So the last few weeks have been a bit draining to say the least. All 3 of the kids have been sick at least once, Kellen actually got sick two times. On top of that Chad and I have also been sick...needless to say I have been a bit tired, so have the kids. A tired mommy and tired kids = a crabby mommy :( Anyone relate? Anyway, I was getting ready this morning after already breaking up several fights between Elijah and Hannah, thinking to myself "Is it really only Tuesday?! How am I going to make it through the rest of this week? Lord, please help me. I don't want to be crabby with my kids. I really want to enjoy our time together, but right now they are driving me a little nutso :) " Then the Lord kindly reminded me of something He has shown me before, that I forgot. But once I put into practice it really changed my day around. I'm sharing it because it really has helped me and I'm hoping it helps someone else too. God was teaching me a little bit about patience, which with children is a lesson you begin to learn very quickly, and can sometimes be a daily lesson :) Anyway, I found myself praying for more patience several times a day. Especially when Hannah and Elijah were both in diapers, and both totally dependent on me for everything. God began to speak to my heart about where patience comes from ( at least for this mommy ). He lead me to 1 Corinthians 13:4, which says "Love is patient, love is kind." Love IS patient! God began to show me that my problem was not that I was just short on patience, but rather short on love. Hang in here with me for a bit, and let me explain. Of course I love my children, and there is a love a parent has for a child that is unexplainable at times. But I am human, with limitations. Even the best moms loose their patience and get frustrated with their children, because we are human! But there is one who's love is truly unconditional, not bound by human limitations or emotions or hormones....hello! A love that is so beautiful and whole that sometimes I can't even begin to comprehend how awesome it is. And I know that it is real, because I have encountered it and it changes me every time! God's love. I think the thought of God's love sometimes trips us up a little bit, at least it has me. Because I am too tempted to compare God's love to the love I receive from my human relationships. A love that at times can be conditional, and can disappoint at time. I am no expert on love, or God. And I'm just learning how to study the bible, but I saw this piece of scripture that I think adds to what God is showing me. 1 John 4:16 says, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him." God is love! Love is not just something that God shows us, or gives us. Love is who God is, God is love. He can't not love because that is who He is!!! And not just what our human perspective of love is, but a perfect, unconditional love that never fails. So what God showed me was that if I am feeling drained and flat out of patience, instead of just praying for more patience, I need to pray "God fill me up with your love. Let it be your love that flows out of me to my kids!" Since love is patient and kind, when you are full of God's love and begin to pour it out to your kids, or spouse, it will be patient and kind!! So, I did that this morning, I prayed just that, and it is amazing how God turned my attitude and day around!!! I am also learning that taking the time out of my day, meaning getting up before my kids, to spend time with God in His Word is the best way to "fill up". And I have found the days that I do that, I don't feel so drained by the end of the day. I have more energy and lots of love to pour out!
Anyway, like I said I'm certainly no expert. I am learning as I go, but I just thought this was too cool not to pass along. I hope it encourages you today!
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