Tuesday Ponderings...

God's Gift for Mothers

published by Thomas Nelson

As you know, I am a stay at home Mommy of four with extended daycare children. That in itself gives you a lot to do daily. A lot of arguments to settle, a lot of scraped knees to clean and tears to wipe, and witnessing blessings of them showing love and kindness to each other. The grind of trying to keep up on just the basic housework is a tiring thankless job and if it doesn't get done, the clutter makes me a crazy cranky woman! And then to add in this wonderful doll ministry....This is truly a service, a gift, and an honor that He has given to me. Baby be Blessed is not looked at as a business. It is a daily privilege that for whatever reason has been given to me. It is molded in and around my husband, family and extended family. And lately I've felt that I have too much...I can't control it all. Can't manage it all. Can't do it all! But this is a good place to be. The Lord allows us to go to this place so that we may NOT control, manage, or do it all in our own flesh. We can't....I certainly can't. And please don't misunderstand this blog post. It is with a joyful heart that I type not a discouraged one. If I was standing by myself...I would be discouraged, but I'm not. I felt led to share because I know as woman we are given a lot of responsibility. A lot is on our shoulders. Many things we do that go unseen by others. But where is our heart in that? Are we getting bitter or discouraged? Are you yelling at your husband for leaving his dirty socks on the floor again?! I have before...a few times. To keep a sane mind and joyful heart what do we need to choose to do? First we need (I need) to keep my eyes on the Lord first. What is His work for me today? Who is He going to place in my path? Are my thoughts pondering on Him and His word, or on my own which usually have "poor me" in there somewhere. I love just reading God's word. That is where we need to start and finish, but I've had this little devotional for a while and though I have read it in the past, I felt led to grab it off the shelf again. I would like to share the first entry.

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Abide

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

When a mother chooses to abide in the Lord, she will infect her entire family with His love and create a bond that will enrich her life and bless her marriage.

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So today as I "chew" on this little devotional I want you to do the same. Are we the vine growing out? And what kind of fruit is coming off that vine? The Holy Spirit is so faithful to reveal to us if there is a stinky, slimy grape on the vine. If your fruit is good so will your attitude, and oh how that trickles out to your husband and children. And the great thing is that if there is a stinky, slimy grape we can just give it to Jesus. I pluck mine off the vine daily, sometimes hourly.... =) Then there is that "for without Me you can do nothing" We think we can....but really in our own strength we just really mess things up and get angry and frustrated in the process. The Lord always works things together for good to those who love Him. I always stand back in awe of how He works...even in my housework which seems to be coming last these days. It always gets worked out. When I stand before the Lord, I want him to say "Well done good and faithful servant." What did I do with what he has given me to do for Him. Some days it's the dust bunnies, other day's it's something else. Today, I'm going to be listening closely. Making sure that I am being faithful in what He is telling me. So off I go to fold another pile of laundry...having a thankful and joyful heart. Talk to you all soon!

~Tina