Good Gifts For Everyday Moments

“Our kids are watching and learning from our dependence on Him.”

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV

We’ve all had those mornings where the 5yo is roller skating through the kitchen, the 3yo is needing help with potty training, the dog is begging for kibble, and the two oldest are having a wrestling match in the living room that will surely end in tears… all while the toast is burning and the smoke detector is going off.  Right?  This isn’t just me?

In these moments we have surely been taught to never pray for patience because what you’ll receive is more opportunity to practice patience.  But how can you help it?  My soul at its very depths cries out “LORD I NEED YOU!”

And He responds.  Those who seek will find and those who ask shall receive.  Our Father has good gifts for us that we cannot utilize on our own.  And it’s not just a gift of patience for our sweet bundles of joy.  But gifts of compassion, forgiveness, love, hospitality, awareness, strength, endurance.  Further in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul highlights gifts of wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, tongues, interpretation, healing, and faith.

Of course some of the gifts that God gives to each of us through the Holy Spirit are long lasting, maybe even life long.  But I want to focus on the daily gifts He gives to us in motherhood.  How often do we need the ability to forgive, or have a calm spirit?  These are gifts from our Father who delights in giving us good things.  Sometimes we need to remember to ask for them, and sometimes He gives before we ask.  Always remember where the gift comes from and thank Him for loving you so well.

In the Motherhood Meets Faith online community, another momma shared the phrase “What God gives to you, you are meant to share with others.”  The beauty of God’s gifts to us in regular moments is that we get to share them and pass them forward.  When God grants us the ability to be hospitable or be aware of the needs of others, we get to step out in faith using His gifts to bless others in His name.  And our kids are watching and learning from our dependence on Him.

Action Steps:

• Reflect on the gifts God has given you in your day-to-day.  Think of yesterday.  Keep track today how He enables you.

• Read all of 1 Corinthians 12

• Remember you’re never alone.  The Spirit of God lives in you if you’ve invited Him to, and He wants to give you good gifts.

Written by Barbara, mom of 4 who doesn’t want to be gifted any more opportunities to practice patience.