Comments on: What is Your Calling? http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:40:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3863 Mary Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:57:58 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3863 I understand, Holly. I'm not advocating dropping out of all church involvement, but it's easy to get in over my head...and not through anyone's fault but my own! What I took from your posts was that while church service is very important, family has to come first. I've always felt that way anyway, and sometimes my church involvement is one way I can put my family first. For instance, I'm having the greatest time teaching the toddler SS, getting to be my 3 yo's SS teacher is really special...Thanks for explaining your position in more detail. :) I'm so glad for you and your wisdom and experience! Haley, I love you! :) Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement! My girls love yours as well, they're both such gentle little spirits. You're doing a great job! I understand, Holly. I’m not advocating dropping out of all church involvement, but it’s easy to get in over my head…and not through anyone’s fault but my own! What I took from your posts was that while church service is very important, family has to come first. I’ve always felt that way anyway, and sometimes my church involvement is one way I can put my family first. For instance, I’m having the greatest time teaching the toddler SS, getting to be my 3 yo’s SS teacher is really special…Thanks for explaining your position in more detail. :) I’m so glad for you and your wisdom and experience!

Haley, I love you! :) Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement! My girls love yours as well, they’re both such gentle little spirits. You’re doing a great job!

]]> By: Haley http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3861 Haley Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:45:15 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3861 Mary, I'm relieved to hear your further thoughts. And you're right - its SO hard to find willing volunteers. It can be really depressing, especially if if seems the person you're asking to help isn't really involved in GIVING in any church ministry, only TAKING what the ministries have to offer to them. But that's another soap box for another day. I appreciate you and your family!!!! My girls adore yours and it's so wonderful for them to have such great "big kids" to look up to. I love how you say things on your blog - I agree so often, and its a pleasure to read what you have to say. Have a great day!! Mary, I’m relieved to hear your further thoughts. And you’re right - its SO hard to find willing volunteers. It can be really depressing, especially if if seems the person you’re asking to help isn’t really involved in GIVING in any church ministry, only TAKING what the ministries have to offer to them. But that’s another soap box for another day. I appreciate you and your family!!!! My girls adore yours and it’s so wonderful for them to have such great “big kids” to look up to. I love how you say things on your blog - I agree so often, and its a pleasure to read what you have to say. Have a great day!!

]]> By: Holly http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3854 Holly Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:44:36 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3854 Thanks, Mary, for the links and the kind words. Having spent so many years as a pastor's wife, I probably communicate a kind of....skewed.....viewpoint. I'm coming from have our lives so completely over devoted to church things that we see our children growing up, missing out on "us," and desiring to change that. We're also at a place of stepping out of full-time, paid ministry - and it is so odd after all of these years. So good to know that we are following God's lead on this - not our own. In some ways, it feels so wonderful. In others, it feels strange. Ministry, for the believer, does not stop. God does NOT stop using His people to accomplish His plans. I'm excited to see where he will use us. We DO feel led to serve more together - as a family - not Daddy at this meeting and Mommy doing all of the parenting/tucking in/etc. Not the big kids off at their own pursuits, and mom and dad going crazy trying to get them to their respective areas of service. That does not mean that we will sit at home and think only of ourselves... :) That just won't work. It's just a new time, a new place, a new stage. Love to you, Holly Thanks, Mary, for the links and the kind words. Having spent so many years as a pastor’s wife, I probably communicate a kind of….skewed…..viewpoint. I’m coming from have our lives so completely over devoted to church things that we see our children growing up, missing out on “us,” and desiring to change that. We’re also at a place of stepping out of full-time, paid ministry - and it is so odd after all of these years. So good to know that we are following God’s lead on this - not our own.

In some ways, it feels so wonderful. In others, it feels strange. Ministry, for the believer, does not stop. God does NOT stop using His people to accomplish His plans. I’m excited to see where he will use us.

