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

He Is Enough

It would seem that the theme of motherhood for me has been the realization over and over again that
I am not enough.
And that’s a good thing.
I will never be everything my children need, or even want.
I cannot protect them from every hurt and disappointment.
I cannot and will not because of one simple reason.
I am not God.
That place of finding complete satisfaction, safety and fulfillment is reserved only for Him.
The most freeing feeling for me right now as a mother is knowing that He is enough not only for me, but for my children!

Written by Katie Millen, mama of three little beauties.

Praising for Pieces

There are days that God reveals a lot about His workings.  You probably know what I'm talking about -- the days when He brings many things together all at once and you sit back and marvel at how good He is.  When multiple areas of your life suddenly have clarity, and you see how those seemingly-unconnected areas actually do meet at some point. 

You wonder when He'll let you in on what He's doing; when He'll show you the reasons behind things He asks of you and situations He leads you to.  When you'll see the bigger picture.

And then you have a day when suddenly so many things make sense, and you bask in His glory.  You're overwhelmed by His goodness and thoughtfulness. 

More often than not we want to see the whole picture.  We want to know the whys and the why-nots and the reasons we're involved in what we're involved in with the people who keep showing up.  We search for answers in prayer and the Word and through mentors -- but it's always His timing that reveals.

And I have to wonder, what would happen if we actually knew all that He knows?  What would take place in our minds and hearts if we knew all the whys and the why-nots?  Maybe you have a different story, but God never reveals everything to me.  He gives me pieces; pieces of varying sizes depending on the season, but pieces nonetheless.  What if He gave me more?

I don't think I could handle it.  As it is, the pieces He does give overwhelm me.  They cause me to physically stop moving and allow my mind to think in gratefulness.  There aren't words to express, no arrangement of letters that seems adequate to thank Him or appreciate what He's done.  He goes above and beyond.  My heart swells to exploding and I wonder, Could I really handle any more? 

I may want more -- and surely, if He gives bigger and bigger pieces I will readily accept them.  But He gives the right balance every time; enough to overwhelm while keeping my mind in a functioning state.  Too much and I may pass over it all in fear of missing it all.

He gives pieces to bless us, to grace us, to grow us, to strengthen us.  Pieces He desires we'll hold onto and remember.  When those pieces come, He wants us to take the time to bask in them and thank Him even if we can't find the words.

"Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for He is our God

and we are the people of His pasture,

the flock under His care."

Psalm 95:6-7a

Written by Amy Parsons