When You Need Coffee and a Prayer
- Mandy Johnson
- Jun 14, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 16, 2023
āThe Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.ā
1 Kings 8:58 (ESV)
I opened my eyes, and for the first time in a while, I felt refreshed. My iPhone clock read 5:17 am, which hypothetically gave me plenty of time to enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee and quiet time with the Lord before the rest of my family woke up.
Jackpot! I thought, as I threw on my pink robe and fixed my messy ponytail.
I made my way into the kitchen, optimistic about the peaceful time I was about to enjoy until I heard a sound I didnāt expect to hear. Crying. Our swaddled baby girl, Caroline, had wiggled her way to the side of the crib during the night and was hitting her head on the headboard.
No big deal, this will only take a minute to fix, I thought. I opened Carolineās bedroom door and repositioned her into a more comfortable place away from the headboard. Surely this will calm her down. Piece of cake.
Except it wasnāt a piece of cake. Caroline continued to cry. Minute by minute, she expressed unhappiness from her crib for the entire house to hear.
Ugh, Caroline! Just go to sleep! I thought.
But going back to sleep was not in Carolineās plan that morning. She didnāt care that I had dreams of finishing a hot cup of coffee and opening my Bible in a picture-perfect setting like some sort of Christian influencer on social media. She didnāt care that I would most likely have to microwave my coffee at least three times that morning to get a hot sip. Caroline had needs that needed to be met whether I had the morning of my dreams or not. I was not happy about all of this, and it showed.
Have you been in a similar spot?
We all have hopes and plans, but life has a way of redirecting our attention, doesnāt it? Itās in those moments of distraction and disruption that in my flesh, Iām tempted to have my own temper tantrum. Itās also in those moments Iām reminded of a prayer King Solomon prayed for himself and his people in 1 Kings 8:57-58 (ESV), āThe Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.ā
The line I find most helpful is, āthat he may incline our hearts to him.ā The Message version of this verse reads, āMay he keep us centered and devoted to him.ā
I donāt know about you, but I need to pray King Solomonās prayer over and over again when it comes to parenting. My attitude, tone of voice, and word choices donāt always reflect obedience to the Lord. King Solomonās prayer guides moms like you and me to center and devote ourselves to Him so that we can walk in obedience. Simply put, when things donāt go our way, we can still respond in Godās way.
Mama, as you struggle to find time for yourself, to finish a hot cup of coffee, or to navigate heavy battles in life, know you can borrow Solomonās quick prayer at any moment: āMay he keep us centered and devoted to him.ā
Your fellow Able Mom,
Mandy Johnson
Father, please keep me centered and devoted to you today. Distractions fight to take my heart and mind off of you, but I ask that in those moments you remind me of what matters most, my faith and trust in you. Amen.
Connect with Mandy:
mandy@palmsofjoy.com
IG: @mandycjohnson
Mom Comm 2024 Emcee will be our new 'Unrehearsed' host!
Don't miss us Tuesdays, or watch our most recent:
Laugh with other Able Moms on Facebook
Follow Able.Moms on IG
Not an Able Moms Member yet? Start here AbleMoms.org
ć³ć”ć³ć