Being a "radical" at home.

I read Christianity Today's Her*meneutics blog with discretion since I find some of the content to be quite liberal but I did enjoy a recent article: Suburbia Needs Jesus Too.

The author addresses the "new radical movement, led by David Platt and other pastors" from the viewpoint of a stay-at-home mom in a "cookie cutter neighborhood".

I did read David Platt's book Radical a few years ago and enjoyed it's challenge to intentionally live for Christ and His kingdom. I still think it's a good read, but I thought the author of this article addressed one of the book's weaknesses and pointed out the significance of living out our Christian faith through the ordinary, seemingly mundane tasks of motherhood. After all, we can't all spend our days (nor are we called to) on inner city ministry or move across seas to be a missionary.

Being at home with my little one has been an adjustment in some ways - I wouldn't trade it for anything but I certainly do need the reminder from time to time that what I am doing is worthwhile service to God, pleasing to Him when I approach it and serve with the right heart.

Step back and remember, moms, we're raising up the next generation, and as Christians, we have the responsibility to teach and point our children toward God.

 I'm not sure what's more radical than that.

Our weakness, His power.

I ordered Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing several months ago and fell in love with this book as soon as I had skimmed through a few pages. It is meant to be a devotional book of spiritual truths for children but I read several reviews suggesting that adults would enjoy it as well, and I agree. Because sometimes it is truth taught in a very simple and direct way that effects us most deeply.

One morning recently, my heart felt so heavy with discouragement - I was thinking about family difficulties that are going on, about different things I am praying about but am still waiting for guidance in, feeling inadequate and truthfully just focusing too much on myself...on my own weaknesses and sins. 

My husband was sitting at the table with Joshua on his lap and I decided to get our book and read a portion. (Yes, Joshua doesn't yet understand the words I read to him but we're building habits and laying a foundation.) This is the chapter we were on:

LIFT OFF!

What does a rocket need to lift off and go zooming into outer space? It needs a launchpad.

Do you know what God's launchpad is in our lives - from which He can do ANYTHING?

Is it great faith? Our perfect record? Incredible courage? No.

It's our weakness.

God's power comes to us in our littleness, in our brokenness, in our not knowing, in our not being able.

And when God's power meets our weakness?

Liftoff!

My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

God's power made perfect...in our littleness, in our brokenness, in our not knowing, in our not being able. Amazing, isn't it?

It is peace breathed into my soul to know that my Heavenly Father is strong for me - He doesn't ask me to make myself strong and then come to Him.  Yes, I am weak, but that doesn't disqualify me from useful service for His kingdom. I can run to the Lord when I feel like I have nothing to offer and it is there, kneeling before Him, that He shows me it doesn't matter. He delights in showing His power through us, despite what we lack. He desires in us a childlike trust and dependance.

Simple truth, yet profoundly just what I needed to be reminded of.


"...be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

The other side of motherhood and lilacs.

We've had bad colds in the house the past few days. I thought I would add  this because it seems fitting with the sentimental post I did for mother's day, at least to show the real life not-so-wonderful moments of being mom!

Feeling particularly bad on Monday, I remarked to my husband several times that it was not fair to be sick and not have the luxury to sleep the day away or lie uninterrupted on the couch with a box of tissues, hot tea, and a movie. My baby was whiny and snotty, wouldn't sleep or nurse well and didn't want to be anywhere except my arms, and was even fussy there. I did my fair share of complaining and whining myself so I guess we were a good pair.

Yes, motherhood is not all cuddles and sweet moments and gushing sentimentality!

Yesterday I felt a bit better and had to go outside to take a few pictures of our lilac bush before the blooms fade away.

I love lilacs and they just don't last long enough. I filled an old green-glass vase with a few bunches and put them on my living room coffee table and they've filled the room with their scent.

Today it looks like rain and I'm planning on catching up on some cleaning indoors. Somehow the return of normality and feeling better makes me itch to get things in order again. My upstairs bathroom has been neglected to an embarrassing extent. I've been thinking I may need to start assigning certain cleaning chores to specific days to help me get them done. I just seem to get preoccupied with other things! Do you work from a cleaning schedule or are you a fly-by-nighter?

Speaking of preoccupied, I am also finishing up preparations for my sister's bridal shower this weekend. I'm so excited about this! I might take some pictures to share.

Today.

Here I was last fall, waiting with so much anticipation, longing to finally hold our little boy in my arms, to breathe in his smell and touch his soft face and tell him how much I loved him.

And now I can hardly remember what it feels like to not be a mother! I had no idea then how love for a child can fill your heart till it physically feels like it might burst.

The past six months of being "mommy" have been indescribably sweet... I can't imagine life without our boy.

Amidst all the typical mention of motherhood leading up to today, one thing has been heavy on my heart: it is a privilege to be a mother.

 I don't take this role for granted. I know of many who long for a child and are still praying, still waiting. My heart hurts for them and I pray for grace for these women on a day that surely must make the pain a little deeper.

I truly thank God for his gift to us of Joshua. Words just can't express how much I love this little one and how I long to be the best I can be for him, the most God desires me to be.

Thank you my sweet baby, for making being your mama such a joy.


And I can't post on Mother's Day without mentioning my own mom, who's example has shaped me in so many ways. I love you, mom!