Take Up Your Kids

I just read such an encouraging article about sacrificing for your kiddos. It's brilliant and beautiful. You should read it here.

As I ponder what it means to joyfully sacrifice myself for Caleb, I am reminded of what Jesus said here:

Matthew 16:24

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Being a mom certainly means "denying yourself" doesn't it? Lately, things have been pretty good around here, but there are certainly days when I miss having my own schedule that didn't revolve around feedings and naps (except my own, of course). Somedays I really miss sleeping in on Saturdays or when Ross and I would go on dates that would last 5+ hours. Somedays I miss the adult conversation that would take place in the workplace, the pats on the back I'd receive from the school principal, the paycheck was nice, too.

But I traded that in for something better. Caleb is precious and beautiful and wonderful and an awful lot of work. Sometimes he drives me crazy. Sometimes I feel like I've given him all I got and he still needs more. Sometimes (often late at night after a hard, hard day) I wonder if it's worth it.

But this Scripture and this article remind me that sacrificing for Caleb is so worth it. It's a picture of the gospel. Of what Christ did for us. Sacrificing for Caleb brings God glory and though the days are rough here, I will be rewarded for that work in heaven.

So, in a very tangible way, Caleb is my cross. And each day, I place him on my hip and move forward- relying on God's grace to see me through. Each day I take up my cross. And, if I do say so myself, he's the cutest cross you ever did see : )