Margin - the white space around the content of a page. Hmmm.....maybe the empty spots around the content of a busy life? No, I've never read the books. The Holy Spirit has spoken loud and clear over the past months. I've worked hard to build a bit of margin into this season. I'm always busy - and that is fine. The past three years I've taken on some regional leadership responsibility with PWOC. Last year - in an unplanned move - I found myself as a local and regional president at the same time...and this year...I spoke several times this summer on living a life of "Simplicity" ::snort::
This fall I'm deliberately building margin into my life. I desire to live my
God-given 5% with INTEGRITY...and that has called for some changes.
I'm not on a local board this year.
The hardest choice was NOT to teach a Bible study for the first time in over 23 years! Can you imagine? I've had summers off and took 6 months off when Stacia was born and the girls left home; but other than that I've taught every single session for over 23 years. I love teaching. I have a passion to show women how easy it IS to study the word with a Bible and a listening heart....but I knew while we were in the states I needed to slow down.....
God continues to lead me to dig deeper into spiritual disciplines and through a path through the summer He made it real clear I needed to say no and mean it.....and now I have a wee bit of margin.
Margin to pursue God through the spiritual disciplines. Margin to teach HANDS on, fun things to the kids and not just "the 3 Rs". Margin to sit at the beach with the kids. Margin to grieve. Margin to adjust to being a smallish family of 6 rather than a family of 11. Margin to pray with a regional team weekly. Margin to go to coffee with friends. Margin to mentor one on one. Margin to seek a social life. Margin to get to know NEW neighbors. Margin to consider new ministry opportunities. Margin to enjoy the next 10 months in Japan. Margin to diligently seek health.....body, soul and spirit. Margin to deeply learn, "
Spiritual Self-Care is NOT Selfish" - even if others don't fully understand. Margin to finish the regional race strong....and to maintain a strong home school/family life.....
It's been awkward at times. There are moments when I think, "I could so DO that now that I'm not doing xyz," but I have learned I'm good at pitching ideas but I don't always have to walk each idea out nor am I responsible for each idea to be walked out...nor, quite honestly, SHOULD each idea be walked out. ::snort::
Tuesday - Today brought this home to me. I enjoyed a regional prayer meeting. I showed up at PWOC 08:40 rather than 07:45 - after a 30 min workout and a healthy protein drink for breakfast. Since I'm not teaching I was able to help out with PCOC (children's ministry) and loved it. I know - what a shock! ::snort:: I've come a long way in 3 years. I stayed to help clean up, ran to the commissary and then came home.
Formerly, Tuesday's were LOST to school. I came home and had local and regional things that "had" to be done....but today...we got a full day of school in - even did some fun things.
Hung Japanese flash cards
Painted Greek amphoras...
I told them to use BLACK and RED...but you know....and Zander painted his name on his pot to be sure it didn't get mixed up with Stacia's....I told him we probably could tell whose was whose. ::snort::
I've learned most regional things really CAN wait a day until they fit the allotted time scheduled for them...I got 4 gallons of my spaghetti sauce simmering....cleaned the stove before THIS photo.
I enjoyed a long conversation with a local president (regional business) while the children enjoyed some friend time after school and the sauce simmered. It all FIT.....really DOES work...put the big rocks in first....and the small ones will filter through.
One funny part of the day - While I was getting sauce going and talking....I FORGOT these men were in my house. Gave me quite a start when I opened the kitchen door and they were both there to tell me they were leaving.
We DID have to move all three computers and a few other things. It's 8 p.m. and Michael is unreachable...must be something going on....I'm going to post Stacia's most recent letter and then go figure out where all the computers go. LOL
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
