More than enough
>> 4.13.2009
Devotional for April 13-19, 2009
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 8 NIV
Making the transition from a full time working woman to a stay at home mom of three boys was not always an easy task. It all sort of trickled with returning home after an emergency c-section for my third son, experiencing “baby blues”, being stationed in a new state and city, along with my husband often being shipped out on “exercises” and eventually deployment. All of this was experienced in just the first two months of my new journey at home. Often times I would sit on my bed and wonder what in the world had I gotten myself in to.
There were many times I thought I was just loosing it all. My mind was scattered, nothing seemed to flow the way I thought it would, and I was just tired. Then it didn’t help that my eldest son was beginning to be openly defiant. It wasn’t suppose to be that way. Right? Several times I thought about going back to work just so that I would be able to get out of the house and get away from it all. Then just as soon as that thought would pop into my mind, guilt would wash over me. Surely a “good” mom would be able to handle all of this. I was just trying to make it day to day, in many cases moment to moment. How in the world did mom’s do this? Maybe I heard God wrong when He called me to transition from the classroom to the home? Did God really equip me to handle this?
I cannot tell you how many times I thought that I was not able to be the kind of wife and mother I felt my family deserved. Nor could I say how many times I would go to God feeling insecure, tired, needing Him. Yet, time and time again, God was always there reminding me that He did indeed fashion me and equip me for my husband and my children. He was always there to encourage me that in Him I am able to succeed. This is one of the reasons why I can relate to words that Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9: 8.
No matter the situation, the challenge, or task at hand, God has given us ALL that we need. He gives us everything that is needed for our welfare. Just read the beginning of the verse, “And GOD is ABLE. . .” present tense. That means our God NOW is able to provide us with everything we need. He gives us the peace, the guidance, the motivation, the strength, the help, EVERYTHING we need. God is the ultimate giver. Just keep reading that God makes sure that we in “all times” we have “all things”.
When I learned to continually seek God for what I needed for this phase of my life, I was finally able to truly enjoy the journey. I went from overwhelmed, guilt ridden, and at times quite angry to being able to laugh, to have patience, to be thankful and so much more. With each part of the journey we all have we can choose to be trampled by the weight of it all or choose to stay reminded that God is always able and as long as we stay in Him, we can too.
My Lord and Savior, I cannot thank you enough for all the times you heard and answer my cries. Thank you for always providing your loving arms for comfort and your word for encouragement. In the times that I may feel that I am unworthy, unable, or unequipped, I know that your word says that I am more than able. I pray that I may keep your words continually pressed upon my heart so that if those thoughts come to mind, that I have the authority to cast them down. Thank you for fashioning me in your image. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Suggested Weekly Reading
Monday 2 Corinthians 9: 8
Tuesday Ephesians 3: 20
Wednesday Isaiah 40: 29
Thursday Philippians 4: 13
Friday Proverbs 22: 9
Saturday Psalm 46: 1
Sunday Psalm 73: 26
Application
Trust God that in Him you are able to complete the tasks that He has put before you.
Making the transition from a full time working woman to a stay at home mom of three boys was not always an easy task. It all sort of trickled with returning home after an emergency c-section for my third son, experiencing “baby blues”, being stationed in a new state and city, along with my husband often being shipped out on “exercises” and eventually deployment. All of this was experienced in just the first two months of my new journey at home. Often times I would sit on my bed and wonder what in the world had I gotten myself in to.
There were many times I thought I was just loosing it all. My mind was scattered, nothing seemed to flow the way I thought it would, and I was just tired. Then it didn’t help that my eldest son was beginning to be openly defiant. It wasn’t suppose to be that way. Right? Several times I thought about going back to work just so that I would be able to get out of the house and get away from it all. Then just as soon as that thought would pop into my mind, guilt would wash over me. Surely a “good” mom would be able to handle all of this. I was just trying to make it day to day, in many cases moment to moment. How in the world did mom’s do this? Maybe I heard God wrong when He called me to transition from the classroom to the home? Did God really equip me to handle this?
I cannot tell you how many times I thought that I was not able to be the kind of wife and mother I felt my family deserved. Nor could I say how many times I would go to God feeling insecure, tired, needing Him. Yet, time and time again, God was always there reminding me that He did indeed fashion me and equip me for my husband and my children. He was always there to encourage me that in Him I am able to succeed. This is one of the reasons why I can relate to words that Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9: 8.
No matter the situation, the challenge, or task at hand, God has given us ALL that we need. He gives us everything that is needed for our welfare. Just read the beginning of the verse, “And GOD is ABLE. . .” present tense. That means our God NOW is able to provide us with everything we need. He gives us the peace, the guidance, the motivation, the strength, the help, EVERYTHING we need. God is the ultimate giver. Just keep reading that God makes sure that we in “all times” we have “all things”.
When I learned to continually seek God for what I needed for this phase of my life, I was finally able to truly enjoy the journey. I went from overwhelmed, guilt ridden, and at times quite angry to being able to laugh, to have patience, to be thankful and so much more. With each part of the journey we all have we can choose to be trampled by the weight of it all or choose to stay reminded that God is always able and as long as we stay in Him, we can too.
My Lord and Savior, I cannot thank you enough for all the times you heard and answer my cries. Thank you for always providing your loving arms for comfort and your word for encouragement. In the times that I may feel that I am unworthy, unable, or unequipped, I know that your word says that I am more than able. I pray that I may keep your words continually pressed upon my heart so that if those thoughts come to mind, that I have the authority to cast them down. Thank you for fashioning me in your image. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Suggested Weekly Reading
Monday 2 Corinthians 9: 8
Tuesday Ephesians 3: 20
Wednesday Isaiah 40: 29
Thursday Philippians 4: 13
Friday Proverbs 22: 9
Saturday Psalm 46: 1
Sunday Psalm 73: 26
Application
Trust God that in Him you are able to complete the tasks that He has put before you.
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5 comments:
I really appreciate your honesty where your feelings on returning to work would be concerned. I do believe you made the right choice. :)
Very nice and TRUTHful devotion. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 8 NIV
We don't get the grace to make it through any circumstance until we encounter that circumstance. When we look back we can see that Yes, God was there the whole time cheering us on:)
very true at how God helps us.
I think we all struggle at times with where the Lord has us. Yet He is so faithful to work in us and to change us as we go through those difficult times. Often He calls us to give up something and do something different and we feel inadequate. And yet He shows us over time that we truly are in His perfect will.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Karen
http://daily-devotionals.com
Just a quick note to inform you that this article was included in the May edition of 'Christian Family Information Exchange'-Blog Carnival. http://olinepublishing.blogspot.com/2009/05/christian-family-information-exchange.html Great article-send more! Thank you and God bless!
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