Dishes, clothes and the seeds I sow

Last night I was listening to a cd series by the Copeland women called "Becoming a Woman of God". One in particular stood out to me from Marty Copeland. She was speaking of progressive change and how she was able to recognize and allow God to heal her in the area of her eating habits. She said that she left a portion of her food on her plate and would say to the Lord, "God, I am sowing this offering of food to you, and am expecting to reap a harvest of self control".

Man alive did that challenge me! Not just in the area of self control or eating, but in all the areas of my life!

So this morning as I was tending to our ever growing mound of clothes (both dirty and clean), I remembered what Marty had said and decided at that moment that I wanted to begin to reap better harvests. I started to think about farmers and how they very intentionally sow their seeds and prepare for the harvest. They EXPECT to receive something from what they have sown and don't randomly throw seed here and there. Everything in this life is sowing and reaping and I think my eyes were opened a bit more to that fact.

So as I was throwing clothes into the dryer, I said "Lord, I am sowing this to you as an act of faith, and I am believing that I will receive in return more faithfulness and discipline in the area of my housework" because you see, I really, really really want to be a better Mother and Wife- but more specifically, a better housewife!

I am truly tired of being embarrassed when people come over because my house isn't exactly as I would like it- and that as they step across our welcome mat- I'm wiping sweat from my brow and trying to catch my breath from the mad dash of having run around the house to clean as best I can. I hate that I close the door to my room (and really want to lock it) and hope that our guests won't get a glimpse in of the Armageddon that has become our chambers- I'm tired of being behind on everything, losing important things but knowing they are somewhere in that hay stack but not having the time to find them. I am tired of always being late for EVERYTHING!

(Keith and I were recently late for a funeral for some dear friends of ours who had lost their young daughter, we walked in while the slide show and music were playing to the practically standing room only area, and had to shuffle past all the weeping people to find a seat. At the end of the funeral, the mother came up to me and asked why we didn't come up as a family to view the body, and before I could answer she said "you were late huh? Well I thought so, but I wouldn't expect any less from you :) She said it with a wry smile and we both laughed about it- but I felt terrible)

All of this to say- I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back- and As I follow Him, I believe that He is making me look more like him. I am believing that He will honor me and indeed help me produce in my life the faithfulness and discipline I need to be the Wife and Mother He's called me to be!