Truth for Today: Running Away

Discouraging Thought: I want to run away.

Encouraging Truth: "The Lord is the everlasting God. . . . his understanding is unsearchable." - Isaiah 40:28

Loving Instruction: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

Our Reward: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

It's been one of those days. You know the kind. The really, really bad ones. The days where you stare blankly at your children eating lunch and wonder what would happen, if anything, if you were to just run. Hop in the car and run. And while you fantasize about driving your empty mini van off into the sunset and never returning, you know you will miss their sticky hugs and wet kisses. But then again, you are so racked with guilt over losing your temper and yelling at them for something as simple as asking a question, maybe you deserve to live a life alone, missing those crazy little people. But you don't run. Instead, you wipe off hands and mouths, you beg your children to go play as you shake out of anger, rage, guilt, and shame while sweeping the crumbs off the floor. As soon as nap time arrives, you collapse onto the floor and check social media, hoping for a notification, a message, an e-mail - anything that shows you still matter to someone, anyone. Nope, no one knows. No one knows how bad your heart hurts, how much you long to be a good wife and mommy, how utterly overwhelming life today has been.

Enter this blog post. My journal. My way of studying scripture. Because surely there is hope and love somewhere. And there is. There is unsearchable understanding in the arms of our Jesus. There is love like we can't explain, forgiveness that we can't comprehend, hope that we are able to grasp.

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." 

- Isaiah 40:27-31

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: This phase of life will never end.

Encouraging Truth: "For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him." - Ecclesiastes 8:6  

Loving Instruction: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God" - I Peter 5:6a

Our Reward: "so that at the proper time he may exalt you. Casting all your cares on him, for he cares for you." - I Peter 5:6b - 7

These days are long ones, these days of caring for lots of little people. Daily, I crawl out of bed to the sound of two toddler girls fighting, my 24 month old banging his head on his bed (WHY does he do this?!?), and my baby yelling and/or cooing, drenched in his own urine and slobber, all of them wanting to be changed and fed. I shuffle out of bed, trying to make sure I'm modest enough to meet my toddlers for the day so as to avoid those awkward questions about my now extremely saggy body. Survival is the name of the game as I change diapers and clothes, empty the potty chair, fill sippy cups and bottle, and pull out pop-tarts, crackers, or donuts for breakfast. Survival is the name of the game as I break up fights, find lost toys, kiss boo-boos, discipline and then comfort repeatedly. Surviving is having to decide whether to fold laundry or read a book to whiny children. It is microwaving hot dogs or making mac and cheese from that magical blue box for lunch. It's knowing that we're almost to nap time as I yell "stop throwing your food on the floor and eat it" for the tenth time in nine seconds while trying to feed baby a bottle with one arm. It's making it to nap time and melting into a pool of tears because I feel like the world is caving in around me, that I'm the only mother ever to struggle, the only one to almost give up caring about anyone or anything.

Somehow, every day, we make it to nap time, the cycle repeats itself, and we survive until bedtime. Every. Day. Some days are better, some days are worse. Since I am obviously still in the "loving instruction" part of this truth today, I realize I need to humble myself. So today I am admitting I can't do it all by myself. I am admitting that I am overwhelmed emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. I am admitting that my post partum depression, which has come and gone in little waves ever since baby's birth, has come back with a vengeance. (Humbling myself tomorrow by calling my OB to discuss hormone issues that are affecting the depression among other things.) I am admitting that I am nothing without my Jesus and it is only by His grace that I make it through each day.

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: God will only give me what I can handle.

Encouraging Truth: "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." . . .

Loving Instruction: . . . Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, . . .

Our Reward: . . . so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - II Corinthians 12:9

