Joy Comes in the Morning

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day. From first glance it was a normal day at our house. It was quiet. Until, Parker came home off the bus. Some new kids in the neighborhood have been picking on Parker since they started riding the bus together. He came home in tears yesterday. It wasn't long after he came home that the mom of the other boys was knocking at the door claiming that Parker was the bully and saying things that I am certain he didn't say. I know Parker. I know the things he is capable of. He wouldn't make this comment. I'm sure he said things he shouldn't have but this parent was claiming my child was saying racial slurs. (neither of us heard what happened it was all he said he said) After having a less than calm conversation with this mom I walked away feeling frustrated, angry and attacked.

After a few hours and a phone call with a friend I had calmed down a little. My husband and I made a trip to Lowe's after supper and on the way home I had a frying pan to the head moment. I really felt the Holy Spirit tell me that we (as a family) are at war. Our family (just like most families) are under attack. The enemy will use anything he can to get a foothold and tear us apart. It seems like since we moved here we have been under constant attack. It hasn't been little things either. I'm talking take cover cause bombs are going off.



I made the comment (out of the blue) to my husband that I feel like we are under attack. He didn't blink an eye when he replied that he agreed that we were. That didn't make me feel better. My husband is good at making me see the situation different. He is a much calmer person by nature and is able to look at both sides. But this time he didn't try and help me see that maybe I was wrong or to look at it different he simply agreed. So how do you prepare for when you are under attack?



When we got home last night I did a few things around the house and made sure the kids were tucked in bed, worked on updating my workout music for the morning, and sat feeling restless. I replayed the argument with the other mom in my head over and over. What could I have done different? Was I not seeing the whole picture? I had that same feeling and prompting from the Holy Spirit that I need to prepare for battle. Tired and barely able to keep my eyes open any longer I gave into God and asked him to show me what I needed to do to prepare for battle.

When I woke up this morning the scripture verse "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning" Psalms 30:5 NLT  I was reminded that joy comes in the morning and I had many blessings to be thankful for.


As I drove my kids to school today I felt prompted that in order to go to battle we need to be prepared. The way we can prepare is to study God's word, have a strong foundation and our family. I know that God will lead the way and will not leave us or forsake us.

Deut 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

On the way home I recalled James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Testing of faith brings perseverance. Perseverance is a trait that is not easily taught by a parent. It's something the child has to learn on his own. You can guide him and encourage him but in the end it's up to the individual if you chose to persevere. I think God is helping my children learn this trait by watching me. They are seeing that no matter what comes we still give thanks to God, we still come together as a family and are strong, we are who we are and won't change to fit what someone else wants us to be. They are seeing first hand that no matter how many times we fall down, we get up, dust ourselves off and continue on our path.

While I'm sure this battle isn't over, I am prepared to fight. (not in a way that will land me in jail) Normally I would hold a grudge against the mom that came to my door. Today as I walked by her at the bus stop I found myself praying for her and her family. I prayed for their protection and wisdom that she needs to help her children. I also prayed for the same things for myself.

I can't say that I will ever want to go to war but I know now that no matter what I have the tools to fight.