Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God...for real!

Wow. I started reading this book on January 1st and I feel like I have an overwhelming joy growing inside of me for the first time in a while. Through this author, I have already learned so much more about myself, my marriage and being a Godly mom.

I wanted to share three things that have blessed me in the first three chapters in just three days...(using the authors scripture references and some of her quotes)

**Preface: I am horrible at grammar. Let's be honest, I can not recall any of my high school English classes because somehow I talked my way out of all of them to go paint signs and run-thru's for cheerleading. Being co-captain was a big responsibility you know. So I apologize that probably all of my commas and quotations are horribly wrong. Please still be my friend!

-First, I have learned more about stillness. How often do you just get quiet? How is it that I expect and long for God to so boldly speak to me, yet I have all this noise and clutter surrounding me. Isaiah 30:15 says, "This is what the Sovereign lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, and quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it'". Mary wrote, "Many times the noise I refuse to quiet is my own, coming from deep inside me. Its voice utters words like "should," "you'd better," or "so you can cross that off your list." When I listen to these voices, I am more apt to snap at my children's innocent needs or miss a friend's nonverbal plea for a listening ear." Psalm 107:28-30 " Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought the out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven". I want to be still. I want to be quiet. I want to give God the opportunity to take me by the hand and guide me because I honestly haven't slowed down enough or relaxed enough to just let him. I can't wait to go where he takes me.

-Second, I learned more about being glad. Mary, the author, told a story about how one day she asked her daughter to go clean her room and instead of whining, her daughter said she would be glad to. She compared this to how much God must delight when we perform our motherly duties (or woman / wife duties) in a like manner...being glad to. I have struggled with being a SAHM at times. I find that I am not always fulfilled by laundry and cleaning, diapers and feedings, organizing and having no one to talk to constantly. Managing this life is part of God's growth plan for a mom. Mary writes, "Often his growth plan includes mother-in-law tension, rebellious children, tired husbands, dirty dishes, snippy checkout ladies, or muddy shoes on new carpet." It is in those moments we are tested and where God wants to prune and grow us!!! I pray that God will help me to be glad, thankful, humble. Don't get me wrong...I think that I have the most amazing 24/7 job in the WORLD and I wouldn't trade it for anything...but it's a tough job and in my weak moment, I pray for joy and a glad heart - thankful that each moment of my day I get to be with the most amazing boy on the planet. (this is starting to get theraputic for me :). Are you still reading? Thanks for sticking with me.)

- The third thing that I have pulled away so far is all about intent. Mary posed this question..."When our spouses wrong us, do we automatically assume they had negative intent? A sign of a healthy marriage is giving each other the blessed benefit of the doubt." WOW! This really hit home with me. My husband is a giver. He is selfless. He is a man of faith. He has so much integrity, loyalty and is filled with humility. But, why do I so often jump to conclusions. Why do I feel when he asks a simple question, he is attacking? I think I assume negative intent. Mary again told a wonderful story about how her husband was late coming home from work one night and she was thinking of all sorts of reasons why he was late. When he got home, she actually didn't say anything right when he walked in...and...he pulled out flowers from behind is back and their babysitter walked in right behind him so they could go on a date. We as wives and moms can be so quick to judge - I want to learn to try and always give the benefit of the doubt (keep me accountable babe...). "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:2). Mary poignantly wrote - "Jumping to quick judgement is the antithesis to grace and invites similar judgement in return". Good stuff.

This book is great so far...you can order it here if you would like to read too!