I don't know how many times this week the phrase "Lord, I can't handle this!" has been uttered silently, whispered, and even shouted through my lips. Everyone, including my nine month pregnant self, has been sick for a couple weeks now. We finally took the kids to the pediatrician as well as saw our doctors and all of us were put on antibiotics. However, a few days into the antibiotics, we all came down with some kind of other sickness causing fever, lack of appetite, and restless sleep. While trying to care for my three under three, third trimester nausea, exhaustion, headaches, and just about every ache and pain you can imagine have returned to torture me. Needless to say, I'm a walking emotional wreck - at the end of myself in every way emotionally, physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Yet every time I ended in a pile of tears on the kitchen floor sobbing to Jesus that I can not handle what was on my plate, I'd hear voices of pastors, friends, and family saying "God never gives us what we can't handle" and I'd feel guilty for telling God that I couldn't handle what He has given me. Now either I'm the world's most incompetent, emotional mother (that may not be so far-fetched) or something is wrong with the statement most of us had heard all our lives. After searching scripture, I have come to a conclusion: no where in the Bible does it say that God will not give us what we can't handle. (I Corinthians 10:13 comes the closest, but that is referring to temptations of sin, not struggles.) What I do find repeatedly is that God is our strength, and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It is His strength, not ours. Even one of the most popular verses to go to, Philippians 4:13, states that "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.". It's not our strength. It's His. I can't handle my circumstances. Period. And when I look at the last couple of weeks through that viewpoint, I can give God praise. I don't look back and see a disheveled whale of a woman sobbing on the couch with three toddlers piled around her. I see God's strength getting me through each day.

**As I am by no means an authority on scripture, I found this blog post to be particularly helpful: God Won't Give You More than You Can Handle**

II Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 

- II Corinthians 12:9

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I did not sign up for this.

Encouraging Truth: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
          rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
          and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28, 29

Loving Instruction: "Cast your burden on the Lord . . . " - Psalm 55:22a

Our Reward: ". . . and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
          - Psalm 55:22b

I really hope I'm not the only mama who has ever felt like saying out loud "Well, this wasn't in the parenting books." and "I did not sign up for this." Tonight has  been one of those nights. After assembling a bookshelf, folding laundry, paying bills, and doing some cleaning/organizing, my back was pretty much shot. (I realize I overdid it on the physical activities today, but nesting always comes very early for me.) Then I hear my 12 month old baby crying. Not a normal cry, a coughing, choking cry. Going in to check on him, I could smell the problem before I could see it. Puke. Everywhere. And hubby is at work. So I try to bend sideways into the crib, trying not to seriously squish my other baby, straining to lift my sopping son from his bed. While I run to the tub so as to catch any remaining puke, I go through the game plan in my head: strip baby, wipe down baby, redress baby, change sheets. By myself. While a sick baby cries, not wanting to be put down. I start crying to Jesus. Lord, you know my back is killing me and I can't bend over the tub to completely bathe my son. You know I can't bend over the crib all the way easily. You know I am exhausted. You know I am alone. And then I felt an answer in multiple little ways that are huge blessings when you have a puking baby. I had just folded laundry, still laying on the couch, a clean sleeper and sheets just waiting to be grabbed. The mess had stayed contained to not just the crib, but only the parts of the crib sheet that were on top of the waterproof pad. My baby didn't need a full bath, just his hands and mouth washed off. Only one of the two blankets he normally sleeps with got dirty. So an hour later, when the situation repeated itself, I rejoiced in the fact that I'm not alone, that God hears my insignificant prayers about an aching back and a puky baby. He will sustain me. He will give me rest.

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I don't like my kids today. (Gasp. Faint. Heart attack. Yes, I know.)

Encouraging Truth: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he
          loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with
          Christ . . . " - Ephesians 2:4-5a

Loving Instruction: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I
          have loved you, you also are to love one another." - John 13:34

          "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It
          does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at
          wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things,
          hopes all things, endures all things." - I Corinthians 13: 4-7

          "Young women [are] to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure,
          working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands . . . " - Titus 2:4b-5a

Our Reward: ". . . that the word of God may not be reviled." - Titus 2:5b

**Let me clarify by saying that I do love my children. I love them unconditionally and I would never harm them or put them in harm's way. But there are days (and I think you know the ones I'm talking about) where they are just not too pleasant to be around. Hormones are making me angry at the world, and that includes my kids just because they, well, they're kids. They're sinners just like me. So when I'm angry at the world and they disobey, throw fits, whine, poop in their freshly changed diapers, and won't eat their supper, I kind of don't like them. Yes, I feel like a horrible mother for thinking this and even more horrible for saying this out loud typing these thoughts, but God has shown me repeatedly that my failures can help others and that just admitting that I have serious problems is encouraging to other women in the same place. Therefore, I will share.**

