Monday.

I straight up don't like Mondays. 

My husband, God bless his positive soul, wakes up every morning with a ridiculous smile on his face, ready to tackle the world and all its goodness. (We complete each other in a mighty way.)  He cringed at me last night when I let out a big sigh and said "I hate Mondays" As he always does, he encouraged me to not hate Mondays. So here I am, Monday morning, lunches packed and kids off to school, my first load of laundry is going, dishwasher loaded and I finally sit down with my coffee, turn on a movie for the little man, grab my devotional, and my Bible with an optimistic heart.....

'cuz we had a bummer week last week as parents... and several times I asked God how on earth are we supposed to raise good kids in this world were living in???? My heart ached with heaviness all weekend.

Then just like every. single. time. I choose to zip my lips and listen, the Lord goosebumps speaks to me. 

Y'all know what I'm talking about?

Like Hey girl. I'm here. You're good. Your kids are good. You love them, but I love them more. and guess what, you gave each one of them back to me when they were tiny babies and I hold them in the palm of my hand. 

Isaiah 8:18 "Here I am with the children the Lord has given me to be signs and wonders in Israel."

Signs and Wonders. What a spectacular way to describe our children. Children are a gift from the Lord as if He was saying, There's still so much good to come from this fresh face. Each of our 4 children we held in the hospital in awe of what we had just been gifted. We didn't have feelings of sadness that we'd just brought a child into this crazy world. In fact it was the exact opposite. They're signs that point back to the promise and faithfulness of God. Living and breathing testaments of His desire to give us new opportunities.   

My favorite

from my devotional this morning:

The gift of children means He continues to have good plans for us.

Love those gifts you've been given. hold them tight. send them into the world knowing they're  cherished. pray for them. pray fervently. you're their no. 1. you're they're biggest fan. and remember they've got a great big God who walks each and every step with them.