Once again, I’ve read this day’s lesson several times, meditating on the question. What do I feel happened recently that was a test? Hmm, all I can think of is getting my husband to book reservations for our vacation. Although I do the research, plan the itinerary, etc., his name is on the timeshare so he must make the final arrangements. Like me, he tends to procrastinate. However, we procrastinate doing different things. When it comes to trips, I’m right on top of things since I look forward to getting away from my daily routine. He’s content to stay home, although he did actually say he wants a break from dealing w/family issues finally catching up to him.
I’ve been reminding him this past week to make our reservations for the next few months. Was I wrong to be so persistent? Should I just wait for him to get around to it? (I’ve waited 1.5 years now except for a three-day trip in Jan.) I know if I don’t persevere, nothing may get for awhile, yet as the wife, should I wait on his timetable? Was this a test of my patience and/or submission to my spouse? Or is it God’s will that I be persistent as I know we both need to get away and refresh our bodies, mind and spirits. I feel it’s the latter in that I don’t feel any remorse about promoting the issue.
What are the greatest matters entrusted to me by God? Interesting that Warren chose the word “matters” rather than things. Things would be easy–house, car, pets, family. But matters? Maybe that’s the problem. I’ve never considered anything in my life to be that great, but instead run-of-the-mill, mundane, mediocre, choose a synonym. My parents, both children of the Depression who had me late in life (long before doing so was popularized by celebrities!) couldn’t be more different than each other. My dad lived for the moment whereas my mom was very pragmatic. Both made it clear from my childhood that I would be expected to work in my life–that nothing would be given to me. (When women entered the workforce in large numbers, I couldn’t understand why it was such a big deal–I always expected I’d have to work.) From my mom, I learned to value security, hence my staying in a very demeaning, stressful work situation for 20+ years for the steady pay and benefits it provided. To me, life meant getting up, going to work, coming home and doing it again the next day. Each day was no different than the day before, w/no end in sight.
The Lord came through for me a year after she died, however, by arranging for me to become reacquainted w/a man I first met when I was 20 who is now my husband. Interesting, because in my “don’t expect anything and you won’t be disappointed” frame of mind, I never thought I’d get married–it wasn’t even a consideration or a wish of mine. However, my husband is truly a gift from God in terms of his understanding, patience, and support–both tangibly and emotionally.
As I write this, I realize my belief that he’s taking too long in booking our vacation is more my issue rather than his. Of course, this doesn’t mean I’ll stop reminding him.
This brings me to one of the key points of Lesson 5, discerning my life metaphor. I guess I’ve already mentioned it above–work hard. I also believed that if I didn’t expect much, I wouldn’t be disappointed. Growing up, I had no goals of what career I wanted to pursue or not pursue and I had no desire to get married or be a parent. I was truly devoid of any direction as to what to do w/my life which must be obvious or I wouldn’t be writing this right now.
It’s taken the past several years for me to examine my belief system–or life metaphor–and acknowledge where it’s faulty. This has to be attributed to God since on my own, I was getting nowhere. Of course, anyone looking at my life now would probably say it hasn’t changed much, except that I’m not working at all. When I think about this, I begin to feel worthless again, since so much of my identity was tied up in being a productive, wage earner. If I’m not earning a wage, then what do I have to show for my life? Why am I here?
This brings me full circle as to why I’m searching for my purpose. So far, I’ve learned that God created me for his purpose, I just don’t know what that is yet. Although I keep telling myself that God made me for a reason, I find it hard to convince myself of this since I don’t feel I’m being very productive. I’m not earning a wage, i.e., I’m not being productive in a way our society rewards (of course, considering our economy, I think I’m in the majority here!), I’m not impacting my community, inventing new products or services, etc.
I just don’t feel that reading, writing and working out regularly are what God had in mind when he created me. Maybe I’m wrong. Obviously, I’m not content w/my current situation but then again, maybe this is my test–accepting my life as it is, and not what I think it should be.
Or am I a slacker? Shirking my responsibilities and wasting my talents. Joyce Meyer says Christians have a duty to be responsible and productive–to be self-disciplined and self-controlled and NOT be ruled by our feelings. I think of this whenever I see my checkbook.
Then Warren notes on the last page of Lesson 5 that $ is both a test and a trust. That my not balancing my checkbook in a timely manner (a habit I picked up after I retired) can hinder my spiritual growth is not something I would have ever considered.
Thx. to my mom, who grew up w/very little cash, I adopted her attitude that money shouldn’t be squandered and yet I have squandered it over the years. Yet, ask me to buy something full retail and I squirm. I can’t do it, which is why my stores of choice when it comes to shopping is the 99 Cent store, Big Lots and a thrift store well known in the area for the quality and selection of its merchandise. In fact, my wardrobe, books, electrical equipment, yard and holiday decorations and other odds and ends all come from one of these three stores. If I lose a penny or am cheated out of $ at a store or restaurant, it dwells on my mind for ages. Yet, reading Warren’s book, I realize that my attitude toward $ should be altered. It’s not my $, but God’s. Of course, that doesn’t mean I should be wasteful but I also shouldn’t be grasping either. I can’t say that I’m greedy as I’m definitely not in a high tax bracket. Quite the opposite. Now that I’m thinking about it, is this because whatever $ I have, I don’t want to lose as it represents security, a roof over my head, and food on the table.
I don’t know if I’m appropriately conveying my feelings toward $. I want to use it wisely, get as much as I can for each dollar I spend, spend it toward vacations and activities that offer enjoyment and pleasure (vacations, movies, books, etc.) and yet I always feel that I’m just a step away from living on the sidewalk, if not now, perhaps in my more senior years, a fear that’s becoming a reality for many, unfortunately. I also don’t want to HAVE to work at a job I don’t like just to buy food. This is another reason why I want to determine God’s purpose for my life; I don’t mind working, I just want it to be meaningful.
Whew, I can’t believe I’ve been writing for several hours now. Guess I’ll close for today, apologize to my hubby for what, to him, probably seems like nagging, and ponder what I’ve written. That I value financial security to the extreme, feel my life is only meaningful if I’m working for pay, have never really expected a lot from life or myself, but tend to believe and trust others, often to my detriment, these are all insights that need addressing and resolution. And, of course, there’s my checkbook