My little flock

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

Isaiah 40:11

Today, I am reminded of the great blessing and the tremendous responsibility I have been given as the mother of these little ones.

Today, I pray the Lord would gather these lambs in his arms and carry them close to his heart all the days of their lives. And I praise Him for gently leading me as I care for them.

Today, I thank Him for the mom who raised me to never give up. This has been an invaluable piece of practical advice for a young mother to heed. Some days, the only reason dinner makes it to the table is because I know better than to give up.

Today, I thank Him for the mom who raised the man I married. She told me once that she's prayed for her children's spouses from the time her boys were born, and some days, knowing she's praying for me is just what I need to get me out of bed in the morning.

Today, I think of all the grandmothers and mothers in our family tree who cared for their own little flocks and ultimately contributed so much to my own.

Today, I pray that my daughter would grow to be a woman who is discerning and beautiful (1 Samuel 25:3), and that she would delight in her heavenly Father as He delights in her.

Today, I pray that Caleb would be faithful, that like his namesake in the Bible, he would stand out as one with a different spirit who follows the Lord wholeheartedly (Numbers 14:24).

Today, I pray for Jacob, that God would keep him wherever he goes, and that the Lord will not leave him until He has done what He has promised (Genesis 28:15).

Today, I pray for Levi, that God alone would be His inheritance (Deuteronomy 10:9), and that he would be fully satisfied in the Lord and His plans for him.

Today, I look forward to eternity, to that day when my faith will be made sight, and when I will finally hold the babe who was never meant for this earth and who I miss so very much on this Mother's Day.

Today, and every day, I am blessed to be a mother. Humbled and thankful, often weary and sometimes sleep deprived, but very, very blessed.