Just a Little Bit of My Mom Heart

My heart for my children and their future generations cannot be summed up in this little space, but I would love to share just a little bit of what I dwell on. Mom Heart Conference was in Dallas this past weekend. It was the first time for me to attend the conference. My heart was refreshed and lifted as I met new ladies, heard their stories and strengthed my resolve to live each day in a passionate way.

One of the wonderful messages I left the conference resonating in my heart was that God doesn't want me to be more exausted and doing more. He wants me at rest. Isaiah 30:15 makes this very clear, "In repentence and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your stength." So many times moms fall into the trap of thinking that more is better. Sometimes more is just simply more. I find myself saying these kinds of things: "If I was just more organized..." "If I just read more books about..." "I need to be more patient..." "More time in the day would help..." and on and on.

The simplicity of trusting the Lord each day helps cut down on the "need more" attitudes. Quieting my spirit to trust the Lord is what strengthens me... not all these other "More" things.

"More" thoughts to come.

Another Pile of Stuff Revealed

This weekend as I was cleaning up the kitchen floor, I realized that there was some junk under the refridgerator. Everybody else was outside at the time, so I proceeded to move it out by myself. To my dismay, I found 6 Cheerios, a light blue pencil, 3 missing shopping lists, a magnet, a bazillion airsoft pellets and an AWFUL LOT of dirt. Yikes! How long had it been since I had cleaned under that thing?!!

Since I usually do most of my thinking when I am doing mundane chores and since I was alone in the kitchen at the time, I began to think of how easy it is to let things get stuffed away in secret places ~ places we clean all the time. I sweep and clean all around the kitchen daily. Dishes get washed. Countertops disinfected. Trash removed. And don't inspect the inside of my refridgerator right now, but even THAT gets cleaned often. When did the magnet holding the elusive grocery list slip off and fall? How long had that pencil kept company with those 6 Cheerios? Where else have I missed cleaning? Why had I allowed so much stuff to pile up in such a tiny space? I have no idea, but these questions made me think even deeper.

What other areas of my life have I become lazy? Where is other stuff stacking up without my knowledge? I know I don't dust the furniture as often as I should. And I know that several years ago, I couldn't sleep with dirty dishes in the sink. I know that laundry around here piles up really quickly and that bathrooms don't clean themselves. What I really am getting at is...

I don't want to allow undealt-with issues in my heart to pile up. The Lord is always merciful to reveal these things to me little by little. Probably because He knows I'd have a heart attack if He gave it all to me at once. He is faithful through the years to draw me closer and closer to Him by helping me see the little things that have kept me that much farther away. He has such a graceful way of helping me clean out the piles of stuff that separate me from Him. In the hidden parts of my heart, He will make me to know wisdom. Once again, I cry out the words of David, "Create in me a clean heart, Oh God."

Pulling Weeds

We talk as we walk, the Master Gardener and I. I am especially excited to show Him my outer gardens. Confident that my well manicured lawn and meticulously maintained fountains are presentable, I lead Him through the rows of columns and flower beds. I have taken care to prune the roses and fertilize the shrubs. As He has instructed, I have done. I am proud to show Him the bouquets freshly picked from the choicest of plants. We stroll over the well-worn paths and quietly enjoy each other's presence. Sweet fragances fill the air making our visit lighthearted and enjoyable. I so love His presence.

"These areas I have tended well," I sweep my hand to gesture this vestibule spot. I pluck a few choice blooms for Him to examine. He nods and smiles approval. I am confident in this outer garden ~ the one that I regularly visit and tend.

His eyes light on a small gate almost hidden from view by the clinging vines. "Let's go in there," He suggests.

Taken aback by His desire to leave this place of tidiness, I hestitantly respond, "Uh,... okay,... we can go in there."

We push back the undergrowth and go inside. I realize immediately that I haven't tended this part of my garden in some time and the lack of maintenance shows. I feel embarrassed at my neglect. He doesn't say a word, just rolls up His sleeves and plunges His hands into my weeds. I join in quickly. Before long, we've gotten it back under control.

How comforting to know that I don't have to do all the work alone. His loving kindness overlooks my faults. His grace allows my mistakes to be corrected. My garden doesn't have overgrown corners anymore.