Quicksand vs. Puddles

"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

~Romans 8:6

 

This struck me today in my role as a mom.  When I focus on the things of this world--the diapers, the mess, the meal-planning, the early mornings, the sibling rivalry, the crying, the whining--well, the list goes on and on and begins to pull me down.  My day becomes drudgery and I look down the long path ahead--of everyday more of the same--and I lose my joy because how can I do this forever?  And then top all the mundanity with the heavy choices of schooling and friendships and moral training and extra curricular activities and my life becomes quicksand--slow and suffocating.

 

But all of that is to be carnally minded.  To be spiritually minded is to see three little creations of God in my home, each being shaped in his or her own way into the image of their Maker.  God is doing a work in each of them, different from each other, and different from me.  My role is to help guide and shape what He is already doing.  My job is to be a vessel through which they can see and feel and know His love.  God has a purpose and a plan for each of them, and I get to be a part of it--a gentle guide, a counselor, a teacher, a servant.  And my utmost responsibility is to seek after and know Him, the One in charge.

 

To be spiritually minded changes "have to" into "get to."  To be spiritually minded means life looks less like quicksand and more like puddles, messy at times, but a whole lotta fun!  To be spiritually minded means I get to wake up each morning to a new day and witness what God is doing in three little hearts.  That brings joy.  That brings life.  That brings peace.