Such a time as this.

"Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created..." Esther 4:14

This picture stirs up so much emotion in me. 

When I step back and watch my children I know without a doubt that I was made for Motherhood. When I can see the freedom, joy and life in their eyes. When I can see it in their attitude and actions, I can fully grasp the rewards of being my children's mother. I catch a glimpse of how much God loves to see his children embracing the freedom he gave us through the cross. 

It's so easy to get in caught up in the day to day duties of motherhood. Sometimes those days can be overwhelming because it doesn't look like joy and freedom. It looks like failure, tears, and a plea for God's intervention. 

When I take a step back and watch the fruits of my labor I'm blessed beyond measure and filled with so much hope, joy and overwhelming gratitude for grace in moments when I feel like I'm doing it all wrong. 

I read chapter 4 of Esther during my quiet time this past week and it encourage me so much. 

"If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?"

I'm reminded that my job as a mother isn't just to live aimlessly; my job is to train by children and raise them up in the grace and admonition of the Lord. 

If I, like Queen Esther, keep quiet and lose sight then someone else will do my job. We live in a time when children are hit from every side by the world's view of life. If I am not diligent to instill in them a firm foundation built on the rock, the world will be sure to build a house on sinking sand. 

"Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:  “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

I love Esther's courage and steadfastness. Not only was she willing to do the work of the Lord, she was willing to lay down her life for His kingdoms cause. 

What an example of a strong woman and what an encouragement to us as a mother's to be steadfast in the purpose for that which God created us.  

I thank God everyday that even on my worst day in training up my children, I was made for such a time as this. 

Everyday is a blessing. Every moment is a lesson..and every second of those minutes I am thankful!