Do the Work!

Don't believe everything you think, Sister. 

I was lulled into stinkin' thinkin' and God's grace woke me up to let me know I wasn't doing the work of "throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. I was not "running with endurance the race marked out for me." (Hebrews 12:1)" 

So that verse became one of my daily fervent prayer requests! It was the start of a committed journey with the Holy Spirit to help me stop allowing myself "to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind!" (Romans 12:2). And guess what? TA-DA! After relentlessly praying, studying, and seeking counsel from the Holy Spirit day after day, week after week, I was able to write in my prayer journal that I could see spiritual fruit growing from my prayers because I was finally committed again to clinging to God and kept an ear to the Holy Spirit all day long. Yes, it's work. But it works! I was willing to do the work and I was becoming fruitful and free again from wrong thinking and from seeds of toxic thoughts the enemy was trying to plant in my brain. YAY!

"You, dear children, are from God, and have overcome them; because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world!" (1 John 4:4)

Look, we have to make a choice. Are we going to choose to stop whining, stop complaining, stop gossiping, stop comparing, and stop the insanity of idolatry? Who or what are we worshipping? 

Here is exhilarating verse for all of us to be renewed: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."  (2 Peter 1:3). 

Wow! What a gift. He has given us everything we need to thrive; to flourish! He equips us because "apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The question for all of us is: Are we willing to do the work of loving God wholeheartedly, loving people unconditionally, denying ourselves, forgiving others, repenting of our sins, giving thanks and spreading lovingkindness, everyday?! Yes, we have to do the work with this gift God has given us.

The video clip below is from the movie Julie & Julia.  In this scene we see that three women  committed to collaborate on writing a French Cookbook. One of those women was Julia Childs (played by Meryl Streep).  They had a problem with the woman who was not doing the work; she often kept coming up with excuses why she couldn't show up to get their manuscript completed. They decided to confront her.  This is the conversation:

As the mother of two daughters who are beautiful inside and out (I can say that because I'm their Mom and this is my blog, LOL), I am beyond thrilled and thankful that Grace and Mary have always been willing to "do the work with all their might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10) in whatever they find their hands to do! That includes piano lessons, basketball, ballet, volleyball, choir, tag football, school grades, all kinds of leadership, musical performances and recitals. This kind of abundant living comes only from Jesus (John 10:10).  By the grace of God they're both young women who follow Jesus. They may even have a little bit of dust from His feet on them! Maybe. 

They have been inspiring to me since they were little girls: fiercely independent, a passion for life and laughter, tenderhearted, full of joy and endless talents, skills and abilities. They overcome their personal shortcomings on a regular basis with tenacious perseverance and prayer. God has His grip on both of them and yes, they do the work, Baby.

So what do you want for your life, Sisters?
To feel better and have more energy we need to exercise regularly. We need to pray for self control and to be motivated to do the work to be healthier. FACT: Nobody is going to do the strenuous workout sessions for us. We have to do the work to have a strong, healthy body. Our bodies and our own lives are a gift from God. What are we doing with the "temple of the Holy Spirit?"

Our daughter, Mary (Balint) Agee, is a wife, mom, and a very gifted athlete, marketing consultant, and certified personal trainer at American Body Works in Holly Springs, GA. She's tenaciously driven-- literally-- in every area of her life to achieve and thrive for the glory of God and for the love of her family and community. Yep. She chooses every day to do the work.
 

To develop God-given talents and gifts we must practice, practice, practice! Right? And then rehearse again and again! We've got to do the work through blood, sweat and tears. Both of our daughters are willing to do that every day because I watch them be overcomers. God is amazing and astounding me everyday as I watch Him work in their lives.

This is our daughter, Grace Balint, in a rehearsal hall for her upcoming "One Woman Show" in Los Angeles, CA. She's always been willing to do the work of long hours of rehearsal, costume selection, music selection, and choreography. She is willing to do the work for all of her various musical performances and worship services. And breaks more than a little sweat on a regular workout at Equinox Gym in Los Angeles. Best of all, she knows this power and ability comes from her Lord and Savior! She also chooses to do the work, every day. 

I may not tuck the girls in bed at night anymore but Don and I still cover them with our prayers which include our son-in-law and baby grandson!

Are you committed to covering your family with your prayers every day, too? That's doing the work. But this work is an absolute labor of love! It's a generational blessing! Pass it on!

"Commit your ways to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."

Psalm 37:5-6

I write to shine the light and bring glory to God.
With a very thankful heart,
Polly💖