Phil and I have known Lauren and John for about 4 years now since they moved in across the street. When they moved in, they didn’t even have a dog let alone three children. So when we saw they got a dog, and we said to ourselves “ahhh, they want children!” Then we saw the minivan appear in the drive way and we knew that children must be on the way! Now, when I see her refuse a glass of wine when offered, I know that another baby is on the way! Praise the Lord!
We have so enjoyed having them across the street, and I have loved watching her as a mom. She is purposeful, organized, and not easily excitable or flustered. She is attentive to her kids and creates a loving, supportive environment for her man. She seems to handle things in stride. The only time see her “amped up” so to speak is when she is getting everyone ready to go out of town… at these times, watch out bc Lauren is on a war path! John and everyone else knows to just step aside and leave her alone.
I have actually written a few devotions for this afternoon, but I had to realize that this was not my opportunity to give parenting advise or rant about how much I don’t like the distraction that mobile devices present to parents. If you want to talk about either of those things, just let me know—- I have several pages written on both!
I want to look at the book of Revelation-I know a weird book to be looking at at a baby shower-but bear with me.
In Revelation 21:1-5 John says:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
That sounds wonderful doesn’t it??
I know many of you and the things that you have on your plates and the struggles that you face. I hope these verses can offer you hope for a better day. Believe it or not, there is something that we look forward to that is even better than a whole bar of chocolate or even a day of obedient children or a good long nap.
Scripture tells us that one day, all will be made well, and we will experience the full reality of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Revelation 22:3-5 goes on to say there will be no more sin, and we will see our Savior face to face.
But until then, there is some suffering involved.
There are dirty diapers, there are mounds of laundry, there are decisions about whether or not a child can go to a dance, there are eating disorders, ugly breakups, car accidents, even death of loved ones.
There will be great successes as well— potty training, the first day of kindergarten, academic achievements, new jobs, college, weddings.
There will be life lived with others… sharing bread together, celebrating, crying, mourning.
In these days, as we wait for the glorious condition of being united to Christ forever in Heaven, we are left to cling to Christ, to abide with Him as he says in John 15, to live actively and vigorously for him in all we do.
What does that mean for us as women?
First, we can put Christ at the center of our lives… I know that at this stage for Lauren’s life and mine as well even tho I don’t have little, little ones the temptation is to let the demands of children and home life and work crowd God out of our every day lives. Yes, I know dirty diapers and crying children and meals are a reality, dead lines at work, demanding bosses are a reality, but they must not be our idols. They must not be what define and control our days.
We are also to study His Word- mining it for wisdom, encouragement, and strength. Let the Word of God dwell in you deeply and richly. The Word of God is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:6-7)
Next, out of our growing relationship with Christ, we get to disciple our children and relate to our husbands with the fuel of God’s Word on our tongues, and especially with it in our hearts, guiding our actions.
And finally, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and share with them in word and in deed the amazing love of our Father. To not neglect the lost and broken, the needy, but to notice them, serve them, and learn from them.
In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Paul is looking toward the end of his life and says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
As we seek to “fight the good fight” as Paul says, we are not alone, we have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves. God promises to help. Christ is there to comfort us…
In Matthew 11, Jesus says “come unto me all you who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 40: 11 says “Like a shepherd He will tend HIs flock, In his arms he will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom. He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
And at the end of the chapter, we read:
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
We have an amazing hope before us… hope for the glorious return of our Savior, hope for a day when all things will be made right. In the mean time, we have the power of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to live for Him, to go about our work, to raise our children, to love our husbands, and to tend to the needy around us.
Lauren, that is your hope in these last couple of weeks before Paige makes her entrance. That is your hope as you introduce her to Liam and Maddie, and as you and John continue to raise these precious ones in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
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