This is a word for all you tired mommies who, if truth be known feel a little like quitting today.

Let's just say it right up front, we all know motherhood is the best gift ever. Yes, it's worth every heartache and effort - ALWAYS. But, do you ever feel like that's the only consolation you get from people? Can we just be honest? It's hard. Really, reeeeaaaally hard and that doesn't make it not worth it, it just makes it, well hard - and honest. So if you are feeling little over it today, and, if NOBODY else tells you, I will, I get it. I understand. In fact, I may be team captain! As mom there is never NOT a need. The moment your weary bones sit for the first time since 5 am someone needs to be wiped, as dinner beckons the puppy poops on the floor, you finally fall into bed and someone needs a drink. REAL LIFE. Wonderful, taxing real life. In the midst of all that need it's really (really, really) easy to snuggle up close to anger, bitterness, loneliness, guilt for not enjoying your life, even despair. So what's a gal to do? That was my cry to The Lord today. "God, show me, please show me how to do this, to meet all of this need without cussing like a sailor in my head. Without a harsh edge that everyone feels no matter how hard I try to hide it. To not just survive each day, but thrive in it. Paaaalease show me!"

Go to Galatians - yes, He said that to me. And, an instant answer, like He just spoke right back in a friendly, honest conversation (my favorite part of Immanuel!). There it was, my answer, one I know but needed to be reminded of, one I needed a refresher course on - (Galatians 5:16-17, 19-20) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division." Check, check, check!

Now, take heart weary mommy, here's the answer - "BUT, the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Tired mommas we have to keep choosing. We have to keep asking the Holy Spirit to direct us. The Word says we will be in constant conflict, so we must also constantly ask the Spirit to help us. The promise is that if we live by the Spirit we will follow it in EVERY part of our life. When you are certain you are the worst mom ever created for the thoughts you have, the patience you lose, the joy you've lost, here is the word of encouragement we all need today! I love this commentary from the NIV study bible - "If your desire is to have the qualities listed in 5:22-23 [the fruit of the spirit], then you know that the Holy Spirit is leading you!" Ok, I just need the desire, got that! The Lord will give us the DESIRES of our heart! When I desire to do better the Lord takes over. This final reminder gives me peace and power as I step into today, I hope it does for you too - "As Christians we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set FREE from sins power over us and no longer have to give into it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to Gods control, daily crucify them, and moment by moment [constantly] draw on the Spirit' power to overcome them." Peace, power and joy to the mommas!! xo Sarah Shaffer