Mommy Fog

I read a great reminder yesterday from Rachel Jones on the Desiring God Blog --- 

She exhorts us Mothers to simply Cling to Christ in the midst of the Foggy Seasons of Mothering.

In the midst of little ones, pregnancy, nursing, calls back to the nursery to get a crying,hungry child, sleepless nights, early mornings, a crazy rushed morning just to get everyone out the door.... it can be hard to feel like we can really engage and fully receive the benefit of the preaching and teaching we get each Sunday.   We can barely stay awake, yet alone engaged.  Take notes?  I can find a crayon, but no way is there a pen in my purse. 


Rachel’s post encourages us all to Cling to Christ.
Cling to the truths that are rooted deep in our hearts.  We may not be able to take a page full of notes, or recite the 5 points that were preached.  However, our identity is not found in this “ability”… our identity is found in Christ.   (See the great points Rachel points out in Romans 7)

I was given great wisdom after I had Charlotte--- to simply seek out 1 truth to take home from the day’s preaching and teaching. Maybe not all of them, maybe not even 2.   Maybe even a nugget of truth or encouragement from a hymn or song.   But just 1 little take away that I could remember.   

I also have learned greatly over the years to turn to my husband in these seasons... and not to feel “less” spiritual or guilty or judged because of the foggy time.   But it helps so much to talk about the sermon, or maybe just listen to him talk about the sermon--- to hear what he thought, learned, etc.  Truly a picture of how our husbands can “wash us in the word”. 

With 3 children ages 6 and under, the fog is still present.  Being Pregnant has brought in the thick fog some more, and I know the heaviest fog is coming soon with the arrival of Baby Boy!    I am so thankful for this reminder that though my mind may be a little foggy, these truths remain the same, and I can cling to them. 

I can cling to Christ!

Praying that in the midst of the Mommy Fog…
you choose to cling to Christ as well. 

A Joy and Delight

Children are a Joy and Delight.  A Heritage. 
                Precious blessings. Fruit of my womb. 

Someone didn’t get the memo today.
~~~~~

As this little one woke screaming for Daddy (because I was the last person she wanted) she surely was not full of Joy, and didn’t seem like much of a delight if I am honest.  Yet seeing isn't always believing is it?   I was sharing with my husband the other night that it’s hard sometimes to read those verses about what blessings children are.  That they are a rich reward, and bring joy and delight… when honestly, the days can be really really hard. 

I don’t put my head on the pillow many nights and proclaim “What a delightful day it’s been”.  Rather I cry out to God to give me the strength to be able to do this, and to mother these 3 little children in a way that would honor Him.

But I know and believe that what God says about these sweet children is true.   They are blessings.  Miracles.  And they do bring me SO much Joy.   And I am comforted by the never changing character of God that loves me even when I am not much of a joy or delight.   His love is steadfast, and never-failing.  He is always present, knows all, is sovereign over all things.  He sees me when I selfishly choose the poor choices.  He sees my heart that cries for someone else instead of Him.  He sees my grumpiness, discontentment, jealousy over others. 

If I am honest with myself and you… there are many days that I am not a Joy and a Delight.  Yet God still says he rejoices over me with gladness. I am challenged by my God… who loves is unwavering.


So when these “precious blessings” act far from joyful, I will choose to believe that indeed they are a rich reward from God.  A sweet gift from Him.  Perhaps even a gift to show me how vast His Love is for even one like me. 

Oh, that I would bestow upon my children the same kind of patient and steadfast love that our Father has lavished on me. 

Yes Indeed.

Children ARE a Joy and Delight.  A Heritage. 
                Precious blessings. Fruit of my womb. 

Drawing Near…

This is a song we’ve been singing in church recently.

It’s a new song to us, written by modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty.  Their talent to bring God’s truth to life through music is remarkably encouraging and has helped us to worship deeply.

 

 

As a mom, I find my time in God’s word limited--- I find my morning schedule very unpredictable, never knowing if a child will wake at 7:00 or 6:00 that morning.   I long for God to speak to me, yet too often I allow the busy-ness of my day and my never ending to-do list to crowd Him out.   Is it that He just isn’t speaking, or could it be that I am not really listening??

Since becoming a mom I have clung to the verse 
     “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”   James 4:8

It isn’t always easy to draw near to God as a mom with 3 little ones all around.  But our drawing near doesn’t have to be merely a physical drawing near.   I daily need the reminder that God is present and He longs for me to invite Him into my day, and to sit at His feet.

• Am I drawing near to God in my heart?  Do I long to know God’s truth?
  
• Am I allowing myself time to read His word…even if it is a brief
  time? Could I wake earlier, make more use of evening/nap time?
  
• Do I believe that God’s word holds truths for me that I need to hear?
  
• How can I find ways to draw near to God throughout the day? To actually allow my self to hear from Him and His Word?

 

This song is a cry of my heart. 
A cry for God to Speak through His word.  To comfort me with His Holy promises, to feed me with the bread of life.  To plant His truth deep in me, to fashion me in His likeness.  That the world around me… and more importantly these precious little children around me… would see the light of Christ shining so bright in their mommy.  In my acts of love and deeds of faith. 

 

Speak, Oh Lord…. Speak to me today. 
It may not always be easy, but I will draw near to You today.
Because I need Your word planted deeply in me.


How do you draw near to God?

I would love if you shared how you manage to take in God’s word throughout the day (especially from moms of little children) or if you have any specific verses or promises that are encouraging you lately.