Reveal

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Before the Backpack: 3 Scriptures I Pray Daily With My Boys

It's that time of year again... summer, which seemed so long when I was a kid- watching Elvis movies and Saved by the Bell... is now just a blink. And before you know it, you find yourself frantically gathering the long list of school supplies, clothes shopping, packing lunches and planning a morning routine that will get 4 boys where they need to be ON TIME. (Ok, that last part was just me- but I'm sure you can relate.)

Last year was my first experience releasing a child to public school- and that's exactly what it felt like. I dropped him off and watched him walk into the masses- praying he'd be alright. The first day he came home and told me about someone that had made fun of what he brought for snack. I was driving home, listening to him talk from the back of my van, with tears welling up. Because- I realized that I could no longer be right there to step in as his defender. Don't get me wrong... we should ALWAYS be our child's advocate. I'm all about a little MAMA-BEAR or MAMA-SMACK-DOWN when necessary. But, to avoid being the 'scary mother' at school, we have to choose our interventions wisely.

What's bigger? Even on my BEST day as Jadin's advocate, there is a God that loves him more and can defend him better than I. That's BIG. So- I started praying with the boys each day before school. And it has become just as natural to them as lining up to have their hair spiked up. I pray three scriptures and I have seen God's hand intervene on our behalf. Psalm 103:20 says that the angels hearken to the voice of his word. What does this mean? It means, angels respond when we pray His word!!!

1. Romans 8:5- I pray that my boys will walk according to the spirit of God. I pray that they will set their minds on the things that will gratify God. That they will make good choices with God in mind.

2. Psalm 5:12- I pray that God will surround the boys with favor as with a shield. That God will protect them and give them favor with teachers, administration and friends.

3. Proverbs 27:17- I pray that God will bring friends into their life who will sharpen them and make them better men.

Simple. Powerful. Pray the WORD.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Plan B

It doesn't take us long as mothers to discover the need for Plan B. One fun-filled night of walking a crying baby through the house should do the trick. We start with Plan A- FEED HIM. Then... when he still won't go to sleep, we go through our alphabet of plans until we reach Plan S- Sit down and Squall right along with him. It becomes ingrained in us to have a backup plan.

Why do you think our diaper bags are over-stuffed with Plan B's. Cheerios for the doctor's appointment that takes too long; changes of clothes for a potential diaper disaster; extra bottles just in case you're out longer than anticipated; and toys to distract him from the crying fit he might want to throw. As mothers, we always have a Plan B. Even if we forget a Plan B... there is usually another mother around or a grocery store stocked with Plan B's.

The problem with Plan B's, is that we get so used to always having a backup plan that we start to approach God with our Plan B. Sure, we pray for Plan A first... "God, you know my dream. You know the secret desires of my heart. You can do anything. You can make these things come to pass." But, then we feel the need to create a Plan B for God. "But, if that doesn't work out... I would be happy with __________. (fill in the blank)." And before we know it, we've talked ourselves out of Plan A and we're now settling and trying to talk God into our Plan B.

We do this to protect ourselves from the disappointment of not receiving Plan A. We need to think up a reason for God as to why he has not brought Plan A to pass. As if God NEEDS our Plan B because He's up there stumped as to why Plan A didn't work out. God is not stumped. The God of this universe can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Eph 3:20)

I think our prayers have gotten small. There's nothing inherently wrong with small prayers. But God is challenging me not to forget about the BIG prayers. The Plan A's. This world may be full of the need for a Plan B. But, God does not need our plan B. He only has a plan A. And it is the same yesterday, today and forever. Challenge yourself to pray for plan A. Plan B's may be vital in this world. But, they are worthless to God. He doesn't need to 'prepare' for anything. He doesn't have to run out to the store because he forgot something. He has everything he needs within himself. After all, he is the I AM. (Ex 3:14) He is Plan A. There are no other plans!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Make Peace with your Partitions...

When I have a baby, I feel like I lose my mind for about a year. On baby #1, I assumed this was because I was new to this whole mommy-thing and my in-experience was causing this identity-theft. You see... pre-baby, I was busier than a one-armed paper hanger. (I have no idea what that really means... but if it's good enough for Dolly Parton, it's good enough for me!) My college resume consisted of the following simultaneous activities... An 'A' student (I was neurotic about grades), captain of the cheerleading squad, resident assistant, drama coach for a large church, part-timer at Teen Challenge Girls home, part-time nanny, and somewhere in there, I became Jeremy's girl. I believe God allowed me to thrive during that time because it was just a great time in my life. But, a hard lesson was coming.

