There is a mother whom I have been admiring since the day I saw her. Whenever I see her, she looks beautiful and pleasant, and always gentle and patient with her eight or nine children. Her children seemed always obedient, very thoughtful and helpful to each other. Surely, I thought, she knows some secret to be what she is and to parent so successfully! From the outside her parenting looked like an expert juggler’s play – fun, smooth…well…perfect!
During my harder mothering moments I often recalled her and wished to possess her wisdom, self-control and kindness. And I only had two little ones, while she had eight or nine! So, at the end of a long day of teaching, playing, cooking, cleaning, washing - and doing it all over again - I would wonder how she could do it all so well.
And then, about two months ago, I attended a mothers’ meeting where my friend was giving devotion. She said that every morning when she wakes up, she feels she cannot do it, cannot face the day with all its responsibilities and challenges. She said that every morning she cries to God – “I cannot do it, I cannot do it without you, Lord!” And He answers her each time. He continually and faithfully guides her through His word and prayer. She confessed she could not bear it all alone, but because of Him, she can do all things.
It was definitely an answer to my inner exclamations of “how can she do it?” It was an answer and an encouragement at the same time. In the busyness of the day, I often rush from chore to chore without sitting down to talk to Him until it is too late and I am out of steam and out of love.
Remembering my friend, I resolve to make daily prayer a priority. Because no matter how busy we are, after time with the Lord, we have His peace and His strength to face the challenges of the day.
"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me"
Philippians 4:13
