Play Episode on iTunes & Stitcher
"My dreams before marriage or motherhood were full of perfection and welcome. Ideals of smells of delicious meals bubbling on the stove, cups of tea brewing, table set, close relationships with me either at ease on a chair by the fire or cuddling my darling babies, rocking them and nurturing them peacefully.
I hadn't counted on the weariness of years of cleaning, cooking, washing, ordering; being pregnant and nursing, of giving birth and having miscarriages. I didn't have a realistic understanding of the many phases of responsibility as a friend, a wife, motherhood that would demand all my strength--or asthma, ear infections, tantrums, messes and fusses, thousands of mounds of dirty dishes and clothes, and countless days to fill with meaningful occupation, not to mention the training, correcting, and instruction of my children in righteousness.
I had no idea how often loneliness would literally overwhelm me as I strove to learn and be all that I needed to be for my friends, husband, family without the help of mentors or support systems in my life as we moved 16 times.
Yet many times, when I was tempted to quit taking so much time from my own life to give to my loved ones, when I felt like I simply couldn't go on, and felt like giving up, I would creep away into my quiet corner to spend even a few minutes with the Lord. I would go away for a morning by myself to walk, grab coffee or a time with a friend. Without fail, He would use those stolen moments to show me how important my role was in the spiritual life and heritage of my children.
In those times, I glimpsed the goal of righteousness I was working toward and realized that I must reach, I must persevere step-by-weary-step."
And now, to see the fire of righteousness bubbling over in those who were present: conversations, the choices, the commitment of my adult children, the women I mentored, the deeply meaningful partnership Clay and I share and the legacies we built over many years, and I know that the choice to keep going in the direction of His ideals has made all the difference.
Those who wait for the Lord, who patiently follow after Him, will indeed gain new strength, they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. And their work and their reward will be sure.
Join Sarah and me on May 10 for a wonderful night of refreshment and encouragement!
https://www.facebook.com/events/185181906769517
Books Referenced in this Podcast:
FOR MORE
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.
Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.
Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.
Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!