Wait, they are Asleep!! Rest…Wait, Who can REST??….There is Too much to do!!
I have just written a post on “resting in Christ” on my other blog, and thought of motherhood. How on earth do you rest, let alone “rest in Christ” when you are a busy mother of a toddler, a baby, teenagers? Not to mention if you have a job outside your home, homeschooling duties, ministry opportunities …well you get the picture and I am sure you are asking yourself that question.
My desire is to give practical advice. Just STOP!
Now don’t get too excited. I did not mean to stop, hop on a plane and head to St. Thomas (although that does sound inviting…hmmmm). But there are certain things as Moms we just have to do. We run the household in one way or another. In this household I taught the boys as soon as they were able to learn how to cook, clean and do their own laundry. Did it make my life easier?…Well not really, it took some time to teach them… But it did teach skills that they most certainly have appreciated later in life.
However you choose take care of the household, you are still ultimately responsible. It is easy to get into that “guilt and condemnation” rut that spews at you…”You never spend time with God, how can you possibly be a good________ (fill in the blank). Friends, that is not from the Father. You may not do a personal in depth Bible study daily, but don’t let that stop you from seeking Him everyday! Never give up!
I remember that every single day I had on Contemporary Christian music. (You can access http://www.wbvn.org from the internet or google CCM) I became very consistent in that fact after I caught my eldest at the age of 3 acting out a soap opera that I was just sure he was not paying attention to! Oh my, that was eye opening!
I tried to always read Bible stories to the kids daily and we believed that spending time on the truth was the most important thing we could do as parents. Although I didn’t always seem to find the time to personally study or concentrate on God myself, these times with the kids would always minister to me in some way. And “out of the mouths of babes” never became more true! Some of the discussions we would engage in as they got older will forever be etched in my memory.
Christian Music played a major part in our daily lives as well. It was either based on scripture, or was scripture. A three minute song could minister to me as a young mother like nothing else I did. And catching the boys singing a tune without their own awareness spoke volumes! I could listen while folding laundry or changing a diaper. They heard it as they played. Either way I was involved in the spiritual and it affected the climate of our home.
As I have already said a number of times, my boys are adults. They actually remember songs that they heard when they were smaller. I know that scripture has come to their mind many times through a song they sang along with. As a teacher, I know that many facts can be taught in musical form. What a better way to teach, and to REST ourselves!
So, take it easy on yourself Mom. Your heart is in the right place. There will be a day when they are gone (trust me on this) and you will have all the time in the world. These seasons of life the Father provides many ways….you just have to be creative in how you access His word daily.
And when they are down for that nap….take one yourself, or read a verse of scripture…the dishes can wait!!
“Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Be blessed dear ones,
IN CHRIST ALONE
Isaiah 55:8-9
Encouragement for Today 