From the sea of never-ending doctor’s appointments, to the moment we never take to sit down, mothering three or more kids can drag us to the end of sanity as we know it. We’re limited to the kind of vehicle we drive and vacations we can take. When sleep is a dying entity in our lives and time is too fleeting to concentrate on anything, God will get us through.
Father, praise You for the way You designed this beautiful earth. Thank You for the specific way You choose us to be mothers, and weave our families together. We know that no human life is an accident. Every family is placed together purposefully. Though we struggle with our ability to handle the number of lives you’ve placed in our care, we remember Your promise to be “our Strength and our Refuge, an ever-present Help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Thank You for another day where all breath that lies under our watch is accounted for. Though sleep can be rare, we thank You for the rest we are able to receive. Thank You for naptimes and bedtimes… for the way little humans thrive on a schedule… allowing us to find time to thrive as well. Just like “David found strength in the Lord his God,” (1 Samuel 30:6b) so we find our strength in You.
Thank You for holding us up to pour that first cup of coffee, and tying our nerves together when they attempt to come unwound. Thank You for sweet, chubby-cheeked smiles and sloppy misspelled drawings that assure us we are loved beyond measure. Thank You for carpools and stroller walks. For storytimes and the sweet smell of a freshly bathed babe. The love we have for our babies is a taste of how much love You have in Your heart.
Forgive us for rushing through the day to get to our own pillows for relief of the exhaustion that attempts to unravel us. Through piles of laundry, sinks full of dishes, and piles of shoes that we trip over… the first thoughts that come to our mind are not always grateful ones. We often yearn for a break, but can’t seem to find the time.
We confess that we lack time with You, Father. The One that holds us up and provides us strength. You wait to help us, but we pass You by, pursuing task after task instead. We’re too busy. Yet, nothing is more important than a grace-filled heart. For Jesus spoke, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) When we drift from You, we fall apart. Help us to seek You first, and throughout all of our days.
Bless our lives with patience and gratitude, knowing that You have chosen and prepared us to mother so many. They out-arm us, outlast our energy, and challenge us. But we trust You, Lord. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3)
Please help us to cherish these busy days, and embrace each day that is to come. Through Your Son, Jesus, we are granted access to You through Grace. Forgive our sins, Lord, and make our hearts more like His each day. For You tell us, if we “train up a child in the way he should go, he will not stray when his is older.” (Proverbs 22:6) Help us to know when we have gone astray from You, so that, by righting the path we walk, our children may follow us to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Meg Bucher (Megs) writes about everyday life within the love of Christ on her blog, http://sunnyand80.org. When she’s not writing, this stay-at-home mom loves to read and hang out with her husband, two daughters, and doodle doggy in their small little lake town. A substitute teacher and children’s worship leader, Megs has a heart for kids, family, friendship… and calling to encourage others.
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