Today, from 5:30 – 6:10 a.m. I had time to think. I think throughout the day, but usually I’m thinking about things like what to make for dinner, if I should fold the laundry or load the dishwasher first, and what I could possibility do to entertain three very active kids—all under the age of six. But while their soft breaths still punctuated the warm air of their pre-dawn room I sat in my thinking chair and pulled out my Bible. I need that time, I’ve realized, to think about extraordinary things.

This morning I read about Jesus being from Nazareth. As one commentary said, “Nazareth was they type of place no one wanted to admit was their hometown.” I understand that now as I’ve been working with Teen Moms in inner-city Little Rock.

When I tell others about our group they get excited, “Oh, that’s so cool, It’d love to help. Where do you meet?”

“Our church is one corner of an old Walmart building on the corner of Colonel Glen and University,” I reply.

After that, the look on their face changes. “Oh, that’s nice. Well, I’m not sure if my husband will let me go down there.”

Very few volunteer want to come help in “that” part of town. Of course, that’s where the teen moms are. That’s where many needy people are.

So, when I was thinking of this, I thought of story after story in the Bible where God used the lowly and despised to do amazing things. David was a stinky shepherd, Rahab a prostitute, the disciples were fisherman, and the Samaritan woman—whose testimony impacted a whole town—had a bad reputation.

And as I thought about this, I thought about my own life. I was a teenage mom. I got the comments and the stares. I felt ashamed and abandoned, yet look what God did!

This morning, the more I sat and thought, the more I became thankful of what God has done in my life. The more I thought, the more I became excited about what God was going to do with the teen moms I mentor. I also got excited about what God was going to do with my kids, especially those adopted from the foster care system. I can’t wait to be a witness to God’s handiwork!

And by 6:11 when my kids woke up, I was a new kind of mom. Why? Because I was able to think of God’s amazingness.

I was full of love, joy, and thankfulness, and all because I took time to think—time to read God’s Word and ponder God’s work.

Mama, every mom needs a thinking chair, because the truth strengthens weary limbs as effectively as remembering the goodness of God. Nothing gives me eagerness for my day as I step out with expectation of what God can do. When I think on God early, I remember to watch for Him throughout the day.

I know it’s hard to take time to think, but it’s so important. I promise you it’s worth giving up even twenty minutes of sleep. Maybe it won’t be 5:30 – 6:10 a.m., but think of a time. And then find that chair and settle in. Your whole day will be different, guaranteed.

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I have five copies of Generation NeXt: Parenting to give away to five readers this week! Comment on this post with your email address and answer me this: What truth is strengthening your weary mommy limbs this week?