couldn't sleep last night

Tragedy of the week - One broken "clip clop shoe"

Last night Anna Grace woke me around 3:45 because she could not find her pillow - don't ask me it was laying in her bed right where it was when we put her down; I very groggily went in to help her then got in bed. Only then I realized I was really hungry but I would not get out of bed again because then I might really be up. So I lay longer and Wilber (as I like to call our unborn son that we have yet to name) began kicking me. Then I started thinking of all the little things we could do around our house to make it better - you know things like touch up the paint on a door, little things. Next thing I knew it was 5 am and I decided I might as well get up I mean by now my mind was racing to all sorts of things there was no sleep in my near future I was certain of that.

So I tip-toed down the stairs with my bible in hand and began the time praying. Very quickly I was lead to 1 Peter 5:2-4

"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."

What a great passage to be lead to at 5 am! Right now I am called to shepherd the flock of God that is among me...being an example to the flock...to receive the unfading crown of glory. It is what we are all called to, it just so happens that my flock consists of little children. When I think about a shepherd I can't help but think it is a stinky job at times (literally) with long hours of constant watch over sheep some of the most helpless, dumbest animals in the world. While I will not say that my children are dumb, I will say they are in many ways helpless and do need my constant care and being a mom does have really long hours. So why do it...it's not for the crown - although that is a wonderful reward - I think it is for the little moments when it is obvious that God is working in their lives, shaping them into the people He wants them to be and somehow using me - a weak vessel.