I think I told you that every suggestion for work that my husband made involved a drive-thru window. Now, I think I know why he made those suggestions. Free food. He's so bad. Don't get me wrong, I would if my family needed me to, but after paying off college loans, and working so hard in school, it's a great feeling to make use of my degree. Besides, if I worked at Starbucks, I would drink my whole paycheck. 

[Brief 15 year history: I served as a middle school youth minister along with my husband. For the last fifteen years, I have had the honor of staying at home with my kids. I had four of them in less than five years, began homeschooling when the oldest was six, adopted two more children three years ago, and home schooled them for a short time as well. This year is the second year all of my kids have been in public school. People have asked me, "what do you do with all your time now?" Well. There are six growing children in my home, load after load of laundry, not to mention managing the family calendar of activities, appointments, and forgotten items that I bring to the school almost daily. I have volunteered and lead a ministry at our church.]

So, besides buying a new calendar, getting a classroom ready, and creating a totally new morning routine for our family, I am praying. Specifically, I am asking God a question and looking for his answer. "What is your plan in all of this?" 

This job was given to me by him. A gift of opportunity. If his hand is in it, I don't want to miss a minute of it. He is up to something- I just know it. The only job that I thought in my mind would work with our family was a part time job at my kids' school. A half-day position was created at my kids' school. A gift. 

Whenever God gives us a gift, I believe the first thing we should say after "thank you" is "what do you want me to do with this, Lord?" It's no good if he's not in it. I am watching and listening with much excitement to see him do his thing and with much humility that I get to be a part of it. 

God orchestrates opportunities for us daily. Conversations with neighbors, new relationships, extra time with a child, a snow day at home, extra money, etc. The greatest blessings await us when we ask, "What's your plan for this, Lord?" 

Proverbs 3:5-6