Eagy Family Blog

My heart has adopted this simple phrase from my friend Elise: “Feed, love, lead.” This phrase may not seem hugely significant at first, but over time it has penetrated my heart and planted roots there. Daily I repeat these words to myself as I’m caring for my family. I can get too caught up in what needs to get done, my lists and my plans for the day, and getting overwhelmed with taking care of these young ones. But when I remember the basics of what God has called me to do, my perspective turns toward Him.

FEED: My children are all young enough to be at my mercy for their sustenance. I’m feeding three little mouths all day long. But not only feeding them food, but also feeding their spirits with the Word, feeding their confidence, feeding their minds with learning…pouring into these little vessels everything they need for sustenance, not simply food. When I have the mind of God, I am conscious to feed them truths of God, the good-quality food.  Not junk food.

LOVE: Show them the love of Christ, Katie…his “Love is patient and kind, does not envy or boast, is not arrogant or rude. Does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, does not rejoice with wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [His] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [His] Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a  Of course, I love my children like crazy. But I don’t always respond to them in a way that would make them feel loved.  Although the love I show them will never compare to Christ’s love, my heart begs for grace: Lord Jesus, let me love these children so they see Your love through me.

LEAD: Constant training is a good way to describe the toddler years. Obedience, glad hearts when sharing, appropriate responses to parents, saying please and thank you, saying I’m sorry…all in an hour’s time, every day.   All this training has great purpose because God promises: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6  Yes, Lord - that is my cry - that my babies will know You now and when they are old.

Thank you, Elise, for your blog and how you continually minister to my heart! You so humbly admit your shortcomings, reveal your true heart and passion for Jesus, and inspire me to be a better wife and mama. I’m praying God will continue to use you through your blog to sanctify and bless me!

Matthew 6:4 - “…and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Hannah is potty training (go, Hannah!) and she’s doing an amazing job. She hasn’t perfected this skill yet, if you get what I mean. So, I’ve been cleaning up a few more messes than usual. So much of our work as mamas seems to go unrecognized, doesn’t it? Countless times during the course of a day I wipe noses, keesters, spills and sticky spots. Gathering toys, putting puzzles together, putting socks on cold feet, filling sippy cups and preparing fruits and vegetables for snacking…I’m sure you could add to the list.

He sees. And He promises that no deed goes unrecognized. My Father, who sees, will reward my diligence in caring for my family. He sees every diaper I change, every toilet cleaned, every nose wiped, and he joyfully smiles when I read The Three Bears for the hundredth time. Mamas, your deeds do not go unrecognized in the eyes of the One that matters most. Lord, I pray I would perform my duties as Mama with Your joy flowing through me. Grace me to “Be joyful always (1 Thes. 5:16)” and teach my children to delight in our daily tasks.

Remind me to be thankful for a toilet to clean, toys to put away, floors to sweep, a sink to rinse and cupboards full of dishes, sheets to wash, shoes to protect my little ones’ feet, soap to wipe away fun in the dirt…oh, Lord, how you provide us with more than we deserve! As I go about my days, it’s good to remember You see and my reward is in heaven.

I’m absolutely sure I’m not the busiest mama out there. There are mamas raising twins, triplets and more, and mamas caring for huge families, mamas caring for children with special needs…I’m sure these mamas are TIRED. May God give them the extra grace they need!

But some days, I’m just plain tired. Today, I’m savoring these precious few minutes while all 3 are napping. I’m grateful to hear 3 baby monitors humming away. But I know it’s only temporary. Soon, my man Gabe will wake up first (as he always does) wanting cuddles from Mama. Followed by Abigail, and then I’ll hear Hannah calling, “I’m ready to get up, please!”

As much as my flesh would like to complain, I will say that I never get tired of smelling my baby’s sweet head, being the recipient of sticky kisses after the kids have suckers, and hearing “I love you thiiiiiis much, Mama!” I never get tired of hugs as tight as my toddlers can squeeze and holding their tiny hands - admiring God’s craftsmanship. I never get tired of little voices singing the ABC’s, “Tinkle, Tinkle, little star,” and This Little Light of Mine. I’ll never get tired hearing Hannah “read” her books aloud. I’ll never get tired of silly dances, shouting memory verses and big belly laughs. I’ll never get tired of holding my sweet Abigail as she sleeps, even when it’s in the middle of the night. I’ll never get tired of nose prints on our windows and crumbs around the kitchen table. For these things, I am thankful.

Yes, sometimes it’s good to be tired. It won’t last forever, so I’m enjoying it while it lasts. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my energy. I love you, Hannah Elisabeth, Gabriel Xander and Abigail Alyssa. My babes.

Your Papa and Mama love you!