Happy Mother's Day

Women were created with special graces to fulfill roles that most intimately reveal God's nature to us.  When aligned with the will of God, a mother will paint the first picture of God's perfect love for His children.

I Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

A mother has the opportunity to build up entire lives by her daily words and actions.  It’s a tremendous responsibility.  It's an incredible honor. 

Joined with our Creator in the breath-taking and awe-inspiring act of giving life, she also walks with God in shaping and molding that most precious child.

Patience, kindness and  gentleness.  These are the fruits of the spirit each mother displays as she raises her little ones.  So enamored by her children she will give them all she has to see them do well.

So is our heavenly Father's unconditional and unfailing love for each of his sons and daughters.  Next to that of God, there is no greater gift or blessing we can receive than the unconditional love of a mother.  In the knowledge and confidence of such love and support, every child is enabled to face the giants of life and achieve the greatest of accomplishments.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed.  Proverbs 31:26-28

Love. Without Condition

As I reflect on yesterday’s topic, it brings me to the greatest glimpse of God’s nature that I see in my children:  unconditional love.

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Overshadowing all of the immeasurable gifts found in our children is the gift of unconditional love.  It is unmerited grace they haven’t fathomed to reject or withhold. 

True unconditional love is so rare.  When we find it as adults we want to bury it away, hide it and we eventually suffocate it in our desperate and feeble attempts to keep it for ourselves.

But not our little ones.  They hand it out to loved ones, acquaintances and strangers.  They even offer it to the mean and bitter!

They don’t consider the possibility of rejection. 
They don’t measure or analyze the possible return on investment. 
They don’t worry that they may give too much and not have any left for themselves.  

It flows from their generous souls just as when they still abided with God in heaven where it flows in abundance.

It makes me grateful, to know that there is a God in heaven who loves me unconditionally.  To know that he hopes for me, even when I am far from getting it right, gives me strength.

This knowledge encourages me to give love out more readily.   Not because someone deserves it or has earned it, especially where my family and friends are concerned, but just because I can. 

Because I am created from the same source my children were. 

Because once upon a time, I was in his presence where it flows like milk and honey

  and I have a hope to return there once again.

Because there are day that I get back into His presence,
and I am fully aware of and consumed by his love for me.

Because I know that His love does not end, and will not run out,

I can love knowing that my source for it is limitless.

How amazing is that? 

So I encourage you, if you have been holding back, for whatever reason, experience or hurt.

Don’t. 

Take this treasure from your sweet little children and put it into practice. 
In fact, dig deep and find that glow from your own childhood.
Love like there is no end.
Love. Without condition.
It's a great gift.
The greatest actually.

Love.

Forgive

You might be thinking after these last few days that I have it all together as a mom.  Let’s set the record straight right now. I DON’T.  In fact I’m always so very grateful when an experienced Titus 2 woman offers me words of wisdom and encourage.

I make mistakes.  Lots of them.  I fail my children daily just as the prayer of contrition states, “In actions or words, in what I do or forget to do!” I lose my temper and even raise my voice, more than I care to admit. 

And when I do, my kids don’t hold it against me.  Two minutes later they have forgiven and forgotten and are gracing me with their smiles and hugs.  In forgiveness, it does not occur to my children to hold a grudge.  

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When I do give them my undivided attention for a game of tag in the park, to snuggle down and read a book, or bake cookies with them, the look in their eyes is not one of reservation or entitlement, but of complete gratefulness and joy. They don’t remind me about how I have failed them, but rejoice with me when I get it right.

My kids don’t always get it right either.  I can’t begin to tell you the number of times my children bicker in a day.  And when it becomes an all out tussle, I become referee sending them to their respective corners.  And, yes, I have even told them, no more playing with each other today!  Only to find about 10 minutes later that they have snuck their way over to each other and are tangled together reading a book and giggling beyond measure, completely content in the company of their antagonist.  Forgiven.

I can't count the number of times I go to God with these same antagonizing complaints.  I’m sure I have ranted or raved,  accused and shouted, and yet when I go to Him next, he doesn’t turn me away, but welcomes me with open arms, out of complete gratefulness and joy that I am seeking His company.  Forgiven.

