What about ME?

I was having a "What about ME" morning one day this past week. We "slept in" - waking up with the boys instead of before the boys. There was only time for Matt to shower before going to work. I am thankful that most of the time I can shower before he goes to work too. But not this day. I felt like my needs did not matter. Everyone else got what they needed and even what they wanted and I just had to kind of go with the flow. If it fit for me to get what I wanted or needed then good. If it didn't, then oh well. This is not a great way to start the day. And even as I type this, the false-thinking is so blatant to me!

So... I dropped Owen off at school in my "running" clothes - though no run had happened (no one needs to know that)! Baxter and I went back home for him to rest. I got to take the shower I had wanted so badly that morning and then I was able to spend some time in the Word. The time in the word brought me to Acts 20:24: " But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

What an encouragement it was to me that day! I had been valuing MY life and MY wants and MY needs way higher than God has intended me to. My life is to be lived for HIM and for the sake of the gospel of God's grace. It is a joy and a privilege to sacrifice much for that sake! This doesn't mean that I should never get a shower or a morning at the bagel shop or a night out with my husband, but it does challenge how much I am depending on those things and how much I am living for those things.

I have written this verse on a 3X5 notecard and placed it on the counter near the sink. I see it often and it has been such a great reminder/challenge to me. What is my life for? It is for God's glory and for the advancement of His kingdom. What joy that brings!