My daughter is the homeschooling mom of three little boys, and I am the caregiving daughter of a 93-year-old mom who has Alzheimer's. Both my daughter and I are weary, and the winter storm blanketing the midwest with freezing rain is not helping.
This morning I attempted to write an encouraging email for my daughter:
"I think we both need to wait on the Lord just awhile longer. We know He is at work on your behalf and mine. This is an in-between place where we are, by our faith in His faithfulness, enabled to abide in Him and trust Him. When we hound Him for quick solutions to the situations that cause us discontent, we block our ability to partake of His comfort and encouragement right now, right where we are, in the midst of all that is causing us the discomfort of stress. This time of each of our lives is temporary. If we can deal with the challenges of this season with grace, we can positively impact the timbre of seasons to come. Lord we pray for strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!"*
These thoughts came with understanding that the Holy Spirit-fueled virtues we are able to walk in today will bear positive fruit for seasons to come. It is worth the effort it takes to energetically exhibit kindness, patience, and love even as we walk the tightrope of disciplining, advocating, and exhorting according to the Holy Spirit's lead. And, we need to maintain the disciplines and joys of praise and thanksgiving, because these practices form the groundwork of our ability to exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Well, as my mama says, "It ain't easy, Breezy!"
No, it isn't easy, and there will be days when patience wears thin, tempers become frayed, and our hearts can't muster a single word of gratitude to our Lord. Another quote from my mom comes to mind: "There have been times when I let go of Him, but He never let go of me."
Thank You Lord, for Your abiding presence with us through every season of our lives.
~~~
*From the classic hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness
You are a wise mother! And a wondeful encourager. Some seasons do drag, but it is wise to remember that this, too, shall pass.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vee. Yes, it is so helpful to remember that this, too, shall pass, whether it's a short term bout with the flu that is so prevalent this year, or a longer caregiving assignment, or the intensity of a grief that is new.
DeleteThank you for sharing this, Linda. It is an encouraging reminder that God is with us and works in His own time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Merry Lu. "in His time...He makes all things beautiful in His time..."
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