These days are tough ones, caring for so many tiny people. They are people who need Jesus, just like me. They need love, just like me. Amazingly, God loves us, His children. He loved us even "when we were dead in our  [sin]" and that is how we are to love our children. They are dead in their sin, need Jesus, and need us to love them with Jesus' love. I am convinced that love is both an emotion and a choice. I love my children even when I don't like them (emotion). But when we read in John 13 that it is a commandment to love and then in I Corinthians what love actually is, I have to conclude that love is also a bunch of actions (choice). I have to choose to be patient and kind. I have to choose to bear all things. I also love the idea that God knows what we women need to hear. Right after He states that young women are to love their husbands and children, He states that we need to have self control. Hhhhhmmmm, hormones anyone? I don't know about you, but when I'm having a hormonal day, things just come out of mouth, mostly not-so-good things, without me even thinking about them. That just can't happen! I do not want God's word to be reviled, for my children to grow up without knowing Christ's love. So when I am feeling angry at the world, or when {PMS, pregnancy, post-partum, nursing, fill in the blank} hormones are getting the better of me, I need to remember that love is a commandment and love is multiple actions, all of which point our children to Christ.

Truth for Today

Discouraging (but true) Thought: I am not good enough.

Encouraging Truth: "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for
          those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the
          children of mankind!" - Psalm 31:19

Loving Instruction: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
          made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my
          weaknesses . . . " - II Corinthians 12:9a

Our Reward: ". . . so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - II Corinthians 12:9b

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - II Corinthians 12:10

To say that I have felt overwhelmed in the past few weeks is an understatement. All three kids sick, pregnancy nausea and pains, and the hubby having a surgical procedure done on his toe makes for a very busy lady! So many times after responding incorrectly, I'd yell silently at God "I can't do this! I'm not good enough!". And that was, and is, true - I'm not good enough. Sadly, we women compare ourselves to women on the internet - you know, the people we know but aren't close to as well as the strangers we've stumbled upon thanks to blogs and sites such as Pinterest. These 'picture perfect' lives aren't reality. The pictures are carefully chosen to portray only the good and the beautiful. The stories are eloquently scripted for maximum cuteness and "Aren't I an awesome mom?" effect. (I for one, post almost no pictures of myself in my jammies!) But are we viewing these edited lives as good? In our moments of frustration are we internally yelling "Why can't I have it together like 'so-and-so'?". I am challenging us all to spend the time we would normally use to browse these pages to instead browse The Word. That's true goodness. We're not going to find true goodness in lives of other women. We're going to find it in Christ. I am weak. He is strong.

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - II Peter 1:3-4

Truth for Today

Clinging to His Word today . . .

"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

- Hebrews 12:2, 3

Christmas Truth

"And there, in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby Son. Mary and Joseph wrapped him up to keep him warm. They made a soft bed of straw and used the animals' feeding trough as his cradle. And they gazed in wonder at God's Great Gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, "Emmanuel" - which means "God has come to live with us." Because, of course, he had."

 

- The Jesus Storybook Bible

by Sally Lloyd-Jones

 

I can't say enough about this children's Bible. While not quite simple enough for a two year old, I'm giving it to my three year old for Christmas. It's the only gift I have yet to wrap - I'm having too much fun reading through it myself! While most children's Bibles tell the stories of the Bible, this Bible relates every story to the gospel, the greatest story of all. It is beautifully written, it is captivating. It's simple elegance has moved me to tears many times. For a last minute gift for a child, Amazon has the best price I've found, a fraction of what some bookstores are asking for it. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355365770&sr=8-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible. I also can't thank my dear friend Meredith enough for sharing this book with me! Definitely a favorite!

Christmas Truth

I find it so easy to be discontent during the holidays. I constantly see toys, books, puzzles, and games at great deals. I see gorgeous Christmas decorations, crafts, and all kinds of good stuff. I am in a constant battle with myself to remember that my kids already have quite a few presents each, and that getting them hundreds of toys would harm, rather than help, them. I have to remember that decorations and my crafting abilities - or lack thereof - are not what make my house a home. More importantly I have to remember that even though I say Christ is all that matters at Christmas, my discontentedness tells a different story. Christmas is not about toys, spoiling your children, the size of your tree, or how beautifully your house is decorated. It's about love. It's about our Creator loving us so much that He sent his son to earth to die so that we can live. Can you imagine sending your newborn baby away, knowing that he will suffer a terrible death because you are sending him? Go hold a newborn and imagine. Heart breaking, isn't it? That's love. That's Christmas.

