Consider the Ant

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!" Proverbs 6:6

We studied this verse during our evening devotions the other night. We have been reading different proverbs for past week. Sadly, I wasn't prepared for this particular nights devotions so I just quickly scanned through a few and chose this one. As a family, we discussed the wisdom of this verse and the importance of not being lazy. We talked about the small, busy ant who seems to work tirelessly. Yet, the ant never stops, but keeps keeping on.

But, it didn't stop there! God had plans for family and it involved this verse! The next day we noticed the verse printed on Jacob's math page was the very one we had read the night before. Smiles spread across our faces and a few giggles escaped. We all knew at that moment that God was trying to get a point across! Later, when Isaac and I were doing his reading we read about ants and how they work steadily for the good of the colony (totally unplanned on my part!). I guess God really wants my boys and Joel and I to focus on the importance of working hard and giving their best!

We also studied the next verse: "It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." Proverbs 7:7

This verse works perfectly for the problem my boys have been struggling with. Joel or I will give them a job to do (or it may be a required job that they do each day), but the job doesn't get done in a timely or proper manner. The ant has no commander barking out orders. It doesn't need someone watching its every move to make sure its work is done properly or on time. I am tired of following around behind them making sure every job is done properly and really I shouldn't have to.

So, I have been using the small and mighty ant as an example the past few days. When one of the boys starts slacking I bring up the ant! It seems to be working pretty good. We still have a few kinks to work out, but I believe we are on the right track.

However, I don't think they were the only ones God was trying to nudge! I was truly convicted, myself! I have never considered myself to be lazy. When I was 13 I worked in the corn fields of a local seed corn farmer. I detassled corn. I worked 7 days a week from 6:00am-3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. It was hot, dirty and labor intensive work. The first few days, each year, I would wake up in the mornings with my hands so stiff I could barely move them. I got paid $3.75 an hour and if I was there every day they would add $.10 an hour to my wages. I did this job for 2 summers before we moved. What I learned from that job was how to work hard. And that the satisfaction you get from a job well done is well worth every ounce of sweat and grime.

However, this summer I forgot why it is good to work hard and accomplish much. I have been a bit lazy. Not overly lazy, but a bit slack nonetheless. We finished school up the first part of May and I just kind of felt blah. I didn't want to do my spring cleaning. I didn't want to do the regular housework. I let things go that I shouldn't have. What I did spend my time doing was blogging. I let myself get consumed by it. I still struggle with this, to be honest. I love writing. It is a passion of mine and a great outlet for this stay-at-home mom. However, I let it take over my life. I didn't attend to my duties. Looking back I can even say, I probably ignored my children a bit too. I think I was just burned out and looking for relief. I found it in the form of writing but at the expense of my family.

My new goal is to consider the ant. I won't quit blogging, because it has been good for me in many ways. It has brought me back to doing my devotions each day. It is helping me to journal about my life and my children's. But, I won't be blogging when my family needs me. I will be blogging on my free time. In the evenings or early mornings. I want to be wise with my time and I am hoping to make a change starting now. I really don't like to think of myself as a sluggard, so I will be trying harder to be like the ant!

*I know that it is important for time of relaxation. We won't be overlooking this. Just focusing on the daily work that is a requirement for each of us and giving it our best each day.

For more inspirational thoughts visit Celly B and read more Thirstin' For the Word Thursdays