“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
In Andi Ashworth’s book Real Love for Real Life: The Art and Work of Caring, she magnificently writes about the multifaceted ways that we as wives, moms, and caregivers can provide for our families and friends while emulating the beauty of Jesus in every segment and season of life. She expands on the very topics that you and I can relate to. As a stay at home military mom, I got a boost of energy as I read her words saying what you do matters on the homefront.
“The art and work of caring – whether for the benefit of family, neighborhood, church or community – includes labor that is often denigrated and referred to as menial. Cooking, cleaning, tending children, or washing the body of a sick and elderly mother in law is often considered low, servile labor. In the midst of repetitive and seemingly mundane tasks, it is encouraging to remember that Christ saw such work as an essential reflection of LOVE.” (Ashworth 126-127)
What a wonderful gift!
Are you tired? Are you hungry for affirmation that what you do matters? Do you feel overwhelmed with an impossible to do list and everyone looking at you to do it? Do you feel guilty when you do take time for yourself such as lunch with a friend or a bubble bath or reading the Scriptures alone? When was the last time you felt refreshed?
Seek the love of the One who can only and always give you rest.
Below are five friendly reminders in your walk today:
- DON’T put needless pressure on yourself by being all things to everyone. DO LESS. While it is so hard to say NO or to be the overachiever, it is necessary to let God call up another person to do the job. Allow someone else that opportunity to shine.
- DO replenish yourself by assessing your time and where you allocate your energies. DON’T allow society including your spouse to denigrate your caregiving. If you add up all the costs for professionals to do the job, you will immediately see where your efforts are saving big bucks for you and your family (by the way, it’s $45,000 a year at a minimum on up to six figures). You deserve the downtime to get refreshed, and even though there are no set vacation days for your job, you’ve earned it.
- 3. DON’T allow your mind to think thoughts such as no one cares, no one notices or no one is grateful. DO keep in mind who you are truly serving and read Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord that you are serving.”
- DO press on even when the work is repetitive, neverending and tedious. While I am so tired of unloading the dishwasher and doing dishes, I perform the task daily to maintain a healthy home environment. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1b-2a
- DO know that your efforts will be recognized one day.
For those dealing with a deployment, it is good to scale back, not be so hard on yourself and allow others to step in (a humbling experience if you’ve been there like myself). It’s important to choose wisely what you put on your calendar as well as your activities because society offers way more than what any one person can actually do. Prioritizing your activities is helpful to remain focused on what needs to be done for the good of the home and the caregiving needs of your family. If finances are challenged and there is no babysitter money or other funds, then seek out your family readiness group, a local chaplain or Wives of Faith group for assistance. These groups have access to resources and ideas that can make your load lighter.
At Wives of Faith, we are eager for you to feel the love, support and encouragement as other fellow military wives walk the same path as you. Our Come As You Are theme expands on a variety of segments and seasons of life that you the military wife experiences. If you can attend our upcoming conference in September 2011 in Nashville Tennessee, we will expand on this theme. We want to be there for you and encourage you to come as you are, rest, be refreshed and allow your burdens to take a time-out.
by Stephanie Arredondo, Board Treasurer
Feel free to post a comment below, e-mail or discuss this topic with your group. If you have an idea or suggestion for our 2011 conference, please e-mail them by January 2011 to info@wivesoffaith.org as we are planning our conference. We want to hear from you. We also need financial support for our ministry and this conference so please contact Stephanie at treasurer@wivesoffaith.org. Thanks so much for your support.
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