Clinging to Him

Today has been one of those days...I knew as I got out of bed that it was going to be a tough day. I knew I was starting my day already behind and I knew I needed Him to see me through. I read II Corinthians 4:8,16-18 before it was completely light outside, after I had exercised. I prayed that I could apply these verses throughout my day and shared with Eric what I had read. He opened up his Bible and read Matthew 11:28-30 out loud to me and prayed with me before he rushed off to work, many stresses of his own ahead in his day at work. I started my day close to God and had a feeling of peace as I faced my crew of energetic blessings.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Fast forward exactly two minutes! I am overwhelmed, Katherine and Mary are at each other, all are hungry, house is a disaster from the busy weekend, twins are into a bag of chips from the pantry, the phone is ringing, Lizzy is nowhere and it is time for breakfast, "Lord, I just can't do this, I can't keep up, everyone needs me, please help me now!" Against my better judgement I give one of the twins a glass plate which crashes to the floor, Mary is sent to her room, I open The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos and begin to read to the girls about Adam and Eve being sent out of the Garden of Eden...about how hard they had to work from that point on just to eat and live...

Yes, this life here on earth is tough and everyone has something hard to deal with. I know as I sit down to write at the end of this horrific, overwhelming day that Satan knows how to bring me down. I was defeated today, I felt like running away from my life and given the option I probably would have at least taken a couple of quiet hours to myself to make a to do list, collect my thoughts, breath, have an ice blended mocha! Since time away was not possible I slogged through the morning feeling more and more sorry for myself and quickly forgetting the amazing assurance and power that I had received in my quiet time with my Lord. Life is good, with so many things to be thankful for.

Thinking back through my day I can see the many times He was right there beside me giving me patience, energy, the right words offered to a wee one, and opportunities to minister to my children's hearts. I cried a lot today and was reminded by my wonderfully thoughtful husband that I was yoked to my Savior. Satan did get the better of me several times today, but as I sit here in peacefulness I know I was not crushed by him for I was clinging to God and I found rest for my soul in Him.

Things I am Thankful for Today...
*A gentle God that is patient with me.

*My five amazing and tender-hearted children that are full of life, healthy and passionate about life.

*My husband, that he loves me no matter what and believes in me even when I completely doubt myself.

*That we decided to go for number four and were doubly blessed with Thomas and Caroline(enjoyed slowing down enough today to video tape them talking...pricesless!)

*An aggressive quarral between Lizzy and Mary that opened up the perfect opportunity to really have a heart to heart with the two of them about habits that have formed and behavior that needs changing, the time ending with all of us in tears and me crying out to God for help in mothering and mentoring these precious hearts.

*Witnessing Lizzy forgiving Mary and telling her that "Old Spotty" had been in her heart and she just needed to tell him right then to Get Out! (Old Spotty is the name for Satan in the book Thee Hannah by Margarite de Angeli)

*Katherine who is such a cheerful helper. She stepped right in today and entertained the babies, comforted her sisters and managed to have time to get her math done and the book she was reading finished too. Thank you Katherine, you are amazing!

So...here is to a fresh start tomorrow, but still clinging to Him or rather yoked to Him.