It Takes Things Off Of 'Me'

Whelp, I am now a mother of a school-age child. Yep, just dropped Skye off at school just over an hour ago. She was so excited about school that she threw on her back-pack and ran to her teacher with out so much as a wave good-bye to her parents. I found myself continually turning around in my seat to take another quick glance at her until we rounded the corner and drove passed the trees out of line of sight. I developed a huge lump in my throat and tried not to cry.

Then I had to thank God that He was with her and trust that He had heard my early morning prayers. At around 5:10 AM this morning, after attending to Ian quickly, I was unable to go back to sleep. I was restless. I kept tossing and turning. In a few short hours my little girl would be at school and in the hands of others. I started to worry. "Have they put in the buzzer system at the main door of the school yet?" "Will Skye be able to find her pencils?" "Did I pack enough for her lunch?" "Will she be able to open the packaging for her snack?"

The what-ifs came spilling in. So I went to God in prayer. I prayed over all of my worries and I prayed for protection around Skye. My worries, although they were still there somewhat, they weren't as daunting to me anymore and then the morning was off.

However, I got to thinking about how I go to God in prayer and thankfulness a lot more now then I used to and I am happy that I do so now. Makes life easier in a way and it reminds me of God and His blessings. I have learned to pray throughout an entire day--off and on; here and there. Some prayers are long while others are short and perhaps one word thoughts expressing thankfulness.

For example, here is how one day of prayer began two weeks ago for me. I began my morning with a run. And although I had upbeat music going in my ear, I found myself praying for the day as I ran. A thought of fear popped into my head. It wasn't of the Lord and the one passing thought started to set in like a weed in my garden of thoughts. I was growing fearful of something that was many, many, many months away and something that was out of my control as it was, so I prayed and kept giving the thought to the Lord every time the negative thought came in. I prayed over my worries.

Later that day when I would be in the middle of a task that wasn't so much fun as changing Ian's diaper or wiping Paisley's little bum bum, I would pray over that child that I was currently with, thanking God for them and asking God to protect them. While I was cleaning the toilets, a chore that is not on my list of favorite things to do, I thanked God that I had a toilet to clean, a house to live in and a family to clean up after.

I was attending a wedding at the end of the week and I had to wrap a gift for the couple. Now usually I would look at this task as "a must do" and try to do it as quickly as I can so I can continue on to my next task, but this time I prayed. As I wrapped the gift I prayed for my friends and their marriage as well as their future together. What an awesome way to wrap a present for someone.

Later that day, I received an email from someone with news that made me a bit angry especially considering the rocky road we have shared. And while these people are not high up on my "people I like" list, I started to pray that God would help me forgive them and such. While our relationship hasn't healed and I am continually finding myself to be very bitter towards them, I just continually ask for God's help when a negative feeling pops into my head. I pray that God would show me how to extend grace and forgiveness.

Cooking dinner is not always a fun adventure for me in the life of motherhood. Often times Ian needs attention, the girls have questions, Scot is calling and I can barely follow the recipe correctly, but I am now trying to pray as best as I can during this time. Thank God that Ian is healthy enough to cry like he can sometimes and that he has such a good appetite. Thank God that my girls are here with me and have lot's to say. Thank God that although Scot is coming home late from work once again, that he has a job that has provided us with the food that I am preparing.

This kind of praying and thanking God throughout my day has brought more joy to my hectic and sometimes crazy life. It takes things off of 'me' and places my attention on other things. So often I make life about me--even above my kids and husband and God. I often do things with an ungrateful heart--complaining and more. Praying places my thoughts off of me and onto other things and other people.

As I was making Skye's lunch last night and realizing that my evenings will be different from here on out and there will be less time for "mommy time," it was time to go to God in prayer and thankfulness. Thank God I have happy, healthy and growing children! Pray for them as I prepare their food and more!