Children Are Not a Crutch

My son came home this week and was talking about a mom of some one at school.  For this post, I will call her "Jill" because, well, honestly, I don't know anyone named Jill.  :D  She is up at the school ALL of the time.  Jill is up there DAILY.  My boys are in junior high.  They are way past the class parties stage!  It occurred me to that she was using her children as a crutch.

God has a purpose for Jill's life just as He does for you and I.  One of my purposes are to be the mother to three children.  God does call me to love them unconditionally.  (which as teenagers can at times be difficult!)  I am to raise my children in a Christ centered home.  I am also supposed to raise my children to be independent.  It's a hard pill to swallow at times but totally true!  My children have their own purpose to full-fill.  God has more plans for their life than to just be my son or daughter.  How can my children be brave enough to do God's work if they are scared to leave my side??

You might wonder why I use the word "crutch."  My thought is Jill's baby graduates high school in 3 years.  What is she going to do after that?  I know this lady on a small talk basis and her life revolves around her kids.  She is using her kids, she is filling her life with her kids so much that when they leave ~ her life will be empty. It is not her children's job to full fill her life.  That is a lot to put on a child.

It makes me look at myself a little more closely.  A lot of my time revolves around my kids, as it should.  But, will I be empty when they leave?  For me, the answer is no.  My life is filled with joy and happiness from moments with them.  But my full-fulfillment  cannot come from my children.  My source of love, my source of strength, rests in God alone.  He is the fountain that will never run dry.  I truly loved being a stay at home mom for the few years I was able.  Those moments with my kids, I would never trade!  I'd really love to be a stay at home  mom again now that my kids are in school.  Just so I could do a few things I'd like to do while they are gone during the day.  :D Things placed on my heart but I can't do at this time in my life.  I'd love to go once a week to the children's shelter to read for one thing.  Maybe help with the Salvation Army lunches.  Maybe even foster care.  I know that God would find people who needed me and guide me to them! 

I can't live with the "maybe one day" either.  I need to live in the here and now.  Although I cannot quit my job to read to other children, God will open up other opportunities.  I must trust God's plan for not only my life, but my children's as well.  My life is in His hands and that fills my heart.

Lord is near the brokenhearted

Where are you emotionally right now?  Are things finally coming together and your feeling confident?  Are you in that middle ground of just waiting?  Or are things just becoming overwhelming and you don't know what do to do?  Do tears fall easily even when you put on the happy face for others?

Our prayer list grows at church.  So many people in pain.  So much cancer and disease taking our loved ones home.  Accidents that happen which change lives.  This world is full of pain.  I am thankful for the words of comfort that our Lord gives us. 

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me
  and delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

Fear.   One of those four letter words that can keep you up at night.  When a situation hits you in the face, fear can grab your heart.  Fear for yourself.  Fear for others.  Fear of the unknown.   But, when you hit knees and cry out to God ~ He takes away the fear.  For it is ALL in His hands.  There is no better place to leave your worries than at God's feet.
  
 
"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and His ears toward their cry."  Psalm 34:15

God hears our cry.  Even when words cannot be spoken from the tears in our eyes.  God hears the cries of our hearts.  Not only does He hear our pain, He cares.  Understand this:  God loves YOU.  Not later when you lose 30 pounds. Not if you color your hair or wear certain clothes.  God loves your soul.  Right now.

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

 ^{Psalm 34:17-19}

^{Thank you, Lord, for hearing me and comforting my soul.  Thank you for all of those times which you delivered me.  Lord, I lift up my friends right now.  The ones hurting deep inside.  I know that you are the great comforter.  I pray that You will make your presence known and fill them with a peace that only You can provide.   I pray that you will use me in anyway you can. Amen.}

Time Flies

It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of January.  Where does the time go?  Some times it just feels like you get into the rut of life.  Get up...get the kids going...head to work...work...get kids...then time to start homework and supper...dish, showers...all that stuff.  Then, once I look up and pay attention....a couple weeks have passed!

If I am not careful, this precious time with my kids will be gone.  Already it is the second semester of school.  I am just months from having a son in high school!!!  I need to take the time to live intentional.  Not just keep going on the treadmill so to speak.  Although to be honest, I should actually start on an actual treadmill! lol ;D

That reminds me of a verse in Matthew:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy  
that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate
 is  narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who
 find it are few."   Matthew 7:13-14

These verses make me look at my life.  Am I, a mother, doing a good job leading my children down the narrow path?  My children have their own decisions to make.  They have their own relationship with God to develop.  I don't want to be just a good enough mother (or person for that matter.)  I want more.

I want to be the person they can look up to.  (okay, I realize I have teenagers and it might be a few years!!LOL)  But, also the friend others can count on.  The cheerleader (wordplay people!  I do not own pom-poms!)  to other children, not just my own.  I love that Faith has friends that love to come to our house.  We stay up and play board games or Just Dance.   Help them make some cookies and frosting.  I like being the fun one.  When I was younger, I always wanted to spend the night at my friends houses.  I didn't want it to be like that with my children.

Living intentional is hard.  There is only so much we can cram in one day and still get enough sleep to function for the next day.  But, I can make sure to include those intentional moments through out the day.   The years go by too fast when our children are with us.  They need to see our relationship with God to know it's important.  They need to hear words of love and encouragement, not just expect them to know.  They watch to see how we treat others and that is how they will respond.   Those little moments through out the day really stick with the little eyes watch us.