This is really hard. I would say it is the main issue my husband and I face as a couple. I'm the one with trouble saying no...to the right things.

Ha, is he your oldest? It is an amazing list. I hope he has some grace with himself and his failings mixed in with these incredible goals.

For me...#2. Be with God.

You mean, like now when it's 8:03 PM, I've been at work all day, and now I have my feet up on the couch while they play in the bath, at 3 min past their bedtimes? Dear Justin, I officially hate you now.

Just kidding. Kind of.
(on my way to put them to bed...)

What a cool post. I love that you can write this without bitterness.

I remember feeling this way, but with a boiling-over anger and bitterness. For years after I was married, I didn't want to have children. I wanted to focus on my career. I served a lot at church. And oh, how I hated the comments. I wondered why I could be better accepted in the world than in the church. (!) I still feel like there are very few voices of career-oriented Christian women out there.

God did change my heart on having children and 7 1/2 years into our marriage, our first son was born (we now have two). I love my boys to pieces (though I still don't feel like I was "born" to mother - like I am missing a gene or trying to write with my "opposite" hand - compared to what I think mothers *should* be like). I still pursue my career (though I have an 80% appointment now), and I still serve a lot in the church.

Now I'm rambling, sorry. I just wanted to say I can really identify with you. I do have children, but I still have this passion for excellence in my career that I can't help but think God put there. It's a daily struggle to figure out how the pieces fit together. There aren't a lot of role models out there.