This morning I woke up wanting to write about what God taught me in church yesterday.
I go to church expectantly--
Praying to have an open heart that is ready for redirection and conviction.
I go seeking to praise God and find both encouragement and strength.
I go this way--because I know how much I need it.
How much I need Him.
After last week's study in James and then my time in the Word searching references to "the tongue"...
I am stuck on: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
I go to church wanting to refill my heart with God's Truth and God's Love...
So that my heart overflows with His Truth and Love.
But--yesterday our youngest was still sick.
And last Sunday someone else was sick.
And the week before that...
And so goes this season of life.
But--I'm aware enough of my own weaknesses to know that I can't make it without spending time in God's Word.
I need His refilling.
Without storing up God's Word--
Without fellowship and accountability--
I am treading on dangerous ground.
I know this is a struggle that many mamas with little ones walk through.
So what do we do, when regular fellowship with the church family is disrupted?
For me--these are the things that help:
--I try to stay even more aware of my need to daily read and pray through the Bible. "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11).
--That means I make sure I am in God's Word daily. "If you are slack in the day of distress,Your strength is limited" (Proverbs 24:10).
--I set my Bible on the kitchen counter so that I will see it and *remember* throughout the day. "But this I call to mind,and therefore I have hope" (Lamentations 3:21).
--If I have tasks to do, I try to incorporate listening to excellent sermons like these:
The Village Church--Matt Chandler
Mars Hill Church--Mark Driscoll
Desiring God--John Piper
--When sleep has been sparse and I can barely concentrate, the Psalms & Proverbs become my go-to books...whatever day of the month I'm on...I go to the Psalm and Proverb that carries the number of the date...because at least it's a great place to start when I'm tired and life feels dry.
--Touching base with crucial friends becomes even more important. Today a close friend could tell I was wiped out and emailed encouragement. I needed her note. Another friend offered to pick some things up at the market...again...God's love in action. I want to recognize His gifts.
--I try to take a nap. It's not always possible, but if it is, I do it. Because, at least for me, physical refreshment often proceeds emotional and spiritual renewal.
--I ask God to help me do the next right thing. Meaning--I ask Him: What is the next thing I should do? And then I make myself do it (or at least--I know it helps when that's what I do). Sometimes it's laundry and sometimes it's doing a puzzle with our 10 year old.
--If I have the option of listening to music--I try to choose something that pulls my heart to God. Something that will cement His Word in my mind.
--When it comes to the mundane--I try to make good choices (i.e. don't eat cheese-popcorn for lunch and try to get in some exercise. I aim for a decent bedtime and try to drink more water...basically...back to the basics).
--I pray. I ask Him to meet my needs. To meet me where I'm at. And He does.
--I choose to be thankful. For me this is often a turning point. Today it happened between taking out the garbage and breaking down the recycling. And it often is like that for me. God's Holy Spirit makes me aware that I have a choice to make. I can choose to be discouraged and frustrated or I can choose to be thankful. And I have so much to be thankful for. When He raises that thought to a conscious level, I really do have a choice to make. And it often changes everything. "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1). "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
--I read things that draw me to God. Sometimes blogs like this one. Sometimes books like this one.
--I wait. Knowing that He often is more honored by steady obedience in the valleys than heights of soaring seeming success.
--I stay aware...of the areas where I know I am weak...the areas where I know the enemy quickly finds a foothold. And I claim "His power is perfected in my weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
--I remember His love for me: "For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!" (Psalm 117:2).
So--while I wanted to write today--telling you what I learned in Sunday's sermon--instead I will write telling you that God is faithful and that:
He knows the tiring aspects of motherhood.
He knows this season of life--
When sickness and interrupted nights and raising little ones can feel overwhelming.
And He will will meet me here, in this place
Where I am more aware than ever of my need
for Him.
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