A Good Day and Growing Up!

I had a truly blessed Mother's Day yesterday! It started with a sweet "happy Mother's Day" greeting from Emma before my eyes even opened. Travis took good care of me too, homemade french toast, fresh flowers for a vase and to plant and wonderful servant hood throughout the day. Our pastor gave a great message at church too that really spoke to my heart. It was based on this verse:

2 Corinthians 4:7-
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

He pointed out the profound implications this verse has for mothers as we are often chasing our version of what a "super mom" looks like, forgetting that we are weak jars of clay on purpose, so that "this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." The world tells us that if we work a little harder, do a little more (or at least appear that we are), then we'll see success, then we'll be happy. Or maybe when our kids get to the next stage...or the next, or the next, then we'll be better mothers. But the truth is, we should rejoice in our weakness because it leaves room for God's strength to be revealed, to be worked out in our lives despite us, so that others will look at us and give God the glory for the work He is doing in and through us. In a world that glorifies independence and self-sufficiency, God wants something a little different.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says,
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

There are so many times when I'm tempted to look around me, at other moms and feel less than, weaker than, somehow not as good, but God wants me to "boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." This is good news! This makes me want to draw near to Him, to bath in His Word, to talk with Him all day long, to abide in Him so that His power can be made perfect in my weakness! This takes away the temptation to compare, when I am living inside this truth, because it enables me to see Christ's power in the strengths of others and praise Him for them instead of being jealous. It enables me to learn from their strengths (God's strength through them) instead of feeling like a failure that doesn't measure up. I was also reminded that a branch can only bear fruit when it is anchored, attached, ABIDING in the Vine. Oh how I was/am needing these reminders, and such freedom is found there! It was a good day, and I praise God for using me, a weak, earthen vessel, in the lives of my children for His glory. I am praying for more of Him and less of me and that "His power would be made perfect in my weakness". Amen.
And here's a cute picture of Sawyer to end on a lighter note. He's taken an intense interest in the potty seat lately and "acting" like he's doing something on it, even the wiping part, it's so cute. But I've had enough experience to know that we're probably not that close to potty trained status yet;).