We DO feel led to serve more together - as a family - not Daddy at this meeting and Mommy doing all of the parenting/tucking in/etc. Not the big kids off at their own pursuits, and mom and dad going crazy trying to get them to their respective areas of service.

That does not mean that we will sit at home and think only of ourselves… :) That just won’t work.

It’s just a new time, a new place, a new stage.

Love to you,

Holly

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3834 Mary Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:41:01 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3834 Haley, thanks for understanding and weighing in on this. I'm not planning on giving up either AWANA or the other things I've committed to, I really love being involved. These posts honestly stemmed from me realizing how many areas of service there are at church in which I'd love to be a part of, but life, my life, won't let me. I think I made a comment above, about how if it's a *family* calling to serve, that's ideal. I so admire the core couples that started AWANA, for being in it together, even when most of you didn't/don't even have children AWANA age yet. I have to constantly be careful that I protect my contentedness with my hubby and his tendency to remain "behind the scenes", because serving solo amongst a bunch of couples does tempt me to do some "wishful thinking". You have honestly not pressured me, Haley! Honest. :) I love working with you, and my activities at the church are close to my heart. That's why I'm agonizing over this question so much. That, and some pressure from God and hubby! You're right, Andrea. A huge part of what motivated me to write on this subject is that I had the dickens of a time finding willing workers for various programs/classes this fall quarter. We're all too busy, and my personality hates to pressure people. I'd rather do it myself, and then I get into trouble. I felt a huge release when I decided I just couldn't do the Christmas program this fall. I need to keep my school year church activities mostly limited to AWANA, and remain active in the summer with summer Sunday school and VBS. I'm going to help in AWANA no matter what, because my children are involved and it's one of my favorite programs. But back to finding people free to serve, everyone already feels maxed out at church. When I finally found someone happy to take on the Christmas program, I could have fallen down and kissed her feet. People that volunteer freely, as you always did, are very hard to unearth from their daily responsibilities. I don't want to be that way, but I've got to get better at balancing both. Keep praying, Haley, about the family's committing to ministry. You and David already do so incredibly much, and this is a real need, no matter how many willing couples we already have serving. To many churches are run mostly by women. It's something I've always appreciated about our church, that the men are there for one thing, and not just on Sunday morning. Haley, thanks for understanding and weighing in on this. I’m not planning on giving up either AWANA or the other things I’ve committed to, I really love being involved. These posts honestly stemmed from me realizing how many areas of service there are at church in which I’d love to be a part of, but life, my life, won’t let me. I think I made a comment above, about how if it’s a *family* calling to serve, that’s ideal. I so admire the core couples that started AWANA, for being in it together, even when most of you didn’t/don’t even have children AWANA age yet. I have to constantly be careful that I protect my contentedness with my hubby and his tendency to remain “behind the scenes”, because serving solo amongst a bunch of couples does tempt me to do some “wishful thinking”. You have honestly not pressured me, Haley! Honest. :) I love working with you, and my activities at the church are close to my heart. That’s why I’m agonizing over this question so much. That, and some pressure from God and hubby!

You’re right, Andrea. A huge part of what motivated me to write on this subject is that I had the dickens of a time finding willing workers for various programs/classes this fall quarter. We’re all too busy, and my personality hates to pressure people. I’d rather do it myself, and then I get into trouble. I felt a huge release when I decided I just couldn’t do the Christmas program this fall. I need to keep my school year church activities mostly limited to AWANA, and remain active in the summer with summer Sunday school and VBS. I’m going to help in AWANA no matter what, because my children are involved and it’s one of my favorite programs. But back to finding people free to serve, everyone already feels maxed out at church. When I finally found someone happy to take on the Christmas program, I could have fallen down and kissed her feet. People that volunteer freely, as you always did, are very hard to unearth from their daily responsibilities. I don’t want to be that way, but I’ve got to get better at balancing both.

