Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Struggles?

They never seem to cease.

Time management. Family cooperation. Laundry piles. Dust bunnies coming out to play waaaay too often. Toilets clogging. Homework mounting that I have no idea how to help my kids with due to time management issues or just plain lack of know-how. Meal planning (let's not get boring now, we need to provide variety and healthy eating, right?!). Write or not to write.

These are just a few of my struggles, but one of the biggest struggles of all that I deal with daily is searching for the answer to this question: What is it that Jesus calls me to do for Him today?

Seriously, is what I choose to do out of the multitude of to-do's on my list and even beyond remotely close to what Jesus is looking for from me? How do we fit it all in? How do we keep life rolling along for our families, friends, work, and fit in that special time to do something that's specifically designed for us to do for Him, and Him alone, not for society to keep on keeping on? I'm not talking breaking open our Bibles, or reading our daily devotional, or giving God quiet time of prayer each day, but rather, what effort have I extended today to do that one unique thing that God has kept me alive on this earth for today?

Ahhh, perhaps it is for one of those well-knowns on our common to-do list, but perhaps there's something else too. I can't help but think that if there is a longing for something more within us, either we aren't doing what we're doing right yet, or He has something more in mind for us to fit into our schedules.

I want to know what that something more is! Or how I'm to do what I'm doing RIGHT!

Am I alone?


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

P.S. Making no promises here to keep up on a regular basis in blog land, but felt the call to dust off this cyber friend once again and also to print off one of my previously written stories to percolate over. Hmmm, do you think God is telling me that "something more" is to return to my writing? ...Oh, how I wish self-doubt didn't exist. Living for Him would be soooo much easier if it didn't!

27 comments:

Jeanette Levellie said...

Welcome back, honey. Guess what; Jody Hedlund has a great article on her blog today re: Self-doubt. Hmmmm....

I think God may be calling you back to writing. Even if not, and you just plain want to come back to it, I bet He's okay with that!

Love and hugs,
Jen

Anita said...

Hello Eileen! Hope you've had a productive and reflective sabbatical while away from blogging.

I'm from the Joyce Meyer school of believing that God wants us to enjoy our lives. Writing is a joy, and you should continue. It is hard to balance it with our obligations, however, we need to exercise the gift that God has given us. I've been told by many that not everyone can put thoughts on paper.
I feel that you also serve Him well, and your family, too. Receive what He is giving you.

Jessica Nelson said...

You're alive!!! *grin*

Yes, I know how you feel on this. I wish I would ask Jesus what he wants me to do for him each day, but sadly, I forget. :-( That's not a good thing.
I hear you, though. You're not alone and I think you keep searching for Jesus and his will for you. Those who seek, find. :-)

Susan R. Mills said...

Welcome back! So good to see you around here again. I can totally relate to this post. Self-doubt is a real pain.

Katie Ganshert said...

Eileen!!! Imagine my joy when I looked in my dashboard and saw your blog pop up!

Hoping God gives you answers, my friend. :)

About Me said...

Welcome back! :)
At some point we all struggle for balance between so many endless 'duties'. It doesn't help when self-doubt is involved, but that too shall pass.

Karen Lange said...

Good to see you! No, you aren't alone. My kids are grown (meaning no homework, etc.) and I'm still juggling things, trying to reassess and weed out the extras. I was just praying about this today. Will pray for you too.
Blessings,
Karen

Diane said...

Glad to see you back. Do what He calls you to do and it will be excellent! :O)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Oh, Eileen, so glad to see you here! It sounds like God might be calling you back to writing. Those daily struggles are challenging but if you're seeking God in them, he'll show you the way.

Lily Whalen said...

Welcome back to the blogosphere! I've missed you!

As you see from the comments, you are not alone in the self-doubt department or the challenge of coping with multiple demands and responsibilities. God's gifts are our talents, therefore we must use them for His glory and pleasure.

Are you still in the library critique group?

Georgiana Daniels said...

I was just thinking about you the other day :D

Maybe the something more is writing. OHHHH, I can so identify with your struggles. Certainly not easy, but so worth it in the end.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen -

Great to see you back in the blogosphere! For awhile, I thought you'd left us permanently. Glad that isn't so. :)

There are so many things that vie for our attention. I pray the Lord will show you His priorities.

Blessings,
Susan

quietspirit said...

Eileen:
I have really missed you. As for your question. I have no answer. I struggle with the same issues and we are retired.
Let's pray about this and see where He leads.

Terri Tiffany said...

Welcome back!! I was actually thinking about you today and I wondered how you were!!

Faith said...

You're definitely not alone in this. I ask the same question of myself often, and for the most part, I'm still searching for an answer. I'm with quietspirit's comment above -- let's keep praying about it and see where He leads. Of course, that's often easier said than done.

Warren Baldwin said...

Constant question, what does God want me to do? The very fact that you are asking that question means you are on the right track, and are probably already doing a lot of what he wants you do do.

Jennifer Taylor said...

Your first paragraph describes my lift!

Jennifer Shirk said...

If I don't hear from you before Christmas, have a blessed and wonderful holiday!

Lillian Robinson said...

I just realized you had a 'new' post... yeah, took me awhile.

I think we're all asking ourselves those things at one time or another. I think God puts His plan in front of us. We can either tackle it or walk around it. I don't think He hides it from us. So maybe we both should stop worrying so much.

I also think He has different plans at different times in our lives. Sometimes He does just want us to take care of our family's needs and be the example He called us to be.

I hope you had a very merry Christmas.

Toyin O. said...

I think we should learn to take it one day at time; loving Jesus first of all and your neighbour next, which is just the person in front of you. That is all God requires of his children.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Yes, return to writing.

Dakota said...

Hey, I just came across your blog by doing a bit of blog-surfing, and I'm glad I did! I've added myself as your newest follower, and I hope you'll check out my Christian devotional site as well: wwwnocondemnation81.blogspot.com

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,
Dakota

Lillian Robinson said...

The Bible tells us that whatever we do, we should do our best for His glory. Being a Godly mother, wife, friend... is all part of what God wants us to do.

If you seek His will, He will not keep it hidden from you.

Memoirs of Me & Mine said...

No you are definitely not alone! I'm right there with you and wondering the same things!
www.rebeccabany.com

microsoft outlook exchange said...

Wow! That post was really good! You write really well. Keep up the good work!

Hosted SharePoint 2010 said...

God knows to get that special thing from us. We don't have to go out of the way and seek for our special purpose in life. Whatever we do take us to that one point for which we were destined to live. That's what i think!

Barb said...

Hi Eileen! I know I'm commenting on an old post, but this one was so timely for me. It's as if you stole a page out of my daily journal... I was just asking God to help me figure out a schedule and to prioritize. Unlike you, I'm new to the blogging and novel-writing world, and I find even juggling those two are hard. When I get on a roll with my story, the blog is left in the dust, and vice versa! And there's always the family, the housework, the groceries... It's so easy to wonder, "Is this it? Should I be doing something else?" So no, you are definitely not alone.

I see a few posts up you've returned to writing. I look forward to reading your blog regularly, and wish you well on your fiction writing endeavors.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting yesterday. :)

Barb