On being sick and taking stock...

On our way out of town last week, we stopped by my parents house to pick up a few things. Hannah Reece and I were VERY ill that day. Between the fever, exhaustion and anticipation of the 12 hour drive ahead, I felt absolutely overwhelmed. And then my sweet momma opened the door for us....just the sight of her, the smell of my parents home...it felt so GOOD to be held by the one who has cared for my needs so many times before.....I just wept. One of those big, long, ugly boo-hooin' cries.

I am so often filled with feelings of inadequacy in my role as mom....and having such a wonderful example of a kind, godly, loving mother......I'll think "how in the world did my mom do all of these things for us?" Like so many of us, I try to do it all. And thanks to a week in bed sick with lots of time to think and pray and reflect(instead of running around like a chicken with my head cut off)...I've come back to this familiar realization...I can't. God did not give me these children so that I alone could be everything and bag of chips for them! That's God's gig! My job is to be a conduit of GRACE, LOVE and TRUTH in their lives. To help them realize their need for a Savior. How will they ever see their heart's need if they think I'm the giver of every good thing? I'm not the giver of these good things....I too, am a fellow receiver. In my weaknesses, I pray that our children will see God's immense love and forgiveness flow and cover over my cracks and flaws, and give him thanks for the strength he provides to do the best that I can.

Also, what's really necessary? I'm sincerely asking the Lord to show and help me get rid of things/activities that are not beneficial or honoring to him, things that take time away from the relationships that are most precious. Even seemingly "good" things in life can take precedence and take over our resources of time, energy, etc. that could be used for the "best" things. How sad that it's taken a week of being sick for me to stop and take stock!


I awoke this morning feeling slightly more energetic than I have previously in the last week. The kids and I played on the floor for a while and I decided to do a little tidying up in the kitchen. There, outside, sat this momma bird with a big juicy worm in her mouth. She was such a patient momma waiting for me to run and grab my camera and snap her picture! She even posed, bless her heart! Oh God, you are so good. Thank you for reminding me through the smallest of creation that you are the giver AND sustainer of life....you provide for the needs of the baby birds....you are able to provide everything we need! Help me to be patient, to wait and take pleasure in allowing you to provide for the needs of our family...and help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, that these little ones could see your love for them in me.

And while I was in bed this week, look what my precious husband and kiddos were up to (I got up and spied on them).....

showing God's love...to me!

Matthew 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.