WORKING HARD

     What is at the core of our motivations? We all have things that motivate us and reasons why we work hard. We are easily motivated by money, affirmation, and admiration. We might want prestigious titles or big promotions.
     As mothers, why do we put our hearts and souls into our families? There is no financial gain, and rarely do we ever receive affirmation or thanks. Do we do our best so that the world thinks we are good mothers? So that our children like and appreciate us? So that the world will admire our efforts?

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23, NASB).

     What motivates you? Do you work hard because that it what is expected of you, or do you work hard to serve and please God? Whatever you do, do it happily in worship to the Lord. He is the giver of your talents and abilities. He is the strength for your work and the center of your creative inspiration.

Summer and Winter

Those who live in a cold climate understand that winters can get long. As the amount of daylight decreases, it's easy to find discouragement or depression creeping in. Sometimes this is a direct result of just needing more vitamin D to compensate for the lack of sunlight. But sometimes the Lord allows this to drive you to a place of finding a deeper degree of contentment in him.
     God created the seasons. They are his making. Winter treasures are like manna--the same manna would be rotten in the summer. Manna that is provided on a daily basis refreshes us and provides the kind of nourishment we need.

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you make both summer and winter (Psalm 74:16-17, NIV).

 

NOT OUR OWN

     Jeremiah, a prophet of God, was called to reveal the sins of the Israelites and warn them of coming judgment. His pleas were ignored and the consequences fell when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. Prior to that catastrophe, Jeremiah made one of the most profound statements in the Scriptures. The Israelites insisted on following the lead of the idolatrous nations around them doing things their own way. They seemingly forgot they were God's chosen people and that God had lovingly directed their steps. In their independence, they fell into sin and lost the promised presence of God.
     I wonder how many times we forget whose we are and begin to think we can plan our own course in life. Perhaps we are not happy with God's direction and are resisting the road he has asked us to walk. Maybe today you need to pray with Jeremiah:

I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I will die
(Jeremiah 10:23-24, NLT).

  

MISPLACED SECURITY

     It is normal for moms to manage a million things all at the same time. A part of us likes to have control because it gives us a sense of security. But is that security false? What happens when circumstances are out of control? When relationships are broken, our children are sick, or there just isn't enough money in the bank to cover mounting bills? We allow worry to seep into our hearts. We become anxious and insecure. More often than not, we allow our concerns to debilitate us--to rob us from our sleep and kill our joy.
     We don't have to become weary if we remember that we serve a God who loves us so much that he wants us to shrug off the burdens that make us ache and trust him instead. Regardless of the situation and circumstance, God is in control. Our security rests in him and not in our own abilities.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me" (John 14:1, NLT).

The next time life sends you a curve ball, instead of succumbing to fear and scrambling to maintain control, bring your concerns to the one who listens and cares deeply. What are you worried about today? Talk to God and leave it all in his hands. 

LETTING GO OF WORRY

     Of all the things God asks us to let go of, for a mother, worry just might be the most difficult. From little things like running out of milk or forgetting to do that load of laundry, to genuine concerns such as the first time our kids go away for a weekend, put on a football helmet, or get behind the wheel, we are tempted to give in to worry. God desires our trust! He wants us to surrender--ourselves and our precious children--to him and his perfect plan. He wants us to rest in his love, and he promises to care for us.

"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 than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (Matthew 6:25-27, NIV).

     What worry or fear are you holding on to? What would it take for you to open your hand and give it over to God? 

INVISIBLE

Are you feeling invisible today? You may be surrounded by a crowd of people and yet feel alone and isolated. This may be how the woman who needed a healing touch from Jesus felt, but was convinced he would never notice her among so many. She reached out and touched him, and found him fully aware. Hagar, Sarah's servant, was driven from her home by her angry mistress. Wandering lost and alone in the wilderness, God saw her and became her deliverer.
     It's difficult to comprehend that as small and insignificant as we are in time and space, God sees each of us and even knows our name. Others may not seem to understand or notice, but God knows our whole story. He is always present, all-seeing, all-wise. No matter where we are, God sees.

The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on earth (Psalm 33:13-14, NLT).

I am so thankful, Lord, that you not only see me physically, but you see into my heart and mind and know my every thought. Help me always to remember that I am never invisible to you. 

Joy and Strength
Broad Street Publishing 

HIS YOKE IS EASY

Jesus said his yoke is easy. He shared these words with his disciples 2,000+ years ago. They knew exactly what he meant because a yoke was regularly used by many of them. But as time has gone on, yokes aren’t exactly an everyday household item. Sometimes we need to do a little study on what Jesus’ intended meaning was, so we can enjoy his life-giving words.

 

Animals that worked side by side were linked with a wooden yoke. This yoke was laid across their necks and kept them together. When two animals were linked like this, they were capable of doing much more than what either could do alone. Furthermore, often a weaker or younger animal was linked to a stronger one. This allowed the stronger one to lead the younger and bear more of the weight.

 

“My yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:30, ESV).

 

Do you feel the weight of responsibility driving you down? When Jesus tells you that his yoke is easy, he is inviting you to enjoy his strength and leadership. While he is calling you to service and work, he will bear the majority of the weight. You only have to walk alongside him.