Since we last talked I have had another little addition to my family. Meet my new granddaughter Elin Rose......
This is what it's all about. We as mother's are the ones so privileged that God chose us to be mother's.
My daughter has the most beautiful family and I'm so lucky to be a grandmother. FAMILY...that is what we're thankful for on Mother's Day....for all you moms out there....this devotional really gave me a boost today (with a couple of tears:). Enjoy the daily grind of motherhood!
The Dailyness......Proverbs 31 Ministries
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)
Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.
Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress – attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my coping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.
The daily-ness.
The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.
In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.
The daily-ness.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God… Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."
Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearly from a place of dependence.
So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.
Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.
I love the picture of the kids giving the baby kisses. It looks as tho she's saying "AHHHH, another kiss, keep them coming". Congrats to you and your family.
Posted by: kelli hansen | May 08, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Lisa, well said. What a beautiful new grandbaby. You are a lucky woman. Email me when you get a chance and lets catch up.
Love you dear friend, Jean in Virginia
Posted by: Jean Eakin | May 08, 2010 at 04:13 PM
How very lovely! Your family is beautiful. Mother's are so precious! Have wonderful and sunny Mother's day!
Hugs, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | May 08, 2010 at 06:22 PM
What a lovely website. I am here not by mistake. The "verse for the day" and "daily inspiration" are exactly what the Lord had in mind for me to read...and take to heart. I googled "antique step ladders" and yours was the first site I went to. Thank you for sharing yourself and the beautiful picture of your new grandchild, Elin, and then the one of all four of them. What a beautiful family. Our son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child the end of November. It will be our first grandchild. Your sharing on daily-ness was a blessing as well. Thank you so much. For the last month I have been immersed in "family business" and not beginning my day with time with Jesus Christ. Your site and verses and pictures and music have ministered His grace and mercy to me. Bless you and your family.
Posted by: Betty Jean (BJ) | July 15, 2010 at 02:18 PM