Throughout my life I have felt drawn to different characters in the Bible. Let’s face it, each person has a special story, and sometimes those characters’ stories just don’t resonate like they do at other times, take Zipporah and her rash decision to circumcise
Now that I’m a mom, a mom in the trenches so to speak – you know changing more diapers than I care to count, picking out preschool options, and watching every single word that comes from my mouth for fear of when it will be repeated back- I’ve found strength in two particular women in the Bible.
I’ve started to gain strength from Sarah from the Old Testament recently. In Genesis 18:1-13 the story sharing God’s conversation with Abraham and Sarah about how God will give Sarah a baby – do you remember this story? Can you guess why this particular story now stands out to me?
The last word God says to Sarah in this story: “Yes, you did laugh.” That is why this story has started to mean something.
I can’t begin to tell you the amount of times I’ve said or done something as a mom that would put limits on my God and then feel bad about it. You see my issue is that I am not sure I can completely give all my fears over to this Almighty God when it comes to my (HIS) kids every day, and therefore I put limits on my (HIS) abilities. God can do everything, and He wants to work through me, especially when it comes to these little ones He’s given to me. I just need to follow Him (or at least admit it to Him when I do laugh or limit Him).
This past Christmas season I found inspiration from Mary, the mother of Jesus. Yes for the obvious reason that includes the fact that she was a human who was worthy to give birth to the Savior of the world – just awe-inspiring -yes?
However a new line has struck me – Mary put treasured moments of Jesus as a young boy in her heart (Luke 2:19 & Luke 2:51)
This is a reminder that Mary was just like us moms today – busy making sure life kept going on a daily basis. I’m sure she spent the majority of her waking hours preparing food and cleaning clothes (making them too!) – these exact things that often keep me from really spending all the quality time I would like to spend with my kids. Even Mary found specific times in her son’s life to take a mental picture so to speak, and to treasure the moments when her little boy displayed his awesomeness to her. This story is a reminder for me to try to keep my heart open for moments when my little boys might show me their God-given awesomeness – those are the moments I can treasure in my heart for all time.
As a mom, you have a million things on your plate, it’s part of the job description, however, you MUST carve out time to spend with your loving Father. He has blessed you with His word, and in this time it is so easily accessible. I know that you must make this commitment because His words give you strength, wisdom, and endurance. No one needs more strength, wisdom and endurance then us mamas in the trenches. (Tweet this)
Maybe you’re feeling like Sarah right now, laughing at a dream that God has placed on your heart that just could not be possible in the life you know at the moment. Maybe you’re feeling like Mary, desperately trying to catch the moments to treasure in your heart. Either way, dig into God’s word and be ready to receive some strength, wisdom and endurance because that is what He has promised you and that is a promise that He will uphold, just like all of His promises.
13 comments
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momstheword
March 11, 2013 at 4:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I never thought that I would say that I miss those early trench days. But in a way, I do. Because those were also precious times with my young ones. Hard, tiring, draining, exhausting, but also wonderful, joyful, loving, and lots of hugs and rocking! 🙂
Children are just to enthusiastic and wiggly and wildly excited when you read to them, or spend time with them playing a game or whatever. My young adult children still enjoy the things I do for them or when we spend time together, but I don’t get to sit them on my lap and rock them or read stories to them anymore, lol!
Now I am in a different kind of trenches. The trenches of having a family at home and being busy with them, and yet being a full-time caretaker for my elderly mother who also lives with us. It’s a different kind of stress but there is joy in that as well!
momstheword
March 11, 2013 at 4:26 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s supposed to read “Children are SO enthusiastic and wiggly and wildly excited …..” lol!
simplyhelpinghim
March 12, 2013 at 9:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
🙂
simplyhelpinghim
March 12, 2013 at 9:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh yes, life changes it seems with every blink of the eye. I can remember like it was yesterday when my babies were brand new in my arms. At times I miss it so greatly and wish for another, then they come running through the house like a pack of wild elephants (just the 2 of them) and I am reminded that anymore loudness might be the death of me! LOL! 🙂 Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings during this “new” trench time in your life!
Barbie
March 11, 2013 at 1:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
As a mama who has raised two of her four, God will not fail you. Keep moving forward through those trenches. He goes before you and makes a way. Blessings!
simplyhelpinghim
March 11, 2013 at 7:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
No He won’t! Isn’t that just so amazing?! Thanks for stoppin by! Blessings!
Trinity
March 10, 2013 at 9:47 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Be not weary in well doing , for in due season you shall reap if you faint not (Gal 6:9); Hang in there! They do grow up and they grow up quickly – praying for you.
simplyhelpinghim
March 11, 2013 at 7:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, they do grow so quickly! It’s hard to believe mine are half way “grown”! Thanks for your encouragement and for stoppin by! Blessings!
Linda Stoll
March 10, 2013 at 9:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
hang in, hang on, honey! you’ll make it, one day at a time in this glorious adventure He’s planned for you!
simplyhelpinghim
March 10, 2013 at 7:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh yes! That which He has planned for us ahead is so much better than we can imagine! 🙂 Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
bluecottonmemory
March 10, 2013 at 9:04 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Slowly, ever so slowly, God has built my trust muscles in Him. I think He understands that in our human-ness we need to learn trust:) By the time my oldest sons were teens, I was ready to, I had to trust Him. I don’t think I could survive if I didn’t! Maybe learning to trust is a journey to Him:) Wishing you blessing this week! These trenches can get messy:)
Marissa
March 10, 2013 at 1:54 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It does take time, doesn’t it? It’s a lesson for kids and parents, this whole growing up thing. Plus I know that those trenches are extremely trying and messy. It’s always a blessing to empathize with another trench fighting mama.
simplyhelpinghim
March 10, 2013 at 7:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Trust, yes that is so easy to say, but not so easy to do. It is a work in progress for me 😉 Thanks for stoppin by! Blessings!