A Choice

This past weekend my back started to give me fits, which usually leads to a "locked up back." I tried to make the minor adjustments in my routine, but to no avail. So on Monday morning I woke up to numbness down my leg. Well, my chiropractor is on vacation this week, but I got into a very gracious doctor. So, that appt filled yesterday morning, and I came home to ice my back while the boys were asleep. I say all that to share what led me to slow down enough to open a new book I recently purchased. The Mom Walk by Sally Clarkson. I just have grown to love her writings, and this is what I read while laying on the floor.

I realize that one of the roles God wants me to play in my children's lives is a conductor of joy, happiness, and celebration.......This doesn't mean I won't have difficulties and times of depression. But I do have choices I can make as a mom that will determine the environment of my home. When I choose to notice, everyday, the beauty of my children instead of the duties my children bring my way, I am worshipping God. WHen I choose to notice the gorgeous sunsets and the spring flowers in the midst of busy days, I am teaching my children to dance, so to speak, through their days. When I choose to beleive in the goodness of God and verbalize my love for HIm, and make an effort to provide delightful food, thoughtful cards, and moments of fun, I am showing my children a God they will be willing to serve - a God who delights in filling their deep desires for intimacy, happiness, purpose and beauty.

As I laid there, I was drawn to think, ok Lord, how can I do that RIGHT now with my back out, well, the chapter continued with:

There will always be things that could potentially threaten to overwhlem us. We have to make a choice to believe in God's ability to provide and so free us to celebrate. We must trust HIm to take us into His generous provision or we will allow life to demoralize us and we give our children instead a model and attitude of complaining and grumbling.

It was His perfect timing to encourage and literally pull me off the floor...after I was smacked in the face:-) but nonetheless, He gave me the strength to celebrate yesterday and today, and for that I'm grateful.