"I wanted to start off by saying that Jane and I have been privileged to coordinate the children’s department this year. As I’ve watched you dropping off your little ones this, I kept wanting to find a way to encourage you. I wanted to find that “one thing” that I could share with you to help you through the tough times and help you enjoy the good times. I don’t have any new potty training tips or healthy recipes that toddlers are guaranteed to eat. And I’m not going to simply say “enjoy this time – they grow up so fast.” You probably hear that all the time from the little old ladies in the grocery store.
I remember being a little frustrated sometimes when someone told me that. One day I was rushing to get out of Sears with my infant twins in the stroller. I had 5 minutes to get to the preschool to pick up my 4 year old – and got stopped by a crowd of little old ladies – “oooh, look! Are they twins?” It took all I had not to run them over with the stroller! It was that kind of frustration that brought me to MOPS in the first place.
When the twins were born, I quit work to stay home full time. I’d been struggling – like most working moms do – with not being able to give 100% to either area. I couldn’t be the employee or the mom or the wife I wanted to. Once I was home full-time I really thought if I just tried – harder - I could be a better mom and a better wife. But I didn’t have that sense of accomplishment that I had at my job. So what if I’d changed a dozen diapers and fed lunch to 3 preschoolers, mopped and vacuumed and did the laundry? I was just gonna have to do the same things again tomorrow! And I didn’t enjoy being with my kids the way I thought I would. They were always demanding of my time and I kept thinking “what about me?” Then I’d lapse into my “maniac mom” routine – if you’re not familiar, maniac mom goes something like this (you have to kinda picture me stomping and ranting and raving around my house): “Look at this mess! Does anybody else care that we live in this pit? No, that’s Mom’s job!” Each time the maniac mom appeared I was left feeling disappointed and discouraged. So I’d call to my cousin, Janet, to “vent.” She kept telling me about this MOPS program she was attending. But I hesitated, because I knew it was held at a church. I was raised going to church. I believed in God and I even prayed from time to time when somebody was really sick or something serious was going on. I finally agreed to go to MOPS – mostly to get a break from my kids! I was surprised to find that women at MOPS weren’t “preachy” or “holier-than-thou” like I had expected. They were moms like me, going through the same stuff I was – potty training, temper tantrums, picky eaters, endless laundry and dishes . . . but then I noticed something was different. The women I met at MOPS seemed more at peace than I was – and they were more confident in their parenting decisions. I asked Janet if they’d read some new parenting book or something. She said, “the Bible.” I think my mouth fell open! I thought, “the Bible? The Bible talks about how to be a good mom?” Our speaker at MOPS was a woman who was probably almost old enough to be my mom. She talked about things I had never considered. She told us that God had uniquely created us to be Moms. And that He was able to help us in our struggles. She talked about Him like she really knew Him – and even talked about “crawling up onto that lap of His and feeling loved - unconditionally.” I had heard before about this “personal relationship with Jesus,” and really didn’t get it! I mean, sure I believed in Jesus and I knew that He died on the cross for our sins. So what was so different about this personal relationship. When I asked Janet, she said that it was more than just knowing about Him, it was TRUSTING Him with your life.
The dictionary defines trust as: an assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed
TRUST was a huge word in my life at that time. I’d been hurt too many times by people closest to me and I did not trust easily. I was pretty independent and wanted to do things my way. But the Lord used MOPS and the people in the church to reach me that year. There was a Valentine’s banquet in the middle of that MOPS year for MOPS moms and their husbands. My husband came away feeling pretty comfortable with those “MOPS people.” He said they were friendly and maybe we could try out the church sometime. Now I have to tell you that prior to this Sunday mornings at our house were spent on the couch in our pjs reading the comics! The next month we jumped into church attendance with both feet – we even went to Sunday school! The messages I was hearing at MOPS and church were starting to become familiar – Jesus cared about ME and died for ME – not just people. He wanted my life – every part of it. He wanted me to trust Him. Easter Sunday came about a month after we starting going to church. I don’t remember a whole lot about the sermon day – just something about a tightrope – and trust. The pastor gave an invitation at the end – and since it was so crowded, he said whoever wanted to could just stand where they were. I stood and spoke just 3 simple words “I accept Christ.” And I used to think the 3 most beautiful words in the world were I love you.
