“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen.When they're finished, I climb out.” Erma Bombeck
“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are.” Will Farrell
When facing life as a mom, as a wife, you have to keep some humor floating through every day. And also, it helps to to know that you are not alone in the midst of your life messes. And now, during cover, it is especially a draining, messy time. We have lost our support systems, our schedule, our time alone. All of these are vitally important to our overall emotional health.
I do rely heavily on a candle, cup of tea, and my Bible get me started off right. I've learned to lay my burdens at Jesus' feet. I've read His words and they have ministered to my heart. I've worshiped Him. I have asked Him to change me, to help me grow, to bless my family and lead them. I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful day, and all is well with the world.
And then I get out of the chair.
And sometimes, it feels as if all is downhill from there! I am a human being with needs—that are pretty much going unmet. I am pouring out every day to my others who are deeply in need right now, but it leaves me with a little bit less at every moment.
Wouldn't motherhood, wifehood, even Christianity be much easier ... if there weren't any other people involved? But I suppose then we have the problem alluded to in that scene from It's a Wonderful Life, when the family's help says, "That (the noise happening upstairs) is why all children should be girls!" and then the elder Mrs. Bailey says, "But if they were all girls--oh, never mind!"
God loves relationships. He, Himself, exists as a relationship--Father, Son and Spirit, three in One--a mystery we can't wrap our minds around. We bear His image, and part of that is this need we have for relationships; to know and be known, to love well, to draw strength and learn from one another. Yet relationships are not easy.
Sinful people, living together in a broken world, sometimes hurt one another.
We misunderstand and are misunderstood.
We struggle with pride and envy, greed and deceit. So do those around us--and our children are no exception.
Awaking Wonder, for our family, meant to talk through the reality of our hearts, our limitations, and why we need grace from a humble, compassionate heavenly Father every day, every minute. And why we need to become people of grace giving.
We need God's grace, both within the walls of our homes and when we venture out the door.
And while we’re trying to offer grace to all the people around us, we also ought to consider offering some to ourselves! How will you offer grace to everyone in your circle this week?
Part of our educational foundation in awaking wonder was offering grace to our children! Read more about it, here …
