"Every single season of a mom's life is personally and relationally taxing. Being a godly mother demands our emotional energy, our spiritual wisdom and walk with the Lord, our brains, and our time and our resources as we focus on investing love, encouragement and wisdom into our children's souls. Because the nature of motherhood is to always give out, her mind, soul, and body are always expending resources."
-The Mom Walk
Life seems to me, sometimes, an obstacle course. How I face each dip that must be straddled, each curve that must be managed, each barrier that must be jumped, will indeed determine the outcome of my race. There is rarely a reprieve, and I always have to be on the alert so that my soul stays in the place of peace and hope.
When you tango with the issues of life, where does your mind run? What is the source of your hope? When you feel despair and discouragement and the weight of stress, where do you go?
My own quiet time is truly one of treasure hunting. Most every morning (of course the time of day has been different through the various seasons of life) I have set aside moments just to seek God. It must be when no one will talk to me or disturb my reverie. Very early has served me best--creeping in the dark of night so no one will hear! I light my candles, brew a cup of tea, and enter into the presence of the Lord. Usually I just sit for a few minutes and take in the peace of being quiet and still. Sometimes I stew and fret; sometimes I just sit and try to gather my wits and soul about me; sometimes I cry out; and other times, I just dig for new truth and knowledge. He is the one Friend whom I go to every day. Without Him, there is no solution for me. Without His help and strength, I will find no path and no peace.
There is no substitute--not books, not friends, not church-- just Him. He is the counsel I desire. He is the love I seek. It is in Him that we find our life.
This life is a day by day adventure. My own “inner room” helps see me through. It is a one-woman sanctuary, in the darkness of a pre-sunrise room, where through prayer and the living Word, miracles are taking place and the Father is whispering His love and assurance to my heart day by day, month by month, and year by year. It is a story of great blessing between a fragile child and a gentle, patient, strong Father who cares.
“This I call to mind, therefore I have hope … the lovingkindness of the Lord never ceases, for His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul. ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait on Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of his soul.” -Jeremiah 3:21-26
Take a moment to complete the reflection and application below:
• “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 Developing a habit of praying in secret is essential to a life lived well. Have you come to believe the truth here--that your Father sees what is done in secret and that He will reward you? Pray that He will help your unbelief and increase your faith.
• “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7-8 The Father knows what you need. Are you talking to Him as you would a friend--having a conversation, rather than repeating someone else’s words?
• “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15 Sometimes the reason we don’t feel free to draw near to God in prayer; the reason we aren’t believing He hears and will answer, is that we know we are hanging on to resentment toward someone. Search your heart and see if there’s bitterness lodged there against someone you may need to forgive, so you may receive God’s forgiveness.