Mom Heart Moments #360 - Mom Heart Moments

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.

ONE MORNING, I lay in bed mentally adding up all my responsibilities. Busyness with teenagers, a book deadline, and various serious health issues including Clay’s excruciating ruptured disc had me bone weary. This fueled my frustration with Clay, lying next to me, oblivious to my burdens. I was sending mean thoughts his way when the Holy Spirit nudged my conscience. Clay needs you to encourage him. He is so discouraged because of pain, mounting bills, and the insecurities of life all around him.

Really, Lord?! I responded.

S-l-o-w-l-y, I willed my arm to reach out and scratch his back. “I just want you to know that I love you and respect how bravely you have borne this ruptured disc. I know you are in such pain every day, but I am praying for you,” I whispered, in sheer obedience.

Almost imperceptibly, he responded, “I am so relieved. You have every right to be mad at me. I thought you were disappointed in me for not paying attention to you or taking care of you. But I have been so down and constantly in pain, and I have not meant to neglect you —there is just so much. Thank you for being patient with me. I really appreciate and love you.”

I slipped out of bed, intending to head to the kitchen. As I approached the door of my bedroom, I saw my ten-year-old son lying on the floor, cuddled in a comforter. I had no idea he had been there!

“I was sleeping here because I had a bad dream, but I didn’t want to wake you up. It made me feel happy to hear you comforting each other and saying, ‘I love you.’ I want a marriage like yours when I grow up. That would be so much fun, to live with your best friend!”

You never know who is listening. What would your children hear?