May today be its own unique story.
May we remember that these kids aren’t an interruption, a distraction or a nuisance. May we open our eyes to this morning and remember that the two sleepy heads crawling into our bed are a gift.
May we wash out bottles and fill them up with milk and extra doses of patience as we stumble through the pre-dawn dark without our contact lenses and lean over baby beds to whisper good mornings and offer comfort and welcome for the day.
May we find joy in what delights our children as you, Lord, delight in us.
May we make breakfast, lunch and dinner and feed them heaped helpings of love sandwiched between Graham crackers and grace.
Give us the strength to hold onto our run away tempers with both hands. Give us the wisdom and the will power to take our own time outs and a sense of humor when we’re about to lose it.
Remind us that we’re the grown up and give us the strength to act like it.
Help us load the right words in between the loads of laundry today.
And for all those hours spent working and commuting and living the day out in a cubicle away from our kids, please parent our tiny treasures wrapped up in skin with your Holy Spirit and His grace in our absence.
Because when our kids are with the Father they are held when we can’t hold them. They are sung over when we can’t sing to them. They are beloved when we aren’t there to love them.
Help us not to rush through today or to wish it over.
Help us to open our arms to all the stop-go, stop-go, stop-go pace of parenting.
Teach us to take time to focus on what matters to a four year old.
Give us eyes to see the wonder in a sidewalk chalk masterpiece.
Unwrap the mystery and miracle of these tiny humans you’ve interrupted our lives with so that we can see all that eternity walking around with skin on right here in our messy living rooms.
Remind us to dance.
Remind us that the laundry and the crumbs and the dirty sofa cushions can wait but that some days a toddler really does need to host a tea party for all her dolls and that being the guest of honor isn’t a waste of time, it’s the best half hour investment we’ll make today.
Give us eyes to see our bodies and waistlines and grey hairs through your lens – the glory of having co-created life with you – and that life needs room to grow.
May we love who we are growing into because of these children.
May we love the way they help us forget ourselves.
May we look up from our to-dos long enough to remember who we’re doing it all for.
And tonight, when we tumble back into bed, and wonder what we got done today, may we hear your words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” and be satisfied.
Lisa-Jo,
This was just what I needed today! I love your writing and your perspective! Thank you for helping me to be a better mama to my kiddos today! May the Lord send blessings upon you and your lovely family! XOXO
Thank you Lisa-Jo…the title of this prayer caught my eye as I saw it in my inbox, and I stopped to read through it before I head off to bed for a short night of sleep. It was a prayer that was timed just perfectly for me…we’re in non-stop parenting days with four children and the youngest who was born early and needs extra help. Thanks for reminding me to take my eyes of all the to-dos and remember who I’m here to love and serve. It’s a pure gift to be a mother and I do forget the privilege so often amidst the fullness of our days. Thank you! Remaliah (NZ)
This is something I need to read everyday. I had two girls when I was younger; they are now 22 & 18. I, however, chose to delight in having more; 4-year old twin daughters I have now. It’s hard when my friends are out experiencing life with their ‘older’ children. Yet, I’m relieving toddler hood with my home looking like a nursery school, and preschool has started. Hard to balance both worlds sometimes. I get very frustrated. But, this story reminds me, to enjoy these years. They too will soon grow up very quickly as my other daughter’s did. Thanks for letting me vent.
God Bless
So true! And I had to laugh at the messy living room part. It was like you were peeking in my window. LOL
Love this!
Thank You!
Thank you for your wisdom
This. is. so. beautiful.
I need this prayer as a daily reminder. If only you knew how much I need to hear this quite constantly. :)
Thank you!
So, so good! Thanks for all you do to continue to encourage us as tired moms. I keep sharing your articles on FB and I did a book study with “Surprised by Motherhood” awhile back. . . . Keep up the good work!
Amen. I need to pray this daily, as I often struggle to live in the moment and savor the beauty of the chaos life can sometimes be. Time is precious, my almost 4 yr old miracle is precious and I need to constantly come back to what really matters.