I don’t know why and I hope you don’t take this as being casual about the Holy Spirit, but I feel like God “speaks” to me often when I’m in the shower. Perhaps it is the solitude and lack of distractions, I don’t know. I just know that my thoughts often shift to the One who cleanses my soul and renews my mind. Today it began with one word- embrace.
I was thinking about our current situation with our eldest son, his wife and their four kids (ages 3 years- 14 years) living with us for the past four months. We have a 4 bedroom 2 bath 1970’s era house (no walk in closets) that has approximately 2200 square feet of living area. I know in other economic settings and cultures eight people sharing that space is not considered unusual or sacrificial, but to my middle class American heart, it is both! My daughter-in-law backs me up on this 100%, she is loving it sacrificing!
As a Christian I believe God is sovereign and He has purpose in orchestrating the need for my son and his family to live with us. His purpose goes beyond my son’s need for housing, or even my need to grow in exhibiting gentleness, patience and love. Ultimately only God knows all He is at work accomplishing in the midst of His grand purpose of being glorified.
The question that I sense He was posing to me in the shower with that one word “embrace” was, “Will you merely tolerate the means that I use in your life to train, teach and refine you into someone who will point others to Me? Or will you embrace it knowing it is from My good and gracious hand and I AM worthy of whatever discomfort, inconvenience, hardship or difficulty I assign to you?”
I’m using the word embrace in the sense of Webster dictionary third definition-
a : to take up especially readily or gladly
b : to avail oneself of : welcome
I have to confess I don’t want to readily or gladly sacrifice my privacy, peace or order. I don’t want to “welcome” dirt, excessive noise, or pencil doodling on every surface in my house. I love clean and quiet. I will endure it, bear up under it, suffer through it…but embrace it?
Yes.
Truly, Jesus is asking so little from me. I am more than slightly ashamed to confess my struggle. After all, these are my kids and grandkids. Each one of them precious, valuable and delightful – one on one. (Wink-wink)
But He reminds me. The joy is in the embracing.
Psalm 119:1 (NIV) Joyful are people of integrity,who follow the instructions of the Lord.
James 1:2-(NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Please, Holy Spirit, transform me into Christlikeness. (2 Corinthians 3:18) I am Your workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) Forgive me when I fail to embrace Your will. (1 John 1:9)
whitehousesouth 
I’m so glad you shared this, I so needed to hear it. I need to embrace the dirtiness of my grandkid’s mother in my new RV. I mean seriously she is worst than my grandkids! Lol! Been praying about this and this just might be my answer! 😊
Love the photo! 🙂 oh goodness mom, yes, do embrace! Though you and I (and now sweet Jamie!) both know it is easier said then done having not only lived together (twice after my marrying and moving out) but also with other friends and family. It can be difficult. But when you can embrace something then you don’t have to live with the “I wish I would have responded this way….” On the heels of the surprising news last night I told Jason “even though it’s been challenging…… I wish we had been more intentional to encourage when we had opportunity.” You never know how long you have in a given situation. Thank you for your transparency. Coram deo! 😉
Embrace? Yes, most definitely! The blessings you are receiving from your grandkids as you are able to watch them develop and grow their personalities, and being there in their day to day lives is a wonder most would gladly love to have, yet cannot. Indeed, embrace with all your heart, as you see your son’s struggle being relieved, so he may complete his education, knowing his family is with who he loves and trust most, you and Charles. Embrace the daughter in law! She understands where you are coming from, I only wonder how she must feel, married, kids, and living with you again. Her heart must be relieved most times, yet wondering if this is their future? Love them, embrace them, and your husband, for being the wonderful Christain example of family. We all want our privacy, our “alone time” and sometimes struggle to receive it. But perhaps God is blessing your family by allowing you this window of time in theirs to truly embrace.
Miss you my friend…thanks for your insight! Much love!