Garden of your heart

The decision on working part-time or not!

Well.......my hubby and I had a long talk yesterday!    I appreciate all the comments on the blog regarding this topic!  My hubby and I had been talking about the working issues. 

Here are the struggles:

1.  My hubby wants me home, but gets tempted by the extra money to help payoff the house as early as possible.  We both feel the need to be completely and totally debt free....and one day we will be.

2.  We were struggling over whether this was an opportunity from God or not.  As we discussed it, we were seeing that some of what we were thinking was more from a worldly standpoint than a godly standpoint.  I am currently doing a Bible Study by Beth Moore on the book of Daniel.  In there it talks about how we live in a place that has a Babylonian mindset (luxury, abundance, selfish hearts, greed, etc.)  As we were discussing the struggle of living in this world and not being of it, we knew that it is hard to discern what to do.  Because often times, even in the churches today, we have taken on some very worldly thinking.   We were struggling through what is from God and what is our flesh and worldly thinking.

3.  Wanting to help my husband.....that was a sincere desire.  Someone on a forum (thanks Laurie) mentioned that there are so many ways I help him.  I can take things to him when he forgets things (which has happened more times than I can count), go to his work and help him (he is a teacher, so there is plenty of opportunities for that0, etc.  Today, I went to lunch with him (it's a teacher day, so they can take lunches) and then went and helped a little in class. Then we talked numerous times on the phone through some issues that he was trying to figure out for this next year.  I couldn't have done those things, had I been on the job. 

4.  Ministry  -   Since I was 10 years old I have had a desire to serve the Lord.  Now, I believe that we can do that WHEREVER we are, but God has given me a heart and passion for, and I believe the gifting for being a Bible Study leader.  I enjoy not only leading, but teaching, writing studies, helping women gain new understanding of the Bible or encouraging/challenging women to apply His word.  This takes time!  My husband has always been so supportive of my involvement in Women's Ministries.  He encourages it!  Matter of fact, I find so much joy in it and he can see that!  :)

5.  Several passages helped as we were praying!  Matthew 6 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  And Proverbs 30:7-9 "Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:  Remove far from me vanity and lies;  give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take  the name of God in vain."    (oh we desire to have right hearts before the Lord).

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......the decision if you haven't figured it out yet is for me to NOT work outside the home...or at this point at all.  My sister-in-law and I talked today and she said that the best thing if I was to work was to do it out of my home.  One of the job offers a couple months ago was just that.  If I need to do that in the future, that is definately something I would pursue, but we decided against that too, because I still have commitment with my time to care for my husband, dad, home, and to minister at church and in the community. 

So...............sorry this is so long!  But wanted to share all that transpired these past couple days!  Thanks for the words of encouragement and the prayers!  :)

hi friend

03:02, Friday, August 1, 2008 .. Posted by Cathy

Debbie,
I am so proud of you on your decision. I truly think you are doing the right thing. You are a keeper AT home...and I know how proud you are of this.
Love to you my friend,
Cathy

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08:21, Friday, August 1, 2008 .. Posted by nettieshome

Im sure your relieved to have made this decision. God will bless you for your faithfullness , and probably in ways we wont see till eternity.
Nettie

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09:08, Friday, August 1, 2008 .. Posted by gilsanla

Glad to see you've worked it out. :)

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09:56, Friday, August 1, 2008 .. Posted by becky

glad to hear of your decision. God uses each one of us in different ways and we all have our own convictions. when you walk in His spirit you have peace. love, becky

It is so hard

10:24, Saturday, August 2, 2008 .. Posted by MissBee

to go against the VERY strong pull of the world's ideas and ways. It effects us in ways we don't even realize at times. But we are called to be different, strangers and pilgrims.

I've been working on ways that I can reduce our household spending, my husband has not asked me to but I want to in order to be a blessing. I know that the LORD will bless your family's decision to stand and minister to those you've been given to minister to.