I’ve figured out four important things to do in my life right now. Two of them are like people in the Bible.

1. I want to pour my life into my four children.
I want them to take seriously things like studying the Bible and praying regularly to get to know Jesus better. I want to instill in them the foundational principles of my life.
I want them to develop a peaceful happiness in helping others. We can do this through volunteering in Christian organizations where others really need help. I can volunteer with my children in serving food to the homeless, building homes for families and encouraging our military by packaging gift packs to send them. I truly want my children to gain their confidence, not through being a sports star and getting an arrogant ego boost. But getting their confidence boost through humbling serving others. As Christians when they help others they are representing Christ and obeying Him through their actions! and building eternal treasures in Heaven.
And then I want to teach them the proper use of finances. They must work hard in a job that will pay fairly and give them skills to progress to a better job in an area of work where they possess strengths. It is important for them to be skilled in several areas of earning money. Having “several coals in the fire” will help in providing for their families when they aren’t making enough money on their main job. I also want them to realize they should give to God a portion of their earnings and save part. And I don’t want them to be materialistic. Just the privilege of being an American makes us rich. We don’t need to have the attitude of always trading out partially used items for brand new. Things can be used until their worn out!! That’s the way they did it in the olden days.
I want to instill in them the passion and excitement for knowledge that I have. I want them to be excited about reading information even if its a school subject. I want to stress to them the more knowledge they get while they are growing up the better prepared for work and them more interesting they will be as a person!
2. I want to spend more time in prayer.
Our world needs a ton of prayers. This area is one of my spiritual gifts. I have developed the discipline of regular prayer each morning. At lunch time we pray as a family and then I read the Bible for five minutes with my kids and pray with them before bedtime. Wow! I have developed a schedule of praying 3 times a day like the admired Daniel in the Old Testament. I prayed a prayer about 20 years ago that God would help me to pray like Daniel and it has come to life! So watch out if you are an aquaintance of mine. I am probably praying to help you get closer to God (Whatever that means!)
3. I want to focus on getting to know Jesus better.
Have you ever read through the Bible verse at the top of my blog? I have a big desire to pursue a stronger relationship with the God of Heaven and Earth! I think of the story of the two sisters who were friends of Jesus in the New Testament. Martha was busy frantically running trying to get the meal prepared. Mary was sitting at Jesus feet intently listening to His every word. When Martha whined to Jesus about Mary’s inactivity, Jesus said Mary was doing the right thing. I am like Mary at this season of my life. I have established a discipline of reading the Bible each morning and will continue. (In fact, you should do that too!!!!) I plan to peacefully enjoy this time of my life, “kick back” and ask Jesus to teach me all He can through the words of the Bible!!
At this point in my life, I have no career. I’m not traveling to interesting places. In fact, to all around my life is uninspiring. Am I wasting time when people 20 years younger than me are moving into respectable careers that they will keep until they retire. I have worried about this but most recently I’ve been pushing those frustrating thoughts out of my head and just being content with where I’m at. In this season of my life I just need to focus on growing spiritually and enjoy my children. Lately, I have had so much peace in my life. A few months ago, I would get stressed out, stop and force myself to calm down and then search for peace. Not so recently. Life is peaceful and fun to me right now. Even when my children are getting on my nerves there is still peace there and I love just being around them!
4. I want to keep growing in the passions of my life.
About fifteen years ago I received my Bachelor’s in teaching but have never become a certified teacher. That’s okay. Focusing on my children first right now is important. I use my talents with my children and teach when an opportunity comes my way. I’ve hit my forties. Does that mean my time is running out. No. My first priority should be my children rather than a career anyway. I wish our society would give older people with life experience more credit. Knowing “the psychology of a situation” and knowing how to handle a person correctly in the right time is very beneficial in doing a job well.
At this season in my life, I’m not respected or admired by anyone. In fact, some think I’m weird and others definitely would not want to be like me. But, this is what God has for me right now. And with God’s will comes His peace. That’s what I really want . . . is the amazing peace of God and you can’t have that if you’re not busy doing what He wants you to do.