God is Listening
Yesterday, I posted the link to this touching story from Michelle Duggar to Facebook:
It was 1:00 AM in the morning as I stood folding laundry with tears streaming down my cheeks. Feelings of being overwhelmed flooded my mind. I cried aloud, "LORD I NEED YOUR HELP, I can't do it all! I feel so inadequate! Diapers, dishes, laundry, meals, cleanup, school lessons, baths, hugs, kisses, correction..." My list seemed to go on and on.
Then it was as if a still small voice said, "Michelle, it's easy to praise ME when things are going good, but are you willing to praise ME now?" Immediately the scripture that says, "Offer up a sacrifice of praise", came to mind.
I said, "OK Lord, I will praise you even now! It really is a sacrifice!" So through the tears I began to sing, "The joy of the Lord is my strength". In my heart there was a release as if a burden had been lifted. I finished the laundry at 2 AM and went to bed.
Days later, I was at our piano teacher's home (at 7 AM) trying to catch up on paperwork while the children were taking their lessons. Instead, I kept drifting off to sleep! The teacher noticed and asked, "Are you OK?" I replied, "I'm fine, I'm just tired. I was up late finishing laundry."
As we talked more she said that she actually enjoyed doing laundry and that she would be glad to come and help me! That weekend when she arrived we had mountains of dirty laundry, and when she left we had nice, neat, orderly stacks of clean laundry! For 12 years now, our piano teacher, whom we consider a part of our family and loving call "NaNa" has faithfully come (now twice a week) to help us with laundry! GOD sent "An angel" in answer to my cry for help.
He is faithful to hear the humble cries of his children. "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." God lifted my burden (literally mountains of laundry!) and freed me to meet the more urgent needs of my family. "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory..."
Remember mothers, where God guides He provides!
With Love,
Michelle
As I read it, I thought to myself how similar I feel as I do my daily housework, take care of 4 very different kids with 4 very different sets of needs, and try to keep it altogether. No, I don’t have 19 kids like Michelle, but my struggle to handle everything is indeed real. My list of diapers, dishes, laundry, meals, cleanup, school lessons (in my case, homework), baths, hugs, kisses, correction, is very overwhelming. There are times where I just go to a quiet place (Ya right..there isn’t a quiet place in this house!) and cry, asking God how I am supposed to handle it all!
After reading Michelle’s story yesterday I prayed a different prayer..”Jesus, I need your help, I can’t do it on my own.. I know that the joy of the Lord is my strength! I will praise you in the middle of this crazy storm!” I felt at peace after praying this.
Today, i received a note in the mail (I Love getting letters in the mail!) from a very special lady. It said:
Hi Laura, I’ve recently found myself looking over papers, poems, special articles, etc that I've kept through the years. When I came across this one I thought of you and your role as a stay-at-home mom! After reading it you’ll again be reminded of the awesome privilege God has blessed and entrusted you with! I pray that you young mothers be blessed with the strength, patience, understanding and unconditional love necessary to fulfill this God given responsibility each and every day. Love ya!
The Poem was: "CONTINUE ON" by Roy Lessin
A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.
At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it" She often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?”
It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart. "You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.” Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. " But I notice." Most of what you give is done without remuneration. "But I am your reward.”
Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. Your children are precious to me.. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to me.
You may never be in the public spotlight, But your obedience shines as a bright light before me. Continue on. Remember you are MY Servant.
Do all to please me.
As I read this poem and note from this very sweet lady, I cried. My God used this woman to comfort me, to tell me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, and I am right where I am supposed to be! Some people say that it’s a coincidence, I say it is GOD. God uses people in big ways. We are all His children and he loves each and every one of us! He knew I needed His comfort. He knew exactly what to do so that I would know He is still there, that He still cares and that He will never let me deal with anything on my own!
Like Michelle Duggar said, “Remember mothers, where God guides He provides!”
Being a stay-at-home mom is not a glorious job. I am always wearing my yoga pants, deal with spit up, poopy diapers, millions of loads of laundry, dirty dishes, cleaning boys’ pee off of the toilets, breaking up arguments and I pray to shower at least every other day! But, there are times when I need to comfort my children because they get hurt, someone bullies them at school, they’re sick, or they just want a hug. Regardless of whether it’s a glorious job or not, it is my job. My job that GOD has entrusted me with, and I must do it to serve Him!
I so needed this touch of comfort from God today. I am so thankful that He listens to my cries! The joy of the Lord is my strength!