It was the last few minutes before the girls' bedtime. Micaela had crossed over into the persona of an exhausted two-year old and adamantly refused to put pajamas on. Adela whined tiredly about not getting to finish setting up a Lego dinosaur zoo she was building. Anger and frustration blossomed into lies about my abilities as a mom and the personalities of my children. I've been through this scene a hundred times. Usually I just plow through it and grit my teeth. I skip reading a book, rush through prayers and lullabies, and shut their door firmly behind me. However, the other night I tried something new. I'm going through a series right now about self-talk by Karen Stubbs and so I took a deep breath as Adela went to brush her teeth and Micaela went to retrieve a baby doll. "Lora," I asked myself, "how are you doing?" As if a trusted friend had asked me the question, I answered sincerely, "I'm really tired tonight." Just like that, my eyes opened to truth. I was so very tired. My head was full of fog and my body was weary. I did not have the energy to pretend cheerfulness but I wanted to be kind. The truth turned into prayer and I asked God to help me. Feelings of peace and compassion rushed through my soul. The frustration and anger melted away as I acknowledged my true condition and my inability to achieve perfection. The miracle followed. I returned to my wrestling match with Micaela and the pajamas, but now, calm and kind, I got her ready for bed without yelling and ended with many hugs. I got through three pages in our chapter book, said prayers with sincerity, and sang their lullabies with love. I closed their door, still weary, but intensely moved by how powerful it had been to give myself compassion and ask God to come along side me. I think we all know what our red-flag moments are: those attitudes, thoughts, actions, and words that warn us that we have come to the end of ourselves. Dear Lord, I wish I would invite you in before I become too empty, but I am thankful You are always willing to come to me in my weakness. Have you ever stopped and taken stock of your own red-flag moments?
5 Comments
Becky
4/10/2021 05:06:33 am
Absolutely amazing ... thank you for the encouragement.
Reply
Kyla Gray
4/12/2021 09:28:30 am
Would you mind sharing what the study by Karen Stubbs is. it sounds like something worth looking at. thanks, k
Reply
Lora
4/19/2021 05:31:33 am
Absolutely. It is called "Self Talk" by Karen Stubbs. I watched the supporting videos on Right Now Media through my church's account. I will email you that link. Also, you can find all her material on https://birdsonawiremoms.com/
Reply
Denese
5/5/2021 10:51:41 pm
Spot on. You always have a way to help with the daily walk with the LORD!
Reply
Denese
6/15/2021 03:23:33 pm
You always help me remember the little things that make my walk with Christ amazing. Love this.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Click on the button above to receive newsletters, weekly encouragement
and a FREE resources. "...and God was already there with me."
The
|