This week for our Greater topic I chose to write about what I can do to become greater. Chapter six is all about using what we have to further the mission of God. Don’t have a million bucks? Donate that $10 in your pocket that you’re just going to waste on a Starbucks! Don’t have time to go on a mission trip? Go volunteer at a local charity.

I’m always saying to myself – once my husband and I pay off some bills and we have extra money – then maybe I can go on a mission trip, or give more.  My focus has always been money – because that’s what everyone is always asking for. Not only are things tight in our household because we’d like to be completely debt free, but also my husband is agnostic – so the thought of giving 10% of our income to church or charity- probably isn’t in the realm of possibilities in the near future.

But my time is a possibility. See, my husband is extremely supportive of my walk with Christ, and interestingly enough often encourages me! (“hon wake up, time for church”). I’m raising our daughter in the Christian faith, and he 100% backs it. Though its not for him [yet] – he doesn’t want to ‘ruin’ that for our daughter. I thank him with all of my heart for this!

He doesn’t mind- or think its odd when I want to serve at church, or volunteer at Feed My Starving Children etc, and if I make [side job] money and want to donate that – he doesn’t mind. So what do I have? I definitely have time.

I realized just a few months/weeks ago that my pursuit of my nursing career (i’m taking generals at the moment) needs to be put on hold. It wasn’t just a “chemistry is super hard” but a real nudge from only what I could say was God that said “put this on hold”.   Not only because this is precious time that I am spending away from my daughter, but I have a job I truly love, and co-workers I adore.

I have a bachelors degree in Health Education, and I really am content! Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and although my background [from time in the Navy] was in the medical field – being now 8+ years out of it I may find that I’m only remembering the good points. I feel God is leading me away from this path; at least for now.

So – what to do with all of my new free time starting this Saturday the 15th? (my final is Saturday morning)…. VOLUNTEER & Raise money and awareness! I have a heart for serving others, and my daughter does as well. I recently [last October] did a photo fundraiser for Feed My Starving Children. I’m an amateur portrait photographer, so I set up this “one day – and one location swing by this ‘said’ park and 60% of the proceeds will go towards FMSC. ”

Just last weekend (i’m so behind on things sometimes due to college) I finally swung by FMSC with my daughter right as they were ready to do a pack with a bunch of volunteers. They asked if we wanted to stay to help pack, and I asked how old kiddos had to be to volunteer, and she said 5. Interestingly enough my daughter just turned five, so I said, well we have a few hours to spare- why not.

Guess what? My daughter absolutely LOVED it! So what can I give? Time and resources. God blessed me with taking photos, and I’m not trying to make money off it (well a living I should say) so I can use that tallent to give to an organization that does so much with so little. Its truly a loves and fishes organization! So I feel God is leading me towards making my photography “company” a non-profit! I’ll start out small, and see where it takes me, and in the mean time – I can spend time with my daughter doing something we both love, and something that chases after Gods heart!

I’m so embarrassed to share this, and say this out loud, but I think I have an addiction. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines addiction as follows:

My husband is constantly telling me that I’m on it too much, and I can tell that while i’m out in the kitchen catching up on mere acquaintanceship with Facebook, [we] are missing out on something greater in our relationship.

He even once had me watch a Dateline NBC special about how the internet interferes with peoples daily lives, and relationships and while I sat there watching, thinking this isn’t me… they’re really bad, and while we agree that i’m truthfully not full out addicted to it, its not interfering with my parenting, or daily living… Facebooking, and Pinteresting, and the tweeting is is making my husband feel like he is competing for my time.

And that is not ok. We can have a greater relationship, and a stronger relationship if I put in as much time and devotion to us then my old high school/navy friends that if i’m honest with myself aren’t worth as much time as I’m giving them.

If you asked me what my top 5 things/people in life I would instantly tell you:

* My relationship with God
* My Husband
* My daughter
* My work
* My fitness

But if you looked at how I spent my time, I’d ashamedly have to admit “fostering relationships with acquaintances” and  “trying to impress/get many followers on Twitter to be popular” would be right up towards the top.

It finally REALLY hit me when reading Chapter 4 last night. This is something I need to burn – or at a bare minimum take out to the woods and start on fire. While I’m not really ready to completely torch my social networks (delete my accounts) I plan to severely limit myself to checking them out.

I’m changing my password to something very weird, and jibbery so that it’d be impossible to remember off the top of my head.

I think my relationships that I listed as the most important above have such the potential to be greater with this small step!

Here’s to burning my plows.

“For Jesus’ disciples, burning the plows meant leaving their fishing nets and boats {Matthew 4:18-22}. 

1 Kings 19:21″So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.”

First of all – I’m getting a bit of ADD with my Chronological Reading Plan. I can’t just simply pick up any Bible and read because the order is so bizarre – so its a bit annoying to me.  For now – I’ll keep with it, but I might try to figure out where I’m actually at (in regular order) which is 1 Kings, and read straight through.  So. We’ll see.

But – onto Ecclesiastes. I read this straight through last night. I couldn’t put it down. I highlighted more in this book than I didn’t, and it looks like highlighter threw up over my [iPad] bible [app]. Lately I’ve been obsessed with reading Gods word and find myself reading several days worth at a time.

There is a time for EVERYTHING! 

I’m currently taking part of something really cool- and that is an Online Bible Study. I found this from a devotional e-mail I get delivered to me through Proverbs 31. We’re currently reading through the book Greater by Pastor Steven Furtick. Its all about how God has called each of us do do greater!

Each day we get a little nugget of something to do with the book so that we can fully embrace our online community.

Today we were challenged to Lift someone up that inspires us to live greater. There is a gal in my life that encourages me every day. To slow down and smell the roses of life every once in a while, read my bible every day, and help others especially when there is a need right in front of me.

She looks at life with simplicity. While I get caught up in to-dos, and planning, she knows just how to live in the ‘now’ moment, and to take each moment and treasure it because it is a gift from God! Sometimes I brush her aside because I have so many things to do – but God has given us TODAY! Tomorrow isn’t promised yet, and often I miss things that God had in store for me TODAY. I’m learning this truth from her every day.

She also encourages me and reminds me to read the bible every day!

She shows me so often on how to be a greater giver. For example we are looking at things in our house that we can give to the local homeless shelter and while I cling tight to some of my belongings [i don’t even use anymore], and convince myself how much I need some of my things, she is overjoyed to throw in this – that, and the other thing and is a very very cheerful giver. It honestly makes me feel a little convicted – because truth be told I’ve been given so much. She loves helping people, and gets very passionate about helping the hopeless which is what she calls the homeless.

This gal is my daughter K. She is five years old, and already has an amazing heart for God and others!

I know that God is calling me to do even MORE and be greater and its a blessing that he has given me such a wise daughter…I am learning so much from her!