uncooked noodle

That’s how I’ve felt.

Inflexible.

Brittle.

As I prepared dinner several nights ago, on a day where my body was worn, I paused as I watched the boiling water on my stove. I held some angelhair noodles in one hand and as I dropped them into the churning water I began to realize how I was like that uncooked noodle. As soon as it hit the water the noodle immediately changed shape — it became soft, had energy, and moved easily.

Unlike me.

Due to the lack of water in my life I gradually became worn — and quite easily broken.

And I’m not talking about 2 parts hydrogen to 1 part oxygen here.

I’m talking about living water — life from the Lord. Sadly, many days I’d wake up and continue on my day with my old strength. Slowly my gaze shifted to things of this world. What wasn’t done. What I needed to do. What wasn’t right. What wasn’t working.

I needed life.

If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7 : 37-38

But how? How with life with seven kids? With homeschooling? And ballet? And being a wife?

I’m tired. Really tired. I’ve got sick children (yes, they’re still sick). And bills to pay. And chores. When, Lord, when? How to do this?

I had convinced myself that the only way to “properly” give myself life was to set aside 30 minutes in the morning. A quiet time. I failed — Miserably — day after day. It became impossible to rise at 5:30 when Samuel had just been awake at 4:30. So I prayed. And through those prayers, and words from others at opportune times, I began to realize that for this season, in my life, time with the Lord might not be that 30 minutes in the morning. And that was okay.

It might happen while I do laundry. Yeah, laundry. We’ve all got it, right? Maybe I listen to my Bible instead of read it. Maybe I pray while I fold. Sure, there’s not the serene atmosphere of an early morning study, but it is real.

And sometimes in realness there becomes rawness and then authenticity.

So I leave verses scattered about my home to meditate on. I study the Word with my children as we read our Bible in the morning. And I pray throughout the day. Not the long prayers that I could pray before I had children, but rather short prayers. Of thanks. Of need. For encouragement. And strength.

And life, real life, began to flow back into this tired momma’s heart.

God met me through daily life.

I still long and look for longer moments of quiet time. Deep down, I know that time will return. My kids will grow, my home will quiet down. But, for now, the Lord has graciously shown me that He is there in all times throughout the day. I just needed to align my heart with His.

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1: 1-3

Be encouraged friends — be encouraged today. Find joy, real joy, in Him.

Rachel Marie Martin

Rachel Marie Martin is the author behind Finding Joy and the books, "Get Your Spark Back," "Mom Enough," and "The Brave Art of Motherhood." She is fiercely passionate about living an authentic, joy-filled and driven life and because of that writes powerful truth for others hoping to be the catalyst for change.

19 comments

Nichole October 21, 2010 - 3:21 pm

I’m a new follower. I love your writing…what an encouraging post.
Hope everyone feels better soon!

Bree October 21, 2010 - 3:46 pm

Lovely post, Rachel. I am so glad that you are softening up in the Lord. 🙂

Praying for you dear children! I hope they get better soon, and I pray that Samuel gets sleeping through the nights better.

A trick that works, yet seems really horrible, is to let him cry. Unless it is nursing time, my mother used to force herself to let my siblings cry themselves to sleep, and being the first to greet them in the morning. When it really is time to get up. Then they get into the habit of sleeping when it’s dark, and waking to meet ‘mommy’ in the morning. It seems horrible at first, but it does work. 🙂

Blessings!
~bree

Our Family October 21, 2010 - 6:40 pm

Oh Rachel, You always seem to write words that touch my heart- this is exactly what I needed to hear today!! Thank-you!
Jessica

Karen October 21, 2010 - 6:57 pm

Rachel, I’ve been an uncooked noodle lately too. And by the way, what a really cool analogy that God brought to your mind. I love when that happens – when I’m going about my daily business, dealing with my daily stuff and God using something ordinary to speak to me.

Anyway you post (once again) really spoke to me and the season of life that I’m also in. Thanks for another reminder of God’s grace.

...they call me mommy... October 21, 2010 - 7:53 pm

Oh how I thirst for that water myself!! Thank you! I’ve been finding those moments through out the day ARE just like water to a parched, thirsty soul…amen!

