"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Those are hard words to swallow.
Especially for moms.
With three kids in 4 years I often hear my own brain telling me that my house does not look clean enough. That my kids are unkempt. That their behavior may lend them to jail some day, or best case scenario- unemployment. That my body is ruined with a capital R. That God is not big enough to rain down joy and peace on this day because I am "just" a mom.
This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and
We let the words from blue hairs at the supermarket to words from unsuspecting well-meaners STEAL OUR JOY.
I was an amazing parent until I had kids.
Ha.
Until I wrestled with the unknown and the unslept and worry and the remorse.
Until I saw my own reflection staring back at me. The impatience. The craving for attention. The need for love.
How can I think of you, Jesus, when I can't think past the 3 hours of sleep I got and have I had too much caffeine to nurse? What does the Lord require of me when the alarm clock becomes a toddler screaming for Buzz Lightyear instead of my own clock telling me it is time for devotions?
I used to judge a mom that I knew who was depressed a lot. I used to say, "Shouldn't she find Jesus as enough for her?"
I laugh and cry at my old self.
I cast all my anxiety on you, because you care for me.
You know the beginning and the end.
There is nothing I can do outside of your grace. And your plan.
There may not be joy in the laundry piles and the 3rd dirty diaper of the day (and it's only 10:30?), but there is joy in the forevermore. In the time when we will stand forever in the light of His amazing grace.
When we will be complete.
Joy comes in the morning.
"Joy is the realist reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped." ~Ann Voskamp
Ahh...the joys of motherhood. At the present, they seem they will last, at least, forever. But, all too quickly, they speed by and too rapidly, those joys become a part of a mother's history book. Little ones become BIG ones way too fast. Enjoy them, remember their moments, cherish their need for you, and collect the joys so you can reflect and enjoy all the precious memories.
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