Darkness enshrouded the room and an eyrie sweep of shadows danced on the ceiling as we felt our way to the heavy table. No light, only void filled the spaces ahead. There was no promise of what could be in front of us, just seeming emptiness prevailed as we inched our way towards the room where we were to celebrate life together.
No promise was evident. Quiet prevailed as we inched forward. Yet, one match ignited a lone candle and the shimmering light began to dispel the darkness that had been so formidable just seconds before. From this candle, another was lit, and another, and before we knew it, light sparkled and wrapped itself around the darkest corners to uncover the treasures that lay before us that had been hidden from our eyes. Preparation had been planned and made in the light, and now treasures of color, evidence of the love with which our banquet had been prepared filled each space with the promise that light brings and the comfort that beauty speaks into our hearts.
And so it was, when the electricity had gone awry, we were left in the room, hoping to bring back the life of the prepared for celebration that our hostess had wrought. And so it was with our Christmas tradition at a friend's home this year.
So it is in our lives, we who walk in darkness need a great light to show us the way. Often, in my own life, the dark voices point their fingers:
At times, the burden of motherhood is heavy on our shoulders, for so many sweet mamas I talk to:
"I have failed. "
"I have disappointed."
" I can't go on."
"It doesn't even matter because all of my work is in vain."
"I don't feel love anymore."
"It doesn't matter. I don't matter."
Throughout the seasons of my life, there have been so many times--dark nights of my soul, when I truly was surrounded by so these dark thoughts and discouragement, I felt so alone, so helpless. Perhaps because I was taking on such high ideals, Biblical standards that were not popular at the time, alone, without those who had gone before, there was more spiritual battle, and with all you sweet mamas who are seeking to do your best.
Yet, I also see that scripture tells us that as we get closer to the time of Jesus coming back, times will be so much harder, each year, every decade, and so the darkness can at times seem formidable. Yet, you are not alone and there is always hope!
"Nothing can separate you from God's love." Romans 8
"He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged."Isaiah 42:3
Jesus is the light-one--the one who sees the dark shadows that create the ache of loneliness that squeezes your heart so hard it hurts. He is familiar with your feeling that no one notices, that no one cares--that even God is disappointed in you and has somehow ceased to enlighten anymore. He sees and hears and has compassion. But, oh how He loves you and is on your side.
"Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" Isaiah 49:15
He will never, ever forget you or give up on you!
THE KEY TO SURVIVING WITH GRACE AND LIVING IN HOPE IS COMMUNITY!
And yet, He desires that as he lights the tiny flame in our heart, that we join with others. As we combine our small light with theirs, to bring light into the life He has already prepared, the moments of generous blessing He has planned, to show the treasures he has strewn along our paths, to manifest the plans, the pains he took to give us beauty on our journey.
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10: 25
From Genesis 1, we were made to have family---grandma's and granddads and uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, friends, community. We were supposed to,
"Bear each other's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, wrote, "Woe to the one who has no one to pick him up." Ecclesiastes 4:7,
but he also goes on to say,
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecc. 4: 12
And so the defense that God designed so that we can have hope--is for us to have community, friends, people who understand, who will come along with us, wherever we are on the journey.
It has been a year since Sarah Mae and I released Desperate: Hope for the Mom who needs to Breathe.
We know that many of you find yourselves in this new year with feelings we have described above. We wrote this with you in mind because we know how you feel--we have been there many times.
Soooo, to celebrate our one year release, we thought we would each give away 8 books with the dvd's we made to one of you, so that you can start your own Desperate Group--gather some friends, or give the book to your friends and go through it on the phone, on facebook, across country, in your home, at a cafe. Just start your own inner circle, your own group of friends gathered around the same ideals, with support, with sympathy and the fun of growing friends together!
We want to encourage each and every one of you not to try to do motherhood alone. Isolation is the norm--and Satan is having a field day with us who are alone.
But there is strength in numbers--lets gather new friends, try a group one more time, focus on the hope that is in numbers.
It is why we host our Momheart conferences. (You can still join us! :)
It is why I write books! Blogs! I want you precious ones to know you have God's eye and blessing toward you and you are not alone!
So enter the rafflecopter to win 8 books for your friends and the dvd to go along with them for your group! Even if you have read the book, you can win and give them away!
Desperate is for those who love their children to the depths of their souls but who have also curled up under their covers, fighting back tears, and begging God for help. It's for those who have ever wondered what happened to all their ideals for what having children would be like. For those who have ever felt like all the "experts" have clearly never had a child like theirs. For those who have prayed for a mentor. For those who ever felt lost and alone in motherhood. a Rafflecopter giveaway