually awesome that the Lord is bringing me back to reflect on what should matter the most in my heart. Being off on the weekends now, I can truly give priorities to Him as number 1 and secondly, I will actually enjoy my time more with my family as my husband is always off on the weekends. How often I talked about the Lord in my previous posts, and yet I somehow put Him and categorized Him as one of my “to-do” lists.
God showed me the short book of Haggai to reflect more about Him. Centuries ago, Haggai, the prophet, challenged God’s people to set and do the right priorities. The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon and Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. Under Cyrus, the king of Persia, the Jews were allowed to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple.
Through Haggai, the Lord said, “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!” – Haggai 1:6 [LAB]
How true that Haggai’s message still applies for us today! We put our energies into those things that do not give back any value to us. But if we put God first, He provides for all of our needs and sometimes, it’s more than we can handle.
“Take courage and work, for I am with you, says the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:4
God is truly with us with that wonderful promise!
As this new schedule begins, I know I must set my priorities on returning to the Lord. Putting Him number 1 in my life. It’s time to work. It’s time to not allow these changes bother me, but it’s time for me to be the one to make changes. At home. At my workplace. With church family. With those I meet anywhere. Even through this blog land. God wants to change the world. Through me. Through you.
It's time to rebuild this temple [my heart] and make it beautiful by making His presence known.
If you need wisdom- if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. James 1:5
ReplyDeleteOne of my scriptures for today. A perfect one for me to meditate upon and pray over.
As I too have a new schedule, and now found out yesterday that I will be going into work tomorrow an hour earlier than usual....I need wisdom, I need to know how to go about my day, not only at work but once I'm home to care for my family and my home.
A whole new schedule...I keep reminding myself not to stress over it, for the Lord will lead me in the right direction. Helping me, strengthening me....
I will be praying for ya girl...thanks for praying for me. Seems you and I both are on the same 'schedule' spiritually..lol.....God IS good. The good work that He has started in us dear one, He WILL complete.
What a powerful message that short video displayed! I can identify with it at times when I get so involved in other stuff.
ReplyDeleteSweet sister, I pray that you will adjust to the new work schedule and that it will become a blessing for your family to have you there on the weekends. Making the Lord a priority is how I survive through the storms of my life. I know you will be richly rewarded with His presence and closeness.
Much love,
Debbie
changes...even good ones are hard for me. I'm praying for you Rosel....He's got it all covered. He won't let you down....ever. I'm finding that out....Rebuilding your heart...I'm with you...Stay strong and I think this year is gonna be totally awesome.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool video Rosel. Blessings to you dear one as you step out into a new realm.
ReplyDeleteBless you always.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like God has something wonderful in store for you! Spending more town with your husband will be a beautiful blessing. The older I get, the less I like change - but without change, we wouldn't the beautiful flowers of spring or this awesome snow!
ReplyDeleteToo often, women feel that at a certain age, they have "arrived" - the hard stuff is over; the time for accolades and easiness has arrived. God never meant us to stop our ministry, but our ministry changes because our knowledge grows.
I imagine you will touch lives a bit differently now in your work day. That you will have an opportunity to reach people you haven't before. I also imagine that God knew ahead, and that someone is set on a path toward you, needing God-seeds planted and nourished. Someone is going to be blessed!
Ooops! Sorry for the mis-spelled words - town should be time - and the "we would not appreciate as much" the beautiful flowers! Sometimes my thoughts get ahead of my typing:)
ReplyDeleteWhen these changes occur in my life, my dependence grows greater on Him...not a bad thing! I know you will do very well in rebuilding the temple.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Mary
Change is good but hard depending on the situation. Last year there were changes on the job. New co-workers and I allowed it to put me into a tailspin of sorts. I had gotten comfy with the way it had been. God had a great plan and that was for me to grow..Blessings to you dear sister..
ReplyDeleteMost people do not handle change well, especially when they perceive it as negative. I pray your managers will not force you to exceed an 8 hour shift.
ReplyDeleteWorry is one of our greatest enemies. No wonder God tells us over 316 times in the Bible "do not fear" or "do not worry".
Worry is one of those sins that we confess and give to God and take back the next day. It's a difficult habit to break. But the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. There is victory in Jesus! Amen
God bless you Rosel :-)
~Ron
Changes always cause so much distress because our familiar pattern has to change. I do hope too that you won't have to exceed the usual 8hrs.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Silver
Wow such wonderful post my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder.
God bless always.
xo
Regina
Everything happens for a reason - a purpose!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekends..
One thing for sure God always have a plan for us that doesn't bring harm to us but bring us great success.
ReplyDeleteAnd the video left me speechless...more like...WOW!!!
It has been great catching up with all my blog sisters after my blog break!!!
Blessings to you!!!
I am thinking this will be a good change..you have been such a faithful servant...I feel we will be reading some praise posts soon.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a healthy approach to "change." God bless you as you adjust.
ReplyDeleteI pray your transition will be as smooth as silk Rosel. What a blessing to have the weekends with your family. I pray this will be just what God ordered. :o)
ReplyDeleteLove & hugs,
Beth