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"Skills" and "Education"

Not long ago someone asked me -rather out of the blue- to write up a short bio on myself, focusing primarily on my education and skills. Being out of the {paid} work-force indefinitely, I was rather surprised by it but decided to comply and see what came of it.

First I typed my name and the word "Bio", a little at a loss as to where to start... I decided to start at my roots and mentioned the family I came from, and the values instilled in my early years. I typed a bit about my schooling years, grades, subjects, and what my heart was doing during those years. I typed about college and the things I pursued during those years.

Then I read back through what I had written. The paragraph about my early years and family spoke of the 30+ years of my parents marriage, of being taught to serve God and to pray. The paragraph about my school years was woven with the conscious choices to define who I am to God, instead of the world. The college section clearly stated that I never intended to pursue a degree or a career, but that all my skills and education were
to be devoted to my husband and children. The wrap-up of what I'm doing with my life now hardly mentioned the "skills" and "education" I have... it was about keeping a home happy and clean, training and schooling my kids, praying for my husband, doing the books for my husband's business, and the things we pour into our church community... and the very last word was "Creator."

I was really struck by some things:

I am blessed. From the very beginning of life, in people and circumstances beyond my control, I am blessed.

God has walked closely. The seasons of life I have known Him to be the nearest were dark, difficult seasons, but as I tried to write about the things the world labels as "accomplishments", it became more and more evident that He was near through ALL of it.

God has been in intense pursuit. I have in no way always made amazing choices. But others' prayers, and His pursuit, have been relentless.

The things I am the most proud of are not my "skills", "education", or "accomplishments".  Against culture, some wise people have taught me what matters so much more.  Be encouraged, Mommas: what you're doing FAR OUTWEIGHS what the world labels as valuable. You are shaping lives, personalities, worldviews, perceptions of God. You are the right-wing for your man as he leads the charge for your little clan. Your prayers, blood, sweat and tears are forming an army for the God of Angel Armies- an army that washes the world in the sweetness of a life and after-life of grace made possible by the Son of the Most High.

 Don't lose sight of that, don't lose hope.


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