TUMBLED

     I love "before and after" pictures!  Maybe it's because my husband has a renovation company -- I've watched with wonder, for years, what happens when permission is given to tear down the old and replace it with new.  The results are always amazing (and so is my renovator).

     But this week, I experienced a new type of "before and after", while visiting with a friend.  She introduced me to their rock tumbling machine, showing me what the rocks look like before they go in and then the gorgeous examples of what comes out at the end.  The "after" is so stunning, it's hard to fathom they came from the "before" rocks.

     When I learned the process takes a whole month of their machine running non-stop, 24 hours a day, only pausing to add different grades of grit, I was even more impressed.  That's 720 hours of being tumbled.

     Have you ever felt "tumbled" as a mom?  I have.  In fact, I relate to the 24 hour a day feeling too, don't you?

     Sometimes I feel like one of the rocks in my friend's machine.  I think these tumbling experiences will never end...I'm sure the "grit" I'm dealing with couldn't possibly do any good in my life...and I'm positive the end result may look worse than the beginning.  But that's because I'm the rock; not the operator.

     God is the "operator" in our lives and He allows us to be "tumbled" from time to time because He's in the process of making something very unique and beautiful in each of us.  Often we can't see past the grit and chaos to appreciate the beauty; but it's there.  The "before" and "after" pictures promise something stunning...but we can't quite see that far yet.

     That's the joy and challenge of motherhood.  We're often being "tumbled" but our wildest dreams can't conjure what good could be in this for us...but God can!


     As I've stumbled through certain weeks, I sometimes find myself wondering if God remembers that He's left His tumbling machine turned on, with me in it.  But the Bible tells us in Romans 8 that, "In ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him," and this truth reminds me that God never tumbles anything in my life without reason and purpose.

     If you're feeling "tumbled" this week, take time to stop and reflect on some truths from God's Word that will remind your heart that God is in charge.  He will not let you be tumbled longer than necessary.  But He is in the process of creating a masterpiece of a mom!

"So (Jeremiah) went down to the potter's house, 

and I saw him working at the wheel...

then the word of the Lord came to me.  

He said...'Like clay in the hand of the potter, 

so are you in My hand.'" 

Jeremiah 18:3&6   

Curbing the Challenges of Sundays

Sometimes I feel that when God instructed us, as Christians, not to forsake gathering together (i.e. going to church) - as stated in Hebrews 10:25, He should have exempted families with babies and young children.  Have you ever noticed that you can get "x" number of kids out the door to a doctor's appointment for 9 am but to get out the door by 10 am on Sundays can be a significant challenge?  Do you wonder why that is?  I have a few suggestions as to the "why" of this, but I also have found some things that have helped me with the "how", as well.

I remember reading in a survey done by Dr. James Dobson, that couples felt they experienced an increased number of fights and frustrations on a Sunday morning compared to the rest of the week.  I have also heard many moms share that the stresses of any given Sunday, seem to be increasingly more challenging than those of an average morning.  And lastly, I have lived through a number of overwhelming Sunday mornings myself and can testify that they can be very hard.  Why would that be?  I would have to presume that the number one most important reason for the stress and challenge of Sunday mornings is the reality of the spiritual battle.  Now I know that brushing hair, giving baths, cooking eggs and putting on some nice clothes on your children might not feel very spiritual - but the enemy is aware of our purpose in all those things and that is where the battle comes in.  Why would Paul go to such efforts in II Corinthians 2 to remind us that, "We are not unaware of (Satan's) schemes," if there wasn't a battle to be fought?

The battle for Sundays, I believe, is real but it should not overwhelm us.  I have found that the greatest mornings of fellowship and worship I have experienced usually followed the mornings I have had to "fight" to get my children ready and out the door, while keeping my marriage healthy, and in tact.  In fact, I find in most areas of life - where there is no battle - I am often just coasting and not growing anyway.  Do not be discouraged by this - in fact, it should put great courage into us when we think of the flip side of it all...if the enemy is going to such lengths to keep us away, it is probably the place we need to be more than anywhere else.

I think another challenge that comes with Sunday, for me anyway, is the practical part of knowing I have gone hard all week and I feel the need to have a day that I don't have to push so hard.  Ideally, Sunday is a day of rest and if we plan well enough, we don't need to be working too hard - but we do need to be realistic in our timing.  As long as we stay aware of the number of things that need to be done before we walk out the door on time, things can stay on track quite well.  But it does require letting go of the selfish side of the "I deserve.." thoughts.

Lastly, do not let the thoughts of discouragement stay in your mind.  You may be tempted to reflect on thoughts of, "Well, I am only in Sunday School (or Nursery, etc) anyway - what is the point?"  Serving in the church is just as much opportunity to faithfully sow into what God has for you, as being in the worship service.  If you have young children and wonder - "Why Bother?", take a few minutes and read an old post here...(http://www.myheartathome.com/2010/03/why-go-to-church.html)

Be blessed as a family, and don't let the enemy keep you away from where God knows you and your family need to be.  It is worth the pressing in and the fight.  Remember how Hebrews 10:25 ends, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching." God will return and it may be soon - keep on, keeping on!