(continued from July 18)

I have a confession to make. I’m not perfect. As I wrote yesterday’s piece, I began to think, “Hmm, Darling Husband is gonna say, ‘Honey, I see some changes, but I’m not so sure that you’ve reached the laying down your life point yet. Sorry. Just saying.'” Of course, he would be far nicer than that, but it’s what I deserve.

Whew. This is a daily journey. Baby Steps get out of bed. Baby Steps be nice in the morning. And so on and so forth. I touched on daily renewal in Part 2.

Phil 1:6
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Phil 4:13
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency] (AMP)

These are two truths that I am holding close to my heart. I have strength for all things in Christ. And He is the one who is working in me by the Holy Spirit to transform me.

I have worked so hard to be good and to do good. I have given all my strength – some days successfully, most days not. Some days I choose not to give anything, because I know I’ll fail. What’s the point.

But as I Change My Mind – make those micro decisions to think and feel differently, as I Choose to see my circumstances from a different perspective, I find I have strength. I call them my ‘I Can Do ALL Things Muscles’. And my natural tendency to listen to Mrs Pessimistic diminishes.

The context for ‘I can do all things in Christ’ is contentment. In the preceding verses, Paul addresses being content with little and with much, in difficulties and in the midst of blessing. One of the major factors in my journey to Change My Mind is contentment. Contentment with being a Stay At Home Mum and a Housewife and all that that entails. Contentment with my dreams being on the back burner. Contentment whether I am sleep deprived or well rested, weather I am in pain and exhausted or full of energy. Learning to be thankful and to respond in love in every situation.

I can only find contentment in the daily tasks of Motherhood and Housewifey-ness when I am sitting at the feet of my Lord Jesus, and asking Him for the strength to Do All Things, to Endure All Things and to Be All the Things that He requires of me.

It’s a choice. It’s a process of Changing My Mind to conform with the Mind of Christ, with the Truth that is plainly given in God’s word.

(but wait, there’s more!)