And as this lesson has continued for me as the weeks have dragged on, I’ve come to understand that God, in part, is using lessons from this stage of parenthood to bring me deeper into His spiritual lessons about how He wants me to live life. I feel certain that He has given Dave and I the precious gift (and challenges!!) of children in part to vaguely reveal what it is He desires from us.
Romans 8:15-16 (msg) ~ This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
And as I am living the pain of separation and distance from Ryan this summer, I have felt called by God to stretch from this lesson even further and identify those things that are such blessings to see in my own children and to test whether these things from my Mom Heart reveal things that the great God of the universe, our personal Lord, Abba Father, desires from me … and boy-oh-boy do they!
Our Sunday School teacher asked if I would be willing to share the outcome of what the Lord was calling me to do with this pain and these realizations. So… prayerfully, here it is ... Perhaps it will be a blessing to you on your journey. There were parts of this exercise that were very convicting for me as my weaknesses and struggles were exposed yet again. But I just remind myself that embracing all this stuff with honesty and transparency is the approach He has promised will bring us out of darkness and fear and into the light and true love.
| What are the characteristics Ryan, Drew, Trey & Sean would display that my Mom Heart would find of great blessing & encouragement? | How might this insight from my Mom’s Heart reveal God’s own heart and desires for me? |
| PARENTS: Regular calls and visits to connect, share experiences and ponderings that are trivial, medial, and deep. At times to ask advice, at times to share joy, at times when support is needed … whatever the day brings. Gratefulness for the love, life, gift, and blessings we have provided. | GOD: Prayer and communion with Him are His deepest desires for me ~ regular connection, communication, and walking together on the journey of life. Not when I can ‘fit it in’ but as a priority of who I am. Gratefulness for the love, life, gift, and blessings He has provided. PARENTS: The pain I feel from this distance with our son reveals the pain that my parents feel when I am distant with them. Regular communication blesses them and should be a priority to me. |
| SIBLINGS: Quality relationships with brothers … no ridiculing or intimidating, but instead celebration of the unique individuals God created each to be. Priority of time together, playing around, relaxing, unwavering support through all. | CHURCH: My Lord wants me to have deep, meaningful, supportive, and fun relationships with my brothers & sisters in Christ… God has given them to me as family. |
| WIVES & CHILDREN: Fun, loyal, faithful, providing husbands to our future daughters-in-law and awesome fathers for our future grandchildren. | HUSBAND & CHILDREN: God longs for me to be a sacrificing wife and mother – loving, faithful, fun, and encouraging (and not too sensitive!) |
| FRIENDS: Special, fun, loyal, long-term relationships with friends… people with whom the journey of life is shared and where love and support are freely given back and forth. | NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS: Special, fun, loyal, long-term relationships with neighbors and friends… people with whom the journey of life is shared and where love and support are freely given back and forth. Borrow a cup of sugar? J |
| SCHOOL & WORK: Hard work and contributions in the classroom and workplace to bring value to employers, to steadily provide and care for their future families, and to give to others. | WORK: The Lord desires for me to be productive and to work hard… Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (Prov 6.6) |
| SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Participate regularly in church, Sunday school, bible studies, and missional communities in order to grow deeper in faith and more obedient to Him. | SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Participate regularly in church, Sunday school, bible studies, and missional communities in order to grow deeper in faith and more obedient to Him. |
| MINISTRY: Regular, gentle, humble service to the spiritually poor and needy in the areas of their unique passions, talents, and giftedness. | MINISTRY: Regular, gentle, humble service to the spiritually poor and needy in ministries where I’ve been uniquely gifted and called to serve. |
| THE WORLD: Conservative, saving, planning … not desiring material things and the wealth of this world… Plan and save for the future. | THE WORLD: Conservative, saving, planning … not desiring material things and the wealth of this world… Plan and save for the future. |
| HEALTH: Take care of their bodies in all areas ~ through healthy eating, hydrating, exercising, sleeping, and regular dental & medical care. | HEALTH: Take care of myself in all areas ~ through healthy eating, hydrating, exercising, sleeping, and regular dental & medical care. |
| The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Gal 5.6) | |
