Recently, my husband had this profoundly encouraging dream - a kiss from heaven for me and I believe it will encourage you as well.
In the dream, Michael had the assignment of building personal temples for people - beautiful, ornate temples for personal worship and devotion to the Lord. Each temple was paid for by the “priestly works” of a persons life.
“…each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
1 Corinthians 3: 13-15
As the builder, Michael was showing a couple young men the blueprints for the temple and was about to show them their account of how much their life’s work would be counted by the Lord as “payment”.
Before getting into the specifics, he showed them my temple which had just been completed.
It was gorgeous, ornately decorated and included every possible embellishment and upgrade. Best of all, it had been 100% paid for and as a bonus, there was a large pile of treasure next to it for me. The fellas were very impressed and you could see that they were giddy to see what they would receive - surely these young ministers account would far surpass the extravagant temple they had just toured, after all, they were in full time ministry and had a lot more free time to do work for the Lord than a mom of five.
He wrote up their receipt and handed it to the young men… 20% would be covered and the rest would be taken out as a loan. A look of shocked bewilderment was on their faces as they gave voice to the obvious question, “but she’s just a mom!?!” Michael, without blinking an eye was like, “Yeah, raising up these kids counts as priestly work - and she doesn’t get a break day or night. And then anything she does ON TOP of that, making a meal for someone, ministering to a friend, going to the prayer room… it is all bonus!”
Beloved, there will be a day where we will see with unveiled eyes the true value of things. Pursuits and work which we highly esteemed as valuable and profitable while on earth, will seem utterly empty and useless- and other things which we despised and rejected, we will see were maybe the most important things we could have done!
I made a painting which hangs in my hallway where I can see it first thing when I rise up in the morning, in big black letters is scrawled “In this home, we are raising up Kings and Priests.”
“... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
1 Peter 2:5,9
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 1:5-6,
I want to encourage you mothers, in a day and age where people are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”, motherhood has been despised and rejected by many. There is little value placed on this humble calling, but I tell you beloved brothers and sisters, this is not how the Lord views it.
I want to share one more “kiss from heaven” I received from the Lord through my two year old son in my first years of motherhood. One night Michael was lovingly putting Rowin to bed, rocking him. Rowin had melted into his shoulder, sleepily surrendering to the lullaby Michael sang. Before laying him into his crib, Michael blessed Rowin “angels are watching over you,”. At the word “angel”, Rowin popped up suddenly excited, “Angels!” He exclaimed, “angels fly, and play with Rowin and go in the kitchen and hug mom and say ‘mmmmm’ and then fly! And play with Rowin and go fast! And then they go in the kitchen, and hug mom and say ‘mmmm’.”
Here I was, a young mom cooking soup in my tiny kitchen and matching socks, caring for two young babies, profoundly confronted with my deficiencies and weakness, and the Lord was sending His angels to my home to play with my toddler and strengthen me with hugs throughout the day!?!? And my little son was aware?!? He could barely string a sentence together, and yet he was seeing in the Spirit and encouraging his momma, “You are not alone!” You have a Mighty Helper!”
I want to encourage you of the same truth today, momma. You have a Mighty Helper who is in your home, ready to strengthen you, comfort your children, sing over your baby who struggles to sleep. This just happened two nights ago for me - my baby kept waking up every time I would lay her down. She was not feeling 100% so I hated to see her cry in her crib. I prayed with a friend for each of our babies to sleep and have peace and next thing I knew, I looked at the baby monitor and she was OUT! Praise the LORD!!!
Ten years of parenting, five children in and I am still leaning on Jesus for wisdom, strength and help from heaven! I am aware of my weakness more than ever before but I am also aware of Who is my Fountain and where to go to receive Living Water so I can pour into all these precious vessels!
You are doing valuable, priestly work, Momma.
The reward for this work will be more than you could ask or imagine.
It is a humble calling, one filled with self-denial and work, but it is WORTH IT!
We are never perfect and are always striving to improve, but when we mess up, just ask your children or husband for forgiveness, forgive yourself and get back up again!
When we repent and call upon the Lord - He is so kind and faithful to answer us in our time of need!
-xoxo-
