easy yoke

Lately, I have been so aware of my need for God when it comes to being a mom, or I should clarify: a stay-at-home mom. There is absolutely no other job I'd rather have than to be home with Stella, but that doesn't mean my life is rainbows and butterflies all the time. I'll borrow the words of Coldplay to describe how I feel about staying home: "nobody said it was easy; no one ever said it would be this hard." To be responsible for a 100% needy toddler (although she still seems like an infant to me) is hard work. When she is sick, like she has been for the last five days, it is even harder, but I have found myself praying more. I am praying for patience and wisdom how to best take care of her. Today I made an appointment with the pediatrician because Stella didn't seem to be feeling better even though she had been on an antibiotic since Sunday for her ear infection. Then she developed a rash. She was fussing constantly. Crying. Not eating well. The doctor said the rash looked viral. It will clear up soon on its own. She said I could stop with the antibiotic since it was being so hard on her body (hello, diarrhea!) and since her ears now looked fine.

Just as Stella depends completely on Brett and me, so should I be depending on God as his child. Without God, I can no more do this mom thing than I can fly or lift up a car. To think I can do this on my own strength is ridiculous. The other ladies in my small group and I have been reading A Praying Life by Paul Miller. The book has been such a palm-to-head reminder that we must pray without ceasing - big or small things - they all matter to God. Knowing I have a channel of communication with the creator of the universe through his son is comforting. Everything is possible with him. I have a relationship with him in both the challenging and easier times of life. He will give me grace and resources to handle whatever direction he leads me.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear\ What privilege to carry everything to God in prayer\ Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear\ All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.