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I do not deserve this baby.

Encouraging Truth: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from
          the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
          - James 1:17

Loving Instruction: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace . . . "
          - Hebrews 4:16a

Our Reward: ". . . that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
          - Hebrews 4:16b

 Yesterday and today have been rough ones. All three munchkins and myself have pretty bad colds. Thanks to me being pregnant and nauseated, it has wiped me out completely! Sadly, it doesn't seem to be making the kids want to sleep 24/7 like it does me, so they're just extra whiny, clingy, and cranky. On top of that they've started sleeping 1.5 hours less a night than normal thanks to the time change. Mix all that up and you get one very tired and grumpy Mama. Impatience, frustration, and harsh words have been prominently displayed. I've asked God and my children to forgive me. (My oldest said I hadn't been bad and that she still loved me. God knew I needed to hear that!) But with all that said, every time I felt myself at the breaking point, this discouraging thought kept popping in my head: "If I find out at Thursday's ultrasound that this baby has stopped growing and went home to be with Jesus, I won't be surprised." I'm sure to some (especially men) this sounds absolutely crazy - "ludicrous" is the exact word used by my husband. But crazy or not, that's what my head has been saying all day. I know God doesn't work that way. I know my husband doesn't think I'm a horrible mother. I know that God has a perfect plan, and it's really not about deserving anything. We are but dust, and ultimately, deserve nothing but hell. But we have a loving, truly loving, Heavenly Father who likes to give us gifts and who has washed our sins with His blood. His love never changes. Even my "bad mom days" can't stop my Jesus from loving me.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38 - 39

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: fear of miscarriage

Encouraging Truth: "So it is not the will of my Father who is in Heaven that one of these
          little ones should perish." - Matthew 18:14

Loving Instruction: "I sought the Lord . . . " - Psalm 34:4a

Our Reward: " . . . and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." - Psalm 34:4b

I think every woman who has been, is, and is even wanting, to be pregnant has had this fear. I find it so comforting that God doesn't want our babies to die, to put it bluntly. Of course He doesn't! His love "reaches to the heavens" (Psalm 36:5). Sadly though, we live in a fallen world where, because of sin, there is death. However, we should not worry and fear. When worry and fear enter our hearts, trust of God leaves. And we have to trust. Trust that God is in control; that He created this little baby inside me. Trust that God loves this little baby more than I can imagine, and that God has a perfect plan. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I'm sure some of you struggling with this right now are thinking exactly what I was thinking last week, especially on my really bad day: 'I know I am supposed to trust and not worry, but I can't stop worrying!'. God knew we were going to have days like that. "He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust." (Psalm 103:14) So He told us how to escape our fears: SEEK HIM. He promises to answer us and deliver us from our fears. How awesome is that?

Truth for Today

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

- Isaiah 54:10

Hugs from Heaven

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22 - 23

His mercies for me were very new this morning. I awoke feeling so peaceful, and I know that it was God alone. Then what followed was a day full of hugs from Heaven. I got a good squeeze when my boss, whom I only work for a few hours a week, ordered gift cards for all us girls at the office to get our nails done. (I can't wait to get my card and get my nails done!!) I came home from work to a clean house, children who had been bathed sitting at the table happily eating lunch. Then came the bear hug of all bear hugs from Heaven: All three children napped for two hours at the same time, the girls sleeping over three hours! And guess what? I did absolutely nothing during nap time. Nothing. More hugs came in the form of encouraging words from dear friends. Now, I get to be a bum on the couch with my hubby who has the night off, and I'm pretty sure we're just going to sit there eating cookies.

Even in the midst of hormones bouncing off the walls of my insides, baby making me tired and hungry, three munchkins, third shift schedule, and emotions going wild, my God is faithful.

Rough. Day.

