Choices... The Stuff Life's Made Of

The day I stepped out of the workplace, I had no idea how long it would be until I returned. As we awaited SJ's birth, DH and I knew that daycare was not an option for us, but we eyed the 'one-salary option' with great foreboding. We took our fears to our Saviour (not presuming to ask Him to sanction some other plan, since His will had been made abundantly clear to us) and stepped into the unknown, only being able to see one step at a time.

The choice would not rank among the easiest things I had ever done, but then... whoever said following God was going to be easy? More than three years have passed and I now sing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" with a different heart.... a heart grateful for, and dependent on, that Faithfulness.

Along the way, other choices became necessary. Among other things, we chose to.....

1. Turn off all communication devices when turning in for devotion and rest. What about emergencies? Alone time with God, devotional time for our family, and rejuvenation are emergencies for us... all other persons? Call 119.
2. Say "No" to any project that will hinder spiritual growth or stretch health, finances and sanity to the limit. If God told you to ask us, then we'll wait for His direction. Sorry, we're not budging solely on your say-so.
3. Start a garden. Container gardening is not all it's cracked up to be, so we have been converting our flower beds to make way for veggies, but I'll address the garden bit in another post.
4. Maintain some semblance of an exercise routine. We are still working on this one. :-O
5. Stop the critics on their way. "All my children went to daycare..." Yes, but this one is not yours. :) "Are you going to have another one?" Your guess is as good as mine. ;) "Aren't you going back out to work?" Eventually. Some folks are not easily deterred but... this, too, shall pass.

There are those who have confused 'discipling/educating' a child with 'daycare', and who conclude that (since I am sitting idly day-in- day-out) it is their duty to pile on more responsibilities than my time or health can accommodate. To them I say, {refer to #2} I am occupied with the business of research, operations, financial control, human resource development and community service. Take a number. ;)

Choices, choices, choices.... some easy, some hard, ALL necessary.

It took me a while, but I finally learned that our lives depend on our willingness to follow God's leading in our decision-making NOT on our bank balances. Whether we have one salary or three, we all need to live from God's hand to our mouths... trusting, serving, resting in Him.

Blessings,