Keep praying, Haley, about the family’s committing to ministry. You and David already do so incredibly much, and this is a real need, no matter how many willing couples we already have serving. To many churches are run mostly by women. It’s something I’ve always appreciated about our church, that the men are there for one thing, and not just on Sunday morning.

]]> By: Andrea http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3830 Andrea Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:18:49 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3830 I'm sure it does feel very overwhelming at church right now you guys have lost two active families. The work load will balance out though people will step up and fill the gaps. As wonderful as Cubbies would be this might not be the year to start it. Or start a much simplified version. Having it just for the children of AWANA workers. I have to say it is very cool when couples can volunteer, together. At one of the churches we visited every position was filled as a team. One person did not just teach a Sunday school class the couple taught it together. I think the most stressful thing is taking care of someone else's children, especially when they are not as well disciplined as your own. I could never run a home-day-care you would never get any relief. Even watching children at church can be very tiresome. I’m sure it does feel very overwhelming at church right now you guys have lost two active families. The work load will balance out though people will step up and fill the gaps. As wonderful as Cubbies would be this might not be the year to start it. Or start a much simplified version. Having it just for the children of AWANA workers.

I have to say it is very cool when couples can volunteer, together. At one of the churches we visited every position was filled as a team. One person did not just teach a Sunday school class the couple taught it together.

I think the most stressful thing is taking care of someone else’s children, especially when they are not as well disciplined as your own. I could never run a home-day-care you would never get any relief. Even watching children at church can be very tiresome.

]]> By: Haley http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3828 Haley Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:17:32 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3828 Oh, Mary, reading your post about church responsibilities pulling you in too many directions terrifies me!!! But, I'm probably one of the people pressuring you - I hope not!!! I'm so scared you're going to burn out, by what I've read. And I don't know the answer. What is my calling? For me, all the things I do at church ARE serving my husband. But, I forget my husband is a rare one - thanks to my in-laws modeling a great example for him. Its been my prayer for a long time that families would commit to a ministry together, so one spouse wouldn't be left at home, left out. That's one of the things I like about Awana - the potential for an entire family to serve and learn at the same "event". But, I admit that I often feel there's little time left for us - meaning just my husband and I - at the end of the day, or the end of youth group, or the end of awana, or...I could go on and on. Each family's needs are different, too. I guess in the end, know that I'm praying that your family finds balance...and please don't drop Awana! Anything else at church, just not Awana! :) (Boy, that really does sound desperate, doesn't it?!) :) Oh, Mary, reading your post about church responsibilities pulling you in too many directions terrifies me!!! But, I’m probably one of the people pressuring you - I hope not!!! I’m so scared you’re going to burn out, by what I’ve read. And I don’t know the answer. What is my calling? For me, all the things I do at church ARE serving my husband. But, I forget my husband is a rare one - thanks to my in-laws modeling a great example for him. Its been my prayer for a long time that families would commit to a ministry together, so one spouse wouldn’t be left at home, left out. That’s one of the things I like about Awana - the potential for an entire family to serve and learn at the same “event”. But, I admit that I often feel there’s little time left for us - meaning just my husband and I - at the end of the day, or the end of youth group, or the end of awana, or…I could go on and on. Each family’s needs are different, too. I guess in the end, know that I’m praying that your family finds balance…and please don’t drop Awana! Anything else at church, just not Awana! :) (Boy, that really does sound desperate, doesn’t it?!) :)

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3813 Mary Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:20:34 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3813 That's incredible, Leticia, I never knew that about you guys! What a miracle, and so encouraging. Bethanie, I was a stay at home mom for 4 years before the babies came along, and so I know how it hurts, at least from the respect of people not understanding why your husband is such a priority...and after all, what DO you do with all that time, right? ;) I so respect you for the way you love and honor your husband, and am praying for the miracle of children in your lives. Thanks for sharing about it here. That’s incredible, Leticia, I never knew that about you guys! What a miracle, and so encouraging.

