Do you have the Working Blues?

It is summer time and all your teacher friends are home with the kids making popsicles, playing in water and having play dates (hello Mrs. Looper, Mrs. Walling, Mrs. Farman, Mrs. Melanie...) or all the SAHM (stay at home moms aka SuperMoms) are filling the summers with tennis camps, art, soccer, birthday parties and my biggest envy- CRAFTS!! Work has been the main topic of conversation in the household lately mainly because my husband (prince charming) has not been home before 10 o'clock pm every night this week. This man is hard working and dedicated - he works, goes to school, battled cancer, serves as a deacon at our church and manages to love on his family in between. Lately he has been in need of some words of encouragement which can only come the Word- I shared with him a devotion that I keep hanging in my office and wanted to share with you. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (I Samuel 3:10 ) What kind of attitude do we have about our work and the things we do in life? We may not like our boss or our working situation. We may not have much control over what we do. But, we do have control over our attitude. A positive attitude can make a big difference. And if we view our work and activities as a calling, then maybe someone for the first time may experience God's love and freedom in Jesus Christ through us. Our jobs can be a vocation if we can see them as an extension of God's ultimate purpose. But, if our jobs are only a means of securing wealth, or passing time, or achieving status, they will eventually be a great burden to us. If, however, we can see them as an extension of God's plan for humanity--each of us doing our part to clothe people, feed people, teach people, and do thousands of other things to help one another, then we make God's world a better place. And we can get up each morning with enthusiasm believing that we are living God's call. In our scripture reading today, Samuel was being called to be a priest of God. There may be some of us today who are hearing God's call to full-time Christian service. However, for most of us, we are being called to make our work an extension of our faith and love. Loving God, help me to make my work a vocation in serving you and your people Amen. www.devotions.net - Do you go to work each morning believing that you are living God's call? Believe in yourself that what you do is right where God wants you- Was it by chance that you aced the interview- was it by chance you were given some down time to be with your family- was it by chance that you are able to stay home with your children- was it by chance that a rare opportunity came your way- or was it the will of God? Working inside and outside of the home can wear you down but not if you believe that God is in control before the sun even gave light for the new day to begin- Each day is a blessing- we may not have control over the situations (cat fights at work, overlooked for promotions, gossip, bad hair days, sibling rivalry, red jello in the carpet, overbooked schedules, rainy day plans for three kids locked inside all day?) We do however, have control over our attitudes- a positive way can make for a positive day!!! xoxo