Mother's Day - a reflection

Motherhood.

I am not a Hallmark card kind of mother. No painted fingernails, just nibbled ones. I don't think I am one of those people for whom motherhood comes naturally for that matter.

What is motherood really about?

Discipleship.

A one foot ahead of the other following of Jesus into servanthood. In motherhood Jesus gives me the opportunity (sometimes it feels like every minute) to deny myself, take up a cross and follow Him. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying my children are a burden. I think it is my own selfish nature that is the burden. My children are one of God's graces to me.

Thank you Lord for the gift of being a mother.

Slow down

I have just put the boys to bed.

It is often at these moments that I glimpse what is vitally important

a slow tasting of time with them.

Sometimes I believe I am too busy to slow even then - there's the dishes to do, the rooms to be tidied, the laundry to be put away, there's the... and the .... and the... and the list goes on.

To slow down, to take the time to really see and to truly listen - that is my privilege as a mother. It is my privilege to see how their hearts are growing. To listen to their stories.

But, oh, how rarely do I really do that.

There is always the next thing to be done -

usually something that feels terribly urgent, but is not vital.

At least not in God's economy.

As their breathing slows, I take the time to breathe. Relishing the very breath that God has given me. Reminding myself how very dependent I am on the Breath of Life - the God of heaven and earth.

Thank You, dearest Father - for bedtime.

For all the precious reminders to slow down. And live.

83 and counting...

It is as if I can almost taste the transformation possible through this practice of giving thanks, but my practice is too far and few between. I want it to become a lifestyle to me - as necessary as breathing.

But I am not a good habit former - it is difficult for me to daily connect-the-dots that make a new habit. But I guess that is why the Lord tells us that His grace is sufficient for us - His power made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Lord I ask You for Your grace to enable me to be consistent.

83. the light beauty of a butterfly

84. the growing man-strength of a 7 year old - to carry groceries, to help a brother, ...

85. the silver whiteness of the moon

86. the bright eyes of a child who has done well at something

87. running water in my house

88. a peaceful place to live

89. a faithful husband

90. fun had on Adventure Friday

91. deep words

92. books

93. a glimpse of kindness and then reciprocation

94. other people's good ideas

95. Your goodness which wraps around me . . . Thank You.

Another Monday

73. a waking glimpse of blue sky and sunshine

74. mist draped hills - beauty surrounding us

75. a roof that keeps out the rain

76. sweet words from my sleepy boy

77. hearing S reading aloud and enjoying it

78. a soft bed

79. sleep - the restfulness of closing my eyes

80. meeting a new friend, who has the mark of a kindred heart about her

81. the caress of a gentle wind - reminding me that Your Spirit is all around me

82. This day...

Yes, this day - whatever it may hold is a gift from You, Father. Thank You.

Please help me to abide in You this day.

To draw from no other source but You.

Please gently remind me when my heart goes elsewhere.

Help me to be ready... with joyful gratitude.

A weary heart

This is one of those days where I feel weary.

Heart-weary of the multitudinous demands on this dusty frame.

Self-weary of the 'old' nature that broadcasts how far I am from who I want to be.

Ear-weary of the noise level created by three boys.

But Jesus says, "Come to Me all you who are weary and I will give you rest."

He speaks to me in my weariness - in precious particular ways.

He is my strength - the joy of the Lord is my strength. (Neh. 8:10) He knows the weariness of serving, for He came to serve.

My old nature can drive me to the arms of my precious Saviour, my Redeemer.

I can turn in gratitude to my Father who has blessed me with these three healthy, lively boys of His.

He will meet my needs - abundantly, when I come to Him.

Thank You, Lord.

If you want to share how our Lord meets you and speaks to you in your weariness,

I'd love to hear.

His perfect faithfulness

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name,

For in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things,

things planned long ago.

Isaiah 25:1

I praise You Lord, for You are perfectly faithful to Your plans and purposes. You will not allow anyone to alter them.

I praise You for You are perfectly faithful to Yourself - You do not change. You are not changed by circumstances or situations.

I praise You for You are perfectly faithful to me - Your desire for me does not change and Your desires for me do not change.

Thank You my perfectly faithful God!

To Begin

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 100:4

It has been a while since I have been here to write out my thankfulness for His gifts. I have so very much to give thanks for - how amazing it is that our God reminds us to enter His presence with thanks. My Father knows. He knows that without being reminded I would come to Him in so many other attitudes: shamed, burdened, bothered, rushed, apathetic. Choosing thankfulness lifts my eyes to my Father's - thank You. Through thankfulness I am humbled by His goodness to this beloved piece of dust. Perspective is righted. Thank you.

This day, I thank You!

Your Word which speaks life to my heart

Your Spirit Who breathes life

Your Son Who is the Life

Yourself, my Father, my God, the Source