Every Job is Different

 This past month, I enjoyed a refreshing perspective and reminder.

It is easy as a homemaker to lose focus.

The article I read this was based on a question posed to the writer:

Should a wife work outside of the home?

I have struggled with this when people ask what I do.

Sometimes I feel judged as lazy or undisciplined.

I have wondered if I should do more to "help" the family?

The author's answer was based on the title "helpmeet."

Should or can a "helpmeet" work outside of the home?

Her answer was simple ... and for me, encouraging!

Am I the best help for my husband if I am working out of the home?

Some wives can be the best helpmeet and have an external job.

Every time I consider an extra job, I find myself saying, 

"If I do this, hubby might have to get his own lunch."

"If I do this, hubby might have to help with ___."

Not every wife needs to research recipes for certain health needs.

Not every wife needs to exercise each day.

Not every wife needs to keep their home quite so quiet and tidy.

Every husband is different.

Therefore every couple has to answer the question for themselves.

My hubby is very independent and capable.

He is super tidy.

He can clean better than I can.

He is able to cook and follow recipes.

He could easily do many of the jobs I do,

but I can help him by doing them so that he has time to study,

to minister to others,

and even to spend more time with me.

I can do things that help him with his health and wellness goals.

So I was encouraged.

Every job is different.

Every home is different.

Every helpmeet has different work to do.

It is OK if I work at home!

O Where O Where Has the Little Month Gone?

 Ah!  May has disappeared.

May typically blows by in a blur.

It is usually a roller coaster of activities and emotions

and this month was no different.

May is a month that reminds me that the plan God has for me is different than that of most others.

This reminder usually comes with tears as well as a renewed trust that God is in control.

Verses of God's goodness and His trait of only doing good become more and more dear.

May also comes with a birthday.

Hubby celebrated me with two party weekends.

We shopped for flowers for the yard and the planters.

We visited a favorite local eatery and tried a new-to-us gluten-free bakery.

Of course, we enjoyed long walks to celebrate another year of life.

We have enjoyed the local WKU campus for walks

and recently enjoyed a new greenway in Clarksville, TN.

We enjoyed our first "non-family" overnight guests this month making room for 7 extras!

We may not be related by blood, but a bond in Christ can be as strong or stronger than family bonds.

We have also seen God's protection through 2 or 3 large storms complete with a tornado in at least some part in B.G.

So I have been absent online, but am still here.

I am thankful for a God who is my strength.

I am thankful for a God who protects.

I am thankful for a God who has given another year of life.

Food Plan Friday: G-BOMBS

 Friday night:

Chicken Tenders and Waffle Fries

(Perdue gluten free and Ore Ida Waffle Fries)

Saturday:

Smoothies and Muffins

Avocado Toast

Turkey Sandwich

Sunday:

Smoothies and Muffins

Chicken Salad

Breakfast for Dinner

Monday:

Smoothies and Muffins

Leftover Chicken Salad

Grilled Chicken on Green Salad

Tuesday:

Oatmeal

PB and J with Apple

Vegan Power Bowl

Wednesday:

Oatmeal

Grilled Chicken and Side Salad

Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday:

Smoothies and Muffins

Perfect Burger

Green Salad with Chickpeas

Friday:

Smoothies and Muffins

Sardines and Green Drink

It is a pretty simple week,

I tried to do some "shopping" from the pantry, fridge, and freezer.

Of course there was some fresh greens needed,

but other than that, trying to clean out some older stuff.

And the food challenge?

I was recently reading a nutritionist who recommended

G-BOMBS

every day.

What are G-BOMBS?

Well, it is a helpful tip to eat some of the many cancer fighters available in the plant world.

Greens

Beans

Onions

Mushrooms

Berries

Seeds

4 in the list are easy for me,

but the other 2 are harder.

My morning smoothie has beans, berries and seeds.

My lunch is often a salad or includes a green drink.

I don't really like onions and mushrooms -

but, I see their value and am adding onions to my salads more often.

I don't mind a sauteed onions, so I include that a lot.

But, mushrooms?

I occasionally throw these on my salad,

but, I also make a commitment to add chopped mushrooms anytime I brown ground meat.

In this way, I can kind of hide their slimy texture :)