A Call For Mothers

The Lord is giving me such a vision of what He wants me to be. Where, where did we come up with the version of Christianity that we have today? Where did we come up with the idea that it's normal for habitual sin to rule a Christian's life? When did it become "normal" for a Christian mom to be stressed, frustrated and angry most of her waking hours?
Colossians 1:9-14
" For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

Verse 11 is what I would like to bring attention to. I understand that this is for all Christians, but having a child of my own now is making my responsibilities very sobering! So, let's apply this to moms. I understand this verse to say that through Christ's strength and power we are to CONTINUALLY be in a state of patience, longsuffering, and joyfulness. Most moms (even Christians) today would say that that's impossible when you have several children - is it? I believe that not only is it possible, it is God's divine plan for every Christian mother and that it is our DUTY before Him to fulfill it! I know, you're going, "wait a minute, slow down here" but I meant exactly what I said. This is the only hope for our children! Our responsibility is to show Christ to our children - how if not through our daily lives? It doesn't matter how often you tell your kids that God gives you strength for each day. If they see you (and me!) living in a state of stress and frustration, it will effect their very image of God. They will conclude - and rightly so - that God apparently doesn't have enough power over our lives to allow us to live in victory.
What about the fact that Christ DIED to give us victory in this very area? When God showed me this it literally brought me to tears. We live in a state of habitual sin ruling our lives (we don't see frustration and stress as sin do we?) and are therefore boldly stating that Christ's sacrifice was not enough. Verse 13 says "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness..." - He already has! Why don't we believe it? Why don't we claim it? Sure, we can put on a front of patience and joy when others are around, but how do our kids see us? I'm not saying that we'll never fall, but I am saying that our continual habit will be patience and joy. Christ has a far, far higher standard for us than we've settled for. We accept that "fact" that "that's just the way moms are - it's our lot in life" NO IT'S NOT! Christ did not die so that we could live in sin and say "well, God hasn't changed me yet, so until he does...." Every time we give in to sin (that includes a snap at a child!) we cut Christ to the heart - He fought so hard for this victory, and we carelessly toss it aside because we don't believe Him enough to trust that He WILL grant us the power to overcome.
This isn't meant to bash anyone. It's meant to call us to a higher standard. We as mothers help to define the identity of our children. We demand respect and yet treat them like dogs, all the while quoting "children obey your parents". It's not a wonder at all that our children leave and we have no influence in their lives. We've shown them a Christ that is not desirable in any way. They see that we claim Christ and yet live in constant defeat - why would they want a Savior like that?
It's time that we began relying on Christ's power to live a set-apart life that is in His image. Not just the world seeing Christ in us, but our children seeing Christ in us. No it doesn't come easily, it only comes by our lives being completely consumed by our love for Jesus. We'll spend hours of intimate time with Him, we'll sing about Him, our voices and lives will reflect an abundance of His love, and our children will see that He IS our life. Only then will they desire to follow the path that He has chosen for them. They MUST see Him in us - we define their reality!