A good work reminder from God

I’ve been wondering what is the purpose of my life. Am I doing enough? Am I doing what I was “meant” to do? I don’t want to miss it- whatever “it” is.

Yes, I battle these thoughts. I’m very heavily a ‘do-er.’ I’m a visionary idealistic person with super high hopes and dreams. I tend to work to make things happen, get exhausted, and then upon reevaluation and reflection I see that somehow, yet again, I’ve ran ahead of God. Anybody else?

Well this morning as I drove to seminary, it occurred to me that maybe I’m already doing what I’m meant to do. 🤔 I found myself recalling dinner last night with my family. It’s a regular in these parts- we wait on each other to eat because it matters to me that we carve out SOME intentional TIME with one another. So, we do it over dinner by eating together. Yesterday, the family waited on me to get home so we could eat. When I stepped into the house, I could smell the delicious yummyness! As I was kicking off my shoes and putting my bag down by the door I yelled out- “Man- that smells SO GOOD!” Madelyn put her FOOT in dis! Check that out!! Man o’ MAN!!” (My yelling out draws the attention of my spouse who has made it a practice of stopping whatever he’s doing to come and greet me when I come into the door which is something he is big about. My yelling also drew out my daughter from her room in which I detected a sheepish grin on her face.) I could see the oven light on and the scalloped potatoes in the pan. I saw the aluminum foil covered pan under it and knew it was the brisket I gave my daughter tips on how to prepare and cook. That’s right, my 14 year old teenager daughter cooked. She made dinner last night and she ‘put her foot’ all up in that meal last night. (I try to teach my kids my language of enthusiasm and expression- they be rolling their eyes or straight ignoring my ways – or do they? The way I talk frustrates my appropriate grammar using spouse who periodically asks me why do I insist on sounding so ‘unprofessional’? You have 2 masters degrees, don’t you want to be taken seriously?’ he protests.) But I digress, so…. what I thought about as I was driving to seminary this morning wasn’t really the meal but it was the impromptu discussion we had as a family afterwards.

After dinner, I told my teens that I wasn’t going to be home for the rest of the week because I was going to the African American Preaching Conference at my school. It started off with my son asking ‘but why an AFRICAN American preaching conference though’? To talking about differences between black churches, white churches and their preaching topic tendencies to the ways of Jesus, to death row and looking up statistics about the death penalty. We talked about murderers, pedophiles and what’s appropriate punishments and who gets to decide. We talked about legal counsel and resources. We talked about capitalism, socialism verses communism and the differences.

These topics were raised by both my teens and I was surprised by their views and reasonings. It was a great discussion filled with lots of disagreements and exchanging of ideas. I heard my teens share their differing views- even with one another- which continued long after I left. I overheard my son invite my daughter to ‘do something’ for the causes she lamented about (my words) instead of saying that ‘somebody else’ should do/fix it. “That’s my son,” I whispered to my husband, my hand over my heart, as we overheard their continued discussions with one another from our bedroom and he agreed. I overheard my son champion the things I’ve been harping about but I thought no one was really hearing me.

This is what I remembered as I drove to school today.

As I think about what I’m doing in this season, I realize again how grateful I am to God for my family. As I keep pondering what I’m doing with my life and my work God has reminded me to not forget or devalue what is going on right in front of me. There is a good work being done right here in my home if I have eyes to see it. God gave me ears to hear it last night and to be reminded again that I’m right where I need to be. Lord please help me to let that be enough. Help me to be content God. Help me to not lose sight of the ministry to this family that you have given me. I don’t need to ‘preach’ to my family or be someone I’m not- I just need to keep showing up and be the me that God has created me to me. That ‘me’ includes being a mom who is intentional about connection and community in our family. Thank you for showing me a bit of the fruit Lord. I needed that.

What is God showing you right now today that’s right in front of you?

Did anything stand out to you from my story? I’d love to hear it if you’d like to share.

Blessings and peace of Christ to you wherever you are in your journey. Sincerely,

Sejana

I’ve been doing these weekly prayers and posting it on YouTube if you’d like to take a listen or tune in. I’m more consistent posting on IG (or FB) right now @sejanashines.

