We had a message at church yesterday about having a spiritual focus- a focus straight to the glory of God- where the "Onos" of Nehemiah can keep you from doing the great work of the Lord.

Jeff said sometimes the good things can distract you from doing great things. Sometimes we can get caught up in everyone's needs, and feel as if we need to help- that we may miss what duty the Lord is calling us to. We miss the task at hand.

Doing good things is good. It can still point to the Father, but when great things are done, many fruits will come of it b/c it exalts Him even further.

What good things prevent me from the great things?
I'd say my house could potentially keep me from doing the great work with my kids.

I had moved almost all the toys upstairs to the kids bedrooms in the fall...taking back my dining room. The kids don't like to play upstairs all day, they like the big open spaces of the main floor. They like being where I am at- when I am cooking and stuff.

So yesterday I decided that we would be a happier family if toys moved back downstairs.

IN fact, Jeff and I decided that our dining room table was nothing but a table for "stuff" and we took it upstairs to Walter's room and put a sheet over it. (Very light inexpensive table)
It is now Walter's "cubby/fort" area where he has a bean bag, a CD player where he can listen to stories on CD.

And we moved the train table from Walter's room to the dining room. What good is a dining room with a dining room table when you never use it? Now it's a toy room, and it works for us.

And we are happier that way.


Another Ono...
how about the computer, that can keep me from the great work...my kids.

Access to everything on the computer, answers to questions, messages from friends, shopping...and so much more.

Oh Lord, help me remember the task at hand- the summons I have been called to- Motherhood.
Help me to manage my time so that I can take breaks, but have a healthy balance so that I can be the best Mom I have been called to be