Seasons come and seasons go.
I have been talking about making changes in my life since the springtime. I can sense God wanting to do a new thing in me and through me as I enter this new season of my life, the transition from working girl to full time at home. I have been searching out my gifts and what I have to offer. Your sweet comments have been so encouraging (I am not writing this for me of them) but now it is time to put my faith into action. How do I serve Him?
"He said to m "You are my servant Israel, and you will bring me glory," I replied, "But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and for no purpose. Yet I will leave it in the Lord's hands; I will trust God for my reward." Isaiah 49:3-4
How do I bring God glory? My life is nothing special. My talents are ordinary. My fruit seems minimal and my work can seem so useless.
God's word says that if I do even the ordinary things in my life as a service to Him, I bring Him glory. I need to trust Him to use them in ways I may never see. I need to live my life to please an audience of One. I will count on Him for my reward.
Does your life seem ordinary? I will bet most do. I am finding the difference between an ordinary life and extraordinary one is in the attitude. Am I doing what I do for the praise of man or am I living my life in the service of One?
I have signed up to serve in the Women's Ministry at my church again this year. I prayed about serving elsewhere because I had grown complacent and stale with my ordinary service but God reminded me that it is not where I serve but who I serve that makes all the difference. I have so many ideas floating in my head for little changes in how I can help to make a difference in women's lives. I have been blessed with a whole new season.
Have a wonderful weekend!
xo, Patty
Just a note...This adorable dessert is a cake baked right in a mason jar (in a water bath). Our Women's Ministry Director found the idea online and I just love it. Wouldn't it be cute for a birthday party or shower?
Your post blessed me today. God gave each of a gifts. There are times when we discover a gift that we didn't even know we had. Thanks for sharing today.
ReplyDeleteblessings to you.
What a lovely post - a true blessing to me, and to many others I'm sure. What touched me most was the gentle reminder that I need "to live my life to please an audience of One". So, so true.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your hopes and thoughts, have a happy weekend
xx
I think their is a certain humility in being ordinary and what does Jesus say about the humble on the Sermon on the Mount? "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less..." The Message Bible Matthew 5. Contentment is difficult for me especially. I pray for it all the time. Lovely and sweet post Patty.
ReplyDeletePatty,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post. What a blessing! I have been hanging back on the sidelines of life for too long. Oh sure, I serve my family and have been attending church regularly. But recently, I have been feeling the tug from the Lord to get off the bench and "get in the game" so to speak. I am excited about some ministry opportunities and bible studies that are on the horizon and all it really took was realizing God didn't need me to change the world. He just wants me available and willing to join in the work He is already doing. Blessings to you this weekend!
~Nici
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DeleteServing our families is so important but when you jump into serving others as well you are even more blessed. I hope you find a bible study to join as the accountability and wisdom of other believers is so important.
DeleteIt is not where we serve, but who we serve, I love these words of yours.
ReplyDeleteI too am asking God "what do you want me to do in my life?". Sometimes He whispers so I need to listen! The cake in a jar idea is brilliant.
This is such an encouragement to me, right now, right where I am in this season of life. Thank you so much for sharing it. Hugs ~ Mary
ReplyDelete"All of your circumstances are in the hand of God, so never think it strange concerning the circumstances you're in."
ReplyDeleteOswald Chambers
Fabulous post...such a blessing to my heart. I left my "stay at home mom" position 6 yrs ago and went back to work part time. This meant missing out on a vibrant women's bible study every Wed morning. This year I've changed my work schedule around so I can still attend!!! We are doing "No Other Gods: Confronting our Modern Day Idols" by Kelly Minter. I can't wait!!! :0) I'm going to link your post to our Take Six FB page. I think EVERYONE should read it! Blessings to you!
ReplyDeletePatty- Isn't that cake idea adorable? I think that is such a fun idea!!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you- I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do when I grow up..now that I am no longer working outside the home. I think we will figure it out- xo Diana
Patty,
ReplyDeleteI have been learning the same things. What I do, as I do it to His glory, whatever it is, is what He desires of me. I continue to seek His will in all I do, because that is the best place to be.
I am serving in Women's Ministry, too.
When I meet with Him for our quiet time in the morning, and then I spend time with Him praying for others I hear a voice in my head saying that this is the most important thing I do all day.
It is the most important part of our day and how quick we can be to replace it with something else that we think needs to get done.
DeleteI think it is very admirable to serve in any capacity. There was a time, not too long ago, that Greg and I were very involved in church. For whatever reason, we stopped going, and it is hard to get back into the habit. But I feel compelled to do so.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend. The vegetation is changing week to week, up in the local mountains. I notice the subtle changes each time we go up. Soon, the Aspens will be shimmering like gold in the breeze, and even the day time will necessitate a sweatshirt!!
Hugs,
Kris
I highly recommend this book by Lysa Terkeurst "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith". It made a significant impact on my life several years ago at such a time when I was musing over what you have written here. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteKnow what Patty Jesus Christ is blessed by your heart every single day, loving your willingness to serve, I know that He will give you all you need every step of the way
ReplyDeleteBless you sister
Thank you for this beautiful post
Karen x
This was wonderul to read, Patty! It sounds like God is the one giving you the desire to serve, and He will direct you to the need! I'm excited about getting involved again in church, too. It's all I've known my whole life expect for the past couple of years! We were SO busy, but that was a nice time for us to drink the water. Now I'm able to bless others with my overflow! You're being used by God already, I can see that. I think it's God to judge what's "ordinary" or not...Remember, David was just a shephard's boy! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
Patty,
ReplyDeleteSounds as if God has given you a Season of Harvest!"For what you sow, so shall you reap." I'm excited to see where this journey will take you. There are many hurting, lonely ladies in our world...even in our congregations...God has a purpose for your life to the good of His people. Be strong and of good courage!
Fondly,
Pat
Dearest Patty.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting on this matter. I needed to hear it and allow the Lord to speak to my heart today. Thank you for the transparency in your walk. You have mnistered to my heart many times by doing so. Trish xo
Ps. YOU ARE THE $50.OO SHABBY APPLE WINNER!! Congratulations! My internet has been cranky this morning while trying to post. :0)
You are a really great blogger Patty
ReplyDeleteYou put up really nice posts your very friendly and your blog is amazing
I hope you have a really great weekend
Ella xxx
PS congratulations for winning the shabby apple thing on notes of sincerity
Patty - I have really enjoyed working with our women's ministry at Church. We call it Martha Ministry after Jesus' friend Martha of Bethany.
ReplyDeleteJust wait, and God will tell you what the next step is. And don't discount your talents and gifts - they are something special!
I think that a simple life can be very extraordinary. Choosing to be thankful, cheerful, and content are a blessing not only to oneself, but to all those who pass by and see the good example. God is always glorified when we praise Him.
ReplyDeleteI love your happy, warm photos.
:) Hope
'I need to trust Him to use them in ways I may never see'....... I live half way around the world from you. we dont know each other and we are unlikely to meet but as someone who is transitioning from full time worker to possibly permanent homemaker because of some health issues, your words are so comforting. I just wanted you to know that you have answered all of the questions and calmed the turbulent emotions I have been feeling in the most wonderful way. A very very big thank you.
ReplyDeletexxx