Everyday Mamas Walk with God

I was eight months pregnant with my second of four babies. I had stayed up late one night to paint our master bedroom, that made more sense being a playroom. I fell in love with a simple motif on the curtains I had purchased for the room — primary color squares with childlike drawings of animals and letters. I wish I had a picture to show you, but it was during the era of 35mm film.

I endeavored to re-create the squares as a border around the room by hand-painting them. It was a more tedious job than I imagined, and took much longer than I thought to hand-paint a drawing in each one. As I was painting, I apologized to the Lord. “I am sorry, Lord, that I am painting instead of spending time with you right now.”

And His reply changed how I walked with Him, forever.

“May I paint with you?”

I stopped in that moment and worshipped. With that simple whisper from Father God, a heavy weight of guilt was lifted. I understood more about the Father’s desire to commune with us.

Before I was married with four children, it was easier to set aside time to seek the Lord. But my time with God was different now that I was a wife, mother, and homemaker. And I carried guilt for it.

I was not seeing the work I was doing in keeping of a home; raising children, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and even decorating, as service to God. I knew the words of that directive Paul gave were for me also. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23 NIV) But I believed it would only please God if the work seemed spiritual.

The truth is, if we are living a life surrendered to God, and the work we are putting our hands to do, we offer pure to Him, then in the words of A.W. Tozer, “it opens up before us the possibility of making every act of our lives contribute to the glory of God.”

I know the necessity of staying connected to the Vine. I understand the importance of pulling away and having time with the Lord alone. But I also know that God can do in five minutes, more than we can accomplish in a lifetime. I have felt God nearest while worshipping and twirling and dancing with my little ones.

I’ve learned to walk with Him, pray without ceasing, and live without guilt for not spending hours alone with God everyday. He walks and talks and cleans with this everyday mama, and paints with her, too.

And as a wife, mama and daughter of God I embrace the few quiet times that I get steal away with God, and can “supplement those times by a thousand thought-prayers as I go about the job of living…Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.” A.W Tozer, The Pursuit of God which is free on Kindle, here. 

As we journey into this new year, let’s lay aside the guilt that can weigh heavy on us mamas, and instead, how Brother Lawrence puts it,

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.

18 Responses to Everyday Mamas Walk with God
  1. Cherry
    January 5, 2013 | 9:53 pm

    Michele-Lyn, this is so beautiful explained – and I love the picture it paints of God, lovingly saying, “May I paint with you?”. My six children are grown, and I have more time now for more extended times soaking in God’s Words – but so clearly remember the days when those times were harder to find. Thanks for these words that are such an encouragement for moms of little ones, especially.

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:44 am

      Cherry,

      I must have missed your comment here last month. Sorry about that! 🙂 I am learning to cherish the moments as time passes all too quickly. Thank you for your sweet words.

  2. Kelli
    January 5, 2013 | 11:52 pm

    Beautiful, much needed reminded. That God is always with us, we fellowship with Him in everything that we do. To live with eyes wide open…

    Love the Tozer quote by the way 😉

    • Michele-Lyn
      January 6, 2013 | 12:08 am

      Kelli,

      Yes, I need reminding still. 🙂 I forget too easily. And A.W Tozer is one of my favorite authors. Love The Pursuit of God, book. Love!

  3. Jenny Svetec
    January 6, 2013 | 7:37 am

    Great post. I love the gentleness of God, in His question, “Can I paint with you?”. God is the kindest Man in the universe, always gracious, never barging in, full of love. It is so good to love and be loved by our God.

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:45 am

      Jenny,

      I love the way He loves us! And shows us the way of His love. Sorry I missed replying to your comment last month. Blessings to you, today! 🙂

  4. Justine
    January 6, 2013 | 2:27 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing the link to the Tozer book for Kindle! I enjoyed reading your post and look forward to more!

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:46 am

      Justine,

      You are welcome! Did you get to read any of it? I love that book! 🙂 Blessings to you, today!

  5. Laura Rath
    January 6, 2013 | 9:37 pm

    I have to admit that I’ve had a poor attitude lately regarding all the “stuff” I have to do around the house (cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.). I have forgotten to look at is as working for the Lord.
    Thank you Michele-Lyn, I didn’t even realize I needed the reminder.
    Blessings to you,
    Laura

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:47 am

      Laura,

      I still find myself grumbling and complaining a bit throughout the day. But I am learning, and keep leaning on God and by His grace, finding joy in the mundane. 🙂

  6. Nikki
    January 7, 2013 | 12:18 pm

    Oh friend…you just get it.
    Today, God and I are going to run errands, teach my kindergartner more about time and money, wash dishes, do laundry, shovel sidewalks, and scrub the kitchen floor. I’m already looking forward to my time with Him…because of you.

    love and hugs to you!

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:48 am

      Nikki,

      I am more than a month late in replying here. I feel awful about that. 🙁 I love your heart, encouragement and sweet friendship. Blessings and love to you, friend. So glad we are in community together.

  7. Laura
    January 7, 2013 | 8:46 pm

    Your words ooze freedom. Thank you.

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:49 am

      Laura,

      I love that! Yes, freedom. I’m glad you said that, because I’ve sensed other trying to put me back in a box that God has set me free from! I know your comment was from last month, but I’m so glad I read it today. 🙂

  8. elise Daly Parker
    January 13, 2013 | 3:37 pm

    So thankful for God’s grace…He does not give us specific complicated instructions that if we fail to follow, we lose our connection to Him. He says “come to me!” Such a good God.

    • Michele-Lyn
      February 14, 2013 | 9:50 am

      Elise,

      You are right! So very right! It is simple. I, too, am thankful for grace and freedom in Christ. Blessings to you, friend.

  9. Laura
    January 14, 2013 | 10:37 pm

    It’s true. And I keep forgetting. I love how you heard Him say “May I paint with you?” I needed this reminder to talk to God all through my chaotic days, even if we can’t spend time alone.

  10. Michele-Lyn
    February 14, 2013 | 9:53 am

    Laura,

    Yes, my friend. I still need this reminder. I want this to settle in deep to keep my heart anchored to Him, even in the midst of the chaos.

    I know your comment was from a while ago, but I’m glad to read it fresh today. 🙂 Blessings to you!