This week has been a challenge for all of us here at the Taylor household. I have been terribly sick. When momma is down for the count, it affects everybody, especially my darling Mr Taylor. But he has been a trooper trying to fill both roles and take care of everything. Last night he came in the bedroom after getting the last one to bed and said "You have got it ROUGH. This is hard work!" That little bit of appreciation for my 'job' goes a long way. It is a rough job. Its the best job. Its the hardest job. And I sometimes feel that it goes unnoticed and unappreciated. This is where I need the help of the Holy Spirit. I tend to find myself seeking approval of others, seeking the appreciation of others. This of course leads to all kinds of problems... what happens when you don't get the approval?? But God wants us to seek Him as our source of fulfillment. We are to do the work set out before us for Him. So that 2 am baby wake up call is for Him. That 2nd poopy diaper right after I just changed their hiney is for Him. That load of dishes or laundry, doing something for the kids when I would rather be doing something for myself is for Him. "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..." Colossians 1:10 NIV
I was put in this very position to do the work of God from where I am. I used to find myself often wishing for more. More freedom, more time to myself, more glory for myself. I was starting to resent my life. I am not sure when it happened, but I had a little wake up call. I was CALLED by God to do what I am doing. Wishing for more was denying God. Yes, it may be hard. We were made for hard. I truly believe we are never given more than we can handle. Before I was saved I had often found myself in situations that I thought were unbearable, too much and unfair. Since growing in God over the past few years I have come to a different place, a place of understanding that when I am in the midst of the hard I can simply call out to God. I don't need to wish away my life. This is my purpose.  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3  
I believe that this is one of the most effective ways we can show Christ to others. Not just to people outside our lives, but our children, our husbands, our friends and family. "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near." Phillipeans 4:5 NASB
I just have to 'get over myself'. And do you know what happens? It makes me happy. When I stop trying to do so much for myself it makes me joyous. The devil doesn't want us to know that. He doesn't want us happy. We have to choose it, happy is an action.
We are called to live in an attitude of service. Jesus himself got down and washed the feet of his disciples. How often do I lower myself to serve others? While I will continue to let God work on this area in my life, I am learning to find contentment in the everyday. The JOY of simple life. I hope that today you may do the same. There is so much joy out there. Remember, you are right where you are supposed to be! Now I have to go change a hiney.
LOVE,
Liz Taylor

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