With this shoulder (AC Joint) injury that causes the muscles in my shoulders to tense and remain in tight spasm knots that results in migraines that can last a week long…I have good days and really bad days…well this particular night, I ended up out on the couch, again.
I had had a migraine for more than a day, so waking up and getting the family ready for their first day of home school was more than just a challenge…but I recalled mine and the kids’ conversation a few days ago about expectations, routine etc. So when I did not hear anyone moving about…I don’t even remember what time it was; I remember just laying there heartbroken that they couldn’t just follow through with the “commitment” we had made as a result of that conversation.
Instead of going to the Lord in prayer. I summoned the kids into the living room. I asked why they did not get up with their alarm clocks. I received excuse after excuse. (I know how it works, I was once a kid too, lol) Though, now that I’m the Mama, I was not amused! I was upset and disappointed. So much that I reminded them of the commitment we made a few short days ago. I even went to the extent of naming each one in a louder than normal voice, more of I will have your attention voice! Mind you, my head is still reminding me that is in excruciating pain.
After me ranting and raving, I demanded to be left alone and went on a short walk. I needed to breathe…Did I care that my head was still hurting? Did I care that I knew that going for a walk would more than likely aid in gravity pulling my arm down to ultimately cause me more pain later? Nope! All I could think about was getting out!
It was just me and the Lord. I felt as if I was in a state of confusion…migraine, heartache, knowing I had just laid the verbal smack down on my amazing kids! (For those who think on things too much or allow your imaginations to conjure up false ideas…I did not swear or say something I wouldn’t say again. Though my volume would have been turned down just a lil’ bit.) So as I’m walking, all I could say was, “Lord, I need you, talk to me.” All I could do was listen, it was my only option.
I arrive home, and you betcha my kids were up and at it! Following through with the commitment we had made together. I didn’t speak one word for nearly thirty minutes.
It’s truly amazing how a home can go from completely functional to dysfunctional when mama is out of commission.
It is even more amazing how a family can be torn apart by an eternal routine change. You see, because I was “out of commission”, I wasn’t up and my cheerful self was not ready to greet my beautiful and intelligent kids. I did not have our devotion ready. We did not eat together, most importantly, we did NOT pray together.
Ooooh how the evil one thought he would get the victory here! Again, he forgets who My God is!!
We all sat at our dining room table.
We joined hands and each one of us prayed.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20”
Each one of us shared what our responsibilities are to God and ourselves and our family.
This included the commitment we all made.
One of my kids admitted to turning the alarm off and choosing not to get up.
The other learned that no matter what time it is, day or night, I am Mama forever! They are to call on me in their time of need…whether it be, I just can’t sleep, all the way to, feeling ill…they are to yell for me or come and get me if they are able to. The sweet response of, “I know that you’re hurting Mama, and I don’t want to wake you,” is just that…it’s sweet…but! Their needs are equally if not more important than my own!
We all agreed that this would be a teaching moment…it is our first day of this school year and we all blew it. But that doesn’t mean we are to continue to wallow in it and cry over it all day.
Normally, I have a devotion ready…but since I didn’t, God prompted this:
Throughout the day, we are to ask God to reveal to each one of us something we need to work on/change, then find scripture(s) that we can hide in our hearts that will keep us armored for that situation. This individual devotion time must be completed before dinner. We will share them at the dinner table.
Yeah, our morning started out rough. We were given a trial. We may have blown it momentarily…through it all, it didn’t just bring our family closer and help each one of us understand and communicate more efficiently, but, more importantly it drew us closer to God.
I have to tell you, our day was so sweet and God’s love covered each one of us gracefully.
Preparing for our meal, Alexis and I made twice baked potatoes and corn,Jace grilled New York Strips and the kids set the table. Dinner was ready;I approached the table reminding everyone of the devotion and to bring their Bibles to the table. Their Bibles were already there. We pray for God’s Blessing over our meal and we dig in a bit…YUM!
A few minutes go by and one of our kids chose to begin sharing:
“I need to work on responding with love, not having a rude tone when I am asked or told to do something especially when I don’t want to do it.”
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
James 1:19 Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
1 Peter 3:10 For HE THAT WILL LOVE LIFE, AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS THAT THEY SPEAK NO GUILE.
My other child shared:
“My attitudes lately have been very disgraceful towards you, dad and sibling.”
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For me, God has been really convicting me of prayer…specifically when I have a fellow brother or sister approach me requesting prayer and when the Holy Spirit leads me, I am to pray right then and there with them.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in theSpirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
For my hubby:
Witnessing to others.
1 John 5:9-10 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
WOW!!! GOD IS AMAZING!!
Lesson Learned:
We will continue to undergo trials and disappointment in life…it’s how we respond that makes all the difference.
The excuse, “I’m human” is cowardly and ridiculous!
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Psalms 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
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