I’ve been enjoying listening to Bryan Chapell’s sermons online. His sermons are very concise (about 20-25 minutes long) which is a plus because as a busy and very pregnant mother, I can only handle a little nugget at a time. He is a gifted speaker whose sermons are Christ-centered, clear, and inspirational. His sermon “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong: Facing Our Weaknesses in Order to Find Strength” ministered to me tremendously.

In this sermon, he speaks from 2 Corinthians 11, 12 about the Apostle Paul boasting in his own weakness as he faces the “super apostles” displaying their credentials. Chapell points out that Paul’s premise is simple: if we are to be strong, we are to be weak. I usually do a double take when I see this statement because it is an odd statement. The natural inclination is to try to be stronger, not weaker, if our goal is to be strong. Yet, Paul urges his listeners to be weak.

I have never felt weaker than since I became a mother. God blessed us with two wonderful sons, and to be honest, they are not easy. I admit that I sometimes envy those with children who are more mellow than mine. I struggle day-to-day in how to channel their exuberant energy level. Then the Lord saw fit to move us to adopt a baby girl from China. In order to fit into this active family, God gave us a little girl whose active personality matches that of the boys. I’m outnumbered. Utterly defeated. Shortly thereafter, the Lord chose to bless us with another one who is currently in the womb (due in 8 weeks). I wonder what this baby will be like? With three very active children and a very tired pregnant body, my weakness is very apparent. I have nothing about which to boast. Many people, whether friends or strangers, are still in awe that we’re about to have our fourth child. Most think I have a high energy level and a great deal of patience. I’m even labelled as a “super mom,” one who can do it all. I shudder when I hear that label because I am not! Believe me, I am not. Again, I have nothing to boast about.

In Chapell’s sermon, he goes on to say how important it is to know our own weakness:

Do you know the extent of your weakness as Paul does? Did you know you’re as weak and sinful as the next guy apart from the grace of God? Do you know that? You have to. Because until you know how weak or bad you are (or could be) you cannot truly be good, or used of God. Until you see the extent of your weakness (even an apostle’s!) you don�t know the value of the lesson that must come your way.

We don’t just stop here. We don’t claim anything just by knowing our own weakness even though this is the first step.

Paul wants us to know our weakness so we will know grace. To know first of all that it’s sufficient in itself… You are sufficient only in His grace. You may have an easy time or hard. You may be very gifted or not. But it is not what we offer up to God that makes us sufficient.You are sufficient only if you rest in Him. He looks at you as bathed in the blood of His own Son, the character & life-giving blood of His Son and that is sufficient.Remember what he says at end of verse 9: “I will boast about my weakness so Christ’s power may rest in me.” The wonderful truth is we rest on Christ alone and His power rests on us. Are you relying on his strength? Ask yourself if you need to confess: if God is really your strength, why have you run past him so often when you try to serve Him? In all those times you use your gifts, talents and never stop to say to God, “Fill me.” We say, “Lord make me a mighty warrior, fortress, etc.” And that’s not wrong in itself, but that prayer must be preceded by, “Lord, make me know how weak or frail I am. Do in my life what you must. That I might know the process AND purpose of my weakness. That I might know your grace is sufficient, your strength perfected in my weakness. Only when I’m weak, then I am strong. Lord teach me, when I am weak, only then I am strong.”

Let us then be reminded that it is on Christ, and Christ alone that we lean and draw strength from. Our weakness displays the strength of God, and only through his grace can we find rest. Like I said, this is a short sermon, and if you have 20-25 minutes to spare, listen to this teaching and be encouraged.

I’m in my third trimester now and the so called “pregnancy brain” (This is my term. Not sure if anyone uses this too) has once again invaded my body. What is the “pregnancy brain” you ask? It’s a state of mind where one forgets the simplest thing and cannot express oneself at all. The best tactic is to point like a lunatic and hope your audience comprehends. This currently describes my state of mind, or lack or it.