I started attending a small group Bible study that summer and continued to be amazed at what the Bible had to teach me. God’s Word convicted me in the area of unforgiveness and challenged me in the area of independence. Knowing that His Word is truth gave me something to stand on. Philippians 4:13 in the NIV says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Maniac Mom didn’t totally disappear from my life, but I knew I didn’t have to try and do it alone anymore.
I could stop right now and this would be a simple testimony about coming to Jesus and that would be fine. Many of you have already done that and I haven’t really told you anything you don’t already know. But that part of the story was 18 years ago. That commitment to TRUST Him was the first step in a lifelong walk.
As Moms we have an inborn instinct to protect our children. Mama Bear does whatever it takes to keep them safe. We trust ourselves more than anyone else to do that. What about when their protection is beyond your ability? What does it look like when you TRUST Him with your children? When my oldest daughter was 8-1/2 months pregnant with her first baby, she fell down a flight of stairs at work – did I trust Him to take care of Sara and the baby? I lay awake one night praying for them and Psalm 139:16 came to my mind “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” All the days ordained for that baby were already written in His book. By the way, Kayleigh Marie will be 6 this June. My daughter, Emily, spent a month in Africa this January and we only had communication once – did I trust Him to keep her safe halfway around the world? (she DID come home with dreadlocks, but other than that, she was fine!) My son, Tom, was having major chest pains his senior year of high school. Thinking the worst, but praying fervently, we went to the doctor to get things checked out. No major heart issues – a strong runner’s heart – just simple acid reflux. My son, Steve, had his first car accident last month after falling asleep at the wheel. (we had just prayed an hour before at dinner that he would be safe in his travels – and he was! I told my husband, next time we need to remember to pray that the car will be safe, too – it was totaled!) The youngest, Tim, was our “surprise” child – coming along nearly 5 years after the twins! Trusting the Lord with Tim, now our only teen, is a daily event!
What does it look like when you TRUST Him with your provisions? Anybody have a spouse unemployed here? When the bank account gets lower than you’ve ever seen before – can I TRUST Him to provide? When the job prospects are fewer and fewer each day – can I TRUST Him even though it’s not what I’ve prayed for? I remember sitting in the parking lot at the consignment shop one day when my oldest was a young teen. I needed to get her “concert clothes” for that evening – you know, the band concert requirements of white top, black pants or skirt? Here I am the afternoon of the concert and I’m praying that I can find what she needs. There wasn’t a lot of money, so there was no way I was goin’ to the mall! Not only is it tough to be that specific when shopping consignment, but my daughter was pretty small for her age and very difficult to shop for. I went in and not only did I find a white top – I found several to choose from in her size! – not only did I find black pants or skirt – I found both in her size! I know it’s a simple example. But can I TRUST Him to provide specifically what I need?
Four years ago my husband and I went thru Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace class. We got on that budget and started workin’ the baby steps. We’d been in our 1200SF 3BR 1BA home for 22 years! 7 people – 1 bathroom! I kept praying and asking the Lord to help us to be good stewards of what He had given us. Instead, He opened the gates and poured out blessings on us! A credit union wanted to build on the lot adjacent to us and needed our property for a parking lot. They offered (and we accepted) probably 3x what the property was worth in a residential market! Following Dave Ramsey’s principles we were able to put ½ down on a 2200SF 4BR 2-1/2BA home – 15 year fixed mortage . . . awesome interest rate . . . (did I mention that the credit union building there just happened to be the one we belong to?)
What does it look like when you TRUST Him to provide child care workers for MOPS? Let’s just say Jane and I continue to be amazed at every meeting!
What does it look like when you TRUST Him with your health? The kids are ok and the finances are sound, but that medical report comes that it’s “something serious.” How do I TRUST Him now? This is the one where I don’t have an example to share. I’m walking through this one right now. But I can look back on His provisions and His protection and know that He is the same yesterday and today and forever. I can’t rely on my feelings. I can’t depend on my husband to “make it all better,” though I know he’d like to. Even when I’m more scared than I’ve ever been, when there seems to be no right answer – I have to speak what I know to be true about Him. I have to continue to TRUST Him.
Our world today can be a frightening place – the economy is bad, evil seems to be running rampant … we all need something we can TRUST in. TRUST Him. With all of your heart. Don’t lean on your own understanding – don’t think you’ve got it all figured out – I’ve been there and done that – it’s a waste of time! Acknowledge Him in all your ways – give HIM the glory when things are good – admit to Him when you’ve blown it again. He knows all about Maniac Mom – He’ll forgive you. He will direct your paths. He is trustworthy."
