Being Put in my Place

I took my children to go and visit their Grandparents in South Carolina last week.  That, by the way, is a 6+ hour drive.  With a van that is having some problems, I can honestly tell you, that drive can make me a little anxious and impatient at times.

At one point on the way back to Kentucky, I looked back at my son and noticed that he drew with green crayon all over my freshly washed window by his seat. The words I felt coming to my lips were less than encouraging or building up.  I mean, he's 5, shouldn't he know better?  Do I really have to tell him "everything"?  I knew my attitude was less than... and I knew my words had potential to be hurtful, so I took a moment and Prayed before I spoke.  "Lord, what do I say here.  I can't be passive, but I don't want to hurt his feelings either." 

The Lord graciously changed my tone of voice and Oh my goodness I'm so grateful He did.  He changed my words and my reaction to say: "Jaxson, What did you do? Do you think that was a good idea?"  He said: "Look Mommy.  I made you a pretty picture with my favorite color, Green. I thought it was a good idea because I was making it for you and I thought you would think it was beautiful. Do you like it?"

Oh how my words would have unknowingly crushed his precious spirit if I hadn't surrendered them to the Lord.  I then took the opportunity to Praise his artwork and tell him that it's beautiful but I'd rather have it on paper, so I could keep it forever, and we calmly talked about appropriate places to color.

Lord, place a seal over our mouths.  Help us to constantly remember that our children are constantly being shaped by our actions and reactions.  May I encourage them in You and never discourage them from being the Young people You created them to be.  May I be worthy of the precious gifts You've entrusted me with.

YOUR clay-

Melissa Bradley

"Godspeed" is on my playlist because nearly 10 years ago I used to listen to this song on repeat, praying over my future children and daydreaming about what it would be like to be the mom of a precious baby boy. I daydreamed about the Super Hero stage (that he just so happens to be in right now).  The day's he would be so worn out from saving the world from Supervillian's and Bad Guys that he would accidentally fall asleep on the couch, still in his cape. 
I listen to it to remind myself just how precious and fleeting these days are and that no matter how exhausted and overwhelmed I am, to treasure my precious "Spiderman".

The Beautiful Call to Parent

The many years I daydreamed about being a mom. I never realized the intense responsibility that came along with it. Knowing that my every action, word, motive; everything that I do is shaping my children.

Knowing how I discipline, how and what I encourage,  my passions and my desires are going to have a huge effect on my children.  The areas I compromise. The sins I justify; "yeah, the bible says we shouldn't...but that's not a "big sin", so what's a little slip-up here and there." (Pride, gossip, slander, lust, compromising biblical truths for the sake of convenience, etc...)

In a recent post  I asked: "If we say we would die for our children, shouldn't we live that out daily?"  

Being a Godly Parent is a daily call to die.  Laying down my own wants, needs, desires in order to display Christ to my children.

When I'm not looking

I have to admit, there are days I get so frustrated and discouraged because I Really want to have some time "Alone" with God, and as a mommy "Alone Time" is a thing of the past.  I try to get up early and I promise, the kids hear me open my bible, and I cannot concentrate if I have anything going on around me so this is Really a Task :)

I take the kids outside to play and I pull out my bible and Jax has a question, then Pait does everything Jax does so here she comes trying to say what Jax said, it really is adorable, but I can't spend time with God with so much going on.  I feel like I can't be the mommy they need me to be if I don't get to spend the time with Him that I need. I don't feel like I can be the wife I need to be or minister in the way He's called me to if I can't spend time with Him.

The other day I was having one of these battles in search of quiet time so I took the kids outside to play and I sat on the front porch and Pait came up to me and she said, "Bible, Bible" so she grabbed one of my bibles and sat down beside me and pretended to read.

God showed me that even though I'm not Really getting to spend time with Him the way I would like my walk is having an impact on my children's life, I am called to be a missionary to my children, and they mimic my every move.  When I'm not looking at my attitude, actions or words, they are!  My friend Sunshine told me the other day, "God made us mom's. He knows our life is hectic." 

While that is in no way a justification to not spend time with God, because spending time with God is not an obligation.  We are Blessed to be able to boldly approach God and present our requests to Him and to have Him mold us into His vessels to be used for His Good Purposes, and for Him to give us His peace as we walk on shaky ground. How on earth could that be considered an obligation?

I am learning to adapt to this era in my life with Him. Enjoy this time with my children and to meditate on His word throughout the day.

Philippians 4:8

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.