Preparation

I've been getting a consistent message lately of "God is going to prepare you for whatever it is you are called to do." It's something I think about quite often, actually, without realizing it. What am I called to do? People call me to do things all the time, and much of it is wonderful, worthwhile stuff. Bake stuff for a church bake sale, donate money to a worthy cause, lead a children's Sunday School class, etc.

But what is GOD calling me to do?

How do I know when it's God calling me to do something versus people calling me to do something? I've felt "called" about my profession, both my paid and unpaid work.... :) I feel as though I was called to be a social worker, and meant to be a Mom. But what about the other work I do? The work for God's kingdom. Is baking something for a church bake sale enriching God's kingdom? Is organizing a girl's night out (even if it's for my Sunday School friends) enriching God's kingdom? I guess it boils down to what I do during the time spent on those things. Am I praying for blessings upon the people I bake for? Do I reach out in a loving way to someone who is lonely and invite them to join Girl's night out?
I don't do those things.

I sometimes feel unprepared for what I'm doing. I lead first graders on Sunday nights and I never feel ready. But, I don't spend time preparing myself beforehand, so I'm missing the blessings God might give me if I spent some time praying about it. I think God WILL prepare us, if we reach out to him. I think I need to start reaching out more and talking less/worrying less/filling my life with busyness less...and then maybe I will understand what it means for God to prepare me for something, versus me just going at it alone.

Sometimes I also think God challenges us to do things we don't feel prepared for. I can't use excuses or delude myself into denial about God's actual callings. I don't really feel at this point in my life that God has called me to do anything too far outside of my box. I've been leading a rather comfortable life as far as callings go. But, what if he gave me a big one that I might not be ready for? How would I respond? I can say I'm not ready, but would God call me to do something if I weren't ready? No, I'm sure he wouldn't. But, how many times has he called and maybe I wasn't listening?

I think I'll start listening and preparing now, because I never know when he might call me to do something extraordinary. :)

Dr. Seuss is in the house!

OK-a little bragging to do:

My daughter read her first book on her own last night!! She's in Kindergarten and almost 6 (in May), and she's been doing really well with sight words and such. She's been kind of resistant to sitting down and trying a whole book, but she finally did it last night! It took 30 minutes to read "Green Eggs and Ham" but it was well worth it. :)

Go Melody!