BLESSING 3:
It happened again. The quick harsh reaction that comes too quickly, too easily. Sitting next to my daughter at what we have deemed “the homeschool table”, I put my head into my hands, and let the tears flow, unashamed.
Lifting my head up, I gazed out the window, unseeing. How many times? How long will it go on? This pattern of harsh reaction?
My Sweet One sat patiently beside me, waiting.
“I’m sorry, Sophia, for my harsh response. May I please have a do over?”
A cheerful, “Of course, Mommy!” met my tear-filled eyes. I proceeded to redo my response as I desired to do it – calmly, patiently, kindly, and with understanding.
Bemoaning that I keep doing this, my son came out of his room, having heard the whole thing. “It’s okay, Mommy,” he gently encouraged, “at least you are recognizing it. You always say that the first step to change is to recognize what you are doing.”
He hugs me. More tears fall. My kids minister to me. In that ministering they remind me that I have been teaching them, they have been listening, and it has been good.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33)
The Lord is not asking for a perfect performance. In fact, He is not asking for a performance at all. He knows that we can’t attain the perfection, righteousness and holiness that belong to Him alone. Rather, He asks us to seek Him, depend on Him, and rely on His strength and not our own.
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech 4:6)
Dear Momma, the days are long, yet the years are short. But a breath and a decade passes. It’s okay that you’re not perfect. When you mess up and throw yourself at Jesus’ feet, you are teaching your kids that you need Him. You are teaching them that it’s okay that they aren’t perfect and that they can throw themselves at Jesus’ feet too.
Father God is there. Waiting with open arms, to embrace you. He is there to help you, strengthen you for the task, and encourage you. Not by your might or power, but by His.
It’s okay that you aren’t perfect.
Lifting my head up, I gazed out the window, unseeing. How many times? How long will it go on? This pattern of harsh reaction?
My Sweet One sat patiently beside me, waiting.
“I’m sorry, Sophia, for my harsh response. May I please have a do over?”
A cheerful, “Of course, Mommy!” met my tear-filled eyes. I proceeded to redo my response as I desired to do it – calmly, patiently, kindly, and with understanding.
Bemoaning that I keep doing this, my son came out of his room, having heard the whole thing. “It’s okay, Mommy,” he gently encouraged, “at least you are recognizing it. You always say that the first step to change is to recognize what you are doing.”
He hugs me. More tears fall. My kids minister to me. In that ministering they remind me that I have been teaching them, they have been listening, and it has been good.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33)
The Lord is not asking for a perfect performance. In fact, He is not asking for a performance at all. He knows that we can’t attain the perfection, righteousness and holiness that belong to Him alone. Rather, He asks us to seek Him, depend on Him, and rely on His strength and not our own.
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech 4:6)
Dear Momma, the days are long, yet the years are short. But a breath and a decade passes. It’s okay that you’re not perfect. When you mess up and throw yourself at Jesus’ feet, you are teaching your kids that you need Him. You are teaching them that it’s okay that they aren’t perfect and that they can throw themselves at Jesus’ feet too.
Father God is there. Waiting with open arms, to embrace you. He is there to help you, strengthen you for the task, and encourage you. Not by your might or power, but by His.
It’s okay that you aren’t perfect.
