Have you ever had a season of restlessness? Lately, my mind’s been cluttered with thoughts. Recently, Hubs and I went on a day trip to Kent Island. It wasn’t planned, and normally we go to church on Sunday, but I felt like I couldn’t put one more thing in my mind. The water has always been my place of solace. Whenever I am near the water, I always find peace. This was no exception.
As we crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, I could feel everything in my soul begin to lift. Water has such a calming, soothing effect on my soul. I love to see the water fairies dancing in their sparkling gowns on top of the water. The sky was blue with not a single cloud. I rolled down my window and breathed in the fresh air and watched as ships and boats of all sizes went back and forth under the bridge.
I was excited to see Kent Island because I had never been there before. I couldn’t wait to stick my toes in the sand. The first place we went to was Matapeake which is on the Chesapeake Bay. It was a beautiful little beach with great views of the Bay Bridge. I took off my sandals and walked in the sand feeling the coolness under my feet. The consistency of the sand reminded me of brown sugar. I was in my happy place!
Going to the beach always makes me feel peaceful. I think it is because there are fewer distractions. One of the things which has been on my mind for a while is whether to go back to work outside the home. Hubs has told me numerous times not to go back because I feel like I have to, but only if I feel God calling me to go back. Somehow though, I have this nagging little internal voice that keeps telling me I need to contribute more. Then I hear a whisper in my ear, ‘Why are you trying to put a monetary value on what I have called you to do?” It is true. Somehow, I have allowed myself to be duped into thinking I have to earn “x” amount of dollars to make what I do acceptable. Why is that? The world is always trying to tell us our worth comes from our job, material things, and how much money we have in our checking and saving accounts.
I do not want for anything. Hubs has been blessed with an incredible job, and God has always met all our needs. This past year, working from home has allowed me the blessing of helping Hubs recuperate from two hip surgeries and a hospital stay for sepsis, and travel to numerous doctors’ and physical therapy appointments. Being home has also allowed me to work on my fitness goals, spend time with my parents and help them clean out their attic. I have the freedom to volunteer at my church, and I have the privilege of mentoring some incredible women.
The fact is, I was born into this world penniless and it is only God who makes me rich. Being rich doesn’t mean having money to throw around and getting everything you want. It means being full in your heart with love, contentment and satisfaction with what God gives you. You can be the richest person in the world, but if you don’t have the peace of God, you will always be poor.
My inheritance from my heavenly Father far exceeds what anyone on earth could ever give or leave me. What God has given me in terms of blessings is priceless in comparison to anything I could ever purchase. Yes, we need money to survive, but not to worship.
I always want to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and listen for His direction. But, after much prayer, I’ve decided to stay at home, continue my ministry and finish my book, “Holy Unrest: Where Conflict Meets Your Calling.” Maybe, my restlessness is God nudging my heart to get back to the things He originally called me to do and finish what He began in my heart two years ago.
It has been quite the journey over the past two years with both expected and unexpected circumstances, but what I have learned is you can’t put a price tag on or quantify the value of peace, a heart of contentment or the flat-out joy of God.
The only way to get rich quick is to allow God complete reign over your life. Don't settle for anything less. Share on XThe only way to get rich quick is to allow God complete reign over your life. Don’t settle for anything less. Worldly possessions can be lost in seconds, but the peace of God is for eternity.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (Bible Gateway NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
Amen! Yes, true riches come when we let God sit on throne of our hearts!
Hi, Kristi! I love this! We are rich when God sits on the throne of our hearts. The world will try to tell us otherwise, but we know better!
