A Mother's Weakness

In a mother's day, we can feel an abundant amount of weakness, whether it shows itself in a loss of patience with our children, a lack of energy to accomplish the millions of things we have on our list to do for the day, a missing bit of empathy that we could show to a friend, or just an emotional moment that we need to stop and have so that we can move on to the next part of our day. I know that I feel like this week hasn't just been a moment of weakness but a whole week of weak moments.
Most of my struggles have been just day to day issues, but those definitely matter and can make one feel burdened. These daily challenges may seem so minor compared to what other people may be faced with, but the truth of the matter is, these struggles no matter what size or importance they are, build my faith. I know that Jesus cares about my feeling extremely tired, b/c I have a two year old who is getting his two year molars and has kept me up every night this week, and I know that He cares that I am feeling overwhelmed some days with taking care of two little boys while their Dad is working hard to finish OMFS residency.
I choose to reach out and take strength from the One who has promised that He will be faithful to me. One of my most favorite verses..."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me....For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
Moms often can feel on the "edge" at the end of the day after listening to the millionth tantrum, cleaning up a crayon colored wall, or finding that your toddler has used up all of your makeup to create an art project...it is then that we can make a choice to get back to the Center.
"We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power. If only we could slip over into that Center!" ~ Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion

When Your Hut's On Fire

I received this in an email and often find myself re-reading it, because it is such a wonderful reminder to trust God. I know that I can look back and see so many times that He was faithful to me and carried me through times like these. If only I would trust and not get to that point of feeling alone and hopeless! Thankfully, He is the potter and we are the clay!
**********************************************************

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives.... even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.