Come Away With Me

March 8, 2013 By

Every week or so, I feel a strong tug on my heart, a prompting from the Lord, to COME and GET AWAY with Him for awhile.  I may be dropping my kids off at school in the morning (it may have taken 14 years, but we are finally out of the baby/toddler/preschool stage!), and I hear His voice, quietly beckoning me to come on a walk with Him.

Come Away With MeSo I do!  I grab my journal and Bible (and camera!)—sometimes even buy a nice cup of coffee for the time—and I drive to a nearby park called Fox Run.  It is a beautiful place here in Colorado to just go and be.  Often I go early enough that it is just me and God.

I park the car and begin to pray over the time.  Then I jump out and start to walk the trails.  All the while, I am praying and praising—noticing everything around me.  I notice the turtle that bobs its head up above the water.  I notice the fallen acorn on the path.  I notice the color of the leaves and the markings (likely from deer and elk) on the trees.  I notice the sounds of the mama birds, as they tend to their babies.  And I watch the playful swoop of the falcon flying overhead, looking for a bite to eat.  I notice the sound of the rushing water.  And I begin to FEEL myself unwind.

All the pressure and strain from the days and the worries that had been so prevalent only moments before begin to fall away.  It’s like the song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus… “and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”  He calls us all out (and I believe that part of being called out is to physically GO OUTSIDE), to be with Him.  Aside from all the wonderful health benefits of walking and sunshine, there is a soul need that every mother has to be outside with our Savior….alone with Him.

After I have spent a goodly time warming up my muscles in exercise, I find a place to stop and begin to dig through the scriptures.  I often read aloud.  Oh magnify the Lord.  The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower, the righteous run to Him and are safe. Be still and know that I am God. Let everything that has breath, Praise the LORD!  Often I go through my Bible with no agenda. I just read wherever I land.  Sometimes I read through an entire book or chapter…sometimes I focus in on ONE power-packed verse.  Every time, it is God’s direct Word on the page spoken to my heart.

As I read, I communicate with Him.  I draw out a particular word and say, YES, Lord, I needed that reminder that you are with me.  You are for me.  You love me.  You care for me.  You SEE me.  You hear me.

I then begin to write whatever prompts I have from that time.  I write what I hear Him say to me in His Word and what I feel He is saying to me through the time walking and savoring His Presence.  I write what I fear.  I write what I know.  Then finally, I lay it all out at His feet and say, “I TRUST you, LORD.”

Finally, I sit in silence a few moments longer and listen.  I still everything that clamors.  And I listen.  Sometimes I hear only silence.  But it is a silence that creeps deep into my soul and my spirit feels His peace.

When I arise, I continue to think on what He spoke.  For He ALWAYS speaks….even in a whisper.  I walk and capture the pictures of beauty all around me—Colorado is an easy place to find raw beauty.  As I drive home, I ready myself for the day ahead.  I notice that ONE hour of time that morning changed everything—my thoughts, emotions, strain and even fears.

No matter what stage of life you find yourself, GET OUTDOORS and say YES to God’s daily invitation for you to come apart with Him for awhile. Be it five minutes or a few hours.  Say Yes and be BLESSED.

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Filed Under: Holly Smith, M.O.M. Devos Tagged With: , , , , 3 Comments

Changing Your Point Of View

July 12, 2012 By

Do know you moms who are currently avoiding their children? There’s no shame in it, because sometimes, I feel that way too.  Most tell me, “I don’t understand how you can stay home, you have a college education, loans up the wazoo and there are plenty of good daycares in town.”

I smile while biting my tongue. Only because I used to be one of them, actually I was hungry to prove to the world that I could do it all. After going back and forth about staying home, God planted my rear within the confines of my home, telling me this is where He wanted me.

A few months later, I was ankle-deep in dirty diapers and laundry piles. Having two children in two years, on top of caring for a special needs child put me over the edge. There were days when I never changed out of my pajama’s, the house was a mess, and I was feeling irritable, overwhelmed, and tired. Ill-tempered didn’t even begin to describe my mood.

Do you feel that way? Don’t give up, God changed my heart and perspective.  God created you with everything you need to survive and even flourish in the early years of mothering. If you’re feeling burned out, a bowl of your favorite comfort food, a hot bath, and a decent night’s sleep should get you feeling better.

In the meantime, here’s a few tips to get through those hectic days:

Regain Your Perspective

A mama who is focused on the loads of laundry, crumbs, clutter is one who is fixing herself up for a mental breakdown (believe me I’ve been there, imagine me sitting on the floor, bawling my eyes out because there are fifty loads of laundry and my son peed on them). We are the chauffeur, maid, chef, babysitter, and disciplinarian–but these are minor details in the midst of motherhood. If we focus on these areas of motherhood, we’re going to want out. Yes, those chores must be done, but it’s not the sum of who we are. Focus on why you became a mother in the first place. Focus on the greater purpose of mothering, not the little details (besides we have closets for that mess right?).

Focus On The Bigger Picture.

Why do I stay home with my kids?

1. It’s where God called me.

2. I want teach values, morals, that reflect what is most important me. No one else can do that, no one else can take my place.

3. I want to be there for all of life’s important milestones, first words, first steps, learning to ride a bike, accepting Jesus in their hearts, and learning hard lessons along with their pain. No one else can coach, counsel, or take my place.

4. I want my children to look back on their childhood with warmth and love. No one else can do that for my children (which reminds me, I need to run to the store so I can make cookies for after school this week–sorry, back to the point.)

5. I want to know my children inside and out. I want to be able to direct them on the path God has called them to. No one else can do that. Only I can see and encourage their God-given potential and purpose.

When the days are overwhelming and hectic, I think of my orignal reasons for staying home. Then I whisper to God to give me His perspective on the days events. Most of the time, as I review it with Him, I find myself laughing over the worst moments. Take a moment and remember Proverbs 31:28, Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. Then look out on your front porch, breath in, and remember the bigger picture of motherhood.

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Filed Under: Featured Guests, Heather Riggleman Tagged With: , , , , , , 4 Comments