Diapers and a Divine Calling

I don't usually post on Saturdays, but this repost from an old blog of mine is an reminder for myself that I decided to share here at A Steady Rain that I thought would be perfect for Mother's Day.  If you can identify, I hope you'll be encouraged! Happy Mother's Day to all my sweet mommy readers! 


It's Sunday evening. We had a busy (and early) day at church, afternoon naps, and a family walk to enjoy this AMAZING November weather. As I sit in the recliner watching one child fight imaginary bad guys and the other play with his new Fisher Price ball machine (a super fun birthday gift), I meditate on a thought that struck me this morning.

This is my calling.

If I'm honest with myself, I'd have to admit that I don't often take it seriously enough. I'm not just a babysitter or caretaker to a couple of boys. Making sure my children are bathed and fed is definitely important, but there is SO much more to being a mom. 

Being a mommy is a precious privilege that I don't want to take for granted. I find mind wandering often to questions like: 

"I wonder who God wants me to impact with my life and ministry?" or "Who did God REALLY create me to be?" 

The answer is crawling across the living room floor...........

I want my boys to remember the proud look in my eyes when they take their first steps or sing out in the Christmas program. 

I want my boys to think of me when they scramble eggs in their first apartment. 

I want to be the hand my boys reach for when they need that extra reassurance. 

I want to be a picture of the grace we so so desperately need not only for salvation but every day life. 

It may not always be a glamorous job and it definitely doesn't have a high salary, BUT it's a privilege and my calling. In 15 years, it won't matter if I have thousands of blog subscribers, hundreds of customers, dozens of speaking engagements, or a house completely decorated with Pinterest inspired crafts. 

I am the only woman in the world called to be my boys mom. That's a good enough ministry and calling for me!

 

Relax,Refresh, and Revive (Part 2).....

Photo Credit

Yesterday, we started talking about the importance of refreshing and reviving ourselves spiritually and emotionally. It's SO important to run to our True Refuge in times of stress and trial. If we're going to ever get any spiritual rest, we have to rely on Him.

Psalm 116:7, "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."

1. Find your Refuge in God

2. Examine your Responsibilities

At the beginning of last month, our church hosted a small pastors/pastor's wives retreat. The ladies enjoyed a GREAT speaker from a college a couple hours away. She didn't realize it, but an illustration she used hit me right between the eyes. 

Farmers are some of the most intentional people in the world. They spend hours examining the soil, the seeds, what soil is right for those seeds. Their job, their livelihood depends on their extreme focus and purpose in planting and harvesting. 

There's a reason that you never see any farmer deciding spread some wildflower seeds in their fields. They are beautiful and grow very quickly, BUT they also have tiny roots and die soon after blooming. It would go against the intentional nature of a farmer to sow those kinds of seeds. 

In the same way, we as women and moms HAVE to be intentional with our responsibilities. It's so easy for us to get distracted by the thousands of "wildflowers" around us. We start taking on jobs and obligations that don't add to our family, but instead create a more chaotic life. We struggle to say, "no" and feel like it would be wrong for us to take a break from a responsibility. Our "wildflower" obligations quickly spring up and may even look beautiful for a while, but before we know it we're dying inside because we can't keep up with it all. 

Remember, friends, you don't have to do it all. You don't have to say "yes" to every opportunity that comes your way. Take time to examine it. Will add more stress to your family? Will your kids suffer because of your added responsibility?  Is it something that you could try in a few years when you are in a different season of life? It's ok to say "no"!!

In order to truly refresh ourselves emotionally, we have to examine the responsibilities in our life. For me, my priority is the two little boys in my care. I want them to know God in a deep and real way and want them to see that in their mommy! 

What about you? Do you struggle with too much responsibility in your life? How do you create boundaries with the things you add to your plate?