Pressure Or Peace?
Susan Shipe
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace…1 Corinthians 14.33
How is 2016 going for you so far?
Many of us make lofty pledges; we choose one word’s; we commit to resolutions, at the beginning of a new year and by February first – they’ve gone the way of the lost trail. It is hard to disappoint oneself – I know because I’ve done it at least one thousand times!
Several years ago I became soulfully convicted to…
finish things I had begun. I say soulfully because there was a myriad of projects I had sitting in drawers unfinished. Spiritually, I knew that if God Himself finished the things He begins, then surely He would give me the grace to do the same. (Philippians 1.6)
I pledged to the Lord and to myself that I was going to finish the projects and in the meantime, not begin another new thing. It took me one year but I did it. I finished a quilted wall hanging. I finished reading six books. I finished painting a room. I finished a sewing project. I finished two writing projects. All in the space of one year. It felt awesome to be able to say, “I did it.”
The Lord we serve is a good, good Father and when He hears a sincere cry of our heart – He rushes to our side and gives us the grace we need, regardless what that cry is for. Mine was for diligence – I yearned to be more diligent and more intentional in the things I got myself involved in! That particular year I learned how to say, “No!”
I love the name of this blog, “The Laundry Moms,” I love to do laundry! I know, right? It is the nemesis of so many busy mom’s – but, even way back when I had three kids at home, I found solace and peace in the laundry room. It was and is one area I insist on having order: a folding surface, a sink, a washer and dryer, lots of hangars and a place to hang, and, an iron IF I need one (rarely)!
Please hear my heart in the words I’m about to write. MY HEART, okay?
The scripture at the top of this blog is speaking of a church congregation but I want to apply it to our day-to-day lives. I don’t believe God wants us to be scattered, disorganized, here/there/and everywhere – when we let our lives get that way, He has to be pushy and try to find a Presence in our world. I almost can’t imagine raising children in this over-the-top-busy world of social media, social pressure, and social disorder!
Now, hear me ladies! I want us to be wise stewards of our lives, our time, our husbands, our children, and, our grandchildren. We get one go at this – be ever so careful with priorities and time management – I didn’t have to contend with the pressures you have and I still managed to mess up so many things. Now, I’ve become that Titus two woman who must share my failures and shortcomings in order to encourage young wives, moms, and career women, in choosing the right things. Choosing solid NO’S, and beneficial Yes’es!
We learn from one another; we learn what works and what doesn’t. As we continue to walk through this journey of 2016 let’s be sure to lean on our heavenly Father and to encourage one another. My prayers are with each and every one of you, fantastic laundry mom’s!!!
Susan Chamberlain Shipe, a writer since the age of eight when she and her neighborhood friend wrote, edited, published, and distributed The Manor News. Things have changed since publishing with the five and dime stamp lettering set! Today, Susan enjoys spending time with her three adult children and spouses, two grandchildren, blogging, writing short devotions and short stories from her home in the Appalachian Mountain Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern North Carolina, which she shares with her husband of thirty plus years, Lowell, and their beloved dog, Sam.
Susan can be found writing messages of hope, from the heart, for the home any day of the week at http://hopehearthome.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Pinterest!
Disclaimer Note:
An honor to guest post today. Thank you for the opportunity!
You’ve reminded me, Susan, that I need to be DILIGENT and go get that load of laundry out of the dryer! Faithfulness in the small things counts. Thanks for your encouragement to moms today.
Betsy, diligence is such a beautiful God-attribute! He was incredible diligent in pursuing me and I am ever so grateful.
I totally understand, Susan! I’m a project starter…and I’ve had to work hard to finish projects that don’t have deadlines. The example we set for our kids is incredible–and I’m not too embarassed to say that seeing all that MY mom gets done (she’s 74 this year and works almost full time) has inspired me to get more done and be more organized. It doesn’t come naturally for me, but I know without a doubt that it’s important!
Anita, what a great role model you have!!!! YOUR MOM!
Susan, what a ministry of encouragement!
Michele, it’s a gift my good, good Father gave me!!!
Oh, this is so true: “The Lord we serve is a good, good Father and when He hears a sincere cry of our heart – He rushes to our side and gives us the grace we need, regardless what that cry is for.” And we are better in community. Thank you for these good reminders.
Debbie, I am usually preaching to the choir when I write!!! Thanks for reading.
Years ago when Facebook was first trending and at the top of everyone’s “have to do” I chose not to do. Reasons at that time were a personal decision for my protection. Fast forward to today and I still have managed to avoid it. Sure I love to hear from other’s whats going on in that world BUT will not go there. I choose to keep that time for other things. Laundry? UGH!!!! In the meantime I will strive to sit at the Throne of Grace as long as He allows me to.
I believe you are exercising a great deal of wisdom…and homeschooling is a fulltime, attention-giving job! You are an amazing Mom!
I’ve been reading through James and my quiet time yesterday was James 5:12 that says, “let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no …” So your words here, Susan, are another reminder to me to follow through on any commitments I have and to cut out ruthlessly the things that are not my commitments but my desires or preferences. Those must wait because I have a lot of people to come through for! Great words, my friend and wisdom that we all can benefit from–young or old.
Thank you Beth for traveling over to Laundry Mom’s!!! The Word is so “bossy” isn’t it!!!
Great post Susan! God help us all to finish well like He did. God has no abandoned, incomplete projects so we as children should not.
Thanks for inspiring us to be finishers.
Have a super blessed day!
Love
Ugochi, I love what you say “NO ABANDONED, INCOMPLETE PROJECTS!” Amen to that sister.
Great words and reminders to be wise stewards of our lives. That is God’s plan for us and we derail it too many times with our own agenda. I love how as I get older I feel comfortable in who I am and am able to be just me more often with people I don’t know very well. Thank you for our words!
The years have a way of bringing us to a place of true confidence in Christ. Thanks for coming by, Mary G!!!
These words really speak to me. I know I start to many things and do not finish. I wanted to loose weight, but injury is getting the way. I want to write a book one day too. I have to prioritize though. What does God want me to do. This statement will be my prayer in 2016. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement to seek order.