Our church has a wonderful group of young moms that meet once a month. It’s a group that is led by our pastor’s wife, and a few of us “older moms” come as well. We have a morning of sharing and praying, and the older moms take turns sharing each month. The young moms have a chance to ask questions, share concerns, share what God is teaching them, and since many of them are pregnant…most of the time there is a lot of crying! Those pregnancy hormones take over the room, and we all sit there and cry…and then laugh at each other for crying! It’s a wonderful time!
One week I showed up for the meeting and no one was there. I wondered if maybe I had come on the wrong day. Finally, my pastor’s wife showed up and explained why she was late. Her son and his wife, and their infant and two year old, are living with them as they are in a transition time of life. That morning she had helped get the baby and two year old ready in time to come to the 9:30 meeting. They had gotten everyone dressed, fed, diaper bags ready, snacks all in little containers….everyone was ready. They steered everyone out the front door and headed towards the van.
While all this organization and preparation had been going on, the pastor (grandpa!) had gone out to the front yard and turned on the sprinklers to water the grass! (Yeah…you can tell what’s coming!)
The mom, grandma, two year old boy and cute baby girl…and all the accessories that come along with small children….made it out the front door. The two year old spotted the sprinklers. Immediately he ran, as fast as he could, and jumped right in the middle of them! (I mean, what else are sprinklers for, but for two year old boys to run around in?) He was the happiest two year old in the world at that moment, and the mom and grandma had to get him out of the water, without getting themselves soaked, and take him inside to dry off and change his clothes! (I have to be honest! I think that is one of the cutest stories I have ever heard. But then, I’m not the mommy!)
After I heard that wonderful story, and the meeting started, God brought something to my mind. He used that story to gently rebuke me, and I was able to share it with the group of moms.
We, as moms, have to learn how to be organized and plan ahead. It’s really the only way to survive having small children. And although the way that looks may change as children get older, we never stop having to plan and organize. It’s the only way a home and family will be kept going somewhat smoothly! It’s a good thing.
The danger comes when we cross the line into feeling like we have to control everything. I find myself standing on that line, and at times crossing it, all to often! It is exhausting! I know what I desire for my children and the way I want things to go. I somehow feel like I can steer their fate and get the results I want! Then God taps me on the shoulder, gets my attention, and gently opens my eyes to what I’m doing!
I believe that what God wants from us is to stop trying to steer and control, to break away from our agenda, and run as fast as we can to Him...the Living Water! He wants us to see “The Sprinkler” of refreshment, encouragement, and only hope for our lives and our children’s lives, and run around in it! The refreshment we find from placing our lives, and our children’s lives, in His hands and taking the time to soak up the Word, His Grace and His presence is not only life giving, but exactly what we need to do!
Go ahead! Break away and run to the Living Water! Soak in it! Your soul will find refreshment…and so will your children! Believe me! Your children will enjoy their mom so much more when she is soaking wet and laying her children at her Father’s feet!
“As the hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?” Psalm 42: 1-2
“For I will [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person.” Jeremiah 31: 25
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