I know that I have sinned daily.  I have ignored, denied and insulted him regularly.  Yet when I seek Him I never question that I am forgiven.  

Believe

One of the greater lessons I learn about God through my children is faithfulness.  In belief, they haven’t learned to be critical and skeptical.  The most humbling and generous gift my children give me is their belief in me. 

In a time in which life moves fast, media and social outlets are at an all time high, and everyone seems to be seeking fame, we tend to compare ourselves to others, and wonder why are talents  and lives don’t seem to measure up to the next persons.   Insecurity, seeking definition and validation through careers, church groups, friendships, and positions can be disheartening and disappointing. 

But my children hold the greatest vision for my life.  They truly believe I can do everything.  I AM supermom.  They believe that I hold all knowledge, they believe I make a difference each day when I go out to work, and they believe that I can make everything alright.  To them I am THE chef, nurse, teacher, doctor, inventor, counselor, playmate, artist, banker, CEO, referee, judge. 

Their belief comes from knowing the God who never fails.  For where else would they acquire such confidence in the one who cares for them?  What reasoning?!  They trust God.  And because they trust him, their reasoning says that if he cares for them, and he left them in my care, then I must be capable. 

What a tall order! Yet my children’s belief makes me stand taller and strive to meet those expectations. What’s more, God believes the same things for me.  Sometimes I think he sent them, all three, because I needed to be reminded of his plans and purposes for my life.  

God is confident in me.  When he gave me these little ones, it was because He believed I was the best candidate for the job.   I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13 tells me this truth. 

He has a plan for my life, to prosper and bless everything I place my hand to with determination and prayer.  Just as he had to repeatedly tell his people through his prophets in the Old Testament “remember”,  He has sent me three little enlightened souls to remind me who I am in His eyes.

Treasure

I started this week talking about the glow our children exude.  Like anything that glows, I know that my children are treasures.   In my children there are a series of gifts from God to me.  Babies are God’s most tender, tiny offerings to us.  Designed to break down the walls of our hearts, leaving us open to receive Him.  Until I became a mom, I like to say that I was a tough cookie.  I was practical, rational, not prone to emotional decision making, public displays of affection, and I can’t say I was very empathetic.  

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Having a baby changed everything.  Maybe it’s the tsunami of hormones that release a rushing tide of emotions, but suddenly how I saw the world, and any hallmark commercial, resulted in a surge of feeling and the complete demolition of any protective wall I had built up around my heart.  These gifts of life from God’s personal treasure room have time after time made me slow down, hold my breath, come to tears and even drop everything.  They have breathed life into this mother’s heart. 

As difficult, exhausting and all-consuming as it can be to parent little ones, the rewards are far greater if you pause a moment to appreciate the beautiful godly characteristics a child displays daily.    Raising a child is an investment.  You can appreciate all the treasures stored up in a child, that unique creation of God, if you take the time to savor and appreciate each stage, and season and moment of your child’s life. 

Galatians tells me, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”   There are certainly times when I forget that I am caring for little treasures.  Honestly, I can get busy with career, daily struggles, and other commitments, and in my exhaustion have moments when one more cry of “mommy!” can seem like an inconvenience.   There are days when their incessant squabbling, needs and repeated requests can seem like a burden.

I’m human.  My flesh is weak and tired.  And in those moments I have succumbed to wrong thinking.  Because in my heart and mind I know that there is no greater joy, there will be no better time spent than in those precious moments with my children.  I will achieve nothing greater than to see them grown, confident, happy and in full communion with God.  And I will reap no greater rewards or accolades than their confidence, respect and love.

Like each passage in the Bible, the treasures stored up in our children are precious clues to the nature of the God we long to know.  Its pages illuminate His face to us in the truths they reveal to us.  These truths come to life every day in the words and actions of my children.   Truly no words written can explain God’s nature as powerfully as the experiences lived each day with children.

Glow

There are few places where we can see the true essence of God.  In the still beauty of a natural harbor bathed in sunlight as the cool morning fog rolls over the landscape is breathtaking and His hand is evident. In the deafening silence of a thick blanket of fresh fallen snow highlighting each branch of a magnificent oak tree, His presence is tangible.  These are just moments where we can see the generosity of our Creator in His artistry.

