Being Overwhelmed

     I have a beautiful friend that doesn't have the typical family home life.  By that I mean that her husband works away from home a lot, leaving her to tend to her two adorable little girls.  I love that she will text me just to get some of the stress off of her shoulders and I try my best to provide the best spiritual words that I can.  Well let me just say that this girl is a supermom in all senses.  She doesn't let many know her stress that she carries and loves her family like crazy.

     Just today she called me at work and just cried.  Once again, I did my best to try and listen to her and encourage her.  Satan has being doing his best to bring down the excitement of what is going on in my friends life.  

     Side note: I listen to Christian music while I work on youtube.  I happened to be listening to some of Big Daddy Weaves songs while ago.  While listening to their Overwhelmed song, it dawned on me...how many times am I getting overwhelmed by life?  Here is just the chorus of the song: 

I delight myself in You

Captivated by Your beauty

I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms

Unashamed because of mercy

I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

I know the power of Your Cross

Forgiven and free forever You'll be my God

And all that You've done is so overwhelming

  

     There are many times that I end the day exhausted, overwhelmed, and tons of stress.  Parenting and being a mom is not always easy.  However, I need to be overwhelmed with God and not my situation.  I need to release my exhaustion, stress, and overwhelm-ness (not sure if that's a word) to God.  I need to remember that God has a purpose for my life, for my actions and thoughts for TODAY.  Scripture tells us, "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Matthew 7:13

     Instead of letting my emotions control my day, I need to let God do that.  Tomorrow is not promised, no need to worry about it.  God will meet and take care of all of our needs.  I need to place all of my worries, heartache, uncertainties, and pain in His arms.  We need to run to God's arms, that are full of grace and mercy, instead of becoming weighed down with life.  

      Dear God, I pray that I can become overwhelmed by You instead of my situation or circumstances.  I seek your will for my life, not my own.  Lord, may you give grace to my friend who is simply overwhelmed.  Amen.  

Christian Parenting Perspective

    As a mom of two little kiddos, there are times I doubt what I am doing is accomplishing anything.  Why clean up toys when they will end up right back to where they are now?  Why fix a big meal when it's not appreciated?  There a lot of doubts and questions to am I doing anything good.  Sometimes I wonder if I am doing enough as a mom.  Have you ever felt that way?

     A few weeks ago I was driving down to Devine's Corn Maze to get some corn to put up.  I had Cora in the car with me.  This is not the first time that we have driven down the main highway or gone this route.  As we are passing the Drive-In movies Cora enthusiastically says from her carseat, "Look mom, it's the wall of Jericho!"  I chuckled and tried my best to explain to her what a drive-in is.  

     Looking back at this moment, I realized that my child is learning and understanding the Bible stories we've been reading to her.  Every night, my husband and I try our best to allow time to read a few books to our kiddos.  Now, this doesn't always work for various reason but when we can, it's a blessing.  (That is once you get through the 200+ follow-up questions that come from a three year old.)  

      I had purchased some new books for the kids to read at bedtime that are faith based.  (Sadly, this isn't a very easy task.)  One of the books is about Joshua and the wall of Jericho.   Cora loves to sing "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho" and we sing this pretty often.  So to be driving down the road, for her see a wall standing the middle of the field and think it's the wall of Jericho, I was impressed.  I  was also excited because the songs and stories that Cora has been learning are starting to be applied to her life. 

      I say all of this to encourage parents and grandparents.  Your child is learning and comprehending (in their own way) what you are teaching them.  Do not get discouraged and let Satan tell you that you aren't doing a good job.  Scriptures tell us, "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of crooked and twisted generation, among who you shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2:13-15)

     God is working His will in your life and that trickles down to your children's life.  So don't get discouraged or overwhelmed that what you are doing to enhance your children's spiritual life is not enough.  Listen for God to speak to you and do His will...it's all about Christian Parenting Perspective.   Shine your light!