Isaiah 61, sort of…

These beautiful photos were taken by my father-in-law, John Day.  The flowers and the butterfly remind me of a brilliant creator, who is also the consummate gardener of my soul.  Praise be to Him!

I have been lingering over Isaiah 61 tonight. Every once in a while I need a little something extra to get me through. As the mama of my house I need nourishment and encouragement more often than I’m willing to admit.

The words from chapter 61 are incredibly refreshing for my soul. When I read this chapter with the job description of “mama” in mind, it speaks volumes. So, I’m sharing these portions from Isaiah 61, reading between the lines, if you will. In a new way this passage seems to be describing my calling as a mother…

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the He has anointed me for the work of a mother,

to live out the good news of the gospel with my little ones.

He has sent me to bind up their broken hearts, explaining to them that they are free from sin.

I can hold their hands when there is sadness and kiss away their tears, knowing His promise of beauty for ashes.

For days that are filled with hopelessness and despair, there are garments of praise in my closet. We can dress in them and sing a new song of hope and joy together.

This work going on here at home, its not just mine – I work along side the master gardener himself. I know there is coming a day when these children of mine will stretch up tall skyward, displayed like giant oak trees of righteousness. Everyone will take notice and see His glory.

There is a time coming when this rising generation will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bring rejuvenation to places that have been devastated by sin and darkness. They will be known as His ministers. Their inheritance from Him will be blessing upon blessing in double portions and His joy will be theirs forever.

Because the Lord loves justice and He is faithful to His promises, I know I can rely on this covenant that he has made with our family. It is my prayer that people who get to know us will also come to know the Lord.

(vs 10 and 11 are my favorites, straight from Scripture)

10 I delight greatly in the LORD;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise

spring up before all nations.

Heavenly Father,

All I can say is thank you for giving me the grace to be the mother to my children that You’ve called me to be, amid the work that you are doing in our home. May you be glorified in it all!

amen

(originally written July, 2010)