Today we have a guest post by Heather of Raising Mighty Arrows:
In case you thought this post was all about food, it actually has very little to do with it. Stick around and you’ll likely find yourself somewhere in the midst of this topic.
When Mama doesn’t rise before her children and spend time alone in prayer and Bible reading she often serves her children leftovers. What’s left of Mama is grumpiness, impatience, inconsistency, and selfishness.
When Mama doesn’t get the laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away she’s left to search for paired socks, matching outfits, and the iron to quickly pull something together.
When Mama doesn’t plan her menu wisely she’s likely to feed her family whatever’s on hand, whether nutritious or not. When what’s left finally runs out they’ll have to eat out, spending more money than was allotted for food in the family’s budget.
When Mama hasn’t prepared herself on the lesson she’s to be teaching her children, they’ll have an ill-equipped teacher instructing on a subject that should have been better planned and therefore probably will not go over near as well.
When Mama (wife) has invested all of her time and energy into the children she won’t have much to offer Daddy (husband) when the children are in bed.
You see, leftovers come in many different forms, sizes, and options. The thing we should try to avoid is SERVING THEM! Our God and our families should receive our absolute best! After we’ve spent adequate time with them and their needs have been met, then and only then should we turn our attention to something else.
So many of us, myself included, put everything else at the top of our ‘Priorities’ list. Whatever is stealing your attention: Blogging, a home-based business, ministry, friendships, etc. it HAS to wait in line behind the things that are most important. If you’re having trouble prioritizing, ask for help. Ask your husband or a friend to help you determine what’s more important in your life. See what activities need to be tossed.
Have you found yourself guilty of serving leftovers?
Heather is a child of the King and in need of His abundant grace every day. She’s never found Him to give up on her, although she admits He should have a long time ago! Heather has been married to her best friend for 5 years. They have been blessed with 2 children so far that light up their lives daily. Heather and her family are currently pastoring their first church. You can find her blogging at Raising Mighty Arrows as well as connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. In her spare time she enjoys making and selling handmade soaps for Vintage Handmade Soaps.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
This was very timely for me. I have really been struggling with all of this, especially blogging, writing, and social media. My family and my home have to come first. I have to set some limits for myself, but it is so hard!
Thanks for writing that, Heather. I really needed to read that today!
Wonderful post Heather! It is so easy to get caught up in other things and forget my true priorities! Though I love having leftover food, thanks for the reminder to serve my family the fresh parts of my day, rather than just leftover bits!
Good reminder! I’d better get off the computer and get to work!
Yes yes YES!!! Sadly those of us that totally believe this, and have happy, functioning families because of it, don’t look like the ‘World’. Even our lovely Christian friends (and Church Leaders), for the most part, can’t see this message, we are just offered more books, video series, etc on ways to ‘enrich’ our ministry in the community and church body. This has been on my mind lately, too. And I agree with your left over idea, too. Just two short days ago I was victim to my own lack of prayer in the a.m. I need days like those to remind me why I should wake up begging the Lord for protection, wisdom, joy and peace.
You know what, please don’t post my comment, I don’t want anyone in my church to read it and be hurt, although I’d like them to get the message that I AM fulfilling God’s calling, not their calling…
Consider yourself my ear today.
-M
Okay- I’m really struggling with this… The details of what “leftovers” are. My children are all young (6, 6, 4, 2, 1) and I really haven’t been able to offer well-planned school stuff, or cooked-from-scratch meals. But I keep wondering if I’m “just not working/trying hard enough”… :\
Absolutely…been really trying to be intentional about this one. Thank you for putting it out there so clearly, because you are so right on!
Love this, Heather! I’m guilty of “serving left overs” at times. This theme has been on my heart lately; how wonderful to find this encourgement today! Thanks for sharing.
Um yup! The meal thing and laundry thing DEF spoke to me. I know that when I am organized, everything runs so much smoother. Great post!
I really enjoyed this post. It reminds me that unless I spend time with my Savior, first thing each day, the rest of the day doesn’t matter… Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather
Great reminder. Thank you.
Yes, I’ve been guilty of serving leftovers! Actually reading this right now reminded me that I need to get off the computer and go to bed so that I can wake up in a good mood tomorrow morning with my baby. Thank you for an encouraging post.
Great post and reminder, Heather! Thank you!
We can’t give our best. We do what God enables us to do. It isn’t a contest and we can’t always be living in search of something better, better better. Can’t you see how fruitless that is? If you follow Christ, He will bring about the fruit of the Spirit in your life: Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. Anywhere you go in life, anything you do will be guided by the God you serve and His fruit will be evidence in your life that you are His child. It isn’t about us; it’s all about Jesus and what He does for us.