Fruitful Mothering

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remain in me and I in him,he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing
                                    John 15:5

Motherhood can totally drain you, especially if you're relying on your strength. Your precious little bundle can turn even the most mundane activity (pairing socks) into a hair raising experience. Overnight, you can turn into a mean, depressed, always-shouting-and-not-fun-to-be-around woman.

But, what if you totally surrender your trying-to-be-super-mum attitude and ask God to be your source of strength? Life as a mother begins to change. You find that you can wipe the spilt milk for the umpteenth time without muttering under your breath. You lovingly give your toddler the spoon he's been crying for without thinking about how much faster you'd have fed him. Another soiled nappy to rinse? No sweat.

Why the change in attitude? A realization that YOU. CAN'T. DO. IT. So you turn to the vine and guess what? You start bearing fruit. Not just fruit but much fruit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness,gentleness and self-control..."
                       Galatians 5:22,23

Join me in trying to be a mum who stays rooted to the vine. That our children may be able to see and taste of the luscious fruits that we bear. That when they ask the source of our forever in season fruit, we may be able to point them to the vine: Jesus Christ.

L.O.V.E

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
                                                                                                                              1 John 4:7

I woke up this morning to a beautifully colored card from my 22 month old princess and a very unexpected and thoughtful gift from my very loving and forgiving hubby. Lord, thank you for extending your love for me through the two most important people in my life.

I know that at times (many times) I forget to cherish these acts of love from my family and choose instead to focus on the TO-DO / NOT-TO-DO list. So thank you Lord, for reminding me what love & life is all about.

Love is...

Food stains on my stylish pair of white cotton trousers
A slow dance with my beloved though he's already late for work
A cute picture with the crayon color outside the lines
A wiggly, squirmy body trying to get away from my fierce hugs
A bunch of exotic flowers when funds are rock bottom low
An unexpected "I'm blessed to have you," just because
A silent prayer on my behalf as I snuggle deeper into the covers in the early morn
The kiss that follows the undeserved "I forgive you"
Popcorn for tea, and bread for dessert

Yes I'm a mum and I choose to dream BIG!

"You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn, and take your journey..." "Look the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it... Do not fear or be discouraged."

Thank you for this one Lord. Thank you for reminding me that not only are you the dream giver, you are also the dream fulfiller. For a while now, I've been downsizing my dreams to my view of me. I foolishly chose to believe the skeptics with their "No, it can't be done" chants.


I
refuse
to
look
down
anymore.


I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1,2)


You Lord, know my dreams. From being an accomplished christian writer and speaker, to owning a one-of-a-kind coffee shop cum bookstore and library chain, and everything in between. Use me for your glory. Amen.

God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.  
Elizabeth Barrett Browning