striving | Sherry's A Labour of Love

I find that at the moment I am at a loss for words and find writing difficult. It’s for no other reason than because I am in a whirlwind of thoughts.

1. Our oldest is graduating! The plans for graduation are slow yet in the process. There is ALOT to do and so little time.

2. So much to do before the graduation! The yard, the garage and the house seem overwhelming at the moment and I’m not sure how helpful it is to have “mom” and “wife” sitting in a chair directing while “husband” and “kids” do all the work. After all, I usually am the one tearing things apart and organizing. My husband can usually count on a day of absolute insanity cleaning. Rearranging an entire room, pulling everything out of the garage for cleaning, or cleaning out the basement and hosting a garage sale. Not this year…. illness has not been our friend. Oh my, how will it all get done…fairies? Elves?

3. Spring planting of the new “gardens”. Yes, new and yes plural! We have ripped out the fence of the garden I now fear and are considering plans for that area. One garden tower has arrived yet it still needs the dirt and the worms and then the seeds to be planted. The 10 pot hydroponics system has yet to come and prayerfully it will not until some of the chores are done and the other garden is up and growing.

4. Treatment and doctor decisions. I have taken another spiral downward after a short reprieve. So, after 10 months of searching for the doctor who treated/cured one patient who I admire for their courage, I found him! So, the question is whether or not we work from here on his protocol that he has written in a book I read in a day, or do I travel across the country to meet him in person. In speaking to one of my two doctors, it has already been agreed upon that what his treatment plan is makes sense and although I have come close to addressing the issues he explains, we have not to the degree in which he would. So, the call was made this morning and I await a call back to see how this may fit into my search for healing.

5. Bees…. Oh the hive must be looked at and I must find the time. Maybe Thursday… If they are getting ready to swarm then I still have time to order another batch of bees, if my queen is dead, then I still have time to order another one to take over. If the drones are ready to succeed their queen with another, I should at least limit their choices. I need to also join the Bee Keepers Club so that I can have a mentor… I really do not know what I am doing and last years hive production was very low with very little return.

6. School is almost done…yet it is not yet complete. There are still things that have to be accomplished and I need to reserve my energy to make sure the spring awareness of summers approach doesn’t distract.

Wow, that actually felt good to get out. Kind of a mind dumping. Sorry all of you had to be a part of it, however, I really and honestly have nothing else to write about. Thanks for listening to me ramble. It really did help. 😉

Why a

Meaning

Work undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one.

Origin

Thessalonians 1:2, 1:3:

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Hebrews 6:10:

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

A Labour of Love for me…

Whether married for 40 years, 20 years or not yet married, we as women and young ladies are teaching the next generation. Whether it’s caring for the ill or dying, canning, gardening, cleaning, doing laundry, teaching, reading scripture, trusting God’s will, or loving your husbands and children. The next generation watches, observes and learns. They are the future caregivers that will be used by God.

Is it always easy? Absolutely not. Is it always a work of pleasure? Not always, it’s a work that benefits others, rather than yourself. Sacrifice that doesn’t always have the earthly rewards that our society strives for. There is no paycheck, there is not always a thank you, and sometimes, it’s a laborious chore that can end with a sting. However, as we learn in Thessalonians and Hebrews, God sees and knows our own hearts and the intentions that went along with our actions.

As I look at the past 20 years of marriage and motherhood, I can honestly say that I regret nothing. I do not regret the worldly stings or pains that have been experienced as they all have only helped me to grow and be a woman striving to serve the Lord with gladness. I also know that each experience helps to show the next generation how to deal with all the world wants to toss at you. Is it always graceful? No…! Yet, the outcome can be. Even the growing of the gray hair and the wisdom gained can be looked at gracefully if one looks hard enough.

If you ask my daughter, I am not a perfect mother or wife. Yet, she will tell you that I humbly pray for strength each day to love my husband, my children, my friends and extended family to the best of my ability. To show all that they are important and loved, unconditionally. A Labour of Love!

I thank God that He has placed in my life a mother of faith who continues to teach A Labour of Love. I also thank God for a daughter that is also showing me she has learned what A Labour of Love means. As I am dealing with my health issues I know that God is taking care of all my needs and my families as He has blessed us with generational instruction for just such a time.

From one generation to the next, working together, teaching one another, nurturing one another, committed to one another and protecting one another. A grandma, a mom and a daughter. Titus 2:3-5I hope you understand now, why I named it a Labour of Love. And I also hope you will walk with me in this journey of twists of turns knowing that the gate is narrow. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Proverbs 31:10-31