I am reading this devotion in the YouVersion app -- as I get back into ENJOYING being a mom and not just coasting through the daily motions and making sure they're fed, clothed and get to where they need to be.
I needed to ENJOY the little things, stop saying NO all the time and start ENJOYING and GIVING life to my kids -- and not just Hayden, but the twins. I needed to re-commit my focus to THEM.
And after making that decision that I was going to focus on my relationship with them, this was my next morning devotional...God always shows up, He always knows what to say and He will always be there.
But we have to be willing to listen, to obey and to put in the work. I thought I would share the devotion and prayer I have now read every morning this week....and it's made all the difference in my day.
Getting up on cold mornings is really hard when we’d rather stay in our warm beds under the toastiness of our blankets. On those days, I quickly run down the hall and turn up the thermostat.
Our days often begin like that. Our kids have already set the “thermostat” for our morning, right after we get out of bed. “Mom! I’m in a hurry to leave!” “Mom! He hit me!” “Mom! Tell her to stop!” We are left with the cold starkness of an overwhelming day, and it’s only 7:30 am.
Our inner thermostat begins to rise---not to a comfortable temperature, but to one that exceeds our own comfort. If we aren’t careful, the steam we are holding in may explode over the entire household.
Guess what, mama? You are in control of the thermostat of your home. I know. There are too many things thrown at you, coming against you and your peace. But I learned that we have the power to set the tone for our household.
What is your response when those “moms” start coming your way? What is your attitude when your teen’s attitude is less than stellar? Do you stoop to their level, reacting with anger and heightened emotions? Or do you rise above, responding with quietness, firmness, and calm? It seems like a really tall order, but scripture tells us we have the fruit of God’s Spirit living in us. Love, joy, peace, patience….
Why are we so quick to forget? Why do we let our kids set the tone? Why do we allow the enemy to win day in and day out?
Jesus called us to be peacemakers, choosing to set the tone for our day, not peacekeepers, sweeping our attitudes under the rug along with the breakfast crumbs. Peacemakers make hard, right choices, not defaulting to our natural inclinations. Peacekeepers shut up and shut down, hoping everything will eventually shake out and are disappointed when it doesn’t happen.
Mamas, we have His Spirit within us enabling us to establish the mood of our homes with our words and attitudes. We will let our kids know that we choose to have a good day, no matter what comes, knowing our attitudes speak louder than our words. We will not allow the enemy to overtake and consume us. We will choose love, joy, peace, and patience. We will choose Him!
Oh, Father. Give me the ability to see past the chaos of our mornings, our days. Help me set my mind on you and to draw on your peace and presence to be the best example of you to my children today. Help me set the tone for the day, the entire day, remembering that you have gone before me and have prepared a way for every circumstance that arises, even those that threaten to take me down. Thank you for your Spirit who never leaves me. I choose you right now. Your presence makes me smile, no matter what is ahead.
By: Robin Meadows
Join me in reading Overwhelmed By My Blessings: Encouragement For Moms: http://bible.com/r/tR