Why do you serve?

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint." Galations 6:9 - The Amplified Bible

Recently, we (church family and my husband and I) have been talking about our love languages. Do you know yours and/or your spouses? If not, I encourage you to take the quiz here.

I "speak" acts of service. I "receive" quality time. My husband's is words of affirmation--both ways. You would think that knowing what each other needs, it would be easy to speak their lanuage.

It is not.

And it's not just our spouses that have love languages. It's our children, our friends-- it's everyone.

One thing I'm learning is that just as it's difficult for me to give my husband the affirming and encouraging words that he needs, I can't expect others to speak my language when it's foreign to them.

I don't automatically think to tell him how great he is, even though I think it every day. My way of showing him I love him is to have a hot meal for him when he gets home from work. To make sure his clothes are always clean, and even iron his work clothes for him. To keep our home clean and in order. That's just how I operate.

And though those things are wonderful, that's not what he really needs.

What happens when our needs aren't being met? What are we supposed to do about it?

I'm serving you and doing all these great things to help you out, and you don't even think about what I need or want? Has it even crossed your mind?

Ever had those thoughts before? No? Just me, I guess.

As I was pondering those questions, the Lord reminded me of the verse at the top of this post. We aren't to do "good things" to get a reward. We are to serve because He's called us all to be servants.

And we are to do them always. Not just when it feels good. Not because we want to look good. And even when we are tired of doing them because we feel under-appreciated and unloved.

I encourage you to find someone to serve today. A simple phone call asking how someone is doing is huge. Taking a loaf of fresh banana bread does wonders! Sending an encouraging e-mail or letter will definitely brighten someone's day.

So, what are you going to do?

My morning

This is the view out my kitchen window this morning. You can't really tell in the picture, but it's snowing pretty steadily. Unfortunately for my daughter, the few inches we may get today are not considered blizzard weather and school will go on as planned.

Right now I have my ipod on shuffle, and Jon Bon Jovi is telling me he'll be there for me. C is already on the computer this morning, and Duke is curled up on the couch thankful that we don't have a fence outside so that he can live inside the house with us.

I'm already in my workout clothes, because I don't plan on leaving the house until it's time to lift weights. This is week three of the most stringent workout plan I've ever had. (Of course, this is only the second time in my life that I've done this.) My bff and I are walking/running two miles, three times a week. Tuesday and Thursdays are weight-lifting, and I'm very excited about our progress so far.

Though I don't really want to leave the house, I started thinking about making Valentine's sugar cookies, and then I realized I left my sugar at the bff's. I'm wondering if the Exxon down the street has some. I'll let you know. =)

I know I said that I sometimes get bored around here, but I'm thankful for days like today -when I don't have to get out in this weather. My hair is air-drying and I haven't even thought about putting on make-up yet. What a blessing to be able to stay home! The rest of my day will be doing school with C, reading my library book, doing some writing, and possibly making cookies.

Hope your day is warm and cozy!

Oh yeah. School.

After yesterday's post, I am feeling a little guilty of not mentioning that I do actually go through schooling with my youngest son. However, it doesn't take but a couple of hours, which still leaves me with too much free time.

For homeschooling, C reads his library book every day. Though his comprehension skills have improved dramatically this year, I still require him to write down the main idea of each chapter. (Instead of a full report at the end of the book.)

We're using Switched on Schoolhouse for curriculum, and it's worked out great for him. It's all on the computer, and it grades everything for me. He asks when he needs help with something, and I check his work when he's done to see how he's scored. I believe we will use the same thing next year.

Throughout the rest of the day he is learning life skills, whether he's emptying the dishwasher or helping me pick up groceries at the store. I really like him helping with the latter, because he can find things quicker than I can!

I have probably told this story before, but he (C) and his brother (A) are so very different when it comes to following directions. They are both extremely intelligent, but A just has some issues when it comes to finding things. Any things.

For example, one time I sent A to the produce section of the grocery store to get me a bag for the package of meat I had in my hand as I was waiting to check out. It took him at least five minutes and he came back with a package of chicken. See what I mean?

C is still not extremely interested in socializing with people, though he does it without complaining too much. (And when I say socializing, I mean he will be in the same room and answer their questions if he must.) I think we need to get back into the routine of contacting someone every day.

I used to make him send an e-mail or make a phone call or something sometimes during the school day, but I kinda slacked off. I'm thinking I may add that to my list again.

He is such a sweet boy, and he continues to make us laugh every day. He is very polite, and is definitely a lover and not a fighter. He is really growing up.

I love him so much!!

Is it summer yet?

I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are today, but I am getting really tired of the cold, wet, gloomy weather here in East Texas.

Where are you, Mr. Sun??

Not only does this weather make you want to stay inside, but I started working out with a friend a couple of weeks ago, and the cold rain is really cramping my two-mile run on the track.

I'm also getting a little stir-crazy these days, which has a little to do with the weather and a lot to do with the fact that I need something to do. (And my prayers have been veeery specific lately, as I realize God could give me plenty to do.)

I'd love to be a novelist, though I sit and stare at a blank screen with nothing to say. I want a job, but the one that was looking hopeful from home is taking much longer to start than I had hoped. I can only clean my house and do laundry so much during a day before it starts to really get old.

(And honestly, if you came by right now you'd probably tell me I really shouldn't be bored. The clothes on the couch are clean, I promise!)

I sound like I'm complaining, and I really shouldn't be. I am more blessed than I deserve, and I'm very, very thankful for everything the Lord has done in my life.

Just one of those blah, rainy kind-of days.

Hope yours is more exciting than mine. :)