Jesus 911

Who knows the show Nanny 911? I watch it sometimes with morbid fascination. An incredibly out of control family calls on a team of British nannies to help them stop the madness and instill a right order. The footage of demanding, flagrantly disrespectful children and shrilly screaming parents rivets me, and the eventual softening of hearts and likeness of minds by the episode's end is always good to see.

I don't have flagrantly disrespectful children, and I don't shrilly scream through our days, but I definitely feel things have fallen into wrong order. Yesterday was a super tough day and I was so weary by bedtime. Nick said, "Why don't you give writing assignments like when Doug and I were little?" I realized it's because I am 10+ years older and tireder. Also, as a stay at home and homeschooling mom, parenting fills all my waking hours and it can get pretty overwhelming. I am less likely to sit down and reason things through, more likely to give a consequence that results in Mom getting a few minutes of quiet. I don't like that realization. Imperfect as I am as a parent, those intense interactions with my two oldest in their little-boy ages were an excellent thing and I see the results in their lives today.

So this morning I open my Bible, bring this stuff to Jesus, and ask for His wisdom. James 1 says if we need wisdom about anything, to ask and He will give it generously and without reproach. I'm in the last part of Exodus, the building of the tabernacle. All those lengthy, intricate details of building supplies and plans...painstaking...I usually skim it over 😳But as I read, God whispered that my kids are MY building project for His dwelling place, because the Bible says this side of the cross WE are His temple and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Wow. Imagine if those builders had skipped some steps or done a shoddy job on the place designed for God to dwell in through the worship of His people because they were feeling old or tired! How much more important are my "living" sanctuaries?

"So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” (1 Chronicles 28:10 NLT)

Even though the task ahead of me feels uphill, I know God has the blueprints and that it's He who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure. So, watch out kids, Mom's gonna get some extra sleep, take some vitamins, brew an extra pot of Holy Roast. There just may be some writing assignments in your near future! Grin.