"..we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:2-4 NIV)

I've been struggling somewhat recently with the constancy of the kids (and housework!). No breaks. No escape. No family around. It has been a busy time and the girls have seemed particularly demanding and whiny. I have been trying to come up with 'solutions', but God has been showing me that my solutions aren't the, well, solution. My getting away from/escaping the 'hard' situations won't make them go away or suddenly make me able to deal with them better. They'd wait for me. And I wouldn't be any stronger to deal with them. Jonathan and I read those verses from Romans last night and they struck me; it's a passage I've read so many times in the past, but this time I saw it through 'mummy eyes'. My struggles with being a mum at times, will produce character in me if I persevere through them and see them as opportunities to grow. It is in those moments of struggle that I am to look to God, my helper, to help me through, and so hopefully become more God-like.

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (Psalm 105:4 NIV)


"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2 NIV)


Further along in our Romans reading it talked about not letting sin rule in our bodies: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." (6v12) With 'mummy eyes' on, this meant not letting a bad mood or tiredness rule me, snapping and grumping at my family. When I do so, I'm walking in sin. Instead, I am to consciously offer myself to God as an instrument of righteousness (v13). Instead of snapping at and brushing the girls away, I am to practice:
love,
    patience,
          kindness,
                 gentleness,
                         and self-control towards them.

Some of you think that being a mum is natural to me - that I have the personality for it, etc. I laugh at that (I think that you probably are too now!). Gentleness and patience are not my strong points; being a mum has helped me work on that, but also shows up how much more 'work' on those areas I have to go. I am not a natural mum or a super mum. I am a mum  - and, with God's help, I am seeking to be a (more) godly one.