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Tea Time Tuesday: My boys are home for Christmas and I am so happy.
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Sometimes the holidays can be hard and families are not perfect. We all need grace to keep joy during the holidays. Often we are surprised when tension rears its head. Some thoughts about how to keep joy alive.
1. Remember. God is with you to help you succeed.
"If God is for you, who can be against you." God is for you — for you. He wants you to succeed. He wants to work in your home. We are not adequate to complete the task of shaping our children's hearts, minds and souls by ourselves. When God's Spirit is working in our midst, He will take our fish and loaves, all that we have to give to Him, within our own limitations and together with Him, our labor becomes enough.
2. "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) There are always do-overs in God's economy. All of us mess up, (He is mindful that we are but dust! Psalm 103)
I wonder why we have the illusion that we are supposed to be perfect. Mamas, don't be so hard on yourself and live within your limitations. You will not ever be perfect or do it totally right — not now, not next week, not even when you are 70!
This is the fallen world, and we will never be able to control ourselves, our circumstances, our children or the world the live in. We live in grace and move toward maturity little by little. And so do your children. I promise, little by little they will grow up.
And your children will never be perfect, either. Love them as they are. Believe in them, touch them. Let little boys be boys, as you train them little by little to be heroes and leaders — civilization comes from a mama who treats them with respect, and gives them a heart to be dignified. Let little ones be innocent and enter into their stages of life with joy.
Living in the grace and knowledge that God forgives, knows our limitations, is not surprised or disappointed, but wanting to give us hope is so very crucial. Don't listen to the accusers voice. Of course you have fallen short — you are a mom and you are human.
3. “He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, ‘Arise, eat.’” (I Kings 19:5)
Elijah was so very weary from spiritual battle that he despaired of his life — wished he hadn't been born. But God knew he was extremely exhausted, battle worn, weary. So the first thing God did when Elijah poured out his heart to Him was to put him to sleep. He slept a long time — took time to physically rest. Next, and I love this, an angel touched him — physical touch, a hug, an embrace, a hand massage, a real massage, is a personal healer. I love it that God's angel touched him and brought him comfort. Then, he still didn't give him a lecture — instead, the angel fed him.
I make beauty to remind me that I am worth something. I light candles, get some flowers at Sam's or Costco's — the kind that last 2 weeks, and I play music all the time.
"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn which shines brighter and brighter until the fulll day." Proverbs — every day, a little more light, a little more progress, and eventually, full brightness.
I am praying for all of you — but even more, God is praying for you and loves you. Don't give into discouragement or inadequate feelings. With God all things are possible. He is so glad you are trying and that you care. You are precious to Him and He is training your character to grow strong as you are training your children.
Blessings and blessings to all of you.