I wake up before the crack of dawn to spend time with God praying, reading, and listening. I get up at 4:30 with having to start waking kiddo’s at 5:10. I have to peel myself out of my chair at that point. My days DEPEND on that time. I’ve been doing it for years, and I can’t live without it.
This morning I reluctantly got up…stretched my body, and took a deep breath combined with a deep sigh. Another day. Like the movie, Groundhog Day.
As I was walking down the hall to wake up Mitch, some words filled my mind and I went quickly to write them down.
“As your plowing away in the mundane activities of your day, remember that God loves you. He sends the Holy Spirit to walk with you. You were created to make an eternal impact in this world. God’s desire is to bless you and USE you. He can do more “through you” with His POWER and GRACE…MORE than you could possibly imagine.
Surrender FULLY to Him this day and SEEK HIM in every moment, and He WILL direct your path.”
After getting Mitch and Kevin off to school, then comes waking Elysse. Elysse, is a different ballgame. I constantly feel as if I am herding cattle. “Move! Move! WHY ARE YOU NOT MOVING?!?!” The struggle is real getting her off to school EVERY single morning. Sigh…
This morning I got caught up in the craziness, and rushing, and I allowed myself to get frustrated. I raised my voice at her in a angry way,(honestly…I screamed) since it seems to be the ONLY way to get any of my kiddo’s attention. I immediately regretted my lack of the control over my emotions.
In the midst of the commotion while scrambling to get out the door, I said, “have you prayed this morning?” To which she answered, “no.” Lilly said, “let’s pray, mommy!” To which my spirit said..”yes, let’s pray.” We all three raised our hands and I prayed over us.
“Father, reign in our emotions this morning, and help us to focus on what truly matters. Give us spiritual eyesight to see our situation for what it truly is. The devil wants us stuck in these ruts, but we want to choose Your way, with Your strength. Fill us all three up with Your Holy Spirit so we can be overwhelmed with Your peace that you so graciously offer. Help us to keep our focus on you throughout our entire day, so that You can work through us. Help us to not be distracted, but to keep our focus on You. We love You and desire for You to use us for Your kingdom. Please be our words, our decisions, our actions, and our re-actions, and forgive us when we fail and slip up. We love you with ALL our heart! Amen.” (Might have slightly differed, but that is extremely close to what we prayed.)
In that instant, we all three felt His peace, and things were instantly better.
And as I was loading up the car I was thinking… I asked Mitch if He read his devotion as he was walking out the door. And I asked Elysse if she prayed as we were trying to get our ducks in a row (whatever that means). In my flesh I just wish they would like “get it.” I wish they would pray and read their devotions by themselves. I mean…I’ve only told them a MILLION times over the YEARS. You would think they would “get it”, right? I want SO bad for them to desire it for themselves.
But then I was GENTLY reminded for the millionth time to read it WITH THEM, and to “gently” be WILLING to PRAY (WITH) THEM. Geez… When will (((I)))ever “get it?”
As mommies we HAVE to LEAD our children. We have to MAKE time. Instead of expecting them to do it by themselves, we have to lead them until their day comes to step up and have their own desire.
It took me YEARS to “get it” and to walk in my relationship with God on my own. Why do I lack patience for OTHERS to do the same?
It was but once again another lesson for this momma this morning.
I’m thankful that God is patient with this thick headed girl, and I need to be patient with MY children, and quit forgetting to gently lead them.
God is making something beautiful in the process. I have to keep my eyes on Him throughout the craziness of my day.<3
Eyes Of A Lion 