You do what you have to do!!!

I think as a mother, wife and woman in general, we've all become used to just "doing what you have to do". You keep going, and going and going, but you start noticing that no matter how much or how fast you move, you just can't keep up with some things.

There's projects to be done, there's clothes to be washed, put away, floors to be mopped, dogs that need vet visits, cars that need to be serviced, and the list just goes on and on.

While reading my book, the third chapter entitled "Daddy's Lap" talks about the comfort of being in the Father's lap, much like watching your children sitting on your husbands lap, laughing and giggling, or crying and seeking some comfort. That is how we feel when we crawl into our Father's lap and cry over a problem we're having, a loved one we lost or a burden weighing heavy on our hearts.

Many times I've had people say to me "I wish I was as strong as you or had your faith". I smile, but inwardly I'm thinking "are you kidding me??? I'm not strong, I'm not that confident in my faith and I certainly don't have it all figured out and under control".

The author talks about times when she always felt that if someone needed help it was somehow her responsibility. Boy do I know that feeling, and I never trusted God to be the one helping, it's like I would challenge him to try and outdo me "come on let's see how fast you can get it done, I bet I can do it faster."
Sure, but I didn't do it right, I just added to the problem, and in the process disappointed God because again he had to remind me that "The battle is not yours, it is Mine".

Self-effort is ultimately self-destruction. Self-effort short-circuits God's purposes, robs God of His rightful glory and leaves me exhausted. (Exhaustion is God's reminder that we are not resting in Him).

Well when put that way, it makes so much more sense doesn't it???
You can crawl down from his lap after spending some time with Him, but as long as you move through the rest of the day, holding His hand tightly in yours, then everything will be ok.

Time Out

• What battles do you fight? Are you fighting a battle the Lord has not asked you to fight? If so, evacuate!
• Read II Chronicles 20. What is required to stand? What relationship do you see between standing and the psalmist's command in Psalm 46:10 to "be still, and know that I am God"?
• Be encouraged that in your battle, God goes before you and is with you.

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I woke up this morning with a sore throat and running a bit of a fever. I guess I got over my sinus infection but now I'm dealing with the remains of a summer cold. I could complain and cry and whine about it, or I could just go on and deal with it. I choose to just deal with it, really, I don't have energy to stomp my feet and yell and scream.

While watching "Super Nanny" yesterday (I'm sure some of you don't like her, but I do), I realized that I at times also talk to my kids in ways that are unnaceptable and mean. It's not that I deliberately set out to upset them, and honestly, after asking them or telling them to do something a gazillion times, you tend to loose your cool.
I think one thing that I learnt though is that it's all in the way you say things, wow, here I've been saying this for years and years. It's not what you say, it's HOW you say it!!!

So as much as it pains me to admit that I'm not the greatest mom in the world and that I mess up more times that I would like to.....I pledge to try my hardest to do what is right by my kids.
How could I not when I have these gorgeous faces in my life, every day.

So today this is what I have planned:

1. One load of laundry, wash, iron and put away
2. Dusting
3. Vacuum
4. Mop
5. Watch Brazil vs Ghana match
6. Make Boston Cream Cupcakes
7. Devotionals

Don't have a lot, and I'm hoping that me feeling sick today won't get in the way too much.

Yesterday I bid on a portuguese book on ebay, I'm so excited to get it. I've wanted to teach my kids portuguese for such a long time, and I think having some portuguese books to read to them will help too. Nothing would please me more than to have them be bilingual and also learn more about the portuguese culture. Wish me luck!!!

Well ladies, I'm all out of things to say and my head is starting to hurt, think it's time for some medicine and then get my day started. I really do hope you all have a wonderful tuesday and if you're going through some sort of trial or tribulation, I hope that you put it in God's hands and let him deal with it, or even better, hold on to his hand tightly and let him go through this day with you :)

God Bless,