*This is the first post in a new link-up series called Build ‘Em Up. I’m participating with Kelly from Kelly’s Korner, Jennifer from Life in the Green House and Courtney from Little Light O’ Mine. I want to encourage you to visit their blogs today, too, to see how they’re encouraging you and to write your own post and link up with us. If you link up on one of our blogs, it will show up on all four blogs.
I was raised in a home of believers. My mom and dad instilled in me a very firm foundation for my faith. I committed my life to Christ at a young age, and as I grew older, I became distracted. My faith was always there in the back of my mind, but unless I went on a mission trip or to church camp, I wasn’t always right where I needed to be.
When I became a mother, I realized more than ever my deep need for my Savior.
As I was faced with lonely days and temper tantrums, I realized I couldn’t get through these days- the good and the bad- without drawing near to the Lord each day.
And there has been nothing quite like motherhood to show me how my “fruit” needs strengthening each day. I lose my patience, I’m not always kind, I don’t always show self control, and my words are not always loving.
I’ve been given this gift, and this incredible responsibility, of raising two precious children who were created in God’s image.
There will be days when I will fail. I pray each day that I can always show them and teach them as much about Jesus as I can. And I recognize that they will learn more about Jesus through my actions rather than my words.
For me, this means daily efforts (and I do mean a LOT of effort) to remember to have my quiet time so I can start or end my day in conversation and in communion with my Savior. It’s taking time to reflect, to listen, and to praise Him.
It also means doing my best to surround myself with friends who build me up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
I try to show my kids as much of Jesus as I can through my works and my actions and my words. But the biggest thing for us is just how God comes into our family and our decisions. Todd and I know that we’re responsible for showing our boys what faith means.
We let our boys hear our prayers in the hard times and the good times. We read them Bible stories and try to bring those lessons from the stories into our every day life.
For me, it takes effort every single day. In the midst of laundry, tantrums, cooking, running back and forth, kissing boo boos and breaking up fights, I have to remember to stop and be in conversation with the Lord.
People often ask me about different books, Bible studies, ways to pray, etc. And the truth is, those things are useful and are all little seedlings along the way to growing in that relationship with the Lord. But being a Bible scholar or having the most eloquent words in a prayer aren’t the things that matter to Him most. He just wants my heart.
My faith comes to life through my family as we look around and see the many blessings we have and thank Him for never leaving us or forsaking us.
Many days go by when I don’t get to do my quiet time. Sometimes I do all of my daily Bible study “homework” all in one night because I didn’t make time to do it every day of the week. Some nights I go to bed and beat myself up over the rotten day we had and the way I reacted, and then realize that I hadn’t been in prayer at all that day.
But I give myself grace, and talk to Him the way I would talk to a friend. Because those reminders that He is with me through each little moment pull me closer and closer to Him.
And those little seeds are sprouting in Hudson and Hayes. Their nightly prayers, their compassion for others, and their young love for Jesus encourage me to keep doing what I’m doing. No matter how imperfect it is.
I’d love to hear how you are bringing your faith to life. What does that look like for you?
(If you are interested, my favorite daily devotional is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. We also read Jesus Calling for Kids to the boys, though it’s a little over their heads right now. Hudson loves The Beginner’s Bible by ZonderKids.)
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Sweet post…really liked it
Thanks for sharing
Catholicism
loved this erin. you are dead on. motherhood has also shown me that i need Him DAILY – like slammed open the door to my selfish ways and how much work i have to do. but hooray for grace!
thank you for always being such a strong source of encouragement for me. you build me up! and yes… hooray for grace!
I’m not sure if my comment went through or not, but I love “He just wants my heart.” So true. In the midst of our complicated world, it’s something so simple.
Oh, friend. It is so simple, but there is such a gift that comes with it. And I always feel SO much better when I take the time for the quiet and the listening and spending good time with Him in prayer.
