Don't Complain

I have been participating in a women's Bible study at our church where we are going through Priscilla Shirer's study Discerning the Voice of God. 

The study has given me much to think about as I seek to listen to God's voice and know His will for my life.  One key idea from last week was a reminder that God does not seek to fill our lives with guilt about our decisions. 

This week's lessons have focused on the fact that God has a plan for our lives and that our goal should be to seek His plan and not our own.  In today's study, Shirer writes, "Don't spend your time wishing you could get out of the season of life you are in; rather, spend your time looking fervently for God's hand in your situation." 

This quote really stood out to me as I have been tempted to complain about some of the little situations occurring in my life.  It reminds me that I should not complain but rather look for how God wants to use these situations in my life to serve Him in obedience.  God works in our lives regardless of how we behave and His plan will always succeed.  I can choose to complain and be pulled along kicking and screaming and missing the blessings that He wants to give me, or I can choose to follow and trust Him and willingly go along with His plans and experience the joy that He has waiting for me.

Hidden Costs

We recently decided to cancel our Y membership, not because of the cost of the membership itself, but because of the cost of traveling to and from the Y.  Just going three times a week (x2 since we usually go at different times) cost us about $200 a month.  We only live 6 miles from the nearest Y, which does not seem like it is that far, but it adds up.  (This cost includes wear and tear on the vehicles as well as gasoline).

There is also the time cost involved.  My thirty to forty minute workout usually takes about two hours out of my morning because of the travel time and clean up after the workout.  Since the little one takes her nap in the afternoon, this does not leave us much time to do many activities together in the morning.

We are going to make an initial investment into some equipment to use here at the house as well as making us of the great outdoors.  After the second little one comes, I hope to be able to work out more often than just three times a week since I will not have to spend any extra time traveling to and from the gym in order to accomplish this goal.