There Can Only Be One...
Lucy finally got quiet last night about a half hour after I laid her down. When I went in to check if she had Houdini-ed herself out of her swaddle blanket, I had a mommy moment and just stood by her crib and watched her sleep. All the while standing in wonder at how tiny and perfect she is...until I freaked out when she rolled over and hit the deck like a bomb went off! If she makes eye contact, it's all over...
I really try to be that sentimental, nostalgic, ooey gooey mommy, but those moments are usually few and far between. I am not going to lie and say that I enjoy being up every two hours and changing poopy diapers at 3:30 in the morning. I will always be honest with you and tell you that her only saving grace is the sound of her hard earned laughter and sweet smiles. I love being a mom. I love being a stay-at-home mom. It truly is the greatest job in the world. But I am also a realist. I know (and you know) that kids are not always a walk in the park -- they are hard work! And messy! And sticky! And generally wildly unpredictable!
The motto in our house is "There is only one winner." Okay that isn't our official family motto, but I came up with it last night while in a sleep deprived zombie like state. It's usually a toss up between Lucy and I, but I think I am starting to gain the upper hand. I made the comment to my husband last night, "I am going to get that girl on a schedule even if it kills me!" His reply, "It just might." Thanks for the vote of confidence, my dear.
The same goes for our spiritual life as well. There really is only one winner. Either the Spirit wins or the flesh wins.
I really try to be that sentimental, nostalgic, ooey gooey mommy, but those moments are usually few and far between. I am not going to lie and say that I enjoy being up every two hours and changing poopy diapers at 3:30 in the morning. I will always be honest with you and tell you that her only saving grace is the sound of her hard earned laughter and sweet smiles. I love being a mom. I love being a stay-at-home mom. It truly is the greatest job in the world. But I am also a realist. I know (and you know) that kids are not always a walk in the park -- they are hard work! And messy! And sticky! And generally wildly unpredictable!
The motto in our house is "There is only one winner." Okay that isn't our official family motto, but I came up with it last night while in a sleep deprived zombie like state. It's usually a toss up between Lucy and I, but I think I am starting to gain the upper hand. I made the comment to my husband last night, "I am going to get that girl on a schedule even if it kills me!" His reply, "It just might." Thanks for the vote of confidence, my dear.
The same goes for our spiritual life as well. There really is only one winner. Either the Spirit wins or the flesh wins.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24 KJVHow can you live for God, while still living in the old ways of sin? I asked my husband last night, as we were reading together in Galatians, "Why do you think people go back to old sins?" I don't think there is a definitive answer other than the fact that we will always have to fight the flesh. The desire to serve our earthly pleasures above and beyond God. It sometimes saddens me how much difficulty I have breaking old habits. It is sobering to think that God sees and knows our actions and hearts daily. He sees the smile on the outside and hears the much darker thoughts on the inside. Daily we are called to repent and remove any iniquity that might be between us and the Lord.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." Psalm 51:10-12My prayer is that the Spirit will win in my life today. That I will have the self-control and perseverance to put away the flesh. It is a battle that can be won. But it must be fought daily. Which reminds me...I have to go prepare for Round Two with Lucy...
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Love.... Battle of the WILL! When Moses gets that certain way, and you know what "way" I mean. I have said to him countless times "Who is not afraid of you?!?" His blank angry stare prompts me to remind him that the answer is me. "I am NOT afraid of you" I say in reply. I think it does him and mostly me a lot of good to remind us that despite his wit, strength, and general way of having and doing what HE wants I am his mom who loves him so desperately that I will fight to the death. I will fight to the death of his earthly will to ensure that is eternal spirit can flourish. How much more does and has our heavenly father fought for us... 24/7 365. I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thought, Jessica! Our heavenly father most certainly fights for us! Being a mom has definitely changed my perspective about how much he loves us!
ReplyDelete