Wednesday's Devotion

Psalm 127:3--Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of
the womb is His reward.

Imagine you are up for the fifth night in a row changing sheets after your
3 year-old had one more accident. Imagine you have just settled into a nice,
hot, fluffy bubble bath. You let out a relaxing sigh, and instantly you hear,
"Mommy! I want my Mommy!" You are then informed by your other child
(or disappointed spouse who wasn't the one being wanted) that your
child picked that precise moment to stub a toe, which is now bleeding,
and she is demanding to see you and only you to "make it better." These
moments do not tend to paint the rosy picture that your current life is
a gift. The monotony of motherhood sometimes shows absolutely no
glamor.

Have you ever stopped to think of how "regular" the life of Jesus
was for the first 29 years? The Bible does not give us much detail, but we do
know that He was not actively working in ministry. It is believed that He spent
the majority of His life working with Joseph in the carpentry business. That,
it seems, would have presented opportunities for monotony, boredom, or
frustration. However, one thing that we do know about Jesus' life before
He began ministering was that He had developed an amazing prayer life.
He spent time in prayer daily and had awesome fellowship with His Father.
Jesus knew the answer. He didn't allow the daily measures of life to dictate
His ability to know what He was here for. He worked with His whole heart
every moment, even before He started raising people from the dead!

That period of time before His baptism and subsequent ministry was a
time of preparation. He got to "practice" how He manifest the gifts of a
Savior in this earth for 29 years before He actively used them. He was
faithful to do His best with every moment and when the right moment
came--He shined!

Well, raising children is exactly like that. The things that may feel
monotonous or unglamorous right now are opportunities to show our
children the ability to use every moment for the Glory of God.

It is when you are up changing those sheets that you confort that
embarrassed child by reminding them how "big" they are. Or it is
when you can get out of that bubble bath to kiss a boo-boo, knowing that
your children are watching your unconditional love for them and your
ability to help them when they truly need you. Those moments show your children
the healing touch or the loving touch and confidence of their Heavenly Father
as He watches over them. Those moments will build upon themselves and
produce children who will remember that your loving-kindness and acts
of mercy showed them the true goodness of their God.

Confession: I will use every moment of this day as an example
of God's love for me and my children. I will remember to not
allow my life to be so mundane but will utilize ways to
glorify God as I walk with my children.