Beautiful words

I read these words on a blog this morning. I am encouraged. I can relate. I trust others will enjoy reading as well.

From the blog, http://tracieloux.wordpress.com/, she writes:

"Mothers, the hours you spend caring for your children with compassion in your hearts, the time that you give to them when you could be doing other things, is a sweet fragrance to the Lord. Remember the words of Jesus, "If you do it to the least of these, you have done it unto me."

I'm in a new stage of parenting now. My children's ages range from 3 - 18. Some days meeting the needs of each of them is pure exhaustion. From temper tantrums to pre-teen emotional meltdowns. From homework help to potty training. From being woken in the night by a frightened little one to being kept up late by a teenager that needs to talk through life. I remind myself everyday, "This counts." This matters before the Lord.

And I'm reminding you now. This counts. This matters before the Lord. It is a precious fragrance before the throne."

Thank you for the reminder. I am holding the words close to my heart.

The first few weeks of the school year can be tiring. It is one time of year that having a large family (as some call ours) can wear on my nerves a bit. I needed to read these words this morning. In the past 24 hours I have:

*wanted to spend more time than allowed, by both of our schedules, on the phone with our son away at college

*attended my fifth, and final, parent meeting for school

*celebrated with our 16 year old who had an audition and got a call back for today

*slept on the couch due to husband being sick with a fever and not wanting to be anywhere near him and his germs :(

*while sleeping on said couch the 7 year old came to me in the middle of the night because he couldn't sleep (got him tucked back in bed) followed by the 4 year old waking up crying and joined me on the couch (cozy)

*soothed a crying 8 year old before school this morning because he misses his big brother at college

*got the boys off to school and spent the morning reading with our 4 year old and writing math problems for her to copy and solve (at her request) over and over and over and over

The daily grind of being a mother...it matters. God blessed us with five incredible children and has provided the opportunity for me to be home full-time with them.

I am thankful this morning for words written by another mother which provide encouragement. It matters.