Refuge for a Single Mom

Something was mentioned in an e-mail the other day that got me thinking about balance…

So many of us are out of balance – what can we do?  Is it possible to balance ALL of our responsibilities?

I am so out of balance right now.  Not enough sleep, not enough to eat, not enough ‘me’ time, and surely not enough ‘God’ time.

I’ve got a teen that seems to think staying put is a crime, because he is on the move constantly.  I’ve got a pre-schooler that has a selective hearing disorder.  Business is just slow enough to cause financial strain while gaining just enough momentum to create havoc.  My father fell and hurt himself which requires me to help him out and run him to various doctor and orthopedic appointments.  Youth group has begun at church and requires my attention, as do some redecorating issues.  We’re still looking for a house and trying to sell another piece of property.  It’s that season when grass must be mowed and vehicles need washed and vacuumed.  Most frustrating of all, my neighbors will never learn to park, but continue to buy countless vehicles!!!  Oh the joys!  Oh, and did I mention…I just might start dating again…yup…you heard that one right!  (Could it be?  Has the cynical, bitter, ex-wife found herself a man?  We shall see!  *wink*)

There are so many issues, worries, obligations and responsibilities pulling on me right now and I know that it is a time to prune!  I must, must, must prune away the responsibilities and obligations that are fruitless (so to speak).  Someone I love and respect very much talks a lot about this.  (Feel free to visit her at Small Business Moms’ Blog “…for tips, resources and encouragement...especially for newer work at home moms that wish to run their business from a biblical perspective…”)

Anyway, I won’t get into the particulars, but the point is this, we must balance our lives.  None of the things I’ve mentioned can be allowed to overcome or overwhelm us.  When things are out of whack or out of balance, that creates frustration, exhaustion and many other ‘gaps’ for the enemy.  When we are tired or hungry, lonely, harboring hurt feelings, all of these instances create vulnerability and allow the enemy to brutally attack us.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  John 15:2

If a branch is not bearing fruit – it is taken away.  I always have a very hard time with this.  I feel like I need to be everywhere I can, doing everything I can to glorify God.  It isn’t necessarily working out that way.  I thought that even if I wasn’t gaining anything that it was my responsibility to ‘give’.  The thing is, the vine is fruitless.

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  John 15:11

“…so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”  Not ‘sort of’ or ‘kind of’ or ‘somewhat’ – but FULL!

We are all just roaming around aimlessly, bogged down by all these wayward, crazy branches.  The other branches are trying to produce fruit, but desperately need pruned back so that they can grow healthier and fuller!

Limit yourselves sisters!  As Moms, we are all so used to doing everything ourselves.  We fix everything and nurture everything.  But the fact remains that we are human and can only do so much – even with God’s help.  Quit trying to be everything to everyone!  Instead, balance, prune and be FULL of His joy!

Labels: Anxiety, Choices, Restoration, Way of Thinking

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.  Deuteronomy 30:14

But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART "-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.  Romans 10:8

On Wednesday, our pastor, and the men of the church, prepared a fantastic Mother`s Day meal for us ladies.  They prepared a delicious mushroomy, cheesy, puffy appetizer thingy (that`s the `official` name now), crab soup and for the main course we had steak, mashed, garlic potatoes and asparagus wrapped in bacon!  Yum! Yum!  (Our pastor is quite the chef!)  They even served us!

It was a fantastic dinner.  We spent some wonderful time together with our mothers and children and we all ate until we were stuffed.  In fact, I spoke to the pastor`s wife on Thursday morning and we both still felt stuffed!  *smile*

Later that day, I got to thinking about how the Lord feeds us with His Word.  It is the `food` which our soul so desperately needs and hungers for.

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.  Job 23:12

You know how you get SO hungry that your stomach feels like it will jump out of your skin and serve itself?  I think our spirit can get that way too!

This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.  Psalm 119:50

Sometimes, when we are very busy or the trials of life are a bit overwhelming, we tend to neglect the needs of our spirit.  We think that we can handle the pressure on our own and off we go to `deal` with things.  Neglecting the one true nourishment we always need!

But when the sun sets, he will be clean, and afterward he shall eat of the holy gifts, for it is his food.  Leviticus 22:7

Maybe we just feel like our problems are too `today` for the words in the Bible?  Maybe we don`t think that the authors of the Bible anticipated the problems we`d face `today`?

