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FEBRUARY 9, 2015
I Want to Quit |
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
I pulled the blankets up over my shoulders, rolled over in bed and just stared at the bright red numbers on my alarm clock. I was exhausted, but couldn’t fall asleep.
An endless stream of thoughts rushed through my mind — one question cascaded over another. Before I knew it, another hour had passed and I was no closer to dreamland than before.
I don’t want to go to work tomorrow. Maybe I can call in sick. I wonder if I can get anyone to fill in for me? My job is hard and I feel unappreciated.
But calling in sick was not an option because my job was motherhood, and the "clients" who would be waiting for me early the next morning were my 4-year-old and 6-month-old boys.
My husband and I were married nine years before our first son was born. I waited a long time to be a member of the Mommy Club. Finally, my dream came true and I was determined to be the best mommy ever!
Nothing brought me greater joy than to see their sweet smiles and bed-head hair every morning. But can I be honest? It was also very challenging raising those little guys.
Despite reading every parenting magazine I could, I still struggled with the day-to-day demands. It seemed my real-life parenting skills didn’t measure up to those moms who wrote the magazine articles.
I quickly discovered motherhood wasn’t for wimps.
Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week. Fifty-two weeks a year. I was on duty. And there was no paycheck waiting for me on Friday afternoons.
I was a chef, doctor, storyteller, and when disagreements erupted I’d pull out my referee hat.
I changed poopy diapers, refilled sippy cups and washed dirty clothes. All. The. Time. In moments of weariness, I’d whisper to myself, I want to quit. Then mommy-guilt would flood my heart as I’d settle into a deeper level of discouragement.
Why don’t I feel joy doing something I’ve dreamed about for so many years?
Maybe you’ve experienced those moments when the demands of parenting collide with your stretched emotions and fragile feelings, causing your heart to become weary.
If you’re like me, you realize motherhood is a high calling. You see your children as treasured gifts from God and your home as a gathering place where loved ones are nurtured and blessings abound.
But, there are those days when demands run high, patience runs thin and weariness creeps in. That is when we can hold on to the hope of today’s key verse, Galatians 6:9:"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Raising children is like growing a spiritual crop with the potential of a priceless, abundant harvest. As moms, we need to care for, watch over and tenderly love our children every day, just as a farmer tends to his valuable crops.
Raising children well requires a daily dose of love, commitment and perseverance. As moms, we can approach each challenge knowing we’re not alone. The Lord is with us and we can call on Him in times of weariness. He is always ready to extend the grace, guidance and strength we need.
As we celebrate the giggles and messy moments of our children, let us remember the great harvest God has waiting for us if we persevere. We may not see immediate results, but if we continue doing good and trust God with the rest, in due time we will reap a harvest of blessings!
Father God, thank You for the priceless gift of my child/children. Help me raise them according to Your will and not my own. When I become weary, fill me with Your strength so that I can persevere in parenting well. Thank You for the promise of a harvest if I don’t give up. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Hebrews 10:35-36, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (NIV)
RELATED RESOURCES:
In her book, Am I Messing Up My Kids? … and Other Questions Every Mom Asks, Lysa TerKeurst shares how mothers can release mommy-guilt when the bouts of stress come from managing life and home.
Stop by Leah DiPascal’s blog today and discover 5 Ways To Persevere When Parenting Young Children. You can also sign up for a RefresHER giveaway.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What is your greatest struggle as a mom? Write down one action step you can take today that will help you move forward as you seek God’s will in this area of challenge.
Is there someone you know who is going through a difficult time in raising her own children? What is one thing you can do today to help encourage and cheer her on in the midst of her own parenting struggles?
© 2015 by Leah DiPascal. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org