Mommyhood Lesson 2 - Crocodiles and Dust Bunnies

Last night I was reading a story to Little G, as I do most every night before bed. The book she chose was Christopher is Not Afraid…Anymore. It is a cute little book that I have had since my preschool teacher days and I have read many, many times. This time as I was reading it, I realized that I use the book to remind the kids they have nothing to be afraid of and I really need that reminder myself. The kids’ fears are mostly small things – in my eyes – like crocodiles under the bed or trying a new trick or being too high on something but I realized last night that to a child those are really big fears. So giving them the tools to face the fears that are really big to them (even though in reality they aren’t all that big) is the same as me using the those very tools to face my really big fears that really aren’t that big compared to God. There are many fears I have faced as a mommy that I needed to totally trust God in. Like when Princess K was a baby and she was so very ill none of the doctors really knew what was wrong. And like when Daddy Reg lost his great paying job and we had no idea how we were going to survive. To me those fears were as giant as the crocodiles and swimming without water-wings for the first time and riding a bike without the training wheels. But to God they were little things that I needed to not be afraid of; because He already knew that everything would be fine, and those crocodiles are really just tiny little dust bunnies. It’s all about perspective and when my sights are on Jesus than really, why should I fear. He is so great that He conquered death. I mean really that is huge and the most awesomest thing anyone has ever done.

Psalm 27:1 (HCSB)
The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom should I be afraid?

Psalm 34:3-5(HCSB)
Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness; let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.

Walking with Daddy

Little G has no cares in the world really. She doesn’t worry about if she will eat or what she will eat. She just looks up with those amazing brown eyes and says, “Cheese, grapes please.” And we feed her just like that. No worries for her, because she casts her cares on us and we take care of them just like that. How often do we worry unnecessarily because we forget to cast our cares on our Abba Daddy? How confident are we that when we ask He will provide? Not always are his provisions right away or how we expect but He still provides everything we need – always. He promises it and He is the ultimate promise keeper. This lesson is one I am walking in daily. The past year has been all about learning to cast my cares on my Abba Daddy and learning not to be anxious about the circumstances around me. If I fully trust that my Abba Daddy will take care of me then when I spend time with Him I am more joyful and able to focus on my relationship with Him instead of my worries and my cares. What a great relationship to have with the Father, one that is full of trusting that He will lead me on the safe path and will not let harm come my way. A relationship where I am not constantly reminding Him that I have needs because I know that He will take care of them when it is time, then I can rest in his arms and know He is God.

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:6-8

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:25-34

Psalm 37 - 13 Words of Instruction

This week I have been meditating on Psalm 37. On Sunday afternoon, I was praying about the trials we are currently facing. I began worrying about rent, how we will pay it this month and of course all the other bills. I began worrying about all of life’s circumstances that we are facing right now. Believe me there are a lot at this point. Daddy Reg has been out of work for 7 months now. Somehow, we have been able to pay the rent and other bills this whole time but I still worry at times. After praying, I got one word, “Trust.” I looked up trust on an online Bible site and stumbled upon Psalm 37. I read it thoroughly and then I read it again. God’s Living Word is speaking to me on these pages about what I am to do in everything. Here are the 13 things this chapter told me to do. I encourage you to read it yourself. This chapter has brought peace and encouragement to me this week.

1. Fret not yourself.
2. Trust in the Lord.
3. Delight yourself in the Lord.
4. Commit your way to the Lord.
5. Be still before the Lord.
6. Wait patiently for him.
7. Refrain from anger.
8. Forsake wrath.
9. Wait for the Lord.
10. Turn away from evil and do good.
11. Wait for the Lord.
12. Keep his way.
13. Take refuge in him.

This has not changed the circumstances but it has changed my view of the circumstances.

Do Not Worry - God Will Provide

I have an interesting predicament. I don't know where to put all of the food God has blessed us with over the weekend. My wonderful hubby has had no work since the beginning of March and even though he is tirelessly trying to get a new job, nothing has panned out at this point. This month has been the hardest for us and we are pretty much depleted in every area. I haven't really talked to anyone about it. I have just been really praying hard for our needs. Not even the money to buy our needs, just our needs. We needed milk, eggs and cheese - we got milk, eggs, and cheese just like I prayed for.
I had a great weekend with my aunt here for a visit and she blessed us with some fresh produce a some basics that would last us for a little over a week. Then on Sunday afternoon, a friend of mine came over with boxes of food that her church gave us. Then Sunday night some acquaintances came by with some food for us. Then Monday night, we got some more food! God is so faithful in every way. I know that He can provide for every need no matter how big. His provision is at times not what we were thinking but His way is always the best way.
My whole life has been a testimony of God's faithful provision. I wrote about it a little bit in my Marriage Story. When my honey and I go through hard times, it strengthens our marriage and brings us closer together. And I know that God allows hard times to happen to allow His glory to shine through.
I am privileged to watch God work through every hard circumstance life has to throw at us. I know that I can prayerfully watch God work in the midst of it and hopefully others will see this testimony and grow closer to the Lord through it. And I am so very thankful to all who followed God's prompting to bless us with so much food.

Luke 12:29-31
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:31-34
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.