Anything?

I have heard statistics that people that spend time with the Lord each day in prayer and reading His Word are 50% more peaceful and joyful... and I believe it! I find the same is true for myself; and who couldn't use more joy? more peace? I sure can!

Each person's quiet time looks different, but for me, specifically in this season of life, my quiet times are not your average. I remember the days of sitting in a cozy spot with a cup of hot tea, my Bible (with Bible cover that I made myself), and a journal and pen in hand. I don't even think that scene would be possible if I tried with three young kids, including two that are ages two and under. So, for now, when I awake in the morning, I roll over, grab my phone, and pull up the Bible app on my phone for a read before I hit the ground running.

Yesterday morning, as I rolled over to grab my phone I found a guest had just arrived into my room... my sweet, red headed, two year old Daniel. I pulled him into bed with me and told him we were going to read something. As I pulled up the app I hit "Verse of the Day" instead of my Bible reading plan and up popped the following -
Mathew 6:34
 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
So being the teacher I am, I started to break down this verse for Daniel in "kids terms". I told him that God is in control of everything so we don't need to be worried or afraid of... of... I suddenly found myself struggling to say the word "anything" to him. Really? We don't need to worry about anything? But I should be able to worry about... and it's reasonable to have some fear with... Nope. There is no * with fine print in the Bible.

I think sometimes we actually make life harder than it is. What if we did not worry about ANYTHING? What if we really did love all our neighbors as our self? Jesus said how amazing is the faith of a child... I think it's time to get back there. Daniel had no problem with what I said. He didn't question it or ask for exceptions. I want THAT faith!

Grace and Strength for the Young and Old

So this morning I was reflecting on my parenting and praying for some divine wisdom. The Lord revealed the following to me...

Why is it that the moments I feel too tired to "parent" seem to coincide with the moments my children are too tired to obey? #InChristalone

I decided to post my new revelation in the world of social media and I was quickly encouraged by the best friends in the world - "Hang in there"; "Agree.Agree." etc. So thankful for real friends who are in the thick of it with me. This parenting thing isn't for wimps, and it isn't for loners either. It sure takes a village.

The cool thing about this word is the angle of interpretation the Lord gave to me. In those moments when I want to yell and punish, I probably need to remember that we all need more Jesus. He wants me to shine that Jesus to my kids at that moment. I am so thankful for grace that is sufficient and for HIS strength which is perfect when mine is gone (2 Cor 12:9). I know I can gently correct by pointing my kids to the same grace and strength I need to parent that they will need to obey. 

The Lord truly is our everything!