I have these three beautiful miracles, they are so precious to me. I cherish my summers with their adorable dirty bare feet, sticky freezy hands and sweaty heads. They bring me so much joy! Aaaand let’s just be honest, so many challenges. I love being a mom! Yet it is the hardest job I have ever had and sometimes I just need a break. I have this inclination that I am not alone in this. Summer seems to pull both of these out; the love we share and the space we require. With my oldest being 11, I am in no position to give parenting advice, but I can certainly pass on what God has spoken to me recently.
It all started with a hike with my boys. Starting at the split tree, we navigated from one path to the next. We dodged spiderwebs, branches and arguments of who would decide which way to go next. While the boys seemed to be enjoying their time, their eyes searched the woods for a bigger challenge. It had been found when my oldest boy’s sense of adventure pulled him to a side of a cliff to scale up. He was determined to prove his cliff climbing abilities. Like a cat he looked instinctive as he climbed, only stopping every once and while to look down and coach his younger brother and I.
I was left climbing one handed with my other hand on my 4 year old’s bottom for support, protection and a boost as needed. With each big step, slip and pull with our uppper bodies we started to say, “I can do hard things.” My 4 year old would slip and say, “I can do hard things.” With a lunge to find my footing, I’d whisper, “I can do hard things.” My 9 year old, although he made it look so very easy, all the way up I could hear him, “I can do hard things.” And one last time with a shout of victory at the top of the cliff we belted out together, “WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!”
Making our way back we stopped at the split tree, savoring the adventure. Ten more steps and we’d be out of the woods back to the humdrum. Perfect time to have a little chat, I thought. “Hey boys, what was it that helped us to do that hard thing?” And together we thought of a few ideas to help us (and you,) the next time we find ourselves scaling a cliff or struggling through a challenging day.
- Find firm foundations for your footing. In Matthew 7:27 Jesus says, “I am your firm foundation.”
- Hold on to the sturdy rocks/roots. In Nahum 1:7 He says, “I am your stronghold.
- Don’t give up.” Isaiah 40:29, “I will give you strength to persevere.”
- Remember it’s an adventure! Psalm 118: 24, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
- Trust your leader. Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
This summer I cherish the love of my three and yet, at the same time, I struggle for my space. As I am a referee, a servant, a sounding board, a hand to hold (or leg to grab onto.) As I am the freezy giver, the hand washer, the event planner, the personal shopper, the foreman, the …….well, you get it, the list goes on and on and on. The point is, as I am…the mom. I continue to hear God whisper to me, “you can do hard things WITH Me.”
Whether you are a mom or not, we all find ourselves in challenging situations. In these times of struggle, let me remind you to look to Jesus. Isaiah 45:22 says, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, there is no other.” He is your firm foundation, your sturdy rock, your strength, your joy and your guide.
You. Can. Do. Hard. Things.
We Can Do Hard Things!
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