You miss a Sunday because one of your kids are sick, or you miss one because they're healthy and you don't want them to get sick. You miss because you just had a baby 2 weeks ago, and then you miss another and another and all of the sudden you haven't been to church in nearly a month (or is it two, or twelve?) but it's okay because you can watch online, and don't you pay closer attention when you watch online anyway? I get it.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8
You see that stack of books on your nightstand, the ones all about how to be a super Christian and a super wife and a super mom and you try to read them, you do, but you barely get through the first paragraph when you realize with each child you've born your reading comprehension level has dropped and is now on par with Sandra Boynton and Dr. Seuss. And you're thinking the Jesus Story Book Bible must count as quality reading time, right? I get that too.
Your alarm goes off at 5:30 to have a quiet time but you were just up feeding a baby at 4:30 and changing wet bed sheets at 3:30 and laying awake at 2:30 thinking about how you have to get up in 3 hours so you press the snooze button -just this once- and swear you'll read your Bible later, except its not just this once and later never comes. Now its been days since you've been in the Word and you're starving. You are so hungry for nourishment that only the scriptures bring, but you feel guilty that it isn't consistent enough and reading the notecards you've hung about your house in desperation for sustenance isn't cutting it, so you don't read your Bible at all. I've been there.
I fight being there every single day.
And sometimes, in the midst of me pouring out at every turn I realize that i. am. starving.
I am so hungry for the Word. In all my justifications of why its fine that I'm not going to church regularly (its just a season) or why I'm not spending regular time reading my Bible (sleep deprivation) or why I can hardly spend more than a moment in prayer (so many distractions) I have rationalized away my deepest need for the meat and water of the Word of God.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you; ~ Psalm 63:1
How can I care for my husband and train my children and speak truth with my friends if I am running on empty? What can I give, spiritually, to anyone if I am depleted even of my reserves?
Have you seen the blogs going around all over the place telling moms how wonderful we are? Letters saying what a great job we are doing, or 10 things we all should know, (15 for new moms). They remind us to take breaks. That we're not crazy for having more than one kid. That whatever we are doing it's okay because this too shall pass. I think their intentions are good. They want us to feel empowered and brave. And I read them, most of them a least, and think, "Yay! Go me! I'm a mom with lots of kids and need to live in the moment and soak it all up and cherish these times and and and . . . " NOT. I don't think those things at all! What I almost always think, among all the sweet sentiments and encouraging catch phrases is, "holy shmoly these people forgot something huge, HUGE!"
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:16
Your alarm goes off at 5:30 to have a quiet time but you were just up feeding a baby at 4:30 and changing wet bed sheets at 3:30 and laying awake at 2:30 thinking about how you have to get up in 3 hours so you press the snooze button -just this once- and swear you'll read your Bible later, except its not just this once and later never comes. Now its been days since you've been in the Word and you're starving. You are so hungry for nourishment that only the scriptures bring, but you feel guilty that it isn't consistent enough and reading the notecards you've hung about your house in desperation for sustenance isn't cutting it, so you don't read your Bible at all. I've been there.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. ~ Psalm 90:14
I fight being there every single day.
And sometimes, in the midst of me pouring out at every turn I realize that i. am. starving.
For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.
Psalms 107:9
I am so hungry for the Word. In all my justifications of why its fine that I'm not going to church regularly (its just a season) or why I'm not spending regular time reading my Bible (sleep deprivation) or why I can hardly spend more than a moment in prayer (so many distractions) I have rationalized away my deepest need for the meat and water of the Word of God.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you; ~ Psalm 63:1
How can I care for my husband and train my children and speak truth with my friends if I am running on empty? What can I give, spiritually, to anyone if I am depleted even of my reserves?
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5
Apart from Christ we can do NOTHING.
What good are all those fluffy letters, lists of things to know, girls night outs, and pounds of baby books if we don't have Christ as the center of everything?
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help, ~ Psalm 63:5-8
It's fun to talk with moms and swap war stories, and lawd knows (sometimes I like to tap into my southern roots) I can talk babies till the cows come home, but I really, truly have nothing to offer if I am not getting my nourishment from The Creator of those sweet babes I love so much (husband included).
So here's my letter to moms with just one thing every mom should know:
Apart from Christ we can do NOTHING.
What good are all those fluffy letters, lists of things to know, girls night outs, and pounds of baby books if we don't have Christ as the center of everything?
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help, ~ Psalm 63:5-8
It's fun to talk with moms and swap war stories, and lawd knows (sometimes I like to tap into my southern roots) I can talk babies till the cows come home, but I really, truly have nothing to offer if I am not getting my nourishment from The Creator of those sweet babes I love so much (husband included).
So here's my letter to moms with just one thing every mom should know:
Dear Mom (old and new),
1. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ~ Matthew 6:33
Love,
(A soon to be NOT STARVING)
Mom
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