For the past few weeks I've been crazy about Psalm 90. I love how Moses describes our mighty God in this psalm as infinite and eternal and us as puny and finite. I find myself praying verse 12 so often as I am trying to figure out my new role as a stay at home mommy. "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." When I was working full-time I secretly imagined that when it was time for me to be home with the kids that I'd have all this time for lingering quiet times, home organization, scrumptious meal preparation, and intentional hospitality. What was I thinking?! The two little people in our home are keeping us busier than ever. I often get to the end of the day and wonder what in the world did I accomplish today?! I'm desperate for God to show me how to order my time.
For years prior to bringing the kids home, I really thought we were going to be stuck in what Moses writes in verse 13: "Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants." He did relent. He did have compassion! Our waiting and longing WAS a light, and momentary affliction, though it didn't seem so at the time. And through that season of deep sorrow God truly did "Satisfy us in the morning with (His) unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (v.14). Through our crying out to God for relief and rescue, He brought us near. Through our lack, He became even more all-satisfying.
Affliction has changed us. As new parents, yes... we're tired and at times the kid's drive us nutso. But there's not a day that goes by that we are STILL not in awe of these little people God has entrusted to our care. Things they do that should be annoying seem trivial when we remember what it took to get them home. Mounds of pee soaked clothes to wash, constant behaviors to correct, and sticky finger prints on everything only remind us that our kids are alive, and they are home- praise God.
The Lord has indeed "(made) us glad for as many days as (He) has afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble." (v.15) He has filled us with joy indescribable. "May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children." (v.16). Yes, Lord- you have done this! You HAVE shown us your deeds, and every day I see you showing our kids Your splendor. Thank you Father.
As we seek to point our kids to Jesus I have been praying that God would establish the hard work of parenting for us and give us wisdom from above. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands." (v.17). I'm so thankful for Jesus and the worth I derive simply from being His child. Our righteousness is in Him, not in how perfectly our kids behave or how well they excel developmentally. There's so much rest in knowing all He requires is faithfulness and every outcome is in His hands. Thank you Lord for how you have brought us through deep waters, and how you will continue to bring us through every hairpin turn here on earth until we see you face to face. We are finite and you are eternal and we just long to live our days singing Your praises.
For years prior to bringing the kids home, I really thought we were going to be stuck in what Moses writes in verse 13: "Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants." He did relent. He did have compassion! Our waiting and longing WAS a light, and momentary affliction, though it didn't seem so at the time. And through that season of deep sorrow God truly did "Satisfy us in the morning with (His) unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (v.14). Through our crying out to God for relief and rescue, He brought us near. Through our lack, He became even more all-satisfying.
Affliction has changed us. As new parents, yes... we're tired and at times the kid's drive us nutso. But there's not a day that goes by that we are STILL not in awe of these little people God has entrusted to our care. Things they do that should be annoying seem trivial when we remember what it took to get them home. Mounds of pee soaked clothes to wash, constant behaviors to correct, and sticky finger prints on everything only remind us that our kids are alive, and they are home- praise God.
The Lord has indeed "(made) us glad for as many days as (He) has afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble." (v.15) He has filled us with joy indescribable. "May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children." (v.16). Yes, Lord- you have done this! You HAVE shown us your deeds, and every day I see you showing our kids Your splendor. Thank you Father.
As we seek to point our kids to Jesus I have been praying that God would establish the hard work of parenting for us and give us wisdom from above. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands." (v.17). I'm so thankful for Jesus and the worth I derive simply from being His child. Our righteousness is in Him, not in how perfectly our kids behave or how well they excel developmentally. There's so much rest in knowing all He requires is faithfulness and every outcome is in His hands. Thank you Lord for how you have brought us through deep waters, and how you will continue to bring us through every hairpin turn here on earth until we see you face to face. We are finite and you are eternal and we just long to live our days singing Your praises.
Amen, Bonnie! I love this post and I love reading your thoughts. We are so thankful that the Lord will make his people glad for as many (and way more!) days as he has afflicted us and as many years as we have seen evil. I pray that his favor will be upon you and that he will grant you (and us) great wisdom in your parenting and establish the work of your hands. Love y'all and miss you like crazy.
ReplyDeletegreat post, bonnie! think of you and your full little house often:)
ReplyDeletelaura
Bonnie - I needed to read this today....thank you! Benton wears me out, work is super stressful, and the pregnancy is challenging, but I need to be reminded of things like you've said often recently! I am so happy for the sticky fingerprints, pee soaked clothes, and tireless times of screaming....beacuse that means they are healthy, happy, and alive in our care! Love you friends!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this! Thank you for sharing, Bonnie. I have been meditating on Psalm 90 the last few days since seeing this on here and it has been a big encouragement to me and Eric - both in our adoption wait, but also in some other "afflictions" going on in our lives and those around us right now.
ReplyDeleteI love your updates! Blessings, friends!
Sara-Beth