Thursday, April 25, 2013

Sing Little Birdie, Sing!

Moments to blog are short and crammed in between activities and kids who need me. Somehow...I have a moment. (I think!)

It's certainly not quiet...but everyone is otherwise engaged...oh, hang on...

...ok there, answered that kiddo.

In the middle of all that I am doing, there are thoughts whirling around in my mind.

I've been pondering the brevity of life.

Our neighbor passed away a few weeks ago.

He was on his roof doing chores, waved at my kids.

Days later, he was cremated and was in a 8"x 6" box.

It just really plays with my brain.

How can life be so brief?

So quickly snuffed out?

I've been reading Revelation lately. If I had to be honest, it's not a favorite place to be in Scripture because it's so much WORK. But there are promises of blessing for the one who reads it and obeys it's message...so I persevere.

This morning I read chapter 4. An incredible picture of the eternal worship of the Almighty that is continually being honored because HE IS SO WORTHY.

Wow. I was so struck by how ETERNAL God is.

And then I remembered my neighbor. In a box.

What a brief little snuff we are! All that concerns me, all that irritates, all that weighs me down...it's all so...

well, brief.

So UNlasting.

So, what will my legacy be? What will be left after my body is in a box?

Hopefully something.

Then I heard a bird tweet out my bedroom window.
Source

How even briefer their little lives are! Yet, that little tweet brought me joy.

That's IT!

That is our purpose!

To bring our Creator JOY while we live in this world.

When I back up and remove myself from:

the mounds of unfolded laundry,

          the toys strewn all over the floor,

                    the whiney tone of voices I hear in the other room,
                   
                                wondering if I'll ever make it through my to do lists,

I realize that it's not these things that give my life purpose...but it is HOW I do them.

Do I do sing to my Savior while I go about my chores?

Do I praise Him for the blessings around?

Do I delight His heart as I look to Him for direction, hope and light?

Is my heart reflecting the joy of the Savior?

When I dwell with Him continually throughout the day (pouring out my heart, praying with my children, praying for others, listening for direction) I cannot help but have JOY in His presence.

Psalm 16:11says that we will be granted the joy of His presence and the pleasures of living with Him forever.

What a gift that is!!!

Take that verse and write it down. Savor it. Memorize it. Ask Him to make good on it in your life.

Weaving our daily inner life with the Lord is what gives us the joy so we CAN sing. Singing to Him...while we go about the tasks that He has called us to.

The size of my tasks, whether or not anyone knows about what I do...all that is not up to me. I am merely to be faithful to obey...and sing to Him.

It's HOW we do things that matter.

So sing, little birdie, sing.



                               




Monday, April 22, 2013

A Mothering Prayer

Long silences from me in cyber space...

Yet I write a thousand blog posts as I sit beside Toby's crib...waiting for elusive sleep to descend.

I have so much to say. Going way back to his orphanage visit back in China.

How can I ever get the time?

I only now sneak a few minutes as the littles are sharing a snack and painting with watercolors. An activity that will expire in approximately 10 minutes.

I am doing the things you might imagine: cooking, laundry, kissing boo boos, rocking, reading, making ponytails, helping with homework, cleaning up, and lots and lots of praying.

These children are my calling.

There are six of them now.

They are such a blessing. I know that full well.

I never lose sight of the fact that two of them are former orphans. Their needs differ from my biological children.

They need special understanding. They stretch me in new ways. Often requiring me to have long distance patience, something I never began motherhood with.

I love these verses from Hebrews 13: 20-21...it has been my constant prayer as God stretches me to become the mother they need:


"Now may the God of peace-- who brought of from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood--

May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. 
      May He produce in you through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.

All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen!"

...and I hear it..."Mommy!!" Time to get off the computer again. :)



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...