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Then there are the children.  Their pure souls are like glimmering light that breaks through the surface of each delicate countenance. So delicate and fragile, yet in contrast so strong and resilient, they are my greatest clue to God’s true nature and character. 
Fresh from heaven, babies still have the glow of being in His presence.  How enamored are we at the sight of a baby.  The miracle of life is still present, lingering in the air over the tiny bundle.  We are so content to just gaze on that precious child’s face, listen to Him breath and take in the sweet smell of newborn baby.  God’s presence lingers on them, over them, like a moth to a flame we can’t help but gather at the endearing coo of a baby to ooh and ahh over the tiny creation.

In Exodus we read that Moses had ascended up the mountain of Sinai to talk with God and upon descending we read that “his face was radiant” (34:29). His face had taken on a supernatural radiance.  It is this radiance that was the evidence to everyone who saw him, and to us reading the scripture, that He had experienced something beyond our imagination that had left a unique and definite imprint on him. He had seen something brilliant.  He had been in the presence of glory.

The scripture goes on to tell us that this radiance on Moses’ face grew dim and eventually disappeared altogether.  I don’t learn much about God reflecting on my self, my own thoughts, fallings or actions.  I am a poor reflection of the God who made me in his image.  In this life I have suffered scratches, dents, and my soul has become tarnished.   Although my God in His tender mercies is continuously renewing and restoring me from the inside out, my offenses continue daily.

Like the small child that seems to get into a dirt pile faster than you can blink, or the pile of laundry that reappears as large as the fresh batch you just set away, my efforts seem in vain.  I will never again be a pure reflection of the great I Am until I am face to face with Him again and His overwhelming holiness completely and finally washes me white as snow.

But I can get in His presence.   I Corinthians 3:13 tells us, “and we all who with unveiled faced contemplate the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord. “  Just like Moses in Exodus returned to go before the Father, and each time returned with the radiance of being in His presence, I can get close to it again. 

Gazing into the face of my little ones, loving on them as they display my God’s characteristics, in prayer that lifts me up and sustains me, in the blessed pages of the scriptures, He is there.  And each time I sit before God in this manner, His radiance begins to reflect not only in my face, but over my mind and heart.  I know it will fade, as I have not yet been perfected.  But my hope and peace is in knowing I can go before Him again, and again.

But the children, my children, are nearer to God in their innocence, in the purity of their souls.  My greatest desire is to protect, cherish, and let their precious souls maintain their unblemished state and radiant glow for as long as possible.  And this is not only for their sake but for mine.   Because I long to see Him, hear Him, to lean in and breath His presence, I cherish my little ones.  On this earth, at this time, the first breath of my little babies is the closest I will come to the very breath of God.   And I treasure it.

Mother's Day Week

It's May!  I LOVE May.  In Wisconsin, it usually means sunny 70 degree weather (my definition of perfect), blooming flowers, green green everywhere, my BIRTHDAY! and Mother's day!!

Admitingly, mother's day has been a sore spot for me in the past. But with the arrival of my little ones, and some growing and learning on my part, it's become something I treasure once again.

I recently spent some time reflecting on the lessons God teaches us moms through our children.  This week, I will share some of that with you in a bit of a series, a first here!

But first I will start with remembering the past.  Follow the links to a few posts from years past about my mom who passed away at the age of 42 and who I miss every day, my grandma - amazing, amazing woman who I loved, loved!, and a few other realizations along the way.

If you only take a day, or a few hours, or even condense mother's day into a hallmark card, I encourage you to take a little time, enjoy it some more, or make it more enjoyable for a mom or grandmom in your life!

Me and the people that call me MOM :)

Exhausted

"Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets." Luke 5:5

Its been an exhausting couple of weeks. The company I work at is relocating (big move), we had a pledge drive (long hours), it's time to close up the end of the year (translation for an accountant = nightmare), and the girlies and I have been playing tag: Tag, you're sick now.

I always thought that once you got through the infant period, your nights were full sleep nights. NOT - add that to the "things I wish someone would have told me before.." book.

