Good morning! Welcome to Monday’s Manna. I LOVE alliteration, so you’ll see a lot of it here. As I listened to a training last week, I was struck by a blogging practice of the instructor: She does a Monday morning prayer for her readers, and this idea really resonated with me.
As I pondered Mondays, the tiredness with which they often start, and that familiar sense of “I’m spent already, and here we go, again,” I wondered what I could give you, my reader. Monday morning has that “Israelites wandering around in the wilderness” sort of ambience. We need to travel forward, but we often wander around in circles, instead. So, what we need is sustenance…a bit of manna, if you will. We need a reminder that our God is more than enough to meet all of our needs…according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus! He promises to sustain us through all life throws at us. He meets our needs, in extravagant ways, sometimes in the 11th hour. But hear me, Mom…He’s right beside you! You’re never alone! In the dark of night, the diaper changes, the baths, the spaghetti-covered toddler (and walls), the teenage angst, and the temper tantrums…yours and theirs…you are NOT alone. He sees your tears and your triumphs. He hears your prayers. He feels your feels.
So, take a deep breath…and a sip of your favorite beverage. Let me remind you that this job is hard…and rewarding. Let me remind you that you are doing a good job. Let me remind you that God chose YOU for these tiny (and not so tiny) people in your care…on purpose! No, you’re not the perfect mom. She only exists on TV! Yes, you are enough for them, if you’re letting Jesus sail your ship! If you’re feeling shipwrecked, today. turn your eyes back to your Captain and feel His love, compassion, and mercy flood your soul. Let me pray for you!
Lord, thank you for every mama who reads these words! Let her feel your holy presence in this moment. Lord, remind her that no matter what she thinks, feels, speaks, or faces, today, you have chosen her for such a time as this. Remind her that we love because you first loved us and that you have given us everything we need to live a life of godliness! Those promises are straight from your Word, so they are life-giving. Help her drink them in, Lord!
I pray that you would bless and strengthen the communication and connection in her marriage. Orchestrate a date night for her and her husband. Lord, if she is a single mama, may she intentionally cling to YOU as her provider. Give her your hands and feet with skin on to help her meet the needs of her family. I pray for every lie of the enemy that she has believed to be blatantly exposed, today! If her thoughts and beliefs are condemning her in any way, shine your spotlight of truth into those dark places and free her from self-limiting beliefs! I pray for every area of healing she needs…spiritual, marital, relational, financial, mental, physical, or emotional. May she experience your touch in new and tangible ways. Lord, I pray for the creativity, energy, strength, grace, grit, and wisdom she needs to get her through this day and this season. May you cover her with peace and bless her, today, amen.