Today has been one of those days where I feel like I'm going from one situation to the next with the kids...and it's only 1 o'clock. The patience and emotional stamina it takes on days like this can absolutely drain me physically.
I picked up a book I'm reading, When You Rise Up, by R.C. Sproul, Jr. The first two lines I read were:
"When God regenerates a heart, that heart bears spiritual fruit. And a vital part of that fruit is a renewed mind, the capacity to look at the world through God's eyes, to see all that we do in light of serving his kingdom."
"....to see all that we do in light of serving his kingdom." So, I think to myself, "Okay. How am I serving His kingdom. How is this day serving Him?" Because, let me tell you, if there is no purpose except to survive each day, then what is the point?
My answer was clear...I am raising warriors for His kingdom. I am raising a new generation to love, serve and glorify Him. Today, it may not seem like they are getting it. Today, it may feel like they've forgotten everything we've ever taught them. Today, it may feel like aliens really do exist and they have come to live in my house, overtaking my children's minds and bodies!
But it gives me a new perspective and a revived spirit when I understand that there is a purpose for addressing these issues.
I could ignore them. I could stick them in front of the TV all day. I could send them to school and pack their schedules full to escape such trials.
What good would that do? What purpose would that serve? In their lives or mine? I'm reminded of James 1:2-8:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
2 comments:
I know on days like that (we had 2 last week!) I was reminded of something I read - "why just settle for getting by, why not be exceeding great at what you are faced with." I almost feel at times God is saying, "All right now, RISE to the occasion." I fail at times by raising my voice, or not dealing with the action and not the attitude, but God is on my team and yours...we can do it well (Can you picture Him proclaiming..."Hey, that's My girl?! ...that's what keeps me going!!)
I don't have nearly as many kids, but I can identify with those sorts of days. There's a reason why there's a book call "Parenting Isn't for Cowards." It's a daily battle for their hearts and their souls.
Thank goodness we are not given a spirit of timidity, "but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2Tim 1:7)
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