This morning I woke up early to spend time with my Father. I go to our spare room and get down on my knees. I raise my eyes and see the clouds of tropical storm Lee racing by. How awesome.
“Thank you, Lord! How beautiful.”
And at that moment I was pierced to the heart.
My eyes were opened to how cruel I had been to my children. I don’t know about you but my beautiful daughters are often coming up to me and saying things like “thanks Mama! You make the best peanut butter and jelly!” or “Mom, you did such a good job with the dishes!” My children are crazy grateful. And you know what I usually do? Roll my eyes thinking they’re just trying to compete for my attention or something. How wrong, oh how wrong I’ve been! There is so much to learn from our little ones! I pray I too can have such a grateful heart. Instead of always assuming there are wrong motives behind someones affection. With a broken, repentive heart and tears washing down I began to read His word.
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
{2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV}
Those storm clouds moved quickly. Their design and beauty delighted my heart. I showed my thanks. Do you think God rolled His eyes at me and said “darling, those are just some clouds. Get over it.” Or do you think it pleased Him to have a daughter that was thankful, even for the small things?
I continued to read on.
As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
{2 Corinthians 7:9 ESV}
I want you to know that I am an open door. There are very few things I will keep hidden. So that’s why I’m sharing this struggle with you. I am praying that if there is someone who also needs their eyes open that your heart will also break. Our children are just that. They are children. Beautiful and innocent. Not yet corrupted by the unforgiving ways of the world. Let them stay little. Encourage their hopes and dreams. Though they may seem immature and silly to us because we’ve been so hardened by life. Protect these young ones. Let others call you over protective. You are raising up an amazing army for the Lord. Don’t let the enemy into His camp. You fight your hardest and keep these little ones pure. Listen to what they have to say and always, always, always encourage.
Blessings!
