Daily Dose of Encouragement

I awoke this morning with a heavy heart. After having a rotten day yesterday, and feeling burdened by many different factors, I awoke this morning with a sense of dread. Usually when I see the sun shining and smell the coffee, I am somewhat refreshed - but not today. It took all of about 2 seconds to remember the whining, crying, disrespectful behavior of my children coupled with the issues and burdens my heart is struggling with and all I wanted to do is pull the covers over my head and go back to bed. I knew I could not avoid this day but rather find comfort in Jesus who will ultimately get me through. Having ignored my Bible studies for quite some time, I made a point to tell my children "you need to find something to do, mommy is reading her Bible." I grabbed some coffee, shooed my children into the playroom and opened my bible - allowing God to find the right page/verse/chapter that would encourage and lift up my heart.

My heart was led to 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

I often feel like the work/effort being put in around my house, to my marriage, to my children goes unnoticed and unappreciated. I struggle with the fact that I may give it my all only to go to bed exhausted wondering why I even bothered. But it is one tiny chapter in 1 Corinthians that I am reminded why I do what I do.
....because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

God has entrusted me with a wonderful husband and 2 wonderful kids. It is my job to maintain my marriage and raise these children to be God-fearing, God-loving little girls. Although many days I'd rather have Dora teach them their A,B,C's in Spanish, I know that it is my job to turn off the TV and teach them about Noah, or Jonah, or Job. In order for that to happen, my heart must be right - and my heart has not been right.

I am glad that I put my foot down, made us late for our upcoming play date, and opened my bible. God allowed a ray of hope into my heart today that whatever I may do, it will not be in vain.