In an earlier post, I boldly said that I wasn’t going to load down my cart with “other stones” and only carry the stones that God had placed in my cart so that I can stay focused on His plan for me to speak and to motivate.  My speaking ministry, blog, and forum is going to be my top priority next to my family. I decided to keep it in focus and wasn’t going to be pulled astray.  This ministry is important to God and to me.  We want success!

I told myself that I wasn’t going to accept as many interpreting assignments and substitute teaching days in order to stay focused.  It takes hours of reading, studying, and writing to get all that I want to say, script and discuss.  This is more than just a “computerized” journal and my life is under a microscope to live out what I propose.  (I am a firm believer of practicing what you preach!)  It is a lot of work and well….I love it.

Little did I realize that we had grown comfortable with the extra money the interpreting and substitute teaching brought in each month.  It makes the ends meet so much easier.  Our budget was created around only one paycheck and anything extra…. well…. was an extra.  Well, naturally, our spending habits enjoyed the “extra” cushion.  Since my decision, we have felt the belt tighten around here.  Now, I hear a little voice every time my phone rings…..”Oh, you should take that assignment…..your work can wait.  It will be there when you get back….. ”  That voice made a valid point.  I can just see Satan sitting there trying to lull me into taking my focus off of God’s plan.  Satan is trying to rob me of my fulfilling work to be a slave to either the feeling of obligation or to a dollar.  Then I hear my words from the previous post.  ”Why are there other things in my cart?”  God’s point held more validity.

In fact, I had told a school on Monday that the only day I had clear was Wednesday to sub.  I would have held my promise to them and gone if a call was made.  But, I made the promise out of a feeling of obligation.  I felt bad for turning them down, again.  So, I prayed for all the teachers to be well enough to go to work.  I needed some time writing and studying.  And this morning, at the breakfast table I told Mark, “I hope they don’t call.”  And they didn’t.  I had to prove to myself that I was going to be okay without the extra money.  Besides, God blessed me with a fat check from the resale shop I take clothes to sell….a little reward from God.  And the feeling that I am doing what I am supposed to do is reward enough in itself.

I know that God is more faithful and will reward me more if I stay focused. He has already proven that today.  I have to stay on the path He has laid.  Now does that mean I can’t sub or interpret?  No, it just means I need to be ready….have a back up blog, forum question, and a well rehearsed and planned speech written.  It is a matter of planning and preparing.  And to have faith that God will bless me with a lighter load.  It is written in black and white:  Matthew 11:30 “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  I feel richer already…….

God Bless……

Related posts:

1. The Pretty Pink Dress
2. Wise Beyond My Gray Hair
3. Dad