Momma Bears Part 3

Momma bears know how to rest.

I’m not talking about sitting down for a minute and catching our breath – I’m talking about real, true REST.

One of the worst things someone can say to a mother of young children is, “So, what did you do today?”.

You don’t really want to know and sometimes we can’t even articulate what happened – it’s as thought the day happened TO US, instead us making the day happen {can I get an ‘amen’}.

But the difference between “crazy mommas” and being a momma bear is that we know when we need to, and how to truly stop and rest.

Did you know that some bears hibernate for almost 8 months?!

They don’t eat, drink…they even have such a low metabolism that they stop peeing!

Hmmmmm…that sounds a lot like some of my days. I eat when I can, drink the rest of the kids’ pop and I’ve learned to hold my pee for a very long time.

I want to be a momma bear that can let go and rest – this is NOT an easy task for me.

I’ve taken one of those “strengths assessment” things a couple of times and my #2 strength is {drum roll please}

achiever

I don’t accomplish things for accolades. Nope, I just am not satisfied with finishing one thing and then stopping. Before I finish a task I’m already thinking about the next one and planning my approach.

My husband said it best, “It is exhausting being married to you”.

Before you throw angry looks at your screen please know that he supports me 100% and he loves my drive – but I need him. He reminds me to stop, look around and enjoy where I am in stead of always looking ahead.

So, being an achiever, the word “rest” is like a nasty 4-letter word to me..well, it used to be.

Call it age, call it experience, call it parenting for 13 years – I’ve FINALLY begun to appreciate the act of and the necessity of resting. My life is balanced and it has been for some time. I’ve been practicing this technique and putting an emphasis on resting ever since I started writing “Mom Essentials”. God broke me down and showed me just how ugly and broken I really was and THEN He allowed the Bible Study to be completed.

The process took 3 years – I’m a slow learner I guess.

As I’ve been focusing on this “rest-filled” mindset I’ve found comfort in some beautiful words from my devotions and scripture. I hope you’ll read these and find the same encouragement. Sometimes as moms we just have to stop and breathe. Deep breaths in and out and just focus on breathing for a minute.

From Jesus Calling – July 21…

“Rest in My presence when you need refreshment. Resting is not necessarily idleness, as people often perceive it. When you relax in My company, you are demonstrating trust in Me. Trust is a rich word, laden with meaning and direction for your life. I want you to lean on, trust, and be confident in Me. When you lean on Me for support, I delight in your trusting confidence.”

From The Message…

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Wow.

I’d LOVE to live freely and lightly. It doesn’t mean I live without care or concern – I still have to do laundry, make dinner, go to work…the list goes on and on…

But amongst my list…within my crazy day…I can rest.

One minute I’m a momma bear with her roar known and the next I can be them momma bear sitting back, playing with her kids and truly resting.

Resting in the truth that I’m not the only one on my side.

Resting in the truth that God is enough.

Resting in the truth that tomorrow’s worries cannot be remedied today so I might ask well rest in the moments God has given me.

I hope you are able to rest this week and enjoy your cubs. let’s hibernate together and trust that God’s hand is on us – almost creating a cave of protection. Rest momma, He’s got this.

Blessings –

Kasey

Checkout  all the posts in this series…

Meet the Momma Bears

Momma Bears Part 1

Momma Bears Part 2

He Will Do It

Last night I had a blast hanging out with the amazing women of Westerville Christian. They won a set of my latest Bible Study at #MomCon. I was so excited to meet with them and our time together took a really cool turn – one I hadn’t seen coming. I love when God comes in and decides to speak a word I was NOT expecting – it’s a beautiful moment when I’m reminded that God knows us better than we know ourselves.

We were focused on 1 Thessalonians 5:24…

“The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

It’s a simple phrase until we take it apart.

“The one who calls you…” Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’ve been CALLED. Being a mom is a calling! Sometimes it’s a really tough calling, but in the end it’s the most important part of our impact on this world. The thing is – we didn’t end up here by luck or because we were bored. Nope. God plucked us out of ALL His creation and allowed us to be called Mother.

“…[He] is faithful…” I can flounder, mess up, fall away and turn my back on God but He is always faithful. His love NEVER ends and He can be the source of anything/everything I need. God’s faithfulness in my life isn’t dependent upon my performance as a mom. Nope. I am going to try my best. I’m going to listen to my Creator and I’m not going to give up because I’m not alone. The Creator of the Universe is on my side and HE IS FAITHFUL.

“…He will do it” During our time last night I asked the ladies to think of their top 3 worries, concerns or fears. The things that are weighing heavily on them. We’re going to call those our own personal “its”. My “it” might be different from yours but it still affects us. It takes our energy and focus and that’s not good because our family needs ALL our resources.  Throughout scripture we read God’s promises to be our strength, hope, joy, rest, and peace. If I pray about a situation in my life I can know that God will take care of it. He’ll do it His way and in His timing but we remember that He’s faithful and He’s called us to this season and time – so HE WILL DO IT!

I don’t know what “it” you’re dealing with today but I hope you can speak our 1 Thessalonians scripture with confidence and find reassurance that God loves you, knows you and cares about the “it” you’re facing.

 While speaking to the group last night God reminded me of a lesson I had taught to my students just 5 hours earlier. In my Newcomer’s class we are learning about pronouns. Yesterday our lesson covered the pronouns I and YOU. My sweet students who are learning English struggle with this concept – I think mothers do too.

Sometimes we think it’s all up to us.

I have to make that snack, talk to that person, lead that activity, clean that room, participate in that ministry……..the list goes on and on.

When it comes to dealing with the struggles in our life and staring down any “it” that might come our way we might need to start using the pronoun “you” a little bit more.

What if we started saying, “Lord, You are my strength. You have my heart. Would You help me decide what to do….” again, the list could go on and on.

I don’t have to have all the answers. I don’t have to win all the battles. I don’t even have to prove anything – all I need to do is trust God and work on having child-like faith in my Heavenly Father – He’s got this.