23 For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.  THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,

25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”  And this is the word which was preached to you.  I Peter 1:23-25

You have been born again from a seed that is imperishable through the living and enduring Word!  The Word of the Lord endures forever!  The things of the flesh, like grass will wither and pass away.  The pain, suffering, disappointment and sadness of the flesh is temporary!  The Word of God AND His promises, however, they endure!  They last FOREVER!  Through EVERYTHING!

It doesn`t really matter what we are `hungry` for!  Whether it be peace, joy, love, friendship, companionship, our Father God in Heaven is the most readily available and constant source we will ever need!

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.  Proverbs 30:5

Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Psalm 136:25

That says`tested.  According to another translation it reads “proven to be true”.  It also says that His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Honestly, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word.  It is truly a manual for living a life pleasing to Him and for life everlasting.  

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  II Corinthians 9:10

It is also important to not only guide ourselves and trust in the Lord, but to share that with non-believers.  So many people out there are lost.  So many people think they are on the `right track`!  Maybe WE think we`re on the `right track`?  The only way to truly glorify God is to use His manual!  Feed your soul!  If you are confused, hurt, angry, lost, trust in His way!  It is a sure fire way to help yourself and those around you!

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.  I Timothy 4:6

Labels: Comfort, Discouraged, Encouragement, Learning, Restoration, Salvation, Victory, Way of Thinking

Since beginning my blog and developing a bit of a following, I`ve struggled as to whether I should write every day or not.  Don`t get me wrong!  I really enjoy writing this blog and it is a sincere and heartfelt goal of mine to reach out to other single moms.  (Or anyone that needs encouragement!)

This particular weekend, has been a bit trying in quite a few areas.  And, as I`ve mentioned before, I`m struggling to implement a schedule for my household and my business.  One idea I`ve had is to schedule differently for the weekends as that usually includes grocery shopping, visiting, church and household duties.

Therefore, I`ve decided to post Monday through Friday.  I spend quite a bit of time on my blog writing and once I feel led to a particular topic, I research Bible verses and try to learn as much as I possibly can on the subject.  Dedicating this kind of time does take away from other things, like my family and personal reading.

My Saturday and Sunday blog research time will now be dedicated to personal readings from the Word and any books that I`m attempting to read!  (Yes, anyone that knows me very well realizes how funny this is!  I am `attempting` about five books right now - all of which some very wonderful people have either purchased or recommended to me!)  I am NOT a book reader, but this is another personal task I am working on in order to exercise my brain and gain more knowledge and understanding of several topics!  *wink*

So, I`m really hoping that this won`t upset anyone or send anyone away.  I am very dedicated to this ministry that God has put on my heart.  I have been a single mom for a very long time – most of my adult life!  God has worked with me and molded me into something much better than what I was.  I have come very far along my path.  (Not nearly far enough yet, but we are all a work in progress.)  We are beautiful, wonderful daughters of our Heavenly Father and he has a plan for each one of us!

It is so hard sometimes to remember that you aren`t alone or that the world won`t end if you don`t` have an immaculate house!  Thing is, your Heavenly Father loves you SO much.  He sent His ONLY son to this Earth to die on a cross, wearing a crown of thorns, while being stabbed in the side, starved and ridiculed.  –Not to mention that they nailed him to a cross before they ever got started!  Could you imagine sacrificing your only son to save another?  How many of us can honestly say that we`d be willing to do this?

Well, that is a rhetorical question, but think on it!  Imagine!  Imagine how much God must love each and every one of us!  Because He DID!  He not only gave Jesus Christ so you could be saved, but He allowed Him to suffer!  To suffer for all of our sins so that we would never have to again!  So that we could go to the Father and repent and never look back!

I challenge you Sisters!  Repent and WALK ON!  Walk on to salvation!  To inner peace, happiness, joy, love, comfort, calmness and more!  More than you have ever known!

So, although I have no doubt that part of God`s plan for my life includes reaching out to my Sisters, I feel that it would be best to take a bit of a break every week and refresh and revive and spend a bit more time with my family, with myself and most importantly with God!

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.  Psalm 16:9

Labels: Rest, Restoration