Just this morning when I wanted my husband to open the dish washer, I said, “Hunny, can you open that thingie?” He then piped in and said, “It’s called a dish washer.” What a revelation! Oh yeah, it’s a dish washer. Yes, “thingie” is a word!!! I insist, and it’s an universal word. It can be used for almost anything. Even though it’s not the most eloquent word, it works!

Can you be cured of this “pregnancy brain”? Yes. The prognosis is good but the symptoms will last throughout the entire pregnancy. Recovery takes anywhere from three to nine months or more, and it also depends on when the baby starts to sleep through the night.

Reflecting back to my previous pregnancies, sometimes I see a little glimpse of hope. During my last pregnancy, all of sudden during a conversation with my husband, I used a big SAT word, “ubiquitous,” it almost knocked his socks off. Yes, he knew the meaning of the word, but just wasn’t expecting me to use it since most of my vocabularies comprised of “thingie.” See. . . . my college education is worth something. . . . after all, neurobiology was part of my major.

Even though I’m poking fun of myself, it does get frustrating sometimes not being able to express myself. Through it all, God is gracious and He enables me to carry on each day to serve my family. My three kiddoes are well fed, clothed though PJs are considered both daytime and nighttime apparel now, and most importantly, they are well loved.

My wife is amazing. So many other friends (esp. other moms) have said that Lois is their “hero” for her perseverance during this difficult season of life. Yet what I see as her husband is how much she strives to be faithful to the Lord even when she herself is weary. This has been an unbelievably challenging time for her with 3 young children and entering her last trimester carrying our fourth child. That she offers to open our home to others in hospitality (as she just did a few moments ago) for building them up in Christ is a credit to the grace of God in her. I was reminded today of an old Twila Paris classic which seems to describe my beloved so well:

The Warrior Is A Child

Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right,
But even winners can get wounded in the fight.
People say that I’m amazing, strong beyond my years,
But they don’t see inside of me, I’m hiding all the tears.

Chorus:
They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down.
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around.
I drop my sword and cry for just a while,
‘Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child.

Unafraid because His armor is the best.
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest.
People say that I’m amazing, never face retreat.
But they don’t see the enemies that lay me at His feet.
(chorus)

I drop my sword and look up for His smile
Because deep inside this armour
Deep inside this armour
Deep inside this armour
The warrior is a child.

©1984 Singspiration Music

My prayer for her today, and each day, will be from Numbers 6:24-26:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

I just finished listening to Carolyn Mahaney’s talk entitled “The Lord is in Your Boat” (click on the link to download and listen). This is encouragement for moms with young children. I needed this talk.

We had a very rough Christmas and New Year. We got sick two days before Christmas and the virus eventually spread to every member of the family and lingered on for two weeks. It was very hard dealing with my own illness while trying to take care of my whiny, coughing, and snotty kids. To top it off, we got extremely discouraged when others questioned our having more kids (or as many as we have: three under 4yo and one in the oven). After all, with more kids in tow, when one kid gets sick, the illness lasts longer because it gets spread to every member like it did for us. It also translates to more work for the parents, not to mention increased exhaustion, fatigue, and lack of sleep. The truth is, parents of young, healthy children experience all of these difficulties, but when kids are sick, the level of fatigue goes up a couple notches. Our tired bodies and dejected spirits were not met with many encouragements but rather comments that seemed to undermine our morale. Perhaps this was good because it forced us to be more reliant on the Lord instead of on ourselves and others.

I really appreciate Carolyn Mahaney’s talk. Sometimes the daily grind and the mundaneness of caring for young children do get to us. We do have meltdowns from time to time. Carolyn calls these “storms” in our lives. She calls us to rely on the Lord and to put our faith in Him. Here are just some of her quotes from the message:

Every time we exercise our faith, our faith grows stronger. This is why God allows storms to come into our lives. They all arrive with a very specific purpose.

