Overwhelmed by My Blessings: Encouragement for Moms (Part 4)Sample

I came across a poem by Annie Johnson Flint many years ago when my kids were young. I made a copy and had it taped to my closet mirror for years as a reminder that pressures will come over and over again. Annie’s life was full of pressures. Her mother died after her younger sister was born. Her father gave them to another family, the Flints, who both died when Annie and her sister were in their teens. Right out of high school, Annie wanted to teach, but arthritis crippled her. A young woman in her twenties, now in a wheelchair, was living life dependent on others. She never married, nor was a mother, but her life was full of more disappointments and discouragement than most of us will endure. Her life was hard. She was pressed. The question remains: What will we choose to do when that pressure or discouragement comes? Pressed so intensely it seems beyond strength; Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul, Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll; Pressed by foes, and pressured by friends; Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends; Pressed into loving the staff and the rod, Pressed into knowing no helper but God; Pressed into liberty where nothing clings, Pressed into faith for impossible things; Pressed into living a life for the Lord, Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured. Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) Father, I long for the eternal, faith-filled outlook of Annie Flint. Give me eyes to see the pressures of life as real opportunities to exchange my disappointments for your joy, and my discouragement as an occasion to bring you glory. May these words of hers be truth to my heart and a reminder that only through you will I find strength, freedom, and a life of purpose. Remind me today, as the pressures come, that you fill all my needs. Consider reading these scriptures from The Message today.