The life God gives us in His kingdom is an abounding life. It is above the normal status quo. He wants us to abound in everything in our lives (2 Corinthians 8:7). That means abounding and overflowing as we face the challenges of motherhood each day. Yes, right in your kitchen, when a child is annoying you, one is crying, and everyone seems to want you at once!
"Please get real," you say. "This is a bit over the top. And you don't understand what I am going through." Dear wife and mother, did you know that the word "abounding" is Bible language. It's repeated over and over again, along with other words such as "abundantly, exceeding, increasing, multiplying" in every area of our lives. And they are written to believers who were suffering and going through persecution.
One of the "aboundings" is to abound in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7). The actual Greek word means "overflowing, over and above, enough and to spare, superabounding, excelling and exceeding." Now, that's not normal is it? It's over the top! So let's get with it.
Do you start the day thanking God for all His goodness and His great salvation. Are you thanking Him in your heart all day long for every little thing that happens? This overflowing thankfulness spills over to everyone around us. Do you continually thank and show gratitude to your husband? When he does something for you do you take it for granted, or spill over in thanks? Why don't you stop and give him a call right now and thank him for the wonderful husband and provider that he is? Thank him for marrying you!
And don't forget your children. Thank them when they do a task. We give loads of commands, but often forget the thanks, don't we? Let's live the overflowing life.
Love from Nancy