Daily devotional, June 28, 2024 The Scrapbook
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8
One of the drivers of my “mom guilt” is not having been able to sit down and make scrapbooks for all my three children. Between all the house chores, cooking, baking, tutoring them, and doing part-time writing I do not have enough time to choose and print photos, paste them in cute scrapbook pages and write a caption for each.
I figured though, that as most veteran moms would say, I may not just be in the season of scrapbooking yet. “So what season am I in then?” I ask myself. And I thought that maybe, I am still in the middle of the happiest, yet most tiring season — I am still in the midst of creating scrapbook contents. For what do I put in all those scrapbook pages if I am not making both special and everyday memories my children will have fun remembering when they are older?
As followers of Jesus, we are being blessed every single day with the opportunity to live meaningful lives. In fact, that is the purpose why our Lord and Savior came down from heaven to save us from our sins. As He spoke of being the Good Shepherd, Jesus said that:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
The “abundant life” that our Messiah is talking about is not about a life filled with material worth and worldly riches. If it were about that, then the rich people would not suffer from depression or anxiety right? Instead, scholars explain that what the Bible meant about “abundant life” is a life lived in God’s peace.
Remember the last time you were in the middle of trouble that you felt nothing or no one can help you? Like when you were in financial distress, or one of your children has been badly hurt or seriously ill, or you made a wrong yet very crucial decision for your career, or when your ageing parent was diagnosed with terminal sickness? And then you suddenly remember that God is sovereign and that He has good plans for you and you felt assured and comforted in that thought? That is God’s peace.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27
When someone hurts our feelings, or spreads nasty rumors against us, and we fix our eyes on Jesus knowing that He knows everything and you do not have to prove anything. That feeling of assurance is God’s peace.
When you do not know how to go about a life changing decision you have to make, or what choice you have to go for, and you suddenly felt enlightened after your prayer time and reading the bible, or going to Church. That feeling of being empowered to make a God-honouring decision is God’s peace.
Likewise, that feeling you get when you see your children’s faces and you feel like you may not be able to give them every material thing but all of you are happy and content just being together at home, that is God’s peace.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 16:11
And as we seek the Lord everyday, and get to know Him more and follow His teachings, we will notice that our lives become way more meaningful. We no longer try to impress others, and just try to genuinely make our loved ones and other people around us feel God’s love through us. And when we make other people happy, and help them out with their challenges, we get to live an abundant life.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:8
As moms, this means living life in the present. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our parenting life, we intentionally relish the days God blesses us with, by creating meaningful memories with our children. Emphasis on MEANINGFUL and not “instagrammable” or those curated for our social feed, meant for others to see.
What we aim to create are memories that the kids will cherish, retell to their own children and grandchildren, and will bring a smile to their faces long after we are gone.
Such is the life that the Lord has in mind for us when He came to redeem us from the sinful life we have lived prior to knowing Him. He wants us to live a life free from regrets, because we have lived it fully and we tried our best to be the person God has willed us to be.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercyshall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwellin the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:5-6
How sad would it be if in our final days, we would have regrets about just focusing on earning money and not being able to enjoy our kids back when we still have them with us 24/7?
As they say, “the days are long, but the years are short,” we only have about 18 summers with each of our children, let’s make that count by acknowledging that their lives are a gift from God that He meant for us to enjoy. And that raising the kids to grow in Christlikeness is the foremost duty we have as mothers, and as a bonus we get to enjoy this season of our life with them with no regrets.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 23 and John 7:10-18 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What season are you in your motherhood journey? Are you enjoying it to the full?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of motherhood. I praise you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy my children while they are still with me. I know that time flies and your presence in our lives and the guidance that you give, allow us to create meaningful memories that will last our lifetime. Amen.
