He does all things well...even when we don't

Being a mother has a lot of different job descriptions. Not only am I the caretaker for my children but I am also a wife, a housekeeper, referee, launderer, dishwasher, decorator, teacher, mess cleaner, cook, organizer, and comforter to my family.

Lately I have really been trying to stay on top of everything and do my job well. I want my husband, my children and God to be pleased with me. I really want to be faithful with all God has given me and if I am brutally honest part of me wants my husband, my children and the world to see that I can do all these things... and do them well.

I get so deflated when I try so hard to do everything and please everyone, and I still fall so short and fail miserably some days. One day I can feel like I am on top of the world as I homeschool my children, meal plan, cook,  keep the house somewhat clean and the laundry under control all with a great attitude. The next day the laundry is overflowing, I have lost my temper with my pupils, and the house looks like it has been through a tornado. I feel like I am in good company and know that you probably go through these roller coaster days also.

On the days when things aren't going as I planned, and not only are my children having attitude problems but I am the biggest baby of them all; I have been asking God to help me to turn my attitude around and not let the rest of the day go in the wrong direction.

Even if I am super organized, have all my meals planned and cooked, keep the house clean, stay on top of lesson planning and homeschooling, pursue my passions and outlets; there are still going to be days when I am just not going to be able to do it all. There are going to be days when my children's and I's sin natures are throwing a protest making it hard to find joy and peace. These are the days when I have to surrender and admit that I am not in control, I am not perfect, I am weak...and He is strong.

When we admit our weakness and our need for Jesus' grace and strength every moment of the day; we will find it, and all the pressures we put on ourselves to perform will be released.

Mama, if you are like me and no matter how hard you try some days, still find yourself messing up; know that it's okay. We are not made to be robots. We are imperfect beings with a perfect Savior. Even if we don't realize our shortcomings and failings, Jesus sees into our hearts and our motives. He is able redeem us and make us more like him every day.

When you have lost your temper, have cleaned up one too many cheerios, have felt the excruciating pain of stepping on a mine field of legos and have been worn out arguing with your strong willed child; call out to the one who made you in his image and is able to use your weakness' for his glory.

When you are scratching your head wondering how your day has turned upside down when you have tried so hard to do everything right; remember that there is grace for you. God wants us to give us and our families our best, but that doesn't mean that everything will always go perfectly. God is not looking down on us only seeing our shortcomings, he sees that we are trying our best and knows that we truly can do nothing without him.

I have been really trying to point out my children's strong points instead of their failings lately. I know that as our Father, God is not focusing on everything we do wrong but wants to encourage us in what we are doing right.

As we go about our day with all our many tasks and plans, I pray that we will allow God to work in us and through us despite our weakness' and help us to see that every failure is an opportunity to cry out to God and admit our great need for him... because he is the only one who does all things well.


                                          "He does all things well." Mark 7:37

A Mother's work is never done

Just wait one second...Mommy has to do one more thing...I am almost done...I still need to do the dishes...

This is what comes out of my mouth on a daily and hourly basis. I hate that I can't always respond to my children when they want me to. I am desperately asking God to give me wisdom and grace in my time management department. When my children need me to give them my attention I always try to put them first and stop what I am doing; hear them out and then tell them that I need to finish what I am doing before I can play with them or help them in whatever their area of need.

It seems that no matter how hard I try to stay on top of things; new things keep piling up. I wish there was some way I could feed my children and they would never be hungry again, do the dishes and they would not pile up again, put away the laundry and it stay put. But if I am honest with myself; I love caring for my family though of course there are times when I wish they didn't need so much care! There will be a day when all my physical work is done for them and I know I will miss these days.

But right now I am trying to find the balance of caring for their physical needs along with their emotional and spiritual needs. I always feel like I am playing catch up and think if I can just get this done then I can give my kids more of my attention. The truth is now is the time. I don't know the answer to my dilemma but I am learning to lean on Christ and do what I can to the best of my ability. I am learning to incorporate my children in doing those things that must be done. I am learning to cry out to God for help when I just don't feel like cleaning up another mess. I am learning to see beyond this world, when being faithful in the mundane is not always fun.

It's not pleasant to be woken up in the night by a flood of liquid coming from a toddler whose diaper has overflown, it's not fun trying to eat and feel like you are being surrounded by a flock of vultures. It's not always enjoyable to be pestered a thousand times a day for a cup of water. It's hard wonderful work...but oh, the rewards. Our job is not paid in dollar bills or recognition but in kisses, hugs, and sweet indiscernible words of love. This work we have to do does not start and stop at a specific hour, it is constant and around the clock. There are no days off and plenty of overtime. It's a job that is never done and that is how it should be. Because not only are our children learning and growing but so are we; right alongside them. God has so much that he wants to teach us through this labor of love and I am so thankful that he will finish the work he began in us... as mothers.

"He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6