Helpmate

    So we have a move coming up in a little while. We know the destination, but we don't have a timeline. We believe God is giving us time to save up for the move, so we are being patient while we save and wait. God has also given hubby instructions about what he will be doing once we move. Which then made me start wondering what my job/task will be once we move. I pondered that for a few days and then started thinking about my role as a wife and woman. As a man and husband, hubby's role is to lead and provide, which he does beautifully. And I get to sit back and watch the show.

    Genesis 2:18 "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." (KJV) I have been familiar with this verse for most of my life, but I haven't really delved into it until recently. Maybe I wasn't mature enough or ready. But I am now. That is the beauty of God's word. It is alive and active, and you can read one verse all your life, and each time God can reveal new things to you.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

    Slowly, over a couple of days, God reminded me of my role as a help meet. Or as we more commonly say, "helpmate" And that my role is to support my husband. So I let that marinate in my heart and mind for a few days and started serving/helping hubby at home better. Mainly with a better attitude. I also started calling myself 'helpmate' as a term of endearment. He noticed very quickly and was enjoying his view.

    Then this past week, hubby was working on his surfboard and feeling very frustrated. He has been sanding it for a few days, and he wasn't getting the results he needed and wanted. He was trying to figure out what the problem was, but wasn't getting anywhere. He was looking up videos on YouTube and such, but getting nowhere. On Wednesday morning, he was driving me to work and venting about it. I suggested that after work, he pick me up and take me to the shop and look at the surfboard together. I figured a second opinion and a fresh pair of eyes would go a long way. He agreed. He also asked for prayer over the stress of it all. Around 12:30-1:00 that day, I was praying for him and asking God to give him the encouragement he needed. I said I didn't know if it would come from God himself or from me, but that hubby needed encouragement. Holy Spirit then reminded me that I am his 'helpmate' and that the encouragement would be coming from God through me.

    When he picked me up that day, he was feeling awful and defeated. We drove home, and I convinced him to take me to the shop and look at his board. I was pretty sure that a) he just needed encouragement and b) that he was overthinking everything. Which is a trait that we both share. We head to the shop and he shows me the board and as expected. It was fine. Yes, it needed work, but not nearly as bad as he had described. He instantly felt better, and I shared how I was praying for him, and God told me that he needed encouragement from his help mate.

    I then started to wonder about how my role as a wife is to blend with society and my hobbies. Basically, how do I enjoy my life and still help my hubby the way God intended? The answer boils down to putting God first, and everything else will fall into place. Meaning that I serve and worship Him first, and then part of my service and worship to my Heavenly Father is serving, helping, and taking care of hubby, and then when that is all in the correct order, God blesses and redeems my time and gives me time to enjoy my hobbies as well.

    It's not always easy, of course, but God is helping me and giving me more joy in the process and changing my heart towards the whole topic, and now I serve and help hubby with a much better servant's heart. I'm not a slave by any means, nor has he ever suggested any such thing. I'm simply following God's call on my life and serving Him and my hubby. I also don't share any of this to brag on myself. If anything, I'm bragging about what God has done in me and that I'm grateful for it.

I pray this blesses and encourages you in whatever way you need today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah