I am thankful for every day that the Lord gives me with my children. However, not every moment is a walk-in-the-park filled with roses. No, much of my day is spent disciplining and working with a certain 2 year old who is disobedient, rebellious, selfish, and VERY good at the whole temper tantrum thing.
But this is not about a 2 year old little boy. (He is dead in his sins and enslaved to them until he comes to know Christ.) This is about a sinful mommy who has been greatly humbled by her own sin when these difficult situations surface in her home.
With each act of defiance, I am quick to lose my patience. The thoughts of my heart go something like this, "How dare he!" or "Why doesn't he ever do what I want him to. do?" My flesh is always ready to be angry, resulting in a response that is neither godly nor focused on truth. It is sin.
But with each of my sinful responses, God has graciously brought this verse to mind:
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love." ~Psalm 103:8
Before Christ, I was a disobedient enemy of God. I was rebelliously running away from Him as fast as I could while never looking back. But because Jesus Christ both obeyed perfectly and died in my place, I can know God's abounding, steadfast love. He is so merciful and gracious to me no matter how many times I mess up. He is slow to anger; patient with this mommy for whom Christ died. How can I respond in anything but that same love for my own children?
So even though these days have been full of challenges, I am thankful because God has used them to crush my sin and drive me to the cross.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Beyond Bath Time
If the life of a mom could be summed up in one word it would be "busy." Our days are quickly filled up with scrubbing chubby cheeks, making peanut butter sandwiches, tying shoe laces, and preparing baby bottles. It is so easy to get caught up with these little tasks that we forget that being a mommy is actually a ministry.
In her book Beyond Bath Time, Erin Davis gives a fresh perspective on mothering that is both comical and inspiring. It gets to the heart of what moms struggle with on a day-to-day basis while offering hope that there is more to this job than dishes, diapers, and drool. This book will encourage the weary and challenge the brave to view the role of "mom" with an eternal, kingdom perspective.
For more information, visit http://www.beyondbathtime.com/
In her book Beyond Bath Time, Erin Davis gives a fresh perspective on mothering that is both comical and inspiring. It gets to the heart of what moms struggle with on a day-to-day basis while offering hope that there is more to this job than dishes, diapers, and drool. This book will encourage the weary and challenge the brave to view the role of "mom" with an eternal, kingdom perspective.
For more information, visit http://www.beyondbathtime.com/
Friday, October 12, 2012
Blessings, not Burdens
It is October baseball season! The time when baseball fans anxiously await the crowning of the new World Series Champions. Our house is abuzz with excitement (and stress!) as we watch each game that our St. Louis Cardinals play during this postseason. Daddy cheers, Mommy runs around the living room, Fletcher imitates the players, and Sophie is just happy to be along for the ride!
Why is this Fall Classic such a big deal, anyway? What makes Americans sit on the edge of their seat, laugh, cry, and jump up and down? It is because the reward is sweet. There is nothing like seeing your favorite (or second favorite!) baseball team storm the field in victory, hold up that trophy, and win the ultimate prize of "Champion."
For those of you who don't have any interest at all in baseball, I apologize! I will move on and get to my point: the thrill of winning the World Series is nothing compared to receiving the reward that comes with having children.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." ~Psalm 127:3
I don't know of a single baseball player or fan that would say, "I think I'll pass on that World Series thing. Winning would be too much of a hindrance for me." In the same way, I do not see my children as an interference to my career, a crimp in my lifestyle, or a financial burden. I get excited when I think about them! I love spending the day playing, hugging, and providing for them.They are gifts given to me by a gracious God. They are my rewards.
God has blessed me beyond belief and brought such joy through the lives of my two little people. It is my prayer that as I invest my time, energy, and love into their lives, God will draw them to Himself and make them lovers of their Savior. I couldn't imagine having a higher career, ministry, or heritage than that.
And as for the World Series, we will have to wait and see!
Why is this Fall Classic such a big deal, anyway? What makes Americans sit on the edge of their seat, laugh, cry, and jump up and down? It is because the reward is sweet. There is nothing like seeing your favorite (or second favorite!) baseball team storm the field in victory, hold up that trophy, and win the ultimate prize of "Champion."
For those of you who don't have any interest at all in baseball, I apologize! I will move on and get to my point: the thrill of winning the World Series is nothing compared to receiving the reward that comes with having children.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." ~Psalm 127:3
I don't know of a single baseball player or fan that would say, "I think I'll pass on that World Series thing. Winning would be too much of a hindrance for me." In the same way, I do not see my children as an interference to my career, a crimp in my lifestyle, or a financial burden. I get excited when I think about them! I love spending the day playing, hugging, and providing for them.They are gifts given to me by a gracious God. They are my rewards.
God has blessed me beyond belief and brought such joy through the lives of my two little people. It is my prayer that as I invest my time, energy, and love into their lives, God will draw them to Himself and make them lovers of their Savior. I couldn't imagine having a higher career, ministry, or heritage than that.
And as for the World Series, we will have to wait and see!
Monday, October 8, 2012
A Little Pain, A Lot of Gain
My precious baby girl received 3 immunizations this week, 2 of which were given through the needle. With each poke her eyes widened in surprise and what followed was a piercing, heart-wrenching cry reserved only for the most traumatizing of situations.
As I held her hand, stroked her cheek, and kissed her forehead, she looked up at me with eyes that seemed to ask, "Why is this happening, Mommy?" The pain she was going through made absolutely no sense to her. But she doesn't know what I know. She doesn't know that without these vaccinations she is at risk for all kinds of horrendous illnesses like seizures, blood infections, brain damage, paralysis, or even death. She doesn't realize that I chose for her to go through this pain because I know what's best for her. I chose this because I love her.
Every time my children are vaccinated I am reminded of God's love. There are times when my heavenly Father puts me in painful situations that don't seem to make sense from my earthly perspective. When I am given a trial, I often say to God, "Why is this happening?" But I don't know what He knows. I don't understand how this pain can "work out for my good" and ultimately make me more like Christ. But God does.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." ~James 1:2
When the time of tribulation comes, we do not have to face it alone. Because of Christ's work on the cross we have complete access to the God of all comfort Who has promised to never leave us or forsake us.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions...For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." ~2 Corinthians 1: 4a & 5 [emphasis mine]
How encouraging to know that throughout any trial we may face, it is not because the world is spinning out of control and God is powerless to stop it. He actually chooses them for us because He knows what's best for us...because He loves us.
As I held her hand, stroked her cheek, and kissed her forehead, she looked up at me with eyes that seemed to ask, "Why is this happening, Mommy?" The pain she was going through made absolutely no sense to her. But she doesn't know what I know. She doesn't know that without these vaccinations she is at risk for all kinds of horrendous illnesses like seizures, blood infections, brain damage, paralysis, or even death. She doesn't realize that I chose for her to go through this pain because I know what's best for her. I chose this because I love her.
Every time my children are vaccinated I am reminded of God's love. There are times when my heavenly Father puts me in painful situations that don't seem to make sense from my earthly perspective. When I am given a trial, I often say to God, "Why is this happening?" But I don't know what He knows. I don't understand how this pain can "work out for my good" and ultimately make me more like Christ. But God does.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." ~James 1:2
When the time of tribulation comes, we do not have to face it alone. Because of Christ's work on the cross we have complete access to the God of all comfort Who has promised to never leave us or forsake us.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions...For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." ~2 Corinthians 1: 4a & 5 [emphasis mine]
How encouraging to know that throughout any trial we may face, it is not because the world is spinning out of control and God is powerless to stop it. He actually chooses them for us because He knows what's best for us...because He loves us.
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