In an internet and world full of snarky hate and secularism, I am so thankful for your friendship and your love of God. You are a blessing. xo
You are one of those friends who build me up and encourage me. I’m so grateful for the crazy Internet and the friendship we’ve formed because of it! I love this post so much and love you, too! 🙂
Oh friend. I am so so very thankful for you, too. Thank you for everything. I love you much!
Oh, thank you, Erin! This was a beautiful post! You are so right – in the midst of it all, all He wants is our heart. It’s so encouraging to read that others are exactly where I am in this faith, marriage and parenting journey. I certainly don’t have it all figured out, but I can rest in the assurance that God will lead the way.
Anna! I am so glad that I found your blog and that it seems like our lives are living such similar parallels. I think of you often and how you’re helping to raise those precious boys. Thank you for being such light!
It also means doing my best to surround myself with friends who build me up.
This.
I am just so thankful that I’ve found so many friends in this season of my life who are such an encouragement to me.
I love this post! And you’re right…God just wants to hear our hearts. I always love hearing people whose prayers are eloquent and beautifully spoken. My prayers aren’t like that. I’m not good with my words, but God doesn’t care. He just wants to hear ME. It doesn’t have to be fancy with dictionary words.
I wish I was one of those, too, but I always freeze up any time I am asked to pray publicly. It’s just not my thing. I get so distracted and so caught up in the words, and when I pray silently I could talk to God for hours in just plain “conversation.” I love that this isn’t what matters most.
I love that too – He just wants my heart! It makes me feel so validated to be with other Christian mama’s that struggle with the same things that I do. Each day is a battle – with some high high and some low lows. I try to be calm, patient and loving but that does not always happen. I was reading a book last night – Ann Vossakamp – she mentioned that Life is NOT an emergency. That statement meant a lot to me because it is so easy for me to get caught up in the day to day and forget what really matters.
I’ve posted comments on your blog before, and it’s crazy how we seem to be in the same stages together! Our two kids are pretty much exactly the same age, and we’re about to break ground on building our dream house! We have chosen a Frank Betz plan called the Wellstone Place, and we couldn’t be happier! I hope you tell us about your house plans–I sure would love to hear about them 🙂 I love following you on pinterest, and can’t wait to see some stuff for the new house–I need ideas!
I am slightly ahead of you on the motherhood journey – one day you will have time for quiet times and will not have to complete your homework all at once, but either way – it’s really okay! He has abundant grace.
I love that you shared that He just wants our hearts. Amen to that! Yes. Bible study can help our hearts get bowed low in the right direction, but it is our heart he wants. So good.
Jamie is right, one day there will be time for quiet times. But the need for grace in parenting, I am starting to think it never goes away and may intensify in the teen years? Not sure yet. =)
I think living out your faith is living in a way where Christ is the most important. Really this might not look much different from the neighbor’s life but the motivation and desire to love others is radically different. Love the idea behind this linky.
So thankful for your words. “He just wants our hearts” so perfect, Erin! I want you to know I am so blessed by our friendship, thank you for being so encouraging to me.
It is amazing how we are all the same. Motherhood really opened our eyes to wanting to live out our faith. We all have the same struggles throughout the day and praise Him for grace! It is especially hard when we have to ask grace from our children but I try to show them that even mom and dad mess up and need help.
Thanks for this opportunity that you ladies have given for me to share and to hear from other amazing women!
Such a beautiful post & a wonderful reminder–“God just wants our hearts”.
And you are right–It is SO important to surround ourselves with those who build us up. Motherhood is a tough job! Having people around who can help push us through the challenging moments can make such a difference!
Thanks for sharing your heart!
Such beautiful words and so much truth. Motherhood taught me just how much I rely on my Savior everyday. Before becoming a Mama, I could convince myself that I was a pretty good person. But motherhood showed me just how sinful and flawed I am – and how much His grace and mercy carries me.
I love Jesus Calling! And you’re not the only one who does her CBS homework the night before sometimes… me too! 🙂