This has been a quite difficult week in our home.
We were all sick with colds and had coughs that disturbed our sleep.
So….we’ve been stuck inside all week long. Just when the weather is getting nice around here.
Yesterday I cancelled the kids time at respite care to spend one more day in recovering. I didn’t really want to. I wanted to get out just as much as they did. So, we were all a bit cranky.
Things came to a breaking point around dinner time. I had to give one of my little ones their third spanking of the day. It was needed and I finally started to see a change in behavior after this, but I just hate having to do that.
Then as we were sitting at the table trying to have a nice dinner another little one forced herself to throw up. No, she wasn’t sick with any kind of bug. She has a habit of doing this when she fills her mouth too full or to avoid having to eat when she doesn’t want to.
Needless to say, I was not feeling very sympathetic.
I was feeling like a terrible mother.
I didn’t want to lash out in anger, but knew that nice words were not going to come out of my mouth.
So I escaped to my room to regroup.
I got down on my knees to seek help from my Lord.
As I cried out my heart, I heard myself saying, “I am just so tired of doing this alone.”
And I immediatley heard a small voice whispering to my heart and soul that I don’t have to do it alone.
I don’t have to do anything alone.
Why is it so easy to forget this simple fact?
I am not alone.
I do not have to go through my day alone.
I do not have to take care of sick children alone.
I do not have to discipline my children alone.
I don’t have to do any of it alone.
I have a God who is willing to…in fact, who wants to be with me in this journey.
He is my constant companion.
All I have to do is trust in Him and lean on Him in utter dependance, knowing that I will fail every time I try to function in my own strength, alone.
Those words were whispered to me again as I read my Bible,
“Blessed is the man who trusts in teh Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by teh stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in teh year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”The heart is deceitful above all thing,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
“I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”Jeremiah 17:7-10
Are you struggling today to do it alone?
Are you burdened because you are failing in your own strength?
You don’t have to.
Trust in the Lord.
He will be your guide.
He will keep and sustain you.
He will be your companion.
Stephanie says
Thank you for posting this today. It is such a timely reminder for me (as I sit here crying). I really appreciate you sharing so much of yourself with all of us. And I hope you have a better day today.
Kristi_runwatch says
Thank you for the encouragement – I’ve needed that this week, as well.
Kristi_runwatch’s last blog post..Free Fun Friday – sidewalk paint!
Suzanne says
It’s so easy to forget to take a minute to re-group when feeling so overwhelmed – rather than lashing out at the children. Thanks for the challenge and the encouragement!
Suzanne’s last blog post..Journal – Day Two
Grace @ Sandier Pastures says
What a thought provoking post. I understand how it must be hard when we’re on the verge of losing our patience, especially when it comes to our kids. I always forget to pray, to seek guidance and to make me realize that I am not alone. I think I should, from now on.
Grace @ Sandier Pastures’s last blog post..When you can’t swim, dance
Tanya says
EXCELLENT thoughts here! It’s so true. God is with us always, but too often we fail to recognize the help and comfort He offers. We get busy with activity and forget to invite Him along. Great post. Thanks!
Tanya’s last blog post..The Onion
Gail says
Encouraging thoughts! I am recovering from a recent car accident and am having the same struggles caring for my family. Pride keeps raising its ugly head in not only submitting to God, but asking others to help. OUCH!
God Bless You!