Psalm 147:10-11
His pleasure is not in the
strength of the horse,
Nor his delight in the legs
of a man;
The Lord delights in those
who fear him,
Who put their hope in his
unfailing love.
Several years ago, I broke my leg while roller skating at my nieces
birthday party. In the months I spent
recovering with pins and plates holding my leg together, Psalm 147:10-11 became my life verse. At the time, it was very relevant to my leg
situation. There was no delighting in my
legs at that time…I wasn’t allowed to use either of them. It was the obvious application. As time goes on, though, this verse has
gained deeper meaning.
I stayed home with my
kids. I am very thankful that I was
afforded that privilege. I wouldn’t
change those years for anything. But the
world doesn’t admire stay-at-home moms. And let's be honest, the kids don’t really admire them either. It’s a thankless
and tiring job. There is a lot of
sitting on the sidelines…literally and figuratively. While I was sitting on the sidelines of a
soccer field, other moms were climbing the career ladder, gaining notoriety,
making a mark. Every time I tried to do
something “bigger” I felt God telling me to stop…then the verse. Sometimes it read something like this: “I do
not take pleasure in your accomplishments or talents, I delight in your
obedience.” Sometimes I would argue,
“But you gave me the gifts, I need to use them!
NOW!” Didn’t God realize the train of notoriety was leaving the station
and I was stuck doing the dishes? Did He
really want me to miss out? I finished
the dishes and read my kids books and went to countless track meets and band
concerts. I wasn’t unhappy to do it, but I wanted more. I wanted to make a difference in the
world. I wanted to be somebody. I wanted to have an answer to the question
“What do you do?” that didn’t make me shrink with anticipation of the response,
which was usually something along the lines of “oh, is that all?” My verse reminded me that what was important
to God was not my title, God isn't impressed with busyness and accomplishment, He desires my obedience.
Now that my kids are grown
and gone, I am able to pursue the other things that my heart has longed to
do. Things I believe that God put in my
heart to do…eventually. I realize that
I’ve made a mark in the lives of my kids...in my marriage…by doing what God
called me to do when he gave me my children.
And really, I do not make the mark.
God does. His love reaches
through me to touch the lives of others.
I still have longings of mark making…and so I write. My life verse speaks loud and clear…in a new
way...
My pleasure is not in the
things you do, or the way you write,
I delight when you trust me
and cling to my unfailing love.
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for God's patience with my impatience. I'm thankful for my husband and children. I'm thankful that I have purpose even though motherhood is no longer a full-time job. And most of all, I'm thankful for God's Word.