Sheila, I love reading your posts. So often the things you share are some of the very things I am struggling with. I quit my part time retail job, last May, but now here I am back at work. I keep wondering, why did I come back? Because my boss begged me? Because I wanted to contribute? Or maybe it was because I didn’t like being home all day, knowing all the things that needed to be done. Ha, ha. But you are so right. Our value has nothing to do with the money we make, what outfit I am wearing or how many followers we have on our blogs. Our value is in Him alone. I’m glad you decided to stay home. Thanks for sharing your journey. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi, Amy! Thank You for reading my posts! It is such a tough decision, but I want to be God-honoring in all my ways. I don’t always get it right and then I’m miserable and wonder why. I miss the social aspect of working, but I don’t miss all the drama either. 🙂 It has also taught me valuable lessons along the way about how rich I truly am despite what the world would tell me. Blessings to you!!
SO much truth! I’m often tempted to put a price on things or to seek a job outside of the home, but I find working for God so much more peaceful and joyful and rewarding. It’s amazing how little money matters to me these days as compared to a few years ago!
Hi, Jess! I am with you! The things which used to matter to me no longer matter. I am so thankful the Lord has changed my heart towards material things. Sure, they are nice, but I would rather own them than have them own me. No one wants to be a slave to the debtor!
I have loved this, we are rich in him after all he owns everything so if he is our father then we rich because of him
Hi. Terri!
His riches are eternal! Does it get any better than that? One day the world will truly understand what it means to be rich. Until then we keep sharing the message of His love and how love has made us rich!
God makes me rich! What a great thought! I wished I lived every day based on that fact!
I love your inspiration!
Thanks, Julie! I love your inspiration too! God wants us all to live a rich life!
Love this! Thanks for the encouragement. Rejoicing in what God has called you to do! You go girl! Love you.
Hi, Peggy!Thank You for your constant encouragement! I am rejoicing in what God has called me to do as well! I love you and will continue to listen to God’s voice!
Thank you, Sheila! This was so encouraging. I think you made a wise choice. Blessings
Thank you, Sheila! This was so encouraging. I think you made a wise choice. Blessings
Yes! Indeed everything fades away but being in the center of His will counts and adds value to out lives for eternity. We are rich when we stay tuned to His purposes for us, daily.
Hi, Ann!It is so true! Everything will fade away, but what we have done for God. The gift of eternal life is so precious and you can’t put a price tag on God’s love because it is priceless!
It is such an important distinction to make that it is not money that is the problem but when we start idolizing, focusing, and worshiping it we lose sight of our Heavenly Father and what He is calling us to do! Thank you for the post! God bless!
Hi, Melissa! Thank You for sharing and your encouragement. God’s word never says money is evil. but the LOVE of money. When we love money more than God we lose sight of who we are and our vision. Blessings to you too!
I’ve been trying to remind myself of this lately. The only riches that really matter are the ones that are being stored up in heaven for me. It’s hard when finances are tight, and not having to think about watching every penny would be wonderful — but God knows that and provides for all our needs!
Hi, Rebekah!
I had a friend explain to me that we are sharing our an inheritance with the world and leaving a powerful legacy. I’m with you and would rather store up my riches in heaven. I’m reminded of Solomon’s words, Do the lilies toil about what they are going to wear or do the birds worry about what they will eat? Our God is big and does provide all we will ever need.
It sounds to me like you understand what it means to have an abundant life. Inspiring read! Thanks!
Hi, Alice! You are right! I am living the abundant life! I am very thankful for my God who reminds me every day the blessing of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, but most of all His love.
Kiss that man of yours! He’s such a great supporter of what God has called you to do! Yay Dave! Yay God!
Keep writing my sister! Love you!
Hi, Toni!
I did kiss him 🙂 He truly is a wonderful supporter and I am blessed beyond what I deserve. I will keep on writing and thank you for your encouragement as always! Love you too!
Sheila, I love this post. What spoke to me is when you said, “I came in to this world penniless and it’is only God who makes me rich.” That is so true and a comfort in the unsettling times.
Hi, Cindy!
Thank You for your encouragement! I know in a world full of trouble that as a child of the King, we can rest assured no matter how hard times are eternal riches will last forever. My prayer is that the inheritance I leave behind would be that people would remember my heart for Jesus for generations to come.