Mommy Mondays

"Being a mom is my greatest joy."

"I love being a mommy."

"Motherhood is my calling."

I'm pretty sure the moms who said the above didn't say them on a Monday - or maybe even a Tuesday or Wednesday. While being a mom has its joys, there are days when the joy just never seems to show up. Cranky babies, whiny toddlers, rebellious teenagers, and fighting siblings can happen any day of the week. How often have you woken to find nobody in the house is happy? Breakfast is denied. Shoelaces are broken. Car keys are lost. And somebody forgot to mention they had homework due that day. It's enough to wear a mommy out. Unfortunately there's no human resources to call in a personal day, a mommy must punch the clock as usual - even if she literally wants to punch the clock. Take a deep breath. Look away from the spilled Cheerios and focus on the Heavenly Father who is ready to scoop you up in His arms.

Father,

It's been a day when nothing seems to go right we are left feeling unloved, unappreciated and discouraged. Renew our spirit and give us the strength to handle the little stuff as well as the big. Give us patience with our children. Make our tone loving and kind despite how frustrated we feel on the inside. Let us look to our great provider to show us how to love with gentleness and lead with tenderness. Replace our anger with delight. Turn our dismay to gladness. Our journey may take dips and turns but help us to see the reward that awaits a faithful follower.

Amen

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Philipians 4:8,9

Random Acts of Kindness - Day 2

Hopefully you were challenged by yesterday's post to look for an opportunity to perform a RAK. And if you didn't get your chance, that's ok. Continue to pray that the Lord will show you when and who you are to bless this week.

You know the old saying, it's better to give than to receive? For most of us we would agree with that. As moms we probably find pleasure in giving our children something special that makes their eyes light up. And nothing is more rewarding than to have your spouse or child embrace you with gratitude for something you did. However, there are people in our lives in which we give and give and give and never receive anything. It's the kind of relationship where you find yourself continually being disappointed because expectations weren't met. It's exhausting to give so much of yourself and yet never see a return on your investment. Often these situations leave you feeling bitter and broken hearted. This is especially hard when that relationship is with someone close to you.

While on this earth Jesus encountered many who would not reciprocate. He healed, loved, and comforted - and yet some turned their back on him when he journeyed to the cross. Imagine how disappointed he feels when we let him down. Fortunately, his love and forgiveness is greater than we could ever know and is not dependent upon reciprocity.

Heavenly Father,

We come to you with hearts that are broken. We have reached out and made ourselves vulnerable to someone who took advantage of us. Despite how kind, loving, and compassionate we are to certain people they continue to withhold gratitude. Please Lord, give us your perseverance when we just want to give up. When kindness is returned with anger and rebellion, give us your patience. Lord we ask that you take away feelings of resentment. Holy Spirit fill us with your fruits so that we can reach out to the difficult people in our lives. Give us a desire to show kindness no matter what we receive in return. We want to be a generous giver without regard to what we would receive. Thank you Lord that you love us despite our will or ability to reciprocate. You are such a good God!

Amen

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." Colossians 3:23, 24

Random Acts of Kindness - Day 1

 

Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness (RAK) from a total stranger? Maybe someone took care of your coffee at Starbucks. Or a neighbor anonymously mowed your lawn. Maybe you were fortunate enough to find yourself at the receiving end of a large gift such as a car or money for medical bills. If you've ever been on the receiving end of RAK you know just how good that makes you feel, especially if you're going through a difficult time. But an act of kindness doesn't have to be some grandiose display; a kind word, an act of thoughtfulness, or a pleasant smile are just a few simple ways to show kindness to those around you. 

In the bible we see all ways in which Jesus shows kindness. Of course Jesus is not random, his deliberate kindness is an integral part of his ministry here on earth. He spoke kindly to the woman at the well when the rest of the world was ignoring her. He was kind to the lepers while others shunned them. He washed the disciples feet when they should have been kneeling to worship Him. Jesus was still kind as he hung dying on the cross when he sought God's forgiveness for those who had been malicious toward Him. Kindness means humbling yourself when you'd rather be self-righteous. Being kind means you have to lay yourself down despite how you feel about that person or situation. Kindness is easy when we like someone, but Jesus was kind to all - the poor, the sinners, the hopeless, the diseased, and even to those who tortured Him.

Heavenly Father,

What a blessing it is when everyone is kind to one another. But we know in this world we run across all sorts of people who are inconsiderate, unthoughtful, and spiteful. Lord, we ask that you be with us today as we encounter others. Despite our feelings, we need you to help us to be good-hearted and compassionate to others. When that angry driver is riding our bumper, let us be the first to be considerate and let them pass. For that mom in the store with the kid throwing an inconsolable fit, let us be the one person who smiles and tells her she's doing a good job. Show us all the ways today in which just a kind word or friendly glance would make someone's day. We're here to shine your light, Lord. Make us a beacon in this dark world. Let not one opportunity for kindness pass us today. Keep our eyes open and our hearts soft to those hurting around us. Thank you Lord for the kindness you have shown us through your sacrifice on the cross. We pray that today we would be a perfect example of your gracious love. In Jesus' glorious name,

Amen


"The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness." Psalm 145:17

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12

Saturday Scripture: God's Glory

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

let your glory be over all the earth."

