I love that song!
Sitting on the old, hammond organ bench at church over six years ago, I'd prayed for months that the birth of my baby daughter would be uncomplicated and fully natural. As I sat there that Sunday morning playing this beautiful, old song, I felt an assurance from the Lord that my prayers were heard and would be answered accordingly.
As Mary did, I pondered those things in my heart and didn't really share that feeling with very many people as my previous delivery with my son was quite complicated.
Sure enough, a few months later, she came just as He promised. Fully natural....completely uncomplicated. Since that moment, the power of those words in this song has always been precious to me.
Today it became real again.....
It's raining outside. The unusually cool, damp air doesn't beckon my children to come outside and play. Last night was spent rocking sick baby....crying...praying...all those things that make your 36 year-old body seem 40 years older. I knew when my tired eyes opened that it was going to be one of those days.
If you are a mother, whether of 6 months or 50 years, you know this feeling!
I lay in bed thinking of ways to preoccupy my school age children and keep twin 2 happy and safe while I rested. That's a hard one! I thought. Though, the real obstacle was not my children...but that tired, easily frustrated attitude I get when I've had a really bad night.
I knew it was going to be difficult today. Maybe, if I just stay in bed and forget everything. No, that's not an option. Well, let's see how long well baby stays in his crib and plays while sick one lays with me. That was good for about 30 minutes.
"Mommy....mommy...up....mommy....eat", his soft whispers drifted to my ears. He knows not to be too loud as his sleeping brother snuggles beside me. I couldn't resist. Ok, my love bug, here I come. Stretching my weary legs, I glanced at the clock...8:38am. Mmmmm, getting a very late start today. Too much to do to sleep any later!
I just know it's going to be one of those days.
The morning came so quickly...breakfast...beds made...showers...dressed and ready for quoting and school. Mom is foggy. It seems that no one is cooperating like I want them to. Kids sense my weariness. Fussing begins...naggings...phone calls..emails...all those necessary things that pull my attention a way from what's really important: loving my kids.
The air becomes thick with depression. Routine is gone. House becomes a scattered toy box.
I rush upstairs to check that important email. One of my favorite blogs have been updated. The sound of classical piano music begins to unwind my frayed nerves. As I began reading, I knew the Lord had sent this to me. It spoke to my soul.
I pull away from the computer desk, reach for the Bible sitting closely by and kneel down in surrender to the only One that can make this day better....make ME better.
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28
Weeping and listening to Him speak His love language through the His Word., I felt my spirits lift as if the weight of the day had floated right through the ceiling. Jesus was reminding me that a mother's real job was to show her children how to serve others. Love. Isn't that the epitome of what a Mother is? Joy is a by-product of that simple word.
Real J.O.Y. is this: Jesus first, Others second, You last.
I ran downstairs with a smile on my lips and a song on my heart. I guess you already know what that song was....
Quickly making a big teapot full of hot chocolate (you know me..the healthier stuff), gathering my little chick-a-dees around me on quilted couch, we read those verses in red. We talked about and discussed that scripture setting. Their bright eyes twinkled as they grasped the meaning of it all. I could see excitement. They asked questions. They wanted this. That's what I call real home education!
Something in that moment changed the atmosphere of our home. Though it rained and poured on the outside there was sunshine and love in our warm, cozy house.
My desire is that one day they will learn this beautiful lesson and snuggle with their children on a fluffy couch with hot chocolate and Bible in hand.
Just a little talk with Jesus really makes everything all right!
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