Our children are not the interruption…

I was nearing the end of my day, and it was a long one. I was long passed the end of my energy, but not near the end of my “to do” list. I was waiting all day for the moment when every one of my four children were in bed, and the house was quiet, and I could have some time to myself. That moment wasn’t coming soon enough.

When I thought it finally came, my time was interrupted. Toddler baby girl woke up. My default reaction was frustration. “I have so much to do. Why are you awake?”

Immediately I thought,  “My children aren’t a season, they’re my motivation.” These words have been working on my soul since I first read them, here, last week. And they came flooding into my heart at this moment.

Through the shadows of the night, I saw a glisten in her eyes as I slipped into bed beside her and stared deeply into them. I embraced her and the moment and thought, “This is what I am supposed to be doing. And more so, this is what I get to do.”

On my own blog I’ve been going through a series I named #doJUSTICE based on the scripture in Micah 6:8 that says, “And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

It’s a series on my blog, but it’s really a work in my heart that God is doing as I am pursuing justice, learning what He means by “do justice” and what it means for me. But all through the process God is helping me hold on tightly to the truths I’ve learned as a wife and mama. The truths that sober my heart, keep me anchored and help me regain focus when I wander off course. And ones I hold on to when I am battle weary.

That children are God’s best gift!
The fruit of the womb, His generous legacy.
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Psalm 127:3-5 The Message

God has ignited a passion in me to raise my children, not to just serve the world, but to change it. And what good would it be to try and save the world and lose my family in the process? The fight for the family, especially in our nation, is part of my call to do justice. And for me, it begins with my own.

Our children are not the interruption to God’s plans for us. <— Click to Tweet And reluctantly I admit, sometimes I do think they are. I’m learning more and more to embrace mommyhood as a high calling from God. I wrote a letter to mamas, here, and I believe I need to read it for myself and remember.

We are are serving God, and furthering His Kingdom by raising Godly seed, and leaving a Godly heritage on this earth. My work as a mama is work fit for the Kingdom. And so is your work as a mama.

Am I alone in this? Or do you ever struggle, too?

8 Responses to Our children are not the interruption…
  1. Missy
    March 5, 2013 | 8:29 am

    Oh, Michele-Lyn, I struggle here too. Those precious stolen moments of quiet begin to feel less precious and more stolen when they’re not held up to the light of God’s loving gift of my children. Thank you for the much needed reminder that stopping to rock a nightmarish preschooler or soothe an angry preteen’s upset heart is indeed important Kingdom work. Not an interruption.

    • Michele-Lyn
      March 5, 2013 | 10:22 pm

      Missy,

      Kingdom work. Yes. I believe that’s how God sees it. I just have to see that way, too! 🙂

  2. Laurie
    March 5, 2013 | 5:19 pm

    Perfectly stated, Michele-Lyn! 🙂

    • Michele-Lyn
      March 5, 2013 | 10:23 pm

      Laurie,

      Thank you, friend. 🙂

  3. Darlene
    March 5, 2013 | 8:56 pm

    YES!!! I understand, friend. {In Pursuit} began with the same heart change. Leaving the workforce was so difficult for me to do. I spent my first month as a stay at home mom thinking, “is this what my days have come to? Cleaning, laundry, and cooking?”

    I had to go through a process where I learned that putting in a load of laundry to care for my family was holy. That revolutionized the way I looked at my home, my children, and even my role as a wife.

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Michele-Lyn
      March 6, 2013 | 9:14 pm

      Darlene,

      That understanding about the work we do at home as mamas, that didn’t come easy for me or swiftly. But He has established me more and more, and I am embracing my mommyhood call as something sacred. 🙂 He is faithful!

  4. Nikki
    March 6, 2013 | 9:58 am

    I wish I could tell you I don’t struggle with this–but I so do! As my 4YO was up for hours last night–in the middle of the night, I remembered this and seized it. Thank you for reminding me! {HUGS}

  5. Michele-Lyn
    March 6, 2013 | 9:15 pm

    Nikki,

    Oh, I hope you get to sleep tonight, friend. 🙂 My toddler has been having some crazy sleeping schedule, too.