The Calling

There doesn't seem to be a lot of people viewing this blog yet. So it's not like you (whoever you are) have been waiting on pins and needles for me to tell you what the calling was. But, as promised, here it is.
If you recall, in my last posting, I mentioned that God told me what His plan for my life was, my calling, when I was just 14 years old.
That calling has helped me in some major life decisions. I had an opportunity to study in another country for a year, and put some fine tuning to the French I was learning in college. Then, Karl came along. I remembered God's plan for my life, and even though I really wanted to study in France, I also really wanted to follow God's plan.
In our present society and culture, it seems crazy to think a woman wants to be a wife and mother, period. But it's not just what I want, it is what God told me His plans for my life were. Is there any honor or worth in "just being a mom, just being a wife." Well, we all know that behind every successful man is a strong woman. We also know that the hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world. So, yes, there is honor and worth in being a godly wife and mother. I can raise my children to be a blessing to society. I can stand behind my husband and support him when he's fighting some intense spiritual battles.
Recently, I've felt that I wasn't doing "enough." Again, falling prey to the idea that "just being a mom, just being a wife," isn't enough. However, remembering my calling from God has helped me to see that God is the one I answer to, not the press or society clubs. I want Him to be able to say of me, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

How Could I Forget My Calling?

Thanks to a friend of ours, Steve Severance, Karl and I listened to an excellent tape on when and how God calls you and what He calls you to do. Please catch this - Pastors are not the only people who receive a calling from God. I hope that doesn't shock you. Many people have been "called" to do a work for God. Whether it be a teacher, doctor, attorney, housewife, factory worker, nurse, firefighter.., God can call anyone to do any job for Him. The message on this tape was very inspiring. We were blessed. My heart was broken.
I realized that I had forgotten my calling. How can you do that? How can you forget the moment when you were all by yourself, yet the Presence with you was so overpowering that you knew God was communicating with you. How could I have forgotten that? Perhaps I had fallen into the trap that only pastors get a call from God. Perhaps I was inundated with society and its pressures on women to do more and be more. I mean, what kind of person would I be if I couldn't fight world hunger, homeschool my child, be the perfect wife, save the whales, encourage everyone to vote for my political party, support my local library, spend adequate time writing lengthy letters to friends and family, keep a perfect house, have hours and hours of joyous play time with my children and the list goes on and on until you want to vomit.
That day, when I was only 14 years old, God revealed to me what my calling was. How could I have forgotten. How could I have pushed that beautiful experience aside, just because it didn't match with the standards society seems to set for me? How could I have forgetten, that on that day, God came near, and made me know what His plan was for my life. I must answer that call. No more no less. God wants me to do my best for Him, according to what He has required of me. Next time, I'll tell you what that calling was.
Sharon Leukert