When our first child came along... I was taking care of him during the day and working in the evenings. Any time we tried to be involved at church during that first year, it was just a disaster. Our baby spit up... like, a lot. No matter what you did, spit-up hit the floor every few minutes. Within an hour of being at church, I would be covered in spit-up and wishing I could just go home where I could hide.... and shower. I didn't want to leave him in nursery, because I knew I would pick him up and find the nursery worker bathed in spit-up. All of a sudden, being involved, which came natural to me, felt so unnatural. And yet the sermons echoed about how we all needed to be more involved. I went home feeling guilty, wondering why I couldn't figure this out. The truth was, when I was home alone, taking care of my baby... I was a rock-star! No one could see me. But, I knew I was doing a great job. And when I tried to be involved outside of my duties at home, I felt stressed. Why was that? Why couldn't I keep up the way I used to?

I have had four babies now, and a definite pattern has developed. During the first year, I go through all that I just described. Then, sometime around his 1st birthday, a weight lifts off and I am able to jump back in full-force. Even better, I have figured out the purpose of this winter-like season in my life. God sets up partitions for us. Partitions that keep us safe, happy and at peace. If we are able to stay in the fence that God has set up for us, we experience peace and favor in life. This is true for our finances, our marriage, our mental and emotional health and our physical health. When we step out of this fence... it can leave us broke, divorced, tired, stressed and overweight. Maybe not all of those at once, but you get the idea.

The partitions around my life tighten up when I have a baby. This is God's divine purpose for MY life during that time. What I had the hardest time understanding, is that my partitions are for MY peace. It's so easy to look at other women and think... she just had a baby and she's already back in choir or she seems to be able to handle so much more than I can handle. In those times, I usually get all fleshy and think... anything you can do I can do better.... I can do anything better than you. I know I am the only one whoever acts like that. So, I'll repent alone here. But, I end up putting my hand in something that it has no business being in and it turns out really, really ugly. Every. Single. Time.

It's time to make peace with our partitions. Peace and joy is found within the fence God has set up for YOU. I put YOU in all CAPS so that YOU get the point that YOUR fence will NOT look like someone else's fence. And that is OKAY. I am standing inside of my baby #4 fence right now. And I have already hopped the fence a time or two and all I got out of it was scrapes and bruises. I know no one can see me... but at home, I am doing a great job. I am happy, fulfilled and at peace. I am in God's divine purpose for this particular time in my life. So, whatever it is your fence looks like right now... get inside of it. Let go of anything that is outside of the fence. I know it's hard when we hear all of the outside chatter... you should sign-up for this, volunteer for this, stay at home, go to work, blah, blah blah. But, turn your eyes and ears towards God and stay... I mean PLANT your FEET... in the place where he tells you to be. After all, he can't expand your partitions if you've left the yard!

~Ash

Saturday, May 12, 2012

My Life As The Bachelorette...

It was Date-Knight at Chick-FilA for moms and their sons. If you've ever wondered how many boys will fit into a booth, I can answer that burning question. I won the award for the mom with the most knights protecting her. And received roses from each of my bachelors. I'm sure there are other mom's in this city with as many or more boys than I... but none were quite as crazy as to travel out alone with four under the age of 6.

We decided a while back to make this night happen and it turned out to be just about the best Mother's Day gift a girl could ask for. The boys were super excited about it and wanted to be great dates for me. So, they took their cues from my main squeeze... their daddy. They opened doors, got me flowers and told me I was the most beautiful girl in the world. It was a great night.

I am well aware that each one of these little men will be a fantastic catch one day. But for now... their hearts belong to me. And I am one lucky lady. Happy Mother's Day ya'll!!!

Monday, May 7, 2012

The Little Things...

Today was one of those "special" Mondays. You know the ones... 'the car won't start because two helpful little boys left their reading lights on in the back' kind of Mondays. You have to sign your kid in late because of all the excitement. Under the judgemental eye of the front secretary, you want to suggest that there is not enough room under the "REASON" section to explain the tardiness... but instead you just put 'late' like all the other terrible parents. Then you stop into the grocery store to pick up a few things and step on the scale. After all, all of this working out and calorie counting should have made a difference by now. 3 pounds heavier you say??? Tears stream down your face as you stroll through the store. You throw in some ice cream for good measure. And if you've never had the privilege of listening to a child scream the entire way home for no apparent reason, you're missing out on a real treat! Sound like your Monday??? Okay, maybe it was just mine.

But, I decided it was better to keep working out and not give up-- I climbed on my elliptical and went to town. Afterwards, I hopped in the shower and saw this on the wall. It is the little things, isn't it?