Choices

Posted on August 14, 2013 by adakate

Last night it was closes to 2 a.m. when I closed my eyes to drift off to sleep. I had an “after kids bedtime” meeting to work on an awesome Both Hands Project for my friend. My heart was going to sleep full and blessed- yet my body so weary. I haven’t been sleeping much lately, and its really starting to take its toll.

So, at 4 a.m. when my 5.5 year old woke me up with her gentle touch and a whisper, “Mama” – I REALLY wanted to just send her back to bed. And I tried to first with “Sweet girl, mama is really tired, go use the potty and snuggle back in bed”. Her response, “But Mama, I need you. Will you please come lay down and snuggle with me?” This is not a usual response from my sweet girl. She usually happily goes back to bed and is asleep in 5 minutes or less. I’m thankful that God let me be awake enough to realize her need to just have her mama. When we all got up 2 hours later, she said, “Oh mama! YOu are the BEST mom in the world. Thank you for getting up and snuggling with me, even though you were tired.” I reminded her gently that we couldn’t do that all of the time and she said:

“Oh mama, I know. But how wonderful to know that when I need you, you are ALWAYS there.”

That right there is reason enough to put away our phones, sign off of facebook and just really enjoy life with our kids. I want to be the mom who is sensitive enough to realize when my kids really need me, and set aside my own needs to remind them “I’m always here”. Right now, our girls are learning about the Father’s love because of the way their dad and mom take care of them and love them. That’s a huge responsibility. The only way to even come close to living up to it is seeking God and asking Him to show us the right way to respond to our sweet ones.

They are growing way to fast. I hope and pray that when she “needs” me in her teen years, we will have built a road of trust , and she will know, no matter how tired and weary I am, I am ALWAYS here!

Imitate

Posted on August 9, 2013 by adakate

I love when God gives me glimpses of truth throughout my day…..

This morning, I was playing trains with our almost two year old, Molly. The simple figure 8 track was built and we were playing her favorite way: sending the trains one by one down the slope to bang into each other, once you have a “line”, make choochoo noises and start again. After a few minutes, I notices she was studying my ~~indian style legs~~ criss cross applesauce legs and then looking at her own, moving them a bit, and glancing back at mine. She continued over and over again, glancing and adjusting, until she had it just right. She was so happy and pleased at herself for imitating her mama- the woman she loves most!

Isn’t that how our relationship with God goes? As he grasps our hearts, we start to notice the qualities in character and action that are His. They are the ones we ultimately want to imitate. I love what Ephesians 5 :1-2 has to say:

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God”

We are so richly blessed as followers of Christ to have the Spirit of God dwelling WITHIN us! He is there to guide us and teach us– to mold us like Christ. A few verses later, In Ephesians 5:8-9 we are told:

“Fore once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”

The best way we can imitate Jesus– is to follow his teaching and example: LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

I’m going to end today with one of my favorite verses in the Bible. This is Psalm 32:8-9

“The Lord says, ” I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Join me in seeking to imitate Christ, in every moment of every day. We wont be perfect, but ever so slowly, we are becoming more and more like the One we love above all. Ask the Lord to lead you by His spirit. To teach you each and every day. He will be faithful to do just that! (His promise to do so is right there in Psalm 32!)

The Challenge

Posted on August 8, 2013 by adakate

I’ve decided to accept a challenge from one of my favorite new authors, Sarah Mae. The Unwired Mom Challenge starts TODAY. Thankfully, this isn’t a complete media fast (this mama is not ready for THAT yet), but it is a way to break the bad habits and patterns that can be associated with our “wired” world (and lets just be honest, addictions). I’ve seriously considered giving up my iphone in the recent months. Its just so accessible to check email, facebook, zone out of life as a stay at home mom for just a few minutes. And as much as I try to gain control, my will never lasts more than a few days. Thankfully, I’m headed in the right direction… most days. How many of us get online for “Just 5 minutes” to check something, and end up being there an hour. There are nights I lose a good hour or so of sleep because I’m checking “something” on my phone. I’ve already cleared out all of the games (candy crush, words with friends, etc). I’m giving myself a few more months to learn self control when it comes to media– or the sweet, pink-cased phone will have to go. I can’t be present in my life with my 3 absolutely precious children all day every day with such easy access in my pocket.

Here’s to not missing the “little moments” throughout the day with my little ones. It’s time to be fully present, at all times. Its time to stop wasting precious minutes of my day, checking to see what everyone else is doing (especially when that means I’m not spending that time “checking in” with my heavenly Father).

Does this resonate with you? I would love for you to join me these next two weeks! You can check out all of the details at: www.sarahmae.com

And if a full on media fast sounds good to you, check out what Traci has to say here.

Leave me a comment and let me know WHAT your thinking when it comes to being “unwired” and a “hands free mama”!