Vocation/The Spirituality of Ordinary Life

I've so enjoyed having this excuse to go through this book again. Thank you for all the comments you've made either to me personally, through email or on the blog.

I ask for some added grace and maybe a boatload of prayers from those following along? I'm going to limit my own comments for this week and allow you to explore the topic of vocation a bit more on your own.

This has turned into a week of mourning and rejoicing as my father-in-law has been called to his eternal home with Jesus.

I'd like to suggest the following podcast to compliment your reading this week. The guest is one of my favourite bloggers and I totally dig her Tennessee accent. The Dignity of Christian Vocation by Edie Wadsworth on Issues, etc. 

The whole topic of vocation gets me all excited and I don't know why. I think maybe it's because it gives me such purpose in all the mundane things of life and makes it incredibly important. That God is working through me as I change diapers, clean toilets and make bread (not in that order). That He provides for others through me is very humbling. And that He provides my needs through the people around me makes me see everyone as "wearing the masks of God". We don't have to be doing something overtly "Christian" and "good" like serving at a soup kitchen, pregnancy counselling centre or church function to be doing something important (although there is certainly nothing wrong with those things), but that serving our neighbour in any capacity like being a mother, daughter, wife or friend is a spiritual act.

In this culture of independence, we are in fact, dependant. We need one another. We need Him. God has designed it that way.

This topic has made me think over the years about how to apply it as a parent. If we believe that God chooses our vocations (because He is in control and blesses us with the unique gifts we have), how do we guide our children in their future? Don't mistake this belief with some sort of fatalism as if we don't have the responsibility to make choices, plans, etc. It should always be balanced with God's Word and an understanding of our free will.

The Gospel for Former Evangelicals: Discerning God's Will - Issues,etc. 

As my children set out on their own life, my husband and I have the important responsibility to point out or guide them in a direction they may not clearly see. We may see the unique talents they have, the strength of character they possess and the passion in certain areas they show. We will want to offer suggestions on how best to use what we see in them. Ultimately, it is their life and it's up to them whether they desire our wisdom. We want them to use what they have and find a career that makes the most of those God given characteristics, not work against them. To have a job you can enjoy is such a gift!

And as this week for me is all about family - we have our vocations here, too. I thank the Lord for the man who's name I've married into. I thank the Lord for providing me with a husband who had such a great Dad who taught him about Jesus. I thank the Lord for the Grandpa my kids loved. In his many vocations - as husband, Dad, father-in-law, Grandpa, son, brother, friend, engineer and more, Jake wore the "mask of God" as he served and gave of himself to those around him.
All our work in the field, in the garden, in the city, in the home, in struggle, in government - to what does it all amount before God except child's play, by means of which God is pleased to give his gifts in the field, at home and everywhere? These are the masks of our Lord God, behind which he wants to be hidden and to do all things. (page 93/94) 

Jake Halldorson July 3, 1945 - March 23, 2015