Juhan: Motherhood - Ruckus and Rubies: God's Little Shove

Recently our family has been overwhelmingly busy.? We've taken on a lot more we can handle and God has been showing me in little ways how much we need to simplify our life.? In fact, that has been His word for me lately "simplify".? With every prayer for every new opportunity or area of service, He gently whispers "simplify" and gives me?a little?push in the right direction.?

I am not one to say "no".? I love to serve others.? However, I am learning that I am not meant to serve in every situation.? Sometimes there are other people whom God has in mind for certain tasks, and He wants me to get out of the way so those people can serve.? God has been using different circumstances to show me that some things have gotten a little out of hand, and that He wants me and our family to return back to some basics.? I have slowly, but surely been making small steps to simplify our life.??I didn't realize it at the time, but God wanted me to do move more than just small steps.? He had a?leap of faith in mind.?

Almost a year ago, He began gently whispering to me an?opportunity?to serve women but it was entirely outside my comfort zone.? It would also require me to make a big change in my life that could affect our family's finances.? Over the course of a six month span, His call gradually became louder.? He put people in my path repeatedly that would help with this opportunity, but I continued to swerve around them.??The idea settled down a bit, and I'd almost forgotten about it, but circumstances in my life began to change.? God was showing me that there was a reason He wanted me to take this path.? It wasn't just for my family's finances and schedule, but for teachable moments for my children, and because He still wanted me to serve.? He was persistent and began giving me?little pushes in the direction of this change.??Finally?He put someone right smack dab in my path that I had not spoken to or seen in months, and that I would not normally have contact with except for the purpose of this new venture.? He then gave me a shove in their direction.

I couldn't ignore it any longer.? I met with this person and went home and prayed with my husband.? We both decided it was something God wanted us to do.? Then I enlisted my children to pray that God would enable us to make this transition smoothly.? God is equipping me in ways I couldn't do on my own.? I am still in transition, but I am excited to see what God has in store.?

This little shove from God is exactly what I needed to begin making changes for our family.? It is going to afford me the opportunity to help financially in a way that I couldn't before.? I'll be able to work on my own time around my family's schedule.? If we need extra money unexpectedly, I'll have the opportunity to work more.? If my children or husband need more of my time, I'll be able to work less.? This opportunity will be the perfect lesson for teaching all of my children how to own a business and?work for themselves.? All three of my daughters want to eventually be stay-at-home homeschooling mommies and my son wants his future wife to do the same, of course if it is in God's plan for them.? This new venture will teach?all of?them the?skills that will enable their families to carry out this plan.? With this opportunity I? have the chance to witness to women and to serve them, and I believe that is ultimately the reason God brought me to it.

The most important lesson we will all learn is to listen to God's whispers and calls and to respond to His pushes and shoves.? God knows what is best for our family.??If we'll just slow down long enough to hear Him, He'll show us?opportunities?to make our homes run more smoothly.? He'll give us opportunities to have?a less hectic schedule.? He'll provide for our needs and desires.? We just have to trust and obey.? I am so thankful for God's little shove, and now I can't wait to see where He leads me with this new adventure!

?Mandy