Stay at Home Mom

My confession: I’m a procrastinator. Don’t get me wrong, my procrastination is very specific. If something looks too daunting to do at the time, I will procrastinate. Why am I telling you this?

Yesterday, I decided to take on my most daunting task: laundry. Washing and drying laundry isn’t the problem; however, folding and organizing is problematic. As a mother of a child under a year old, I find it difficult to tear myself away from that precious face. Also, if things are piled up, I tend to avoid them. Trust me, I’m not perfect, but I believe yesterday is worth celebrating. I’m a wonderful work in progress. Do you have moments of procrastination? (If so, tell me about your solution to procrastination.)

Jonah also wanted to avoid something he knew he needed to do. In case you haven’t read the story, here’s a brief summary:

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them that He was not happy with their actions. Apparently, God had plans to allow Nineveh to be overthrown. Jonah packed up his things, and he took a boat in the opposite direction of Nineveh.

Girl, yes, he straight-up disobeyed God. Now let’s be honest, we have had our moments, too. Let’s show him a little mercy. There are some places we shouldn’t have gone and some people we shouldn’t have been with. Guess what? We are still here, by the grace of God.

Since Jonah decided to ignore God’s command, his cruise went downhill quickly. A storm made it impossible for them to get to their destination, and the passengers were interrogating Jonah. Who are you? Where are you from? Who are your people? What’s your occupation? (Why does his job matter? Some people are just nosy.)

As Jonah explained who he was and about God, the passengers became afraid. They started accusing him of angering God. After some self-reflection, Jonah realized that a vacation was not a good idea. He tells the men to throw him overboard. They hesitated momentarily, but they decided it was for the best.

Afterward, the storm and rough waters ceased, and a giant fish swallowed Jonah. He remained in this fish for three days and nights. During this time, Jonah cried out to God. The majority of chapter two sounds like something out of the book of Psalms. Very beautifully worded prayer. God directs the fish to spit Jonah out onto a shore. Maybe he’s getting that well-deserved vacation after all.

You probably have guessed that Jonah is in Nineveh. God gave him the same command as last time, and Jonah did not procrastinate. Once Jonah did his job, he was furious. Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh because he knew God would forgive the people there.

I guess everyone has reasons for procrastinating, but I hope you don’t procrastinate on your choice to follow Jesus. He did not avoid death because He knew that you would be set free. I have heard someone say that there’s no way that God has time to care for one person. There are too many people and galaxies to worry about.

I’m here to refute that statement. You’re more precious than the stars He placed in the sky. They are so wondrously arranged that we can’t help but admire them. You are more important than the stars to God. You are His greatest masterpiece. You are the only creation made in the image of God. You are a great wonder, and don’t you ever forget it.

Sincerely Your Sister,

JJJ.