It has been one of those demanding days with frequent cries of neediness from my little brood. “Mommy, can you wipe my bottom?” “I can’t do it,” cries from my 4 year old trying to spread the peanut butter, to my 2 year old trying to pull up his pants. “I am hungry Mommy.” “My belly hurts Mommy.” And it all seems to happen simultaneously from every different corner of the house. I was ready to scream as I scrambled from her to there meeting every need.
Then the thought struck me…Aren’t you thankful that God is never ready to scream at me? Here I stand in all my own neediness. Desperate for grace to do this mothering thing. Desperate for help to get up in the morning and cultivate joy in the tasks ahead of me. I am constantly laying my requests before him. “God, give me grace to discipline this child in love.” “God, give me strength today when I am weary.” “God, please take away this pain.”
It was a gentle reminder to my heart that we serve a gracious, all-knowing, merciful God, who never grows weary or tired. He is one that loves us intimately. He knows our every need and often meets them before we even ask. We are helpless, dependent creatures. We cannot do our mission without His daily renewal. We can’t get up and work in whatever sphere he has called us to without first crying out with our dependence upon Him.
Do you need help today?
Let’s embrace our need for Him. How often do I try to labor each day on my own strength? Who wants to ask for help? No, I am here to prove myself to the world that I can do this thing. I am strong. I am tough.
I am going to embrace my neediness today. For when I depend, grace is given to fill my cup to overflowing. And grace will be given to meet that one more cry of neediness from my little ones. Grant me grace, O Lord, to love them as you have loved me.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7)
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So happy to have found your site through pinterest, you are so feeding my spirit. Thank you for sharing.
I ‘needed’ this post today as well. My little one was up early, is embracing the terrible twos and wouldn’t go down for a nap until 4:30! I’m exhausted, and worn out… and am in need of a little grace.
Give me patience, and grace. My life is filled with blessing after blessing, it’s such a wonderful reminder- thank you!
oh, i needed to read this. i am needy today. weary and needy. my hubby is out of town all week, and with homeschooling my older girl and caring round-the-clock for our little lovebug … i am tired. and i struggle with bringing my needs *not* to my husband … to add burden while he is away, working hard for our family … instead, i remember often that i need to be on my knees with my needs, being filled from my Creator and Abba Father.
thank you for this today …
Thanks for being so open and honest! I’ve only got one kiddo so far, a 13 month old (who hasn’t slept through the night in about nine months and sometimes it catches up with me!) and sometimes I run out of patience. I love the reminder “We cannot do our mission without His daily renewal. We can’t get up and work in whatever sphere he has called us to without first crying out with our dependence upon Him.” to start the day by giving it to Him acknowledging we can’t do it on our own! God is using your struggles, Linsday, to encourage others!
Thanks for this great reminder! Today has been a Very rough day! My 16mo is teething & Im expecting again. She has been quite fussy today & Im trying to do laundry, bake/make rolls, & clean up the house.
Thank you for this incredibly encouraging post Lindsey! With a 2 year old, 1 year old, and another on the way I’ve been trying to imagine what it might be like for you moms with more youngins and wondering just how you do it! The answer is simple and so timely. Grace and reliance on a loving Father. Thanks again!
what a lovely post! it touched my heart since my guys are often needy all at once and I don’t always handle it with grace. reminded of how blessed we are to have a father who is strong, patient, kind, gracious, who loves us inspite of how needy we are some days
What a great reminder! I have been struggling to find that grace with my little ones. Thank you!
At the end of a long day…..just what I needed to “hear!” Thanks so much!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you!!! How wonderful to be reminded we are never alone in this thing called mommyhood! Loved it!
This is wonderful. I was reminded a couple of days ago when my 12 month old was crying, clinging, and not napping (and I was sleep-deprived)…that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love…and God can give me the grace to reflect those qualities to my son even in the stressful moments.
Another season of insomnia lately…now a year (since my son was born) that it has been the uninvited guest in my life. I think God is slowly helping me to not freak out about it, but patience on those tired days is often hard to find. Today is one of those days, so thank you again for this reminder!
The Lord is so faithful in hearing our cries. I have been in need of these words for quite some time. We just had our 2nd the end of September. They are 20 months apart and most days, by the time daddy gets home, I am a crazy person. Thanks for your encouragement to us tired mommas!
I needed this. My six month old daughter has a trach and needs near constant suctioning. It can never be ignored, never delayed. But as much as she needs me to help her breathe, I need God so much more to get me through each day. A good reminder for me. Thank you. Time to adjust my attitude.
I needed this so badly. I need it moment by moment (and ironically, I’m using the word need quite often…). Thanks for being so real and honest. It actually is very encouraging to know I wasn’t alone in the way I was feeling.
lovely post, im not religious, but i completely hear what you are saying, and also want to strive to be more graceful in those stressful and trying situations….i have 5 kiddies, so there are plenty of those!
Thank you so much for this reminder, Lindsay. He is indeed a most gracious, loving and patient Father. What a beautiful example to harried Mamas
Oh Lindsay. I so needed to read this today. I’m right there in the trenches with you! I often find myself saying, “Can’t you both go at least a couple of minutes without needing something?!” Thanks for the reminder that I’m also constantly needing something from the Lord.
That is exactly what I was thinking! Just give me 5 minutes of peaceful silence please.
It is something I am thankful for everyday, God’s willingness to listen to my needs all….day….long! Puts in perspective the neediness of my own children. Thank you.
what a timely post… i had my third baby october 1st and am feeling a little overwhelmed by the neediness of a 4 year old, 2 year old and newborn. thanks for this wonderful reminder!
It sounds like we had the same day yesterday! Thank you for the encouragement and the reminder that God can and will handle the needs of me and my family.
Thank you, this was a timely post. I have a 12 month old son who was up half the night screaming (getting in teeth, I assume). It’s SO hard not to look at the negative’s and feel selfishly that my own needs are greater than his. God is working a better attitude in me, but it sure does take time and hard practice!
By the way, your little one “needing to be wiped” did make me crack a smile! I guess my baby is getting to that phase faster than I think!
Thank you.
Thank you for this. I too am sometimes ready to scream/crawl out of my skin/have a mommy tantrum when all three of my little ones are clamoring for my attention (why do the older two always need wiped when I’m changing the baby’s dirty diaper? I mean, really!) I’ve been sitting here in the dark, listening to their little voices coming from the nursery, already annoyed that once again, they’re awake and ready to start the day before I’ve even had coffee. I needed to read this before I go back there. Thank you for the reminder to “cultivate joy” in these acts of service.
I am a grandmother of 2 now and I know how you feel. The demands of everyone is overwhelming at times. But I made it this far and I now know how to embrace the Lord when I need that extra little encouragement that only He can give. Thank you for this post. God Bless you.
Teresa
What a wonderful entry to read before I go to sleep…thank you for the reminder. Love your post:)