Warren Baldwin October 21, 2010 - 8:21 pm

Esp liked this sentence: “God met me through daily life.” Made me think of John 1:14 – “The Word (Jesus) made his dwelling among us.” Jesus came to the people. He lived where they lived. And the good news, he still does. Good post.

Katie October 21, 2010 - 8:22 pm

What a great post.
This has been the same journey I have been on since the first moments of morning sickness with my first, about 6 years ago.
I would miss the deep, long times in the word. That just seemed impossible to have.
Then I discovered GRACE.
But what a tension, to desperately want the Living Water, yet not be able to get it when we need it (at least in the way we THINK we need it).
Yet, I know the Lord better now, despite my sporatic “quiet times”. I pray more. I CRAVE God and His word like I never did.
I am so glad that it is God that is doing a work in me, and He will finish it.(Phil 1:6) So, even when I cannot spend time with him because I am up with babies throughout the night, or cleaning up throw up (twice this week!). Or if I am just being disobedient, God is still working, drawing me to Himself.

The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25

gianna October 21, 2010 - 8:58 pm

oh, there is so much truth in this! I love it! Season. It’s a season! And as much as you love Jesus as much in this season and try to snatch whatever time you can.

carissa @ lowercase letters October 21, 2010 - 11:38 pm

i got teary eyed… you completely summed up how i’ve felt for a long time… you tend to put into words what my brain cannot. you’re so good at that. : ) i should’ve known i was an uncooked noodle! but blessed be the Lord who renews our strength! thank you for this encouragment. hugs to you, sweet friend.

Lea October 22, 2010 - 1:27 am

Never forget that we serve a very understanding God and He is well aware of the season of your life at this time. He understands that you may have to “grab” your times with Him “here and there” but He stands ready to meet you where ever or whenever it is. Yes, a set a side time is the richest, but that will come in another season of your life.

Blessings abundant to you dear one!

Julie October 22, 2010 - 2:43 am

loved this!

Coby October 22, 2010 - 2:57 am

This was so encouraging…to know that I’m not the only one! For several months now the baby has decided that 6 AM is his wake-up time…the time when I like to get up to have my time with the Lord. I’m figuring out that, in this season, my time with the Lord is a few minutes after breakfast, when Peanut is asleep. Or putting on some praise music and singing my heart out to Him while the twins dance around me. Reading my Bible before bed. It’s not MY “perfect” agenda…and I’m learning to let go of that and surrender to God’s agenda!

Jessica October 22, 2010 - 1:53 pm

What a great post. I think we all have to find the time each day that works for us. I have a hard time getting up bright and early after being up with the baby at night!

I have three, 4,2,1 when they nap, I take some time to read up on things that encourage me and do a devotional. My children also go to be rather early, and get up rather early, so I often stay up later than them to do some reading.

Thanks for sharing!

Jessica
yeswewantmore.blogspot.com

Lindy October 22, 2010 - 2:08 pm

I’ve been feeling those same things. Thanks for writing from your heart!

Kelli October 22, 2010 - 2:34 pm

Thank you. I have tears as this touches me today in just the way I need it to. I think we do feel like it has to be this special place or in a special way or at a special time…and we don’t, as long as we make time for Him. He should be in our day all day, not just at 5:30 for 1/2 an hour. I like that you have verses around to encourage you…I need to do that. thank you again.

So I say...Living Life to the Fullest October 22, 2010 - 3:04 pm

Your posts are such an encouragement.

P.S. Just thought I’d let you know, but I’m giving your blog an award. Check back to my post for 10/22/10 for exact details. And Congrats!

Jenn Erickson October 22, 2010 - 6:34 pm

Wow, how beautifully written, eloquent, uplifting and inspiring. Bless you!

Monica October 22, 2010 - 6:41 pm

This post has perfect timing…I love how you wrote this, and your analogy with the noodles was right on the mark! Thank You! I find myself praying at the weirdest times too, just trying to fit everything in!!

Thank you!! I hope your family is on the meand soon!

Mom of Many October 23, 2010 - 2:14 am

So needed to read this. I often feel like this. Thank you for writing such an encouraging post. Hope the children feel better soon!

uncooked noodle

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