A new day dawns and offers a freshness…a candid beginning…a simple rejoice.
The blessings given therein are beautiful and abundant. Their eyes aglow, their laughter tickling, their little feet stomping down the hallway. Life is good for them, and I am heart-filled to be the one in which they find their care. My children – my family, they are a gift.
But sometimes, I forget…sometimes I have to remind myself to stop my self-flesh from craving more of the me that interferes with the them. When I remember, I get the good more; more simple, more joy, more rest, more peace, more present.
We all have a choice.
Our days can be filled with things, all the work doings of the day that “fill” self but don’t reap the best fruit…or they can be filled with hearts turned towards one another; spirits inclined and eternal work doing.
In everything we choose to partake in we must remember that the stakes are high. The enemy wants to distract us from real, meaningful soul relationships…especially with our family.
This is a struggle I fight daily, the struggle with the want of success…the desire to be desired…the self-fulfillment of me (which friends, will always interfere with family). Can I just say, “yuck.” I don’t want more of me!
I want more of Him. I want my flesh to cover a Jesus heartbeat. I want to die and let Him live. I want to lay down all of it…and rest in His perfect idea of good…because that good idea has everything to do with family. Why? Because family is His idea, and living His family ways bring Him glory.
So I want to bring Him glory and find the goodness…
The goodness in serving my family with a joyful attitude.
The goodness in being present for my children as their journeys unfold each new day.
The goodness in supporting my husband, trusting him, and leaning on him.
The goodness in giving life to my home by securing warmth and peace with pies and organization and laughter.
The goodness in the quiet, intimate moments that breath listen.
Some questions then must be asked…
Do I put myself and my desires before my children?
Am I spending more time on the computer than reading with them, rolling on the floor with them, and taking in their moments beside them?
Am I urging my husband away so that I can do my thing?
Is my home a refuge or a most-days chaotic, unkept gathering place?
Are my sweet babes heads being filled with God and goodness and discipline and thoughtfulness or entertainment?
Am I (or my family) so busy that I (we) can just enjoy?
If I continue on the path I’m on, will I one day look back with regret?
Let’s all take some time to answer these questions, ponder the significance of our answers, and then choose to live…fully alive out of ourselves, smothered in His grace, and enjoying His good ways.
Oh Lord, would you give us an undivided spirit that seeks your way, not our own. That seeks your face each day, first thing, and then clings to you when each selfish pulse beats. Would you help us to love our children…love them by giving to them our time and attention and hearts. Rip out our ugliness, which is vanity and self-interest and replace it with meekness and trust. Help us to let go so we don’t one day regret. May our time be carved by you and for you. Our God. Your goodness and plan far outweighs our ignorant perception of life. May you fill the heart…may we bow to your best.
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OH, Sarah Mae! Your post is my heart’s cry! Your prayer is what I so badly want for myself and my family!
A short time ago, my 6 year old blatantly and honestly asked me, “Mama, do we have time now to just love on each other?” The question came after a cancelled Dr. appt – an excellent suggestion on how to spend our newfound free time. I could not help but say, “YES!!” However, I wondered how often my actions have actually said, “no.” For example, when I say, “Just a minute!” a dozen times to her requests at play, getting to everything else before getting to her or my sons.
I surely do not want to look back and think I put my selfish ways ahead of their precious selves. As you so aptly put it, may I be fully alive OUTSIDE OF MYSELF yet inside His good ways!
Thank you for blessing me with this today!
Sarah May, Thank you! What a blessing reading your words this morning has been! I love this one, and Im going to print it out and put it on my fridge:) Thank you for reminding me yet again what and where I should seek joy from each day.
How true it is that we must always seek God’s kingdom first in all things. I believe when we do this other more important things…such as husband, children,etc., are put into proper perspective. While it’s certainly important to take quiet time and “fill our pitcher” it is equally important to give of ourselves. Step away from the computer and play a game with your family.
I struggle with this daily – where am I pouring my time/my self? Into me? Into my computer? Or into my kids? My flesh is so weak – I didn’t think about it as a spiritual struggle, too… the enemy does want me to pour into me and my computer instead of shaping my children’s hearts for the Lord. Thank you, Sarah Mae!
I just printed this and stuck it beside my computer! It’s a struggle I’m sure many of us have, myself included…beautifully written!
Ooo, you nailed it! A mama and her “me” time (read- computer) are not easily parted. It’s a hard balancing act and thank you for the reminder that parenthood is the art of sacrificing self, refined.
Exactly what my heart needed to hear today. Thank you!!
Whew.
So I like…TOTALLY needed to hear that today.
Wow.
I’ll be pondering those questions all day long.
Can’t thank you enough 🙂
Mommy Blessings,
Kate 🙂
Yes, and I think this will be a lifelong struggle for many women. The key? Perseverance. Never give up trying…no matter what. Jesus died and rose again because God the Father knew we couldn’t hit the mark. He bridged the gap. But never stop striving. Never stop fighting. The family is one target the enemy is always aimed at to destroy. Just look around.
In light of all that, something we can do to be present with our family is have a scheduled story time everyday (or most days). After lunch or at whenever o’clock, sit down and read to your children…whether for 15 minutes or an hour. Just enjoy being. 🙂
Awesome. I love this post-Thanks Sarah Mae. You “killed” it; I heard Jesus whisper to me with each word. I love this: “I want my flesh to cover a Jesus heartbeat.”
much love
reese
oh yeah. I needed to hear this one. I am recently new to being back at home with my family after working for full time for 10 years. I LOVE IT! My family is my work now. Yet, I still find myself sitting here (read: computer) too long. Thanks for putting this one out here. It was good timing for me.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, THANK YOU, Thank you. Like the others, I needed to hear that…and there was comfort in knowing that I am not the only one, however God is so gently telling us through this post that we need to be alert to how we are spending our time. AMEN to your prayer…beautifully written. I will be reading this over and over as a start to my days. Thank you for sharing the TRUTH!
Thank you for this post. It was exactly what I needed to read tonight. Funny. Almost like God planned it that way. Huh. 😉
Seriously though, this is something that I have been spending a great deal of time in prayer about lately. Thank you for helping me to see that this truly is something God is calling me to improve upon.
XO*Tricia