Today I won’t be sharing an early learning printable, book list, or a fun learning idea.
I’m just going to pour my heart out.
Do you mind?
It’s been a stressful week. It seems my readership has grown so much since I began blogging five months ago (great news!) that I’m using too much memory on my shared server (bad news). My web host has found it necessary to put me on a new plan. My inexpensive monthly fee has been bumped to one more than ten times greater.
When I received the first e-mail notice I felt shocked – angry – blindsided – heartsick. Is this what it costs to run a blog? Is this endeavor actually going to be a financial drain on my family? That wasn’t exactly the point.
I’m not telling you this to elicit your sympathy (or your money :)). But I’m sharing what I should have done the first day.
Give it to God.
What does that mean, anyway? It means that we do what 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to do, “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
It means not snapping at my kids when I receive another unwelcome e-mail from my web host.
It means not collapsing in tears of despair when I see that the hours I spent of resizing pictures did nothing to decrease my resource usage.
It means opening my Bible and reading God’s promises, folding my hands to seek his forgiveness, praising him for his blessings, and humbly asking for the outcome I desire – trusting that he’ll fulfill the promise he made in Romans 8:28: “For we know that all things work for the good of those who love him.”
The fact is that during the day – as a mom of four small kids – I don’t get much quiet time. Finding a quiet place to read my Bible is almost impossible.
However, I do find myself in the kitchen a lot.
So I’m putting my comfort in the cupboards.
Tonight I printed some comforting Bible verses and used clear contact paper to post them right inside my cupboard doors.
They’re designed to encourage me when the day is just rough – whether that’s because I’m paying more than I want to pay for a web host, my blog’s visitor count is way down from last week, or I just. can’t. stand. the preschool squabbles one second longer… God has an answer for me.
I’m sharing these because I’ll hope they’ll be a comfort for you, too.
When I’ve been a lousy mom…
- “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22)
- The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
- I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sin no more. (Isaiah 43:25)
- As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us. (Psalm 103:12)
When I’m overcome with worry…
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
- Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
- The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18)
- In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. (Psalm 118:5)
- Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
When I’m overburdened:
- For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear. I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:14)
- The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
- He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)
- The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)
When I need an eternal perspective:
- Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. (John 16:22)
- My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
- He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
When God has delivered me:
- I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. (Psalm 31:7)
- For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
- Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tens of the righteous, “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” (Psalm 118:15)
- Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 63:7)
Print your own passages, or get mine here: Comforting Bible verses for weary moms
And may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:7)
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