I am thankful for how the Lord so often uses my relationship with Him to help me in my relationship with my kids...or, to put it another way, to gain a greater perspective!
There are times where I can be busy "doing" things for the Lord...good things, Biblical things...but not really enjoying the Lord. The watching world would say that I was putting the Lord first, but inwardly, He has taken second place under the priority "duty". Instead of being caught up in a love relationship with Jesus, I am caught up in all that I should be "doing"...forgetting that God's chief concern is that I love Him with all that I am...that I desire Him above all else...that He would be my life and the length of my days!!! That I would live with sheer rapture and delight in my engagement to the King of Kings. Though it should never be, it's often so much easier to be a Pharisee than to bask in the light of my Savior, my Redeemer, my Love. Praise God for His forgiveness and open arms!
It can be the same way with my kids...in fact, if I am being really transparent, it is OFTEN that way. I am so busy doing things for them...good things...things that need to be done like cooking and cleaning and teaching and instructing...that I am not really enjoying them. Not really delighting in them. Not really treasuring them as I ought to.
Micah informed me last week that he is halfway to college! He's actually more than half way and as I thought about that I found myself crying out, "Oh Lord, teach me to number my days that I might gain a heart of wisdom." Lord, help me to be "careful how I walk not as unwise but as wise making the best use of the time". Time is fleeting, life is a vapor...I am learning that more and more with each passing day.
And I am also learning more and more what it means to truly be "in love" with Jesus and, as a result, what it means to "love my children" as Titus 2 tells me to! And I am so thankful that, just like Jesus, my kids are full of forgiveness and keep their arms open wide for this woman that they call mom! God's mercy and grace is truly amazing!
Comments
Ouch!! I need to bath this in pray, because I know I do this.
What an awesome, awesome post. I just wrapped up a study on the benefits of being a child of God out of Isaiah, and saw that two of our benefits/rewards that God gives for us to find satisfaction in Him and to enjoy His presence.
Love how you applied it to motherhood. I too get caught up in the doing of good, biblical things that I let time escape without enjoying them and their sweet presence in my life! Thanks for the reminder today!
I can't wait to read up on where you and Bryan are and what God has you doing for Him!
Your family is beautiful!!!
Love, O'Nealya
One other side note...you truly don't enjoy your children (I think) until the are "adults." Not that you can't enjoy them as children...but there is such a special bond between grown children and parents! I'm sure you can see this with your own parents! Isn't it amazing that as we "mature" our parents seem to be smarter, wiser, and more fun?! :D
Love ya!