This morning there was a baby crying in Costco, as her mom was in line to check out. I looked back at her and smiled. Her mom made an exasperated face, and said that she just started crying, as she was going to check out and pay. I told her that I have been there, and she is doing great. My kids used to do the same and cry at check-out. I would power through, fighting off a nervous break down to pay and leave. I told the mom that she came this far, she is almost there, and she can do it. I don’t know if my words were helpful. I just wanted her to know that she was doing a great job, and I was not one of those people looking at her with disapproval. I said a prayer for her when I paid (the baby stopped crying after I prayed), and when I drove home. Yesterday, I felt exactly as that mom did.
Yesterday, was my daughter’s birthday. She had her birthday party, and another party over the weekend. On Monday, she had field day at school, where she ran around the entire day. She was excited and exhausted yesterday. She didn’t eat her lunch, just the surprise cupcake, so she was hungry after school. She asked to open two of her presents. She threw them to the side, after she opened them without saying thank you. I was shocked at her rude behavior. I was at a loss as to what to do. I had company, and they made it very clear that they disapproved of her behavior with their facial expressions, which made me tense, embarrassed and stressed out.
This morning, a friend called and asked if my daughter was better today. I told her what happened. She said that she remembered when she was younger that she would be so tired and hungry after school, that she couldn’t express what she wanted and needed either. Her words mattered. Her words changed around my whole perspective I didn’t feel like such an awful mom anymore. I felt like, oh ok, maybe I should make sure that I give my daughter a snack after school too, to avoid melt downs.
When I am exhausted and at a loss about what to do, I pray to God. It really does matter what people you surround yourself with…when you are surrounded by people who disapprove of you and your children, it is exhausting. Instead of being able to take a few minutes and pray for wisdom, you hear all these doubts screaming at you in your head. Sometimes, a few words of encouragement can change someone’s whole day. It can lift them up, instead of pushing them down. If you say prayers for them, maybe they will feel God’s presence and the whole situation will turn around.
God formed you in your mother’s womb. God knows you. God knows your children. When your child is upset, and you cannot understand what is going on, God can help. I prayed for me and my daughter this morning. I prayed for wisdom and the heart of Jesus. My friend called shortly after my prayers. I think that God was trying to give me some wisdom. My daughter is just a little kid, she may not always know how to express herself. Maybe I am not a horrible mom who is raising my kids with no manners, maybe my child was just tired and hungry.
Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you
–Isaiah 44:2 (NKJV)
God will give us what we need. God will pour water on the thirsty. God will flood dry ground. God will pour his spirit on our children and grandchildren. God will bless our children.
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
And My blessing on your offspring;
–Isaiah 44:3 (NKJV)
We have to do our part. I did not do my part. I did not read the bible over the past four days. Yesterday morning, I read the daily devotional and prayed with my kids for a few minutes. I didn’t want my company to see us, so I went where they could not see us. I didn’t want the world and people around me to disapprove of me. I turned my back on God, so people of this world, would not judge me. Aren’t both going to judge me anyway? Yes. So, does it matter what the world thinks of me? Or, does it matter what God thinks of me? Of course, it matters most what God thinks of me. My actions did not show it. If not reading the bible, for four days, made me that weak, what would happen if I didn’t read the bible for a week? A month? A year?
God is waiting to pour his blessings on my children give us what we need. Am I willing to put in the time, to do my part? The outcome is totally worth it. Spending time with God is revitalizing, better than any spy treatment. This morning I was exhausted physically and emotionally. Spending time with God gives me peace. Reading the bible and praying. Spend your time well. Invest your time with God, so your heart can feel peace.
Embrace This Beautiful Life 