So in the midst of sick and whining girls, swimming heads and nausea, demanding work schedules, and difficult co-worker interactions - well it's easy to get caught up in the dreariness of it all. Pop in some extra cold and cloudy weather, and it's easy to lose perspective.

But the blessing in all of this is just when I'm ready to throw in the towel, and I basically do by not going into work these past few days - succumbing to the fact that YES, I'm sick, literally, and tired, I find the moments.

The little moments that I wonder if I'm missing. The goofy moments, the silly moments, the silent moments that make you realize: it's all good. My kids are good (come on - you know you wonder sometimes too), my husband is great, a home cooked meal is awesome, and God does have a plan and purpose for my life. A plan of abundance.

Just like when Peter and his crew were exhausted, discouraged and really didn't want to go fishing one more time, they did 'cause He told them to press on and hold on. By not giving up, just when they thought they couldn't any longer, they found God stepping in just in time. The abundance God had for them was just one more net cast into the sea.

So for all you tired mommies out there: Keeping on keeping on. You never know what's waiting for you right over the horizon :)

Homesick? Honestly..

Is it really possible that I can be homesick - 12 years after leaving home? It seems a weekend back home to see Dad and the family can do that to me every time. Even now, though when I go back entire buildings, streets and the very atmosphere of the neighborhoods I use to know have changed.

Or could it be that in the face of change, new and unpredictable, scary and exciting, I recoil, uncertain and a little afraid, and long for the familiarity and predictability of the place that I came from?

Then again, it could just be that I've been miles and miles away from a family that is close knit and supportive, for - yeah, I'll say it again - 12 years. My loud, musical, always laughing, have to out-joke you, crazy, beautiful, quirky family. A family I never get to see often enough. Maybe it's mostly spurned this time by the sound of my jolly, strong, uncle's voice telling me, with unexpected sadness in his voice, that he just doesn't get to see us enough.

Maybe it's mostly the fact, that my girlies, don't know them nearly as well as I'd like, and won't have the same wonderful memories I do of a large extended family gathered at every possible event, celebration or loss.

It could be that I'm just overly nostalgic (aka homesick).


NEWS!NEWS!NEWS! GIRLIE 1 CONQUERS FACE IN THE WATER FEAR!!!
Girlie 1 put her face in the water at her swim lesson today! This is something that normally made my heart race. Our number one tub rule has always been - Don't put your face in the water!

But, today - total change! It's huge. Yes, yes - one small step - but after weeks of her dreading having to put her face in the water at swim class, it seems a new pair of goggles made her braver today.

It was a beautiful sight to see. Kind of like when the Grinches heart grows 3 sizes (is it 3?), you could practically see her become braver. It could mostly be that she figured out that if she keeps her mouth closed underwater, she won't come up sputtering and choking. Nonetheless, it merited ice cream cones for all tonight!

The best things about being a mom

Today the girlies showered me with kisses. Literally. First Girlie 1, then girlie 2 would yell my turn, my turn and they would line up to take turns giving me big smooches and hugs. Priceless. Certainly one of those moments you want to engrave in your memory forever.

A friend of mine loaned a book to me that discusses how we are created in God's image, diamonds or gems. It's funny, because when I think about myself I usually think, clay - something that needs to be molded and made into something useful. But based on the logic of this book, it has challenged me to think about myself as something already valuable and charged with the responsibility of using the gifts and strengths that God has created within me and fulfill the purpose for which he created me. It makes the journey seem much less daunting. I'm not so much concerned about failing to be something, and much more about failing to make use of what I am. IF that makes sense.

And I think of my girlies, the little talents God has given to my care. They certainly challenge me to think more carefully of my words and actions. They challenge me, because I do see them as little gems. Little gems entrusted to my care. I don't need to make them into anything or shape or mold them into anything. That's a thought that has overwhelmed me. But I do need to love them, and know them and help them see their basic makeup - that which God has formed them to be. My job is to keep from chipping or dulling their brilliance. My job is too help them see the source of light that makes them magnificent. I need to handle them with gentleness and wisdom. God has trusted me to do that.

Pretty incredible job.