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A Bunny Did It – Megan Breedlove
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

“Mommy! Jessica’s coloring herself purple!” My five-year-old son announced the news at the top of his lungs.

I froze in the midst of my kitchen clean-up duty. The memory of a purple marker on the coffee table flashed through my head. I’d passed by it with the intention to pick it up later. It had been well within my two-year-old’s reach.

“Where is she?” I asked.

“In the chair,” Kenny said, pointing to our new, leather recliner.

Visions of purple-striped tan filled my head as I dashed into the living room. Jessica sat looking small in the midst of overstuffed comfort, a purple marker in one hand. Her right leg bore a single purple streak while the left leg showed the brunt of her artistry.

“Jessica,” I said slowly, in that I-know-what-you-did-so-you-might-as-well-admit-it voice—the one I imagine God used in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned. “Did you color yourself purple?”

Jessica blinked. She looked at the marker in her hand, then at me.

“No,” she said. “Well, I colored this one.” She pointed to the leg with the single marker streak.

“Somebody else colored the other one?” I asked.

“Mm-hmm,” she said, nodding her head.

“Who colored it?” I asked.

“Umm…a bunny,” she said.

Too often, we do the same thing Jessica did. We search for ways around our guilt. We’re experts at blaming our guilt on others but expecting them to toe-the-line where we’re concerned. But we don’t fool anyone. Deep down, we know our guilt. Others may know it too. Our omniscient Creator certainly sees and knows.

I used to be reluctant to confess my sins to God. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think I was afraid that if I put my sins out in the open, I’d really be in trouble. The fact is, God already knows what I’ve done. He doesn’t ask me to confess just so He can zap me with a consequence. Instead, He wants me to admit what I’ve done so things can be right between us.

When you have something to confess, remember God’s not going to condemn you for your sin. Jesus already suffered the entirety of God’s wrath on your behalf when He died on the cross. Yes, there may be consequences for your actions, but there won’t be condemnation. Rather, God offers  forgiveness and a loving embrace. Take Him up on His gift.

Megan is a married, stay-at-home mother of four children, ages 7, 5, 4, and 2. Visit her at MannaforMoms.com, which presents weekly devotions for moms.
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Abundant Motherhood – Megan Breedlove
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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

I knew a lot more about parenting before I had children. Pregnant with our first child, I began to read everything baby-related I could get my hands on. I was certain that anything I needed to know could be found in books, and that doing enough research would sufficiently prepare me for motherhood.

I developed a plan. As a stay-at-home mom, I would spend my days cuddling my baby and interacting with her. We’d have classical music on in the background as we played games or made arts and crafts. When discipline was necessary, I’d use patient, loving techniques that would elicit the desired response with no more than one or two repetitions.

Oh, and I would be so well organized that I would have time not only to accomplish all this, but also to keep the house clean and cook delicious, nutritious meals.

Reality was quite different from what I had envisioned, because perfection in parenting is impossible, just as it is impossible in any area of life. If we look to perfect circumstances to fulfill our need for the abundant life Jesus promised us, we will be disappointed again and again. If, however, we look to Jesus Himself in the midst of our circumstances, we will enter into a life more abundant than we ever asked or imagined.

In the seven years since I became a mom, I’ve learned that perfectly-behaved children, a clean house, and a well-ordered schedule will not fulfill me. True fulfillment comes only when I seek God Himself and take Him as my reward. I’ve begun to realize that motherhood doesn’t stand in the way of the abundant life I seek; instead, as I allow all its imperfections to draw me closer to God in prayer, motherhood becomes the means through which Jesus delivers the abundant life He has promised.

Do you look at the circumstances in your life as a barrier to knowing God? Change your perspective. Realize that each less-than-desirable circumstance provides opportunities for drawing close to God in new and different ways you might never have explored otherwise, and rejoice.

Megan is a married, stay-at-home mother of four children, ages 7, 5, 4, and 2. Visit her at MannaforMoms.com, which presents weekly devotions for moms. Read Megan’s devotions.
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!