Chasing Babies... Growing in Grace: Who are you doing all this for?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Who are you doing all this for?

Christmas was behind us. New Years was approaching and the news was full of Sri Lanka. Tsunamis. Death.

For so many... death, fear and loss. But in my little corner of the world the all consuming last minutes details of my wedding were frazzling my mind. I caught the news and watched the videos and prayed with the world... all while finishing this, arranging that.

On Tuesday or Wednesday before our Sunday afternoon wedding the stressors were really starting to mount. Most of the plans and prep were falling on me. My parents were coming in to Southern California from Oregon in a couple more days. My Beloved would be there from Pennsylvania soon too. In the mean time, it was me... and so many willing to help out. Still, this had to be done, that had to be done, this was going wrong, those people had to be met with, that had to be picked up. Most of you know what it is like. If I had my wedding to do over again, it would be different... simpler (and that is saying a lot!), but I don't. And there I was.

I was blessed to be living with a wonderful Godly family when I was in the So. Cal. area (as apposed to up in Oregon with my parents where I had moved temporarily). That morning I was particularly stressed and Vicky (mom of the house) stopped me just outside the kitchen. "Who are you doing all this for?" she asked me in her way.

I stood there and looked at her.

Who was I doing it all for?

Me?

My Beloved?

Did I really want our wedding to be all about us?'

No... we wanted it to be all about Him!

All of a sudden I was hearing parts of a worship song from Sunday morning. It's all about You, Jesus. And all this is for You!

I thanked her immediately. I walked away from that conversation at peace and that song became the theme for my wedding. If my pianist had known it, we would have sung that song with all our guests during the ceremony (imagine my sadness when we couldn't!)

And here it is for you... (close your eyes if you can... I found the pics on this video distracting. But I wanted you to hear it, so here it is!)

Had you ever heard it? Have you ever really thought about the words? Sung them from your heart?

I have several times over the last 6+ years... though more in the beginning than recently.

Recently...

Recently (as in the last few weeks), it has come back before me. I heard it playing on another blog I was reading and it stopped me in my tracks! I wish I could say I've lived each day singing it out to Him. I haven't. But I have been thinking a lot about it.

It was the perfect theme for our wedding.

But really... it's the perfect theme for our lives. For our marriage.

And get this. Are you ready?

It's the perfect theme for our homemaking... and all it includes.

It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You All the dishes, toilets, midnight feedings, mopping, wiping noses...
For Your glory and your fame
It's not about me Not about how great a ~~martyr~~ mother I can be...
As if You should do things my way easy children, obedient children, no fighting, etc.
You alone are God You Jesus... You are God. Not me. You are the Center. The Creator!
And I surrender to your ways Your ways... you who knows everything and has a purpose for Your greatest good!

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will share eternity with You

So how are you doing this week??? I'm thrilled to know of at least a couple ladies who are going to walk this road with me! How about you? Do you need this as much as I do?

Monday I told you that my first goal was to get dressed! I've got three days in a row on that. How about you? Friday (get ready), I'm hoping to have you join me in sharing some pics of you... dressed! Completely. Feminine. With hair done and all! I'm going to find a way to do the same. If you have a blog, post on it and share the link. If you don't... maybe you could share the link to your facebook page or Flicker or something. (And if you're joining me via blog... grab my newly available button from the sidebar!)

Today's challenge... listen to that song again (and again!) Think through those lyrics!

Do we do what we do every day for Him? And if we really do... does that mean we are doing our best for him? Or lazying around for Him? (I know my answer.) Are we raising those children for him? Or are we frustrated and impatient when they just won't obey or when things don't go quite the way we plan? (Again... I know my answer!)

Joining in with Ann today too...