I have missed my blog. I woke up super early today at like 5 and could not go back to sleep. I woke up worrying and thinking. I think it is how we are wired as moms and as wives. As women really!! I attended the IF GATHERING yesterday at my church. My Savior is opening my eyes to a lot of things. I have been reading the book of John. Jesus was so clear in his leading and his teachings. LOVE OTHERS! That is easier said than done quiet often. I fall so short all the time. One of my favorite stories is when Jesus washes his disciples feet. He is such a GOOD GOOD FATHER! (Holden and I love this song.) This story is most impressive because it goes against our culture and our way of thinking. He tells us over and over to LOVE!! The IF gathering focused on investing and doing small things well. I am thankful for those who invest in me. God has trusted me with others whom I invest. Sometimes the best things we can do is call someone (actually call) and ask how they are doing, play with our children (really play with them), be kind to people who are not kind, take soup to the neighbor, send a card to a friend just to say HI and thanks for going to dinner with me, tell a friend they are an amazing mom when they don't feel like they are, love your children's friends, show kindness to teachers, talk to someone and listen and take time to slow down, leave notes for your husband and let him know you appreciate him and all he does for you and the kids, give someone a gift card for coffee just because, a text to your little sister who works A LOT and is a mommy, and the list goes on. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SHOW LOVE. Celebrate what is good and not focus on the negative. Slow down. Scripture says in John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another. Tanner just woke up and climbed into the recliner with me. He is 7 and we have such a special bond. He is lying next to me. As a mother who loves the Lord he has called me to be a mommy right now. As a mother of young children and living in the day to day it is easy to hear the enemy's voice of discontentment or misconception that our real work is everything except mothering. Imagine waking up everyday running to what called has called me to and thinking accurately that my real work is mothering. Jesus is about simplicity! My 3 foot circle is my mission field. As Jennie Allen says "we are not here that long" How will I be remembered? I read a book with Tanner last night about Albert Einstein. He was brilliant and remembered for a lot of things. He however had no relationship with his children and that broke my heart. I'll close with this today. I love this life God has blessed me with. Learning to recognize the enemy's voice is huge. GOD IS BIGGER! BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Thanking him where you are!! YOU go where you are sent, YOU stay where you are put, and you give what you've got. Now Holden woke up and came out with his "baby" and climbed up next to me too. I hope I can rest in God's arms as I raise these boys on a daily basis. I'll sum it up with this poem I read when my boys were just babies. I keep a printed copy in my night stand with my Bible and journal.
“Today…
there will be injuries I must soothe,
there will be arguments that I must moderate,
there will be something broken that I must fix,
and something lost that I must find.
There will be frequent hunger pangs that I must satisfy,
and thirst that I must quench.
There will be spills that I must clean up, bottoms that I must wipe, accidents that I must change, and illnesses that I must treat.
Today, there will be offenses I must forgive,
forgetfulness I must overlook,
and hundreds of questions that I must answer.
There will be boundaries that only I can uphold
and schedules that only I care to keep.
There will be disorder that I must pull together,
dismay that I must comfort,
and disrespect that I must address.
Today…
people will yell for help passionately – urgently – demanding my presence. I must run to the rescue. Sometimes, I’ll discover a legitimate emergency, but most of the time, it will be the smallest complaint that will melt with a kiss.
Today…
there will be someone to carry,
someone to dress,
someone to help up,
and someone to hold up.
There will be someone to teach,
someone to inspire,
and someone to appreciate.
Today, there will be someone asleep whom I must wake up,
and there will be someone awake, whom I must help sleep.
There will be injustices I must make right,
meanness I must restrain,
kindness I must encourage,
memories I must treasure,
and goodness I must celebrate.
Today, there will be wrongs to confess, sinners to love, a Savior to worship, and grace to receive.
Today, my work as a mother strangely and beautifully resembles God’s work as our Heavenly Father.
Today, my occupation is His occupation; my service, His own.
And today, if this is all I accomplish, I must fall asleep feeling quite satisfied indeed.
Today, I can do these anticipated tasks with joy and gratitude, because God Himself wakes me up in the morning, feeds me with the Living Bread, gives me good work to do, soothes my weary heart, and runs to my rescue whenever I call for help.”
Dear mothers, the work awaiting you each day is good and noble – though it may be unplanned, mundane, or repetitive. Recall its value in God’s eyes. Give yourself completely to loving God and your little neighbors, even if it requires all of your mental, emotional, and physical strength. Pray for grace to respond with kindness and strength.
Today… what wonderful work
