I am coming off of a weekend of having my kids. It was a particularly busy weekend, with my daughter being in a soccer tournament (3 soccer games in Denver including an 8am game on Sat.), my son went to WyldLife (middle school version of Young Life), homework, chores, sleepover, church, shopping for cool weather clothes, daughter tired, son wanting to hang out with friends, etc. The lawn mower broke, "before" the lawn could get mowed and it has been 2 weeks already. Probably not much different from your weekend.
Do you find yourself caught up in trying to help your kids navigate through the teen years? For me that would be my son in middle school. Do you find yourself hurting when they hurt? What about when their "good friend" is trying to "fit in" with the "IN" crowd? You see that friend now busy with kid(s) that will help him feel like he is "IN." You watch as your son's good friend is not "available" unless the "IN" kid(s) are not available. To make matter's worse, the "good friend's" mother is one of your good friends. For me, it is not only hard to watch, but hard not to let the pain affect how I feel or treat my son's friend. All the time knowing this is part of life's lessons and growing up.
When Monday morning rolls around do you find yourself exhausted? Do you wonder why? Every once in a while, God has to remind me that I am trying to do it all my self. I can get busy with the kids, their schedules, the things that "have" to be done, the numerous distratcions, the unexpected things that happen. I realize I have been operating in survival mode. I am not seeking God throughout the day, I am just trying to make it through the hour, the day, the weekend.
Today, as I was able to spend time doing my Beth Moore Bible study lesson, God got my attention. I realize that I am not very good at letting God minister to me. I find myself trying to be so strong, living up to my self imposed expectation that I can do it "all." I (translated: me and my pride) tell myself I can handle being a single woman, a single mom, a home owner, self employed business owner, pet owner, volunteer, etc. and do it well, not complain.
Truth is when the weekend is over, I don't always feel like I did it well, more like I survived it. How much easier would it have been if I would have taken a time-out and sought God, His help, His presence and admitted my struggles, my heartache, my weaknesses? Beth asks, "Have you learned how to let God minister to you?" Then she gives us this assignment, which I would ask you to make it your assignment as well; Will you let Christ love you today? Curl up in His arms and tell Him you need Him. Beth Moore states, "Until you learn to let Him serve you at the point of your need, you will never be truly free to serve others."
She ends the lesson with the assurance found in Zephaniah 3:17; "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
How about you, will you do this assignment? Will you let Christ love you today? Will you let Him know you need Him? Will you accept and acknowledge that He is with you and let Him quiet you with his love? Can you imagine Him rejoicing over you with singing? Please feel free to leave your thoughts or comments below. I would love to hear from you.
Copyright 2008 Shelley Grieser All Rights Reserved.
