Christian Living
Most women today are expert multi-taskers, hefting a skillet in one hand and a half-packed diaper bag in the other, all while emailing a client or boss. It’s a juggling act that can take a toll on the most organized person. Most women, though, are pretty good at keeping all the objects in the air because they know if they drop one, then someone or something suffers—faith, husband, children, or career. In Blessed Are the Jesus Chicks, Miranda Bradley offers a practical guide to balancing the complex issues working Christian moms face—such as childcare, careers, marriage, faith, and friendship. Hers is the perspective of one who not only has “been there,” but who is still struggling to keep God at the top of her priority list. Readers will come away with the knowledge that they are not alone, with the inspiration to embrace their sometimes chaotic lives, and with the reassurance of Christ’s everlasting grace. Miranda Bradley is a native of Bossier City, Louisiana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Miranda spent seven years as a communications manager for a Christian nonprofit organization before launching her own communications business, Bcreative (www.bcreativetx.com). She now is a work-at-home mom specializing in copywriting for nonprofits and small businesses. Miranda lives in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two sons.
Chapter 3
Priorities, Priorities! Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see. —Corrie Ten Boom This book focuses on balancing our lives between work and home. But before we dive into any other topic, we must first discuss where our priorities lie. Ruth Graham, third daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, is a renowned speaker and author. She and I recently discussed advice she gives to women she meets while on tour. “Put God first,” she said simply. “And keep your priorities straight. We can’t take our job, career, or money with us when we go, so it’s important to lead a balanced life. It’s so easy to put faith and family aside because they aren’t the ones who holler the loudest.” During her speaking engagements, Ruth often uses a demonstration with unshelled pecans and garden peas. First she puts the peas in a jar, then tries to fit the pecans in the same container. It doesn’t work. “But,” she says, “if you put the pecans in first, everything else fits. That’s how it is with God. The pecans represent him.”
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BLESSED ARE THE JESUS CHICKS
In chapter 8, I review techniques to help you spend time with God even with a busy schedule. Now, however, I’d like to point out how Jesus maintained his focus while on earth. In difficult times, such as when he was getting ready to face his captors, Jesus didn’t throw things or moan about the unfairness of life. Instead, he prayed. And he didn’t just pray once; he prayed three times at the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-45). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thrown a fit or cried in despair at life’s inequities. These are the times I should be praying. We are but specks of sand on a vast beach. Still, God cares about us and knows where our lives are heading: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer 29:11). I try to remember this every day, but in balancing my work, family, and personal life, it can become tricky. God does care about the struggles we face, and the best part is that, while he wants us to strive to be the best Christians possible, he does not expect the human race to be perfect. That honor was reserved for his one and only Son. It’s important to define your main priority. Many women nobly put their families first. However, that is not where our primary focus should be. As with the pecans, if we don’t place God first, the rest of the jar will be crowded and uncomfortable. God commanded, “You should have no other gods before me” (Exod 20:3). Recently, I felt convicted about the high level of attention I was giving my sons. That might sound strange, considering that mothers ought to be attentive to their children. But I realized that I had placed them at the top of my priority list instead of third under God and my husband. Immediately, I knew I had to
PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES!
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change my way of thinking. I asked myself, does God benefit from my relationship with my children or would my children benefit from my relationship with God? I asked the same question regarding my husband. The answer was clear. My family would feel more loved and supported if I focused first on God. God centers me and helps me remember what is most important in this life. Still, nothing but God trumps family for me. God inspires me to relish my family time and to make the most of each and every day. Obviously, work does not float to the top of the pile, and that is as it should be. In chapter 5 I’ll discuss handling the pressure to place more emphasis on work, unfortunately a sometimes uncomfortable but necessary evil. Work plays an important part in my life, even if it is number four or five on the priority list, because I feel that God has called me to serve children and families. I met my husband through my job, and I have been blessed tenfold besides. I’m a firm believer in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” If we are called to work, we must do it for the Lord, even if we aren’t in the professional ministry. Whether you are a police officer, waitress, teacher, physician, or account executive, if you are a Christian, you must dedicate your work to the Lord. But when you get home, whatever work concerns or stresses you carry with you should fall away, changing your focus from working for the Lord to loving your family for the Lord. This is the true key to a balanced life—making a way for God to work through us in every endeavor.
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BLESSED ARE THE JESUS CHICKS
Questions 1. List your priorities in order of current emphasis. Be honest with yourself. Then review the list and see if it requires reorganization. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ 2. Have there been times when you have placed other gods before the Lord (Exod 20:3)? If so, what were they and why did you feel the need to put such emphasis on them? _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ 3. How much time do you take for God in a day? When does this occur? Is there a more effective way to spend time with God alone? _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
Christian Living
Most women today are expert multi-taskers, hefting a skillet in one hand and a half-packed diaper bag in the other, all while emailing a client or boss. It’s a juggling act that can take a toll on the most organized person. Most women, though, are pretty good at keeping all the objects in the air because they know if they drop one, then someone or something suffers—faith, husband, children, or career. In Blessed Are the Jesus Chicks, Miranda Bradley offers a practical guide to balancing the complex issues working Christian moms face—such as childcare, careers, marriage, faith, and friendship. Hers is the perspective of one who not only has “been there,” but who is still struggling to keep God at the top of her priority list. Readers will come away with the knowledge that they are not alone, with the inspiration to embrace their sometimes chaotic lives, and with the reassurance of Christ’s everlasting grace. Miranda Bradley is a native of Bossier City, Louisiana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Miranda spent seven years as a communications manager for a Christian nonprofit organization before launching her own communications business, Bcreative (www.bcreativetx.com). She now is a work-at-home mom specializing in copywriting for nonprofits and small businesses. Miranda lives in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two sons.