It was one of those nights.
You know, the kind where one child wakes up sick, followed by your husband waking up sick, followed by the other child waking up because everyone is awake.
Morning came far too soon and this mama does not function well on little sleep. Pouring my morning coffee, I thought to myself, there is no way I am going to make it through today.
Beyond physical fatigue was spiritual weakness after a month that had seen multiple illnesses, subsequent doctors and hospital visits, piles of medical bills, an overworked husband at the height of his busy season, and looming adoption expenses.
I was spent.
It was one of those mornings where all I could pray was, Lord, give me whatever it is that I need to make it through this day.
By the very hand of God, it turned out to be one of the most serene and joyful days possible, especially considering that half of our family were sick. I did load after load of laundry, scrubbed every inch of our house, and all of the other usual and mundane tasks of mothering a sick child.
Yet, something just seemed different.
At the end of the day it occurred to me that I should have been exhausted, but instead I was strangely energized. I racked my brain trying to think of what trick I had used to get myself through.
Then I realized I hadn’t gotten myself through the day at all.
God’s sustaining grace had.
On a day when all I had was His grace to cling to, He showed me it was really all I needed.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.- 2 Corinthians 12:9
I thought of a couple of friends I have who never seem to get rattled by anything. It’s not so much that their houses are cleaner or their children just don’t misbehave. It’s that despite whatever life throws at them they have this eerie peace about them.
As that day ended, I realized, they are no different than me except that they daily walk in God’s grace.
Grace that says motherhood is more about enjoying and less about enduring each day.
Grace that says sometimes it’s best to leave the messes as they are and curl up with little ones to read a book.
Grace that knows that the things that mean the most in our homes are unseen.
Grace that says He doesn’t ask perfection of us. He asks for hearts willing to do the work of mothering young souls.
Grace that says He will provide everything we need to accomplish the job He has given us.
If we just let it be enough.
If we just rest in His glorious promises, He will meet us where we are and fortify us with His undeserved grace.
When it comes to those days, there is really only one thing we need: God’s sustaining grace.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. – Isaiah 40:11
By: Lara, The Farmer’s Wife
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Christie DeSilva says
Three year ago this weekend I was turning 30. My husband and I were awaiting the news of whether or not we would lose our baby in utero (due July ’08) to fifth’s disease. God didn’t take our Adrian. He was born healthy and did not contract the disease. This weekend, I turn 33 and would have been having a baby in 8 more weeks, but the Lord took that baby home at the beginning of my second trimester. This verse “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” was what made everything make sense. It’s not about everything going right, but about God being the sustenance. His grace IS enough. If the only thing he EVER gave me was grace (which He has so freely), that’s enough. If he took every thing else I ever had, have, or am going to have, his grace is enough. More than enough, and I am so grateful for that. That grace reminds me that my hope is not in this world, but in the one to come, the one where my baby that I have never met lives. That day I’ll understand grace better than I ever have.
Amy Hunt says
AMEN! And AMEN! You touched me deeply, Christie!
I Live in an Antbed says
His Grace IS sufficient. But not just sufficient, abundant! If I receive it, I can walk serenely. And I ask myself at times, why would I ever NOT accept it, when it is readily available? The only reason I sometimes reject it is because I am embracing my self-centered choice to not “die.” I sometimes just don’t want to serve. I sometimes want to be served. And that flies in the Face of the One who poured Himself out so that His Grace would be readily available for me to walk in victory. I am thankful, so thankful, that He continues to skim off my “dross”!! 🙂
Lec says
Amen to that.
Dani says
Thank you for sharing … God’s grace is what carries us through the day, we just need to remember that.
Abby says
Lara, I loved this. It was the perfect reminder. I am low on sleep and my dear friend who has been there so much for me needed me these past couple of days to watch her 4,3,2 year olds along with my 3 and 1 year olds…
anyhow, it is His Grace that leads us to letting go and enjoying…
Love Isaiah 40:11…it brings me tears every time I see it…what a tender word for us who mother (and father) little ones:) Blessings to you!
Abby says
I prayed a prayer of blessing over you as this post stayed with me and proved true as you shared here…such a beautiful, life-giving word and then linked so well with Ann’s I read in the first quiet I had…
be so, so blessed Lara:)
Beth Williams says
What a powerful post! I never really thought about “His Grace” being sufficient for ALL my needs.
Now I, too, have the secret when low on sleep or work gets busy – Just pray for His ALL Sufficient Grace.
deidra says
You know that old hymn, Amazing Grace? That song is for real. Just like your words here. The grace of God is really all we need, isn’t it?
Corey says
I too woke up after a long night, but it is ME that is sick. Still, God is faithful and sustaining me so that I can help my family. Thanks for the encouraging words!
christy says
i love this!!!
“Grace that says motherhood is more about enjoying and less about enduring each day.”
how easy it is to feel like you are enduring instead of enjoying…thanks for the great reminder!
Amy Hunt says
God provides *Grace* and He sustains…it’s not up to us to *get it* and keep it…only in His loving, tender care…
Emily says
I’m not a mom, but this post spoke to my heart in a powerful and real way! Especially the “Grace that says He doesn’t ask perfection of us. He asks for hearts willing to do the work…” line. What a wonderful reminder that God’s grace is always sufficient. Oh, how I long and pray to truly embrace and live by this promise more and more and not just in my moments of absolute emptiness.
Loni says
Ohhhh “sustaining grace” . . . I don’t know where I’d be without it, and also a verse I used on my blog post of our stillborn daughter born almost 13 years ago. He definitely carried us close through many valleys.
Thank you for sharing so tenderly today. It touched me.
http://writingcanvas.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/imperfect-prose-remembering-angela-hope/
Kerrie says
Wow. I could have written this today. Both of my children (an almost 5 yr old & a 2 mo old) are sick and were up all night. Then, our fire alarm wouldn’t stop going off which led to the fire department coming over at 1AM. Add to that getting up at 4AM to start my long (and stress full work day), I was expecting to be dragging and sad. But, through God’s grace, I’m full of energy and enjoying every minute!
daniella says
Well, you’ve included my two favorite verses. I live off of those things like an addict.
Awesome post, Lara… from a genuine heart. It’s why I love you 🙂
Amy says
Thank you for this post Lara. It’s exactly what I needed to hear after the very challenging weeks we’ve been walking through. I’m letting these words stick to my heart and my head today: “Grace that says motherhood is more about enjoying and less about enduring each day.”