Psalm 57:11

 

On Our Hearts: Breaking Free

You might have seen the movie 127 Hours, or heard about the hiker Aron Ralston who found himself trapped when a boulder fell on his arm. Unable to move the boulder or his arm, for five days Aron was all alone and eventually he was forced to take drastic measures to save his own life. Fortunately, Aron lived to share his story and his tale of survival has been an inspiration to many.

You probably have not experienced a situation quite like Aron's, but you may find yourself trapped in a different way. Perhaps someone has put you in a circumstance that is out of your control. Or you may have an addiction to drugs, food, or alcohol. You might even be trapped in your own emotions of anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness. It might feel as though you have a huge weight of your own that is pinning you down, making you incapable of experiencing joy, love, or peace.

What "boulder" do you need to move from your life? And if you are unable to move that "boulder", what are you willing sacrifice to get yourself out from under that trap? God can help you escape whatever has bound you. He has the power to move mountains and release us from bondage.

Heavenly Father,

We ask that you open our eyes to whatever it is that has us pinned down. Show us the circumstances or people that have put a weight on our ability to cope and deal with life. Lord, we want your Holy Spirit to enter our lives so that we may experience its fruit. Replace worry, anger, and sadness, with your peace, love and joy. Reveal those things that which we may need to sacrifice. Give us strength to let go of the vices that have been holding us back. Pour out your power to overcome our weaknesses and cover our imperfections. Lord, we desire freedom from our own binding emotions. We long for you to break the chains that have been holding us back from doing your will. We thank you, Jesus, for your ultimate sacrifice that can cut us loose from all that confines us. We praise your Holy name so that you may do good works through us. We submit our lives to you, Lord. We humbly lay ourselves down so that you may claim the victory.

Amen

"You reached down from heaven, and you lifted me from deep in the ocean.You rescued me from enemies, who were hateful and too powerful for me. On the day disaster struck, they came and attacked, but you defended me. When I was fenced in, you freed and rescued me because you love me." Psalm 18:16-19 (CEV)

On Our Hearts: Vow Renewal

"To love and to cherish, till death do us part." If you've been married a while those words may seem like all but a distant memory now, but there was a day where you probably nervously recited them back to the love of your life. A covenant vow that was pledged in front of your family and friends. An intimate promise that was extended to your husband only. However, it wasn’t just for that one day. Those words don’t have an expiration date and neither does your marriage. God wants us to be a loving, honoring, and respectful wife. And we do that not by words we say at a ceremony but how we treat our spouse every day. How are you continuing to love and to cherish your spouse?
 

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the man whom I call my husband. Show me how you want me to love him. Let my heart be open to him. May my words be tender and honoring toward him. Help me to become the wife that you want me to be. Show me how to cherish my husband and the moments that we have together and with our family. Let me become a sacred place for him to share his innermost secrets with me. Let our communication be based on love, trust, and respect for each other. Give me the desire to pursue my husband. May our marriage grow more dynamic and intimate as the years go by. Thank you for our marriage, Lord. Thank you for your perfect example of love so that we can show that same love to our spouse.

Amen

 ^"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

On Our Hearts: People Pleaser Pitfall

Is my hair just right? Do these shoes go with my outfit? Am I standing in the right spot? Did I say the right thing? What are they going to think if I do that? How many times have these type of thoughts passed through your mind? Every time you leave the house you probably check your make-up or your outfit in the mirror at least once. If you've ever walked into a crowded room you've probably wondered how you were going to be received and what others were thinking. It's hard not to care about what others think of us. Society tells us that we need to have the whitest teeth, the trendiest purse, and the perfect body.

But do you care what God thinks about you? Are your attitudes and actions pleasing to Him? If you're a Believer in Christ you know that Jesus is our redeemer and we don't need to be perfect for Him to love us. But what if we spent less time trying to please strangers and more time trying to please God?

Dear Father God,

Thank you for creating us perfect in your eyes. On this earth we are imperfect and often fail in how we act, how we dress, and in what we say. Thank you for loving us just where we are. We ask that you help us to keep our focus on you. When we start to look to the world for validation, remind us that we have a King in heaven who doesn't require our clothing to be immaculate, You clothe us in Your garment of salvation. When we fuss about not having the right talent or skill, remind us that we are expertly made in Your sight. And if we stumble and reveal all of our flaws, give us Your grace and humbleness to cover our blemishes.

Amen

"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2