About SejanaShines

Hi! My name is Sejana Yoo. I shine light on what matters most by empowering and equipping others to do whatever it is they are here to do, well, for the benefit of all we love & serve. I enjoy sharing hope for everyday life to others – from the mundane to the messy. I offer support by sharing learning events and connection opportunities both online & in-person, spiritual direction services, and/or through preaching for pulpit-supply. You can learn more about me here. And You can connect with me in various ways here. May you have Peace! – Sejana

3 responses to “A good work reminder from God”

Anna Walton

September 27, 2023

This came at such a good time Sejana. I saw this in my email and left a reminder to read this later today around 11 and decided to dig in much earlier. I am in this exact position. In fact, I spoke with a friend about this just last night, and I get an alert about this being in my email this morning. God is good. I have been feeling this way for some time. Am I not doing enough? I’ve been thinking about writing a Christian cookbook and got discouraged how to tie food into scripture because there isnt a mass amount of scripture that is food related, (doors close) I’ve been trying to connect with community members on how to do more with my baking and get advice no one ever responds or gets back to me (doors close). I was recently given a name by a friend who knows the owner of a popular business that even my dad loved to eat at a lot, to ask for business advice from. He told me, sometimes restaurants will sell your baked goods for you and give you a percentage, and to give this individual a call, and tell them he sent me. He told me this was a good way to start small and try talking with this person. I spoke with him once and I wonder if he didnt respond b/c of my nervousness. I stuttered in my call with him and explained everything for the most part, but at one point in my nervousness said, “I don’t know what else to say, but I sent you a portfolio and synopsis of what I’d like to discuss”. That was our only interaction. He never viewed my pictures after he said he would “in this chat platform it shows when people read messages. He also never responded to my email saying thanks to him and a little reminder to take a gander at my portfolio. In my history, networking has NEVER worked, so I beg to differ ” it’s about who you know.” Every time I get referred to people, they never get back with me or say have nothing they can do in the end to help. The continuation of rejection has really contributed to my social anxiety. Even the rare times I am not nervous and am truly confident there is rejection or no way for people to help or get told “and we don’t know anyone that can help.” The farmers markets have stricter protocol nowdays. I even thought about leading a bible study and unsure if I should be doing that. I don’t have funds to get a food truck or lease a building, or someone even suggested a “she shed” on my mom’s property (also costly to run electricity, plumbing find someone to build it) which is what I would have to do b/c of the zoning laws here you can’t have pets in the home, and your kitchen has to be offsite. Another friend I know, told me they had to lease a building elsewhere b/c of the same reason b/c with those factors’ pets/off site kitchen area (the zoning issues), you cannot have a home-based kitchen. I think to myself “God made me a cook for a reason so how come all the doors to take it further always close?” I often feel dejected, rejected and alone because no matter what approach I take it’s the same. Is it because I lack faith, or because I’m seeing this with me in mind instead of glorifying God? I told my friend I’m very discouraged seeing friends (who none the less I’m happy for them) succeed in the same dreams while I can seem to get anything moving. In this however, I need to look at a few things. I took this time to rest first of all. Secondly, everything is in Gods timing, and I know I don’t want to dive into this headfirst. I know I was once told God doesn’t need all of us on big platforms doing all of the big things. He needs some of us doing the work at home (the small things), and that is just as important.

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Anna Walton

September 27, 2023

I also wanted to add. In this, I often struggle with being in the present moment. What is the balance? For instance, with dating, you could let it go and leave it Gods hands; however, God isn’t a genie. How would you know what person God may have for you if you don’t put yourself out there? A job, you can’t sit around waiting on God to do the work (even though he can do anything). You can’t just say “alright God I leave in your hands” and sit in repose. You still have to fill applications. In my situation, how will I know how to serve God with the talent of cooking he’s giving me? If I do research and try talking with people and do whatever I can to make this potential business happen, then I could be in disobedience by getting ahead of God. However, I could also be in disobedience my sitting and twirling my thumbs in waiting hoping a miracle business partner or what have you, crosses my path? I’m lately coming to the conclusion that right now my purpose is to spend time with my mom, care for her and Alex, rest, and that’s it. I think I’m just having trouble being content with “that’s it for now”. Like you said, perhaps not always seeking a bigger picture.

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Sejana

September 27, 2023

Thank you so much Anna for sharing your response and for sharing your heart. This is real and you’re living it out right now wondering what to do with the gift of hospitality and culinary arts that you’ve been given. You have diligently and faithfully worked your talents and it has produced fruit. I pray that God will bring the increase 10x, 30x, 100 fold in due time. I don’t know about you but what I was reminded of is that my teens are here with me NOW but it won’t be FOREVER. They have plans to move on with their life in their due season. So maybe this is the season for focusing on what’s right in front of us as the Lord works out the details and brings the growth also in it’s due season.

Thank you for your encouragement Anna. When I write and post my blogs, I don’t know who will read it and how they will be affected but I trust that God will use it whenever and however God wants. I’m so glad to read your encouragement today. Keep being you as you hold onto your faith and trust in the Lord.

Sejana

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