Dying to Self

Wow. I had grand intentions this morning. Got chores done early, got breakfast made (and it wasn't milk and cereal), had devotions and was going to post on how God had been working on my heart lately. Then it happened, but it went right along with what I was going to say. I was interrupted. Right when I was going to start writing. My three year old woke up and came downstairs, having thrown up (forgive the graphic explanation) all over herself and her bed. Stop everything, change all plans of baking on this awesome cool morning and now wash bedding and doctor sick child.

Amazing how God uses these circumstances. I just completed a book about a woman who died of cancer. She was so selfless through the entire course of the illness and through her death I was amazed. In counseling a friend about her marriage and whether she should submit to her husband's leadership when she felt he was wrong, she said this, "die to yourself. You decide that the other person's needs are more important than your own. If there's ever a question between your doing what you want and doing what he wants, you do what he wants." "He is the head of your household, biblically speaking, and when there's a question of your will against his will, you need to let him win." She was not speaking of whether there was a question of sin, just disagreement between spouses. This spoke volumes to me. I used to try really hard in this area, but have found myself consumed with me. I have been drowning in self-pity asking "why me" due to the circumstances of the past year. I am being reminded that though there is a time for grief and asking why, it is not to be dwelt upon. God's will is just that, as such, it is a gift to us from Him. An opportunity for us to glorify Him and to grow us and make us more holy, more like himself.

This morning in my devotions, it was also a call to die to myself, especially when dealing with my marriage. When God made man, he made man FIRST, then made for him a HELPER, suitable for him. I somtimes resent when that takes me away from my own time to complete tasks I feel are important. My house is often not clean, meals are often eaten late, but I have learned, and am being reminded that after my relationship with God, I need to be my husband's helper when he asks for my help. After that I need to meet the needs of my children, even when I would rather be baking than cleaning up the unspeakable and doing laundry that was previously pretty clean. It is all dying to self and finding joy when God gives us the opportunity to serve others.

Thank you Lord, for today's reminders that I am on this earth to serve you and serve others and that this place is not my home, so I shouldn't get too comfortable. Have a blessed day!