"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Things are not easy. Life is not easy. It's not easy getting up every single morning, day after day to little boys who need breakfast, need lunches made, need a double check over, their backpacks ready and shoes tied, teeth brushed and hairs combed, no holes in jeans, and smiles out the door. All this in the first hour of being awake at 6am before the coffee has kicked in.
I have a habit each morning. Before my feet hit the floor. It's a real prayer from my heart, but this particular prayer has become a habit. Dear Lord Jesus, please put a smile on my face that my family may see joy in heart, my face, and my voice. No matter what life may look like I can start my day with "good cheer". I want to start my day with "good cheer". I think "good cheer" is a learned behavior. I know it must be. How else could I wake up so happy every day. Even in the midst of tribulations. The breakfast routine is really a pretty not a tribulation. I just use this as an example. There are always those big HEAVIES on my heart.
I have been doing this school morning routine for over 20 years. You would think it would get easier. I have never been wired as a morning person. As of late, my boys on this particular morning, two brought me coffee. Truly I am blessed. And be of good cheer friends.
And believe me when I say I would not trade these days for all the tea in China. You know why? For starters I do not drink tea. I will leave it all at that. Be of Good Cheer my friends.
He does show up every single day. No matter where I am, what I am doing He is here. Do you see Him? He whispers sweet things into my ears, and as I sit in the quiet I hear Him? Do you hear Him? His words dance off the pages. My eyes pause on this one line..."For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.
Today, this morning, just one verse and my heart leaps. I pause, stop reading and ponder. He wants to perfect me, and everyday He shows me what that perfection in Him looks like. So different than how the world would want Elizabeth to be. It's our code of ethics. Me and God. God speaking little pieces of perfection of Him and me waking up each day to learn His ways, hear His voice, and see His perfection to give me that continued confidence in Him.
When I feel less confident, I realize that I am placing myself into the hands of this world, rather into His hands. When He is holding my hands I can face each beautiful day He gives. I can smile, and love on those who come into my space. My intellect asking myself sometimes..."who am I, where did that smile come from?" My heart knowing that God, is giving me more, inside to share on the outside.
Prayerfully in each day I ask God to show me what next, that next moment, that next thought and He shows me so much peace and beauty. Beauty in little boys with dirty chocolate faces. Beauty in a long drive. Beauty in that the gas station attendant and praying that his moment of pumping my gas gave him a glimpse of God's love through my smile. It's that kind of confidence in knowing Him I want everyday and trust through His presence in my life. He began that good work in me, and I want to allow Him to perfect it. Listening, seeking, doing, and loving Him with confidence and obedience.
He asked me ..."mama can you keep brushing my hair because you make it look so nice." I wonder sometimes, as I do my motherly things..."is this what you are perfecting in me God? Hair-brushing? As I stand brushing his blond hair as he eats his breakfast, he tells me this.."mommy God has made you a very good hairbrusher mama." He's only five, what does he know?. Perhaps it took the fifth kid to perfect this morning routine of hair brushing, but it's a very bold reminder to my heart that in ALL things God is perfecting me. Giving me precious times to chit chat while brushing a little silly's lovely hair. What is God perfecting in you today? What confidences do you have in Him who is perfecting you every single day?
It is such an honor to know that I am worth His time to perfect.
