When we do this job well we will be able to look back on our lives and say we had a good life.
If we don't do this job well, we will have regrets.
God has placed in each of our lives people to care for. We have people we need to keep an eye on -- make sure they are healthy, make sure they have what they need; make sure they are functioning well. These people are often family members, children, parents, siblings, grandparents. Or your people could be friends, fellow church members, someone you talk to every day.
These people are your most important job -- to make sure they are well.
And there is a balance -- we can find ourselves enabling bad behavior because we don't want our loved ones to suffer. But sometimes that suffering is exactly what they need. That's why it takes prayer and wisdom and discernment to care for those God has put into our lives. We always need to have compassion and kindness, but sometimes we need to get out of the way and let God do what He needs to do.
I have a confession to make -- I've wasted a lot of money over the years on books that "I knew" held the secret to what I was supposed to be doing here at home while I cared for my son Hawken. I had (and I still do -- I just don't let it control me) this drive to make money while at home. I felt it would justify me being home all day. Yes, I do a lot of stuff. I care for my family. I do laundry and cooking and cleaning and blog and pray and write, etc etc etc. And I know what I do is important, but I often have said to my husband, "I wish I was making a lot of money."
And he always says, "That's not your job. You are doing your job."
But I've been conditioned to think what I do only has value if I am making money. And I have earned income from my writing and art at times, but it isn't consistent and I know it isn't supposed to be my focus right now. I even heard a whisper that I knew was Jesus when I asked about this situation -- why I wasn't "successful" as far as a career goes. And Jesus said, "Not yet."
I've come to realize caring for my young adult son who needs me to do everything for him is a high calling -- is a calling straight from God. I knew this before but it is a worthy life to care for one person. People are so important to God. Man, Jesus died so these people we know can go to heaven if they so choose. Jesus gave His life for your people. So, caring for people is what God is about.
Why did I think my life's worth was based on an income?
Why do any of us think the amount of money that goes through our lives has anything to do with our value to ourselves, to God, to society, to our families?
We've been deceived. Money gives nothing and no one lasting value.
Occupations are important. What we do during the day, how we earn a living is important. If you earn money, how you earn money and how you love people and honor God through that job is vital. But I would say that those who have people in their lives and come home to them would say those people are what truly matters -- not the job.
Take care of the people in your life. Do it for Jesus. They will only be in your life for a short time (even if it is decades it is still a short time).
"whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31b