Everlasting Strength

I'm a planner. I like to know what's coming and when, so I can prepare myself as much as possible.

It worked out, sort of, with my first son, as he was a c-section. It was a last-minute breach that meant I had to throw out my vision for how the birth would go; but it was quick and simple and there he was.

Almost two weeks ago I started pre-labor with my second son, and just when I thought the contractions would warrant a hospital trip they stopped and everything was calm. Day after day after day for a week until finally the pain was so bad I determined to go in and stay till the baby came. He came 8 hours later.

I had texted a friend -- got any Scripture you clung to during your deliveries? She sent back a few, including the one that I latched on to:

"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the Lord forever,
For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength."
Isaiah 26:3-4

I focused on it; perfect peace, He'd keep me in perfect peace as I trusted Him with all the unknowns. There were so many unknowns.

Our littlest arrived and I thought about the verse again, thankful for the promise of peace.

The days kept coming and going afterward in a blur; I'm still not sure what day today is. Somewhere between chasing an almost-2-year old and power napping through the night with an infant my Bible sat on top of our hutch untouched. I longed to read it but hadn't caught my breath long enough to do so.

All I wanted last night was to climb into bed once the baby was asleep and pass out myself. But wouldn't you know, he wasn't really asleep so up we were to feed again.

I wanted to cry. Overwhelmed and exhausted and trapped being the only one to meet all the needs. I grabbed my Bible anyways and opened it up, right back to Isaiah. This time something else hit me:

"For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength."

If there's anyone who needs everlasting strength, it's a mom. I need it. And there's only one source for that strength -- our Lord. He alone can provide it, and if we trust in Him to do so He will.

It doesn't mean the needs disappear or even minimize; it doesn't mean we get full nights of sleep or clarity to cook nice meals or time during the day to get all the chores done.

But it does mean that we look back and see that we made it through. We had what we needed when we needed it, and we can trust that record for the moments and days to come.

Take a breath, mamas. Trust in the One who can give you everlasting strength.

Written by Amy Parsons

The Strength of My Life

The little one woke up early, getting grumpy quickly.

A grocery run had to be made, which meant a car ride for a quick nap.

We zoomed around the store, dodging people and waiting for countless others who figured standing in the middle of isles was best.

He slipped and fell in the parking lot, scuffing knees and bringing tears.

Fought and fought to get back in the carseat, yelled and threw toys on the way home.

We found activities for the rest of the morning, me desperately trying to keep him busy and out of trouble.

Lunchtime came and I spun in circles trying to spread peanut butter and not step on him attached to my leg.  The messy lunch, messy cleanup, little one who just wanted to help...

Finally, naptime.

But it was a screamfest, so I spent an hour putting him down instead of getting ready for our guest that evening.

My to-do list was long and dinner needed to be prepped.  The house was a mess; Mondays are my cleaning days.

When he finally went down I snuck out and looked at the clock -- 1:00pm.  And he'd be up soon enough and then we'd have company at 4:00.  I held my head on the counter and prayed.  Somehow, Lord, please help me be efficient even though I'm spinning in circles.  Please, Lord, help me finish the things that are necessary and let go of whatever else.

I sat down to make the stuffed shells.  Well, actually not; I stood at the kitchen table and an hour later wished I'd sat.  What I thought would be an easy process ended up taking much, much longer than I'd anticipated.  It was frustrating and I was interrupted -- even with the little one asleep.

My legs, feet, back, everything hurt.  The business work and other tasks I'd planned to get done got moved to the next day on my calendar.

Quickly I scrubbed the toilet and cleaned the sink; dusted, shook out the rugs, swept the floor.

Levi got up, had a snack, Josh came home, and our guest arrived.  It was a nice visit with good conversation and plenty of baby kicks in my belly.  Sitting back on the couch felt lovely.

After dinner and a quick bath for Levi, Josh pushed me into the bedroom and said I wasn't to come out for 30 minutes.  I agreed, relieved.

I fell down on the bed and opened my Bible:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1 (emphasis mine)

The Lord is the strength of my life.  How true that is, and how it took on a deeper meaning as I lay there exhausted.

I remembered my prayers earlier, tired and not sure if things were going to get done.  I thought of all my days of motherhood, the journey that depletes physically and mentally and emotionally.  But the Lord gives strength.

He gives strength when we can't go any further, when we're at our limit and don't see how we can take any more.

It's supernatural, it really is.  We ask and He gives; He gives abundantly, one step at a time, and we keep going.  He gives us rest, sometimes when we least expect it -- like Josh sending me to the bedroom for some alone time.  And He refreshes and restores even in the exhaustion.

He is good, friends!