Every storm is a divine catalyst to teach us about God and to strengthen our faith. In other words, storms help us grow. Kent Hughes notes that this is a vital principle of spiritual life. Without difficulties, trials, stresses, and even failures, we will never grow to be what we should become. Storms are part of the process of spiritual growth.

Next time you find yourself in the midst of the storm, remember that the Lord Himself is in your boat. He’s upholding you by His great power. He’s also strengthening your faith.

This encourages me because the difficulties I go through each day are not purposeless. I certainly was made to feel I’m a sucker for pain by having so many kids. So what’s the purpose? It’s for strengthening my faith and it’s for my spiritual growth. And ultimately, therefore, for His glory.

To all the moms out there, carve some time out to listen to this message and be encouraged.

Moms (and dads) of young children, do you feel like your current season of life has been a hindrance to spiritual disciplines and spiritual growth? Ever feel overwhelmed to merely get up with your children, let alone earlier to open a Bible? I know I do. And I often feel guilty for it. But take heart: it’s normal. And there’s hope.

Instead of trying to do what we did “before kids,” let’s consider the advice given in this helpful article titled “Do What You Can.”. It’s from Don Whitney, author of Simplify Your Spiritual Life (HT: girltalk).

Here’s a preview:

“At this time in your life, you can’t do what you’re used to doing. You don’t have time for all your heart desires to experience in your spiritual life. Nevertheless, do what you can do, even though it’s precious little. Just don’t deceive yourself by thinking that you can put off a devotional life until you have more time. Because when the years roll around and you finally do have more time, your spiritual habits will be so ingrained that you won’t give more attention to your devotional life at all.”

It’s been quite tough recently and because of physical ailments and the constant need to care for my children, I find myself whining and complaining. It is especially hard when I think this trial is too hard to bear. Though I believe my complaints are legitimate because they are true trials, I need to trust in the Lord. Sometimes I just don’t know how to pray. Do I pray for this trial to end soon so I can get on with life? Or do I pray for grace and strength through this dificult time? To be honest, I’d like to ask for the first because it is simpler and easier. However, I’m plagued by the second because I know it produces a better me. I am reminded of Romans 5:3-5:

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

I need to rejoice in suffering and look to the Lord. Since I have to go through this trial, might as well make the best of it. See it as a character molding time. Use it to glorify God. Look to the goal!

Instead of moaning and complaining, I think the best way to overcome this trial is to count my blessings, even if they are small blessings. So, my blessings and joys for today are:

• My husband being able to come home earlier today to watch the kids so I can rest for a little.
• My two lively and adorable boys who are just so precious to me.
• My kids were mostly obedient today.
• I had enough energy to look after them all morning.
• We are still scheduled to pick up our girl from China in two weeks.
• We have wonderful friends who provided food for us so I don’t need to cook. Our refrigerator is still stocked with food. What a blessing!
• My husband is able to take over my homeschooling task.

A while ago we had the chance to look after a friend’s young children when she had to run an errand. In the time before a few emails were exchanged, in which she was glad we didn’t “mind watching” her kids. My response? “Not mind?… not hardly! We love your kids, it’s our pleasure!” That elicited this unexpected response:

Evers said the nicest thing I’ve ever heard, he said not that he didn’t mind watching my kids, he loves them. Wow, I was so convicted last night that I lost sleep, which was very unusual. Like you said, I have [these] gifts from heaven but I often don’t treat them like gifts, but inconveniences. Sometimes I get angry and I don’t like them very much. Isn’t that awful? The very thing I know I shouldn’t do, I DO quite often. How much I need the grace of God!

I know I am not perfect, so I won’t try to achieve perfect motherhood. But I do want to become a better mother today than yesterday. I want my kids to really know that I love them, and I want to homeschool them as if I only have one year to live–create fun memories, teach them about what’s truly important, prepare them for Heaven not Harvard, forget about petty things that aren’t important.

The truth is, we often forget as well the right priorities, and how to love and like our children. May the Lord help us to do so.