My kids have gone a bit crazy. And I feel like a lot of my mom friends are having a similar experience. A friend of mine was just sharing about hers. And although I would never wish the struggle on anyone, I have definitely found a measure of relief and encouragement in the fact that it's not just me. What is it about this season that has made our children all nuts?? It's exhausting. I'm weary. Some days the battle just doesn't seem worth it. I may have been fantasizing the other day about how nice it would be to have a padded room to just set the monsters, er kids, loose in. So, I don't think it's coincidental at all that the Lord has been drawing me to scripture about endurance. Many I've read before, but have never applied in the light of motherhood and this season of life. Galatians 6:9 has been a recent favorite:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.
The Rev referenced Hebrews 12 in a sermon he preached a few weeks back while in our Genesis series, which I also keep coming back to. The message focused a lot on discipline, which has always had a negative connotation for me when reading. The Rev's definition and explanation were really helpful though.
Discipline is bringing just enough pain, discomfort, and displeasure into life to change us and not an ounce more.
We've been talking a lot about discipline in our home in regard to our children (which he referenced in the sermon), but it really spoke to my heart and how I'm being disciplined. Hebrews 12:7 says that we should, "Endure hardship as discipline." When I view trials and hardship as the Lord's means to grow me and change me, it's SO much easier for me to endure. Now, it might seem a bit dramatic to view my days with two whining kids as hardship, but I'm not going to apologize. There are without a doubt much harder things in life, but in this season, this is what's hard for me. My kids and this pregnancy are an incredible blessing through which the Lord has used time and time again to refine me, teach me, and draw me closer to Him. That's discipline. He uses my children and experiences as a mother to reveal my sin to me and to show me more of His character on a daily basis. I constantly have to look at my life and ask myself what needs to change. It's humbling to be repeatedly reminded that I am not in control, God is.
Here are some other great passages from Hebrews 12. I'm praying for more awareness of how God is using my circumstances to grow me and change me. It's not for nothing.
Let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1-2
Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Heb 12:5-7
Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Heb 12:12
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