Hello Moms!

By Melanie Champion

”For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. They are plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

Hello Moms!

Have you ever had a day when… 

You forget to set your alarm clock and the baby wakes you up, screaming, wet and hungry?

You go downstairs to see that the kiddos have decided to “help” and make breakfast ALL on their own and have completely destroyed the kitchen as well as use the ingredients you planned on for tonight’s dinner? The orange juice was not only spilt on the floor you mopped yesterday, but also swishing around in the silverware drawer.

Then 2 hours behind schedule, once you’ve cleaned up and your day planned somewhat, your precious 3 year old decides to practice her scissor skills with your report due at the office yesterday, as you were getting the dog five blocks away that somehow slipped out the front door. Well…at least it wasn’t her hair again like last week. 

We've all had mornings like these as parents. We've even had days, weeks and perhaps months that seem like our homes are spinning out of control. 

You are not alone! We've all been there and with this new Coronavirus it feels like everything is out of control. 

Scary! Right? But when we stop and pause and reflect on the verse from Jeremiah it can lower our heart rate. It can cause even the highest doubter and strongest stresser to realize that God is in control of it all. 

He loves us. He knows us. He hears our cries and our concerns. He will never leave us, never forsake us. EVEN during this trying time, He's right here walking us through and directing us. 

As a mom of three, I completely understand how hard it is to be thrown a curve ball and have everyone at home, hungry, messy and saying for the thousandth time, "Mom, I'm bored!" But there's hope and peace in Jesus even during these difficult times. 

What I would like to try and challenge you with this week is to start with worship. Get those favorite worship tunes going through your house. I promise you, when mommas happy, everyone's happy! Start thanking God even for the smallest blessings!! Ask Him to show you things that maybe, in our hectic lives we've been missing. Then start speaking them out! Start, right in front of your kiddos, stating those awesome blessings and all that God has blessed you with! 

Plan out your day. If you're able to be home with the kids then get a "game-plan!" Is it time for some finger paint? Swim in the pool? Play that board game that's been collecting dust? My girls and I have been planting flowers, cleaning out their rooms, and cooking some amazing meals that we might not have time to do otherwise.Google even launched a new program where you can go to different museums and do virtual tours of some of the most amazing museums ever!

Time… the most precious gift we could give our children. Time to love, listen, slow down, ask God if there are things to chat about with your little one. Struggles, fears, insecurities, can all be emotions that children face and when we pause and are present, sometimes they will open up and God can guide you through those amazing discussions. 

Don't shy away from this precious time with your little ones. Press in. Ask God what He is wanting from this unique schedule and change. 

Remember, He's right there with you. He's guiding and directing. He's waiting for you as a family to come together and fellowship with Him. 

And all the while, He was wonderful plans for you! Don't you forget it!

With all my love,

Mel