No, this is not a holiday post! Keep reading and you’ll see the reason for the title!
The past month or two, I have had so many new ideas and inspirations that I’ve been trying to keep up with in addition to working, caring for my girls, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, getting enough sleep, etc., that I find myself wondering where I’m going to find the time that I need to devote to all of these different areas. I know nobody else knows what I’m talking about, right?! Ha! I know we all wish we could scrounge up a little more time each day! I’m preaching to the choir!
Anyway, there is a chapter in the book What’s Submission Got to Do With It? by Cindy Easley that addresses how womens’ lives tend to consist of different stages. In this chapter, titled “The Power Broker,” Easley uses her interview with family advocate Janet Parshall, of Janet Parshall’s America, a nationally syndicated radio program. On page 102, Parshall states, “Women do lead lives different than men. We lead lives in seasons, and something is rich and precious and enduring in each one. In each season, God would inevitably teach me something that would be used in the following season. I don’t think God would have called me to a pro-family organization if I hadn’t had those years at home raising four kids. It would have been a hollow apologetic. I had to know the nitty-gritty of raising kids before I’d be allowed to work in public policy that would facilitate our raising kids.”
And on page 109, she also says:
Feminists say, ‘You can have it all.’ But they practice the sin of omission. You should say, ‘You can have it all-but you can’t have it all at the same time.’
I’ve been thinking about these two quotes often lately as I try to prioritize what I give my time to the best that I can. I’m trying to not get discouraged about the things I can’t get to quite yet and take things day-by-day. I know that God is teaching me things and planting seeds for his future plans for me. I love being a mother and a wife and these roles are the most important to me-they are my calling! Whatever I do needs to support these vocations. One more thing that Parshall noted in her interview with Easley regarded how she respected her husband and trusted the Lord regarding career plans and other decisions.
Everytime the path has made another turn, it has absolutely been in harmony and parallel to what God is calling [my husband] to do.
I really, really love this, because it makes me feel like what I’m doing now and the future goals that I have are even more meaningful because they are tied to Adam’s dreams and what we believe to be God’s will. When I know that what my husband and I are doing is compatible, it gives me more confidence and motivation to continue taking steps in faith!
Right now, I’m embracing the crazy/wonderful/tired-most-of-the-time/blink-and-you’ll-miss-it season of raising two young children and building dreams for our family!
What season are you in? If you’re married, how are your dreams compatible with your spouse’s?
Photo Credit: freedigitalphotos.net
A Dreamer's Wife 
I agree about seasons. Moving from one season to the next can be difficult sometimes. I’ve finally transitioned into the empty nester phase but know that I will always cherish any family time we can get. I’m a creative sort and found it hard during my season as a mother to younger children to figure out how to make that work. Creative things demand a LOT of quality time, just like raising children and being a good wife do, and the tension was rough sometimes. Now I can pursue my creative life more freely but boy, I sure do miss those kids! Very true, you can’t have it all at the same time!
Thanks for sharing, Susan. I’m trying to soak up every moment with these two little ones because I know it will seem like it flew by and I don’t want to regret not cherishing this time more. That’s good that you have plenty of interests to keep busy, though! Have a good weekend!
You are lucky to have the vision to realize that this time is fleeting. Our 26 year-old son moved out of state a few weeks ago and for some reason this weekend I’ve really been missing him. We talk a lot via texting but it’s not the same. Living in the present and cherishing it is so important and so few people see it. You are blessed!
You have such a good perspective! I wish you many happy moments as you raise your little ones in the faith. God bless.
Thanks, Lauren. I try to keep a good perspective, but it’s not always easy!