As I lean against the kitchen sink sobbing, verbally crying out to God, my brain is telling me to shut up. I know I am being irrational, emotional, irritable, and anxious. Today I've worried about money, our children's schooling, miscarriage, my husband's job, me looking for a job, me screwing up our children for life, and well, this list could go on forever. Seriously. Forever. But nothing is different than last week, when I was completely trusting, completely at peace with what God is allowing, doing, and working in our family. I know my problem is that I've let the world in. When the world's influence comes in, God's goes out. I've let in little comments about a fourth unplanned pregnancy, I've let in people's obvious lack of excitement for us which my mind takes and uses to turn friends and family into arch-enemies. I've let in society's idea of a nice house and comfortable style of living, and I've let in a view of our finances that takes God out of the equation.  But it's also been one of those days in which I know I have a problem, but I can't seem to do anything about it. So I've done the only thing I can: Cry to Jesus. Sob.  Literally. When we have no words, God hears our hearts. He's promised, and I cling to that promise today.

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:26

Other promises I'm claiming tonight:

"In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" - Psalm 56:4

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." - Psalm 56:8    ~Now that's love!~

"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." - I John 4:4

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: Everything was frustrating today, and I reacted wrongly.

Encouraging Truth: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." - Isaiah 55:6, 7

Loving Instruction: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires." - James 1:19, 20

Today was one of those days. Every little thing was frustrating for me, even toddlers and babies just being, well, toddlers and babies. Taking toys from each other, hitting each other with toys, screaming for no reason, short naps, and random bouts of sobbing are all part of my normal day. But today was over the top. Nonstop. ALL. DAY. Mix hormones doing crazy things to the Mommy's emotions and nerves and you have a very unhappy home. (I have to clarify that it is proven fact that hormones cause mood swings, irritation, etc., but that is NO excuse for bad behavior.) Situations were dealt with in harsh tones, unloving discipline, and much too little patience. I am so glad that our Heavenly Father has unlimitless patience and love towards us, His children. I am so thankful He "abundatly pardons" our failures and unrighteousness if we just ask. Today, there has been A LOT of asking!

Loving Instruction

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

If you've spent any time on this blog, you know that a big part of our life right now is waiting for God to show us His will regarding job/s, seminary, housing, living location, ministry, children, etc. We are in daily prayer over these matters and sometimes feel we are stuck. Some days, I just want God to write His will for us and the answers to our questions in the sky or an e-mail so I really won't miss it. "What do You want us to do, Lord? What is Your will?" Then I stumbled across this passage. I think it's one of those verses that my brain knows, but my heart needs to know as well. In fact, my heart needs to be reminded daily. He has written down His will for us. Not in an e-mail, but a book. He tells me that His will for me is to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances". So today I will rejoice, pray, and give thanks!

Lord, thank you for the place you have put me today. Help me to rejoice in caring for my husband, children, and housework. Please continue to direct our path and lead us in Your will. Thank you for all You have provided and given us. Thank you for these difficult times - they are drawing us closer to You. Thank you for proving Your love and promises to us every day.

Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I am under-qualified for this job.

Encouraging Truth: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

Loving Instruction: "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, . . . if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures . . . " - Proverbs 2:1, 3, 4

Our Reward: "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom . . . Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you." - Proverbs 2:5, 6a, 9-11

So many days I am overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising three little souls for Christ. Overwhelmed that while most parents are shaping their child's behavior, I am (Lord willing) shaping my children's hearts. I worry that I discipline too much or not enough. I worry that I am not the example of Christ's love I should be. I worry my children will be just as impatient, selfish, and prideful as I am. Really, at the end of the day, I'm pretty sure I'm completely ruining my children forever. Unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of step-by-step instructions for specific child-rearing situations in the Bible (what to say, when to show mercy, etc.) But fortunately for us, we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows the solution to every problem: look to Jesus. In Philippians, God has promised to "supply every need". I have a need for wisdom to raise my children. Therefore, He will supply it. How? Ask for it. "Seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures."

Truth for Today

"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Isarel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. . .  that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it." - Isaiah 41:17, 18, 20

God does not promise to provide what we need. He promises to meet our needs and much more. It is so humbling to serve a God who loves me this much even though I fail repeatedly.

Perspective

This passage puts our lives into perspective, and  shows the importance of sharing God's love with our children. My prayer as a mom is that God's love will shine through me, in spite of me.

"As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." - Psalm 103:15 - 19