When it rains there is nothing you can do to stop it. Plans get rearranged and moments become something new and unexpected. We navigate the weather and move forward. Motherhood has those rainy days. Sometimes your heart pours out endless prayers while your tears spill over and down your cheeks with little help from a tissue.

I think back on tear-filled moments while holding my babies watching the tears fall into the fabric of my clothing feeling hopeless. Yes, hopeless and caught up in a sadness that was hard to brush off. I was holding onto a baby or toddler not thinking that God was holding me. What I couldn’t see in the moment was the gift of holding my child while crying. The warmth of my child and the the look of innocence in their eyes was God’s way of providing me what I needed, comfort. He was with me, capturing my tears. I don’t remember what I was crying about, but I do remember it happened. It still does. Even with older children, I am still going to have moments of sadness and tear-soaked pillows. I may not have a babe arms, but I am more aware that God is sustaining me always.

When it rains in your child’s life, you feel it with them. One of the hardest moments for me as a mom is the inability to fix the heartache, catch all the tears and mend all the brokenness. This is when you call for all the troops to cover you in prayer! The ones that see the text, put their phone down and pray. The ones that come by with a coffee and pray. The ones that hold your hand, pass you the kleenex and a very large piece of chocolate. The ones that open the Bible and share a beautiful promise. When the hurt rains down, the ones that come running to hold the umbrella are God’s good and beautiful gifts to sustain us. We can trust that he knows the who, what, when, where, why and how. 

“You keep track of all my sorrows.
    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in your book.”

(Psalm 56:8 – NLT)

He sees, he knows and he cares. I know that I can look to him, 

“Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.“

(Psalm 34:5 – NIV)

I often think of the word Radiance. I love the word! I imagine brilliant sunsets, the warm glow of a fire, candles flickering and the smiles of loved ones. How much more radiant is Christ!

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

(Hebrews 1:1-4 – NIV)

 

 Motherhood is a role I am truly thankful for in multiple ways. There are joyful moments and hard ones that keep me on my knees with eyes fixed on God. It’s easier to be grateful for the fun-filled days. It’s simply more challenging to find joy in the gritty, painful ones. Lately, the faster I turn my eyes toward him I find peace flows,  joy remains and I can rest in the truth I am held by a loving God.

Even when it rains and we feel unable to navigate the storm, he is holding us. Let the tears fall, invite others to come along side of you and keep your eyes fixed on the one who knows you because he created you for this! I am a mother, but more importantly I am a child of God and desire to share with my children the living hope found in Christ, even when it rains.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.

(Psalm 18:16 – NIV)

Who are your ‘troops’? Who is praying with you? Who is the one a text/call away? These people are gifts God gives to walk with you! 

I trust you find the music below to be an encouragement, it has been for me!

Phil Wikham Living Hope (Official  Music Video)