A Father who sees, hears, knows and loves.

We were at the mall a few weeks ago and after a fun tiring time at the children's place it only made sense to get Chick-fil-a for lunch. So that's where we went. We were a little more than half way through our meal when I noticed a fellow young mom with her two children looking around the same age as my little bears if not a little older. She looked exhausted as if she had just engaged in a series of battles she didn't not win. She looked as though survival was her her only option. Frustratingly she put her two babes at the table and told them to sit there and not get up and that they needed to stop being bad and that she doesn't understand what had gotten into them today. Once the food came she became annoyed even more as the children went crazy over all the drinks and the goodness chick-fil-a brings (I can't say I blame them there, though!) Eventually the three of them continued to stare at each other eating quietly. I must admit. Before I became a mom I was quick to judge other moms. I would see children throw tantrums at target and I would see moms yelling at their kids in public and automatically I'd hand them the worst parent of the year award in my mind along with the stuck up and full of herself thought "My kids will never act that way in public and I would never yell at them!" Now here I am with two babes of my own just 24 months apart. And as reality would have it my feisty, strong-willed Evelynne has had more tantrums in public than I can count on both fingers and toes. One time she even ran behind the cashier station to get away from me (embarrassing!) and I have raised my voice more than I'd like to admit however I'm blessed because I'm a thriving mom under love and grace and not of judgement and perfection. I do laugh sometimes because in those days of tantrum throwing at the store I get those same looks from people. However, I couldn't judge her, I couldn't feel bad for her kids but my heart only felt sameness and love for her. I saw her desire and I saw her need.. She needed to be heard and with the Arrows and Warriors ministry fund I felt The Holy Spirit tell me to go give her money to get herself a coffee. I was a bit hesitant at first.. Mainly because it was kind of an awkward situation. They're not only eating however, I just witnessed her freaking out at her kids. I thought maybe the last thing she wanted was a stranger coming up to her while she was eating and telling her "I know exactly, how you feel!" I know sometimes that saying is more like salt on a wound than helpful. But despite my emotions I knew God had a plan so I got up, took money out of my wallet and with my girls we walked up to her. "Excuse me." I said as she looked up looking fearfully aggravated as if she was expecting the worst judgmental comment from me. "Do you like coffee? I had asked. "Ummmm, yea. I work at starbucks." She replied. "Oh nice! Well, coffee is on me today." With a confused, shock look on her face she said "What? seriously? Are you kidding? Is this real?" As if me buying her a coffee was the last thing on her mind. "It sure is!" I laughed. "I can't believe this. Thank you so much!" She continued to explain to me how she's a full time working mom and her kids usually act up when she's off because they miss her and that she really didn't want to go anywhere today but she had to get them out of the house. That's when I told her "I know exactly how you feel. Motherhood can be so tiring but you're doing an amazing job!" She was a mom.. A mom people have judged and couldn't see. But she was a mom who needed to be seen that day and before anyone else Jesus saw her, He heard her and whether she knows Jesus or not He wanted to love on her and bless her and He used me to do that. This whole experience was just as (if not more) encouraging for me as it was for her. It was God's way of saying He sees, He hears, He knows and He loves. He wasn't looking down at that mom for freaking out at her kids. He wasn't regretting giving her children and He wasn't turning His eyes because her attitude was too much. Instead. She was His target. She needed the love of a Father. A Savior and He wanted to give that to her. Who would have thought that a cup of coffee could make someone's day? Maybe it wasn't the coffee? Perhaps, it was the thought of being seen, heard, loved, and understood? Sisters.. I want to give you the sweet reminder that today God sees you, He knows you more than you know yourself, He hears you and understands you perfectly. He left Heaven to become like us.. To relate to us and understand us and than died on the cross to save us! He doesn't turn His eyes when we're hurting or broken. No. He keeps track of our sorrows and has recorded each one in His book (Ps 56:8) He heals our tired and broken hearts and He covers us with His feathers (Ps 147:3, 91:4) He cries when we cry and rejoices when we rejoice. He is all for you my darling and He knows your wants and needs and more than that He wants to provide each one for you when you come to Him. Moms, I want to encourage you today to not only receive God's blessing but also be His blessing.. I was talking to a friend about how we want to do so much more for the Kingdom such as lay hands on the sick, raise the dead and walk the streets of dangerous cities and show people the love of God. But in the season of having babies that cry, run off, throw tantrums and is still developing their self control to sit still this isn't always possible and it may just not be your season yet, to do so. However, I believe we can do this. I believe we can bless our fellow moms by simply understanding and loving them. I think that's one of the greatest things we can do for the kingdom because they're raising them future and their impact on their children effects their future and how they'll grow up and handle things. I believe when you bless a mom you a blessing an entire generation. You are changing the world and bringing glory to the kingdom. Because the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.