Bethanie, I was a stay at home mom for 4 years before the babies came along, and so I know how it hurts, at least from the respect of people not understanding why your husband is such a priority…and after all, what DO you do with all that time, right? ;) I so respect you for the way you love and honor your husband, and am praying for the miracle of children in your lives. Thanks for sharing about it here.

]]> By: Leticia http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3812 Leticia Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:31:59 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3812 Bethanie, my husband and I had been trying to conceive for six years and after many tests and a small exploratory surgical procedure, I was informed that having babies was just "not possible." This was almost 8 years ago. Guess what? I have two beautiful boys! I never gave up and I kept on praying along with others. I even asked Him to bless me with boys and He granted me that request. So, please don't give up. Bethanie, my husband and I had been trying to conceive for six years and after many tests and a small exploratory surgical procedure, I was informed that having babies was just “not possible.” This was almost 8 years ago.

Guess what? I have two beautiful boys! I never gave up and I kept on praying along with others. I even asked Him to bless me with boys and He granted me that request.

So, please don’t give up.

]]> By: Bethanie http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3809 Bethanie Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:48:26 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3809 For someone who is infertile, I was faced with this question in a way that hurt sometimes. If God didn't want me to be a mother then what was I supposed to do with my life. Thankfully He showed me that I was to devote myself to my husband. Now I know that even if He does bless us with a child, my husband is still my calling. My husband comes first. For someone who is infertile, I was faced with this question in a way that hurt sometimes. If God didn’t want me to be a mother then what was I supposed to do with my life. Thankfully He showed me that I was to devote myself to my husband. Now I know that even if He does bless us with a child, my husband is still my calling. My husband comes first.

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3808 Mary Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:16:52 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/08/13/what-is-your-calling/#comment-3808 Mom, you always say it so well, in so few words! Why didn't I inherit that ability from you? Of course, laying it out along the principles of Titus 2 brings it home that much more. Obeying God or pleasing man? No choice there, but still it's so hard to back off from these things. Once done, I know the peace will follow. Like we talked this morning, things at church will slow down a lot for me once my commitments for August are over... Gina, thanks for sharing that. Being in the service is so important. I really believe if a church can afford it, they should hire a nursery worker or two. Our church has plenty of volunteers (I think the rotation is once every 2 or more months), so they've never seriously considered this, but I know missing the service feels huge to me. Especially when I'm teaching Sunday School also, and not able to be in the adult SS class. Anyway, I'm glad you took the time to relay your struggles in this area and affirm that times of "feast and famine" are normal in the surge of service. And you're right, our first calling is to be more Christ-like no matter what we're doing. Great point. Georgiana, you and I are a lot alike, and thankfully my family encourages me in this endeavor also. I pressure myself more than my hubby does, to make it all work...I don't know which would be worse! My problem is I want to stay a bit longer in each season, to have it all! Mom, you always say it so well, in so few words! Why didn’t I inherit that ability from you? Of course, laying it out along the principles of Titus 2 brings it home that much more. Obeying God or pleasing man? No choice there, but still it’s so hard to back off from these things. Once done, I know the peace will follow. Like we talked this morning, things at church will slow down a lot for me once my commitments for August are over…

Gina, thanks for sharing that. Being in the service is so important. I really believe if a church can afford it, they should hire a nursery worker or two. Our church has plenty of volunteers (I think the rotation is once every 2 or more months), so they’ve never seriously considered this, but I know missing the service feels huge to me. Especially when I’m teaching Sunday School also, and not able to be in the adult SS class. Anyway, I’m glad you took the time to relay your struggles in this area and affirm that times of “feast and famine” are normal in the surge of service. And you’re right, our first calling is to be more Christ-like no matter what we’re doing. Great point.

Georgiana, you and I are a lot alike, and thankfully my family encourages me in this endeavor also. I pressure myself more than my hubby does, to make it all work…I don’t know which would be worse! My problem is I want to stay a bit longer in each season, to have it all!

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