Overwhelmed by My Blessings: Encouragement for Moms (Part 4)Sample

A while back I took my four youngest grandsons, ages ranging five through ten, to Sonic. It was a date with Mimi! On this sunshiny day, we sat outside at a table while they enjoyed their slushes (with Nerds). The bantering and chatter quickly turned to fart jokes, because….boys. To work off some of that sugary energy, we found a long curb and invented games, which naturally became competitions. The area was a little trashy, and one of my grands stomped on a discarded juice box. Simultaneously, another grand ran by at just the right moment to have old juice sprayed all over his foot. Riotous laughter ensued.

Pressure always squeezes out what is inside.

For us, the pressure may be from overcommitments. Often, it’s only the regular, overwhelming daily tasks and family relationships that seem to be more than we can take. The pressure is on to get it all done. To get to work on time with a good attitude. To serve a meal three times a day! The constancy of keeping clothes and floors and bathrooms clean. Dealing with two-year-old or teen attitudes. Digging deep to find intimacy with our husband.

When the pressure comes, whatever is inside is squeezed out, sometimes contaminating everyone nearby. Our hearts have been exposed, and the mess isn’t lovely.

Now, rather than having a guilt trip here, let’s talk about that junk. It’s out for all to see. What will we do about it now? Stuff it back in, just waiting for the next pressing time to expose us all over again? Or will we recognize the sin, naming it what it really is, and allow the light of His presence to shine in our dark hearts?

This is an opportunity. Will you waste it? Confess that anger, fear, and control that explodes from you and move forward. The next time pressure comes, you will be on guard. No smelly, old juice will rule your heart!

Father, my life is full of pressure. Sometimes, one more thing added to my already too full days sends me into a full-on explosion and the result is not pretty. I confess this sin in my heart, and ask you to give me courage and boldness to allow you to lead my heart with your love. I know some of my pressure is self-inflicted, so I ask you to reveal to me the areas I can trim away to lighten my load. Give me courage to choose the significant over the urgent, the eternal over the fleeting. Help me to breathe you in, recognizing that this is just one more opportunity to choose you.

Consider reading these scriptures from The Message.