As a Christian, the Swallow's final destination will be home with her wonderful Saviour and Lord, but life on earth still has its many turns, corners and crossroads. When faced with such, she needs to seek wisdom from her heavenly Father so as to make a wise decision. Yet how does one know what is truly of the Lord and what is actually an impulsive action?
At a crossroad six years ago, she had to make a decision whether to take up an offer from her mate's employer to do some part-time work while being a stay-at-home mother. The work was simple and required time that she could easily set aside while her young ones were at school. The remuneration was adequate as she would be working from home, and thus there was no need to consider costs like transport, clothing or meals. The offer also came at a time when the Swallow had been praying for something to do besides household chores.
At a crossroad six years ago, she had to make a decision whether to take up an offer from her mate's employer to do some part-time work while being a stay-at-home mother. The work was simple and required time that she could easily set aside while her young ones were at school. The remuneration was adequate as she would be working from home, and thus there was no need to consider costs like transport, clothing or meals. The offer also came at a time when the Swallow had been praying for something to do besides household chores.
For the past few months, a lack of blog posts was the result of much time spent praying for wisdom, and time spent deliberating a decision that had to be made as the Swallow came head to head with another crossroad in her life.
Although her young ones were grown and their school hours had increased considerably, the demands for the Swallow's time had also increased. As the company she was working with had expanded its regional offices, the initial simple work had become more complicated. Additional time was needed, and with an anticipated further expansion, even more time would be required in the near future. Add in BSF, preparation for the Sunday School ministry, various ad hoc projects that her Lord had called her to serve in, this blog she had started, the ever-existing household chores, her mate's recent frequent work-related travels, and helping her young ones cope with imminent major examinations, she had been juggling to fit everything in. The Sunday School ministry was facing some challenging times too, and the Swallow was beginning to feel the strain. On many occasions, she had found herself in tears, crying out for some relief.
The Lord heard - He brought comfort through His Word.
2 Corinthians 4:7 - 10 (NKJV)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 12:9a (NKJV)
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
The Lord heard - He sent words of encouragement through sisters-in-the-Lord via emails, telephone calls and a most unexpected sms at a time when she was at the very bottom.
But it was time to make some adjustments. Something had to go.
The decision had not been easy. Although not much, the little remuneration she had been receiving from her part-time work meant she had a little more spending option. The workfare bonus that had started to come in late last year meant her provident fund had been growing again. The little contact with her mate's work environment meant some additional conversational topics. All these would stop if she decided to stop her part-time work, and so she had grappled with the idea of stopping BSF instead.
So how does one know what is truly of the Lord and what is actually an impulsive action? Spend time with Him - talk to Him, read His Word, meditate on His Word.
To make a decision, she had also asked herself these questions...
- Who does she want to please?
- Who does she want to serve?
- Who or what has been been providing her needs?
- Who or what has never let her down?
- Who or what has been her true source of comfort and strength?
In the end, she had her answer, and so last Thursday had marked the end of the Swallow's part-time work from home.
2 Corinthians 12:9b - 10 (NKJV)
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
