it's about them, it's about me, but mostly, it's about Him

i went to a potluck yesterday for my husband's squadron. our first since arriving here and it was a great opportunity to meet people and feel less "new". i found myself sitting at a table with six air force wives....all with no kids. this NEVER happens. most of my friends and i spanned the life phases of marriage and mommyhood together. i had my little Levi on my lap and they ooh'ed and aah'ed over him (of course). i joked about how long it took each of them to get ready and out the door, as opposed to the olympic even that i endured dressing myself and two littles before leaving the house. (and fixing my hair? oh wait, i didn't. i haven't in several months. somehow it's always the last thing to get done, so, well, it never happens. hallulujah for ponytails and fun accessories!). let's face it, when you're a mom, it's about the kids. it's about their needs and wants. i am learning this more and more. i am discovering that there is actually more joy when i focus less on what i want/need to accomplish and instead give my energy to these dear little ones entrusted to me. because, right now, it's about them. they are growing, learning, loving creatures and, the best part, it's my job to teach them!

you know an aspect of God that i love? He doesn't waste anything. we have moved to a very "green" part of the country, where waste is frowned upon. the "trash" you are about to throw away can actually be used to accomplish so many things, if you would just recycle it or add it to the compost pile. how about this time as a mommy? time focused on kids and their schedules, naptimes, laundry, meals, social development, etc? don't i have two Master's degrees? isn't it such an incredible waste to be making grocery lists and rocking babies when i could be solving the world's problems? providing healthcare to the masses? nope. God is not into wasting things. this time isn't a waste to Him. because what i'm learning is that i am being changed, molded, sanctified more than i ever could have imagined. someone once told me that marriage and parenting reveals your sin. boy, were they right! i thought i was a pretty patient person. ha. anger issues?-- not me! hmm. gentle and quiet spirit? yikes, don't show up unannounced at my house! marriage, parenting, {any inter-personal relationship} are all a means to sanctification. Jesus is making me more like Him, if i am a Christian and will allow Him to. yes, please!

and that is the best part of all. it's all about Him. yes, it's about the kiddos. {they're such cute kiddos, too, aren't they?} praise the Lord, it's about me, too, as i am growing closer to my Savior and realizing more and more my daily need for grace and for the Holy Spirit to work in and through me. but, ultimately, and most magnificently, it is about Jesus Christ. He wants the glory and being a wife, a mom, a sister, a friend...well, that is how i can give it to Him. by simply and obediently and joyfully doing what He has called me to do, i can give glory to my Creator and make much of Jesus in this world. that is what i want, more than i want a perfect home or well-behaved children or anything else. i want to know Jesus and make Him known.