Becoming Strong

Saturday morning I sat speechless on the sofa. I’ve been praying for a long time for direction about something and God gave it…Or, maybe he’s been saying it and I finally heard it. Anyway, there I sat. Petrified, excited, overwhelmed, grateful, teary. Have you ever felt that way about something you believe you’re to do or maybe it’s something you’re doing now? The emotions alone are enough to paralyze – or fool us like a high-energy drink. To get moving or to slow down, strength is critical to do what we’re TO DO.

As moms, challenging circumstances test our strength-o-meter almost daily….

Standing alone among our peers regarding a culture standard
Being consistent to follow through on a long-running discipline issue
Walking with our child through disease
Advocating for our special needs child
Defending our child
Giving grace in a hard relationship
Responding to meanness with love

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” (1 Chronicles 28.9-10)

To build a temple for Almighty God. A tremendous calling, daunting.
Solomon’s emotions must have been all-over-the-place. With wisdom and love, King David exhorts Solomon.

Be strong and do it.

But first, David reminds his son of what’s most important:

KNOW God.
SERVE God with a whole heart.
SERVE God with a willing mind.
God already knows your thoughts and plans.
SEEK God and He’ll respond.
Be careful.
God chose you.

Wise words from a man who held the strength that grows through a heart devoted to God.

With perfect love, God speaks to you and me through this passage.
Being a mother is a tremendous calling, daunting. After all, we’re participating with God in building temples, too. Living temples, in whom God’s Spirit will dwell.

Be strong and do it.

One hour, one day at a time.

To be strong is to believe who God is. It’s an outcome of engaging with our living God. When we pray, sing along with amazing worship tunes, read our Bible, listen to or read a biblical teaching, gather with others who want to know Jesus, or just.get.still to be present to God’s presence…God strengthens us.

To be strong isn’t earned. It’s receiving what God is giving. Every day God is making me, making you. And one way he is making us, is strong. Every day as a mom is strength-training. Sweet momma friends, you are getting stronger every day!

Dear God,
Thank you that you are making me, molding me every day. Resting in your loving arms, I open my arms wide to receive your strength. Amen.