|
|
Don't Let Your Heart Stray
A word of caution to us all: When the children of Israel became prosperous, they forsook and forgot the Lord. Then in times of desperate troubles came running back to Him in their dire circumstances. Not to pick on the children of Israel because we have all done this to some degree.
When times become prosperous, no troubles on the horizon, all the kids behaving, everyone healthy and wham. We become self absorbed and self focused and the bottom line to that is misery.
We become so aware of what makes us "happy" instead of just trying to survive or make it to the next pay check, or praying for healing. So depend on the Lord. We are all subject to straying from the Lord. Not depending on Him for our very breath, we begin to go longer and longer between our time with Him. Longer and longer between our time of solace from Him. And soon that relationship is strained and awkward, that had once been so vibrate and alive. Be aware, and don't let your heart stray.
When times become prosperous, no troubles on the horizon, all the kids behaving, everyone healthy and wham. We become self absorbed and self focused and the bottom line to that is misery.
We become so aware of what makes us "happy" instead of just trying to survive or make it to the next pay check, or praying for healing. So depend on the Lord. We are all subject to straying from the Lord. Not depending on Him for our very breath, we begin to go longer and longer between our time with Him. Longer and longer between our time of solace from Him. And soon that relationship is strained and awkward, that had once been so vibrate and alive. Be aware, and don't let your heart stray.
Someday
Mark used to tell me, just think Pam one day you'll be able to sit in a chair and direct this operation. Well, that was sooo sweet and encouraging and that time is here. However, when he would say that to me all I could think, in the throes of all my chaos, was really you think that's a possibility. Bet I don't even live that long. Ha ha.
So, Moms, listen to me. You will live to see that, you will survive these topsy-turvy times, embrace this mayhem, love those babies and all the toys you keep tripping over. Those toys will one day be in a closet collecting dust till the grand babies drag them out and you start to trip again. Somehow that tripping is more fun than the first go around. Ha ha.
I want you to be encouraged, take heart, embrace, be thankful for these days of raising blessings. These days go by so fast (I used to hate to hear that, ha) and before you know it everyone can go potty by themselves, take a bath by themselves, swim, read, drive a car and you'll be a grandmom sitting at the beach indulging in enjoyable recollections of the past, and praying for the young moms in the heat of this child training "battle."
So, Moms, listen to me. You will live to see that, you will survive these topsy-turvy times, embrace this mayhem, love those babies and all the toys you keep tripping over. Those toys will one day be in a closet collecting dust till the grand babies drag them out and you start to trip again. Somehow that tripping is more fun than the first go around. Ha ha.
I want you to be encouraged, take heart, embrace, be thankful for these days of raising blessings. These days go by so fast (I used to hate to hear that, ha) and before you know it everyone can go potty by themselves, take a bath by themselves, swim, read, drive a car and you'll be a grandmom sitting at the beach indulging in enjoyable recollections of the past, and praying for the young moms in the heat of this child training "battle."
Be Thankful
As that mom whose children are all nearly grown, I can sit here and reminisce (moms of young children are saying two things. "What is sit?" and "Reminisce...I am trying to survive.") Take heart, your time is coming if you faint not.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
Be thankful. Some days it is sooo hard trying to not only get everything done (what's that like???), but to have time to think. So let me help you not only embrace the mayhem of your life, but to wake and go to sleep each night thankful.
Remember the days as a little girl you longed to be a mommy. You'd line your baby dolls up and dress and undress them, "feed" and "change" them etc. That's what I did, but perhaps this is all new to you, but none the less we are all in the same boat and we can sink our own boat or help it sail gloriously into the sunset of productivity and God-honoring grown ups. We would all choose a glorious unsunk boat I am sure. So here's how to get there:
This simple, purposeful act of being thankful will change everything. In most everything there is most always something to find to be thankful for.
Exercise your right to be thankful.
Be purposeful about your thankfulness.
Even if you have to deal with the meanest, crankiest, person or person(s) alive just be thankful that is not you. Be thankful you are in total control of your thoughts. It's your choice. Be thankful.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
Be thankful. Some days it is sooo hard trying to not only get everything done (what's that like???), but to have time to think. So let me help you not only embrace the mayhem of your life, but to wake and go to sleep each night thankful.
Remember the days as a little girl you longed to be a mommy. You'd line your baby dolls up and dress and undress them, "feed" and "change" them etc. That's what I did, but perhaps this is all new to you, but none the less we are all in the same boat and we can sink our own boat or help it sail gloriously into the sunset of productivity and God-honoring grown ups. We would all choose a glorious unsunk boat I am sure. So here's how to get there:
- Thanksgiving
- Thankfulness
- Being Thankful
- Count Your Things To Be Thankful For
This simple, purposeful act of being thankful will change everything. In most everything there is most always something to find to be thankful for.
Exercise your right to be thankful.
Be purposeful about your thankfulness.
Even if you have to deal with the meanest, crankiest, person or person(s) alive just be thankful that is not you. Be thankful you are in total control of your thoughts. It's your choice. Be thankful.
One God
Do not make anyone or anything your God except God.
I know this sounds like a crazy statement. Perhaps you are thinking good grief I would never do that, and I hope you are correct. However, as wives we do sometimes do this with our husbands, and before you know it you are thinking and acting on the premises:
And before long you have ascribed all the qualities of the Lord to your husband. The pressure you are putting on him right here is beyond what he is able to endure. Your husband, howbeit he is wonderful, can not answer your prayers or make everything perfect for you all the time. Having all those qualities is wonderful and if you have a husband who is "Mr. Wonderful," good for you. However, we are all human and we fail sometimes, but God never does or never will.
So continue thinking "your man" is the greatest, but don't expect God-like qualities from him. Ascribe that only to the one true God.
Do not make anyone or anything your God except God.
I know this sounds like a crazy statement. Perhaps you are thinking good grief I would never do that, and I hope you are correct. However, as wives we do sometimes do this with our husbands, and before you know it you are thinking and acting on the premises:
- he loves me
- he'll take care of everything
- he will never leave me or forsake me (I pray this one, true)
- he will walk through this with me
- he will make me happy
- he can fix anything
And before long you have ascribed all the qualities of the Lord to your husband. The pressure you are putting on him right here is beyond what he is able to endure. Your husband, howbeit he is wonderful, can not answer your prayers or make everything perfect for you all the time. Having all those qualities is wonderful and if you have a husband who is "Mr. Wonderful," good for you. However, we are all human and we fail sometimes, but God never does or never will.
So continue thinking "your man" is the greatest, but don't expect God-like qualities from him. Ascribe that only to the one true God.
Do not make anyone or anything your God except God.