Last night my husband and I were so frustrated with parenting that I was literally ready to throw in the towel. I feel like our frustration levels are so high, and we are lacking the evidence of fruit that we need to feel encouraged enough to keep pressing on. I prayed last night for the Lord to give me wisdom as well as the encouragement I so badly need right now.
This morning I read Exodus 2:1-10. Jochebed, the mother of Moses trusted God with her son even when Pharaoh's evil was working against her. She trusted Him and he blessed her. I feel like I have a HUGE Pharaoh in my life working against me and my efforts to raise Godly children. My Pharaoh is the world. It's ungodly neighborhood children and their families, school, friends. Every where my children go it seems they pick up on such worldly things and negative traits. I sometimes feel like my efforts are useless and I am loosing to the outside influences.
I can't lock my children up and never let them out in the world (although I wouldn't mind it!) Last week Brady said a curse word (at church even!) that my husband and I have never used, yesterday Zack was talking in the car about Grand Theft Auto...a video game that we have NEVER let him play. Where do they get these things. Unfortunately they do go to public school and I know that is a huge part of it. I think about homeschooling ALL the time but we have tried that before and it didn't work out very well for us. I question my decision on that issue every single day, but my husband and feel like we can't keep putting them in and pulling them out. So until we can make a sound and somewhat permanent decision on the matter we have decided to leave them where they are.
In the mean time, I guess I need to be more like Jochebed and trust God completely for the welfare of my children. Even though it may have sometimes looked like Pharaoh had the upper hand, Jochebed loved God and knew that He was bigger than any of Pharaoh's evil schemes.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Obedience
Last night my husband and I sat down to look at our house rules and make up a list of things we want to work on with our children. In the end we realized that what we want more than anything else is simply obedience. Everything else we wrote on our list seemed to fit into that category anyway. No running in the house.......treat others with kindness.......use words instead of hitting.....clean up after yourself......these are all all important house "rules", but none of it will do any good with out the simple act of obedience on their part.
This made me look this morning at what "rules" the Lord has been trying to establish with me. ......honor my husband.....serve my family selflessly with a joyful heart.....no complaining....spend less money each pay day.....control anger and irritation......Am I being obedient?
Obedience is not always easy but it is always worth it. Obedience to God always brings reward. Deuteronomy 28 spells out the rewards promised to those who obey the Lord, and then the cursing of those who do not. I know which side of that plan I want to be on!!
In the end my husband and I decided that in addition to consequences for disobedience we want to have a reward system for obedience. We came up with a plan to have obedience jars where they will have a certain number of beads each. Throughout they day when they are not obedient (obedience being...the first time asked with out whining, complaining or delay) they have to take out a bead and bring it to us. At the end of the week there will be a reward for those who have a certain amount of beads left in their jar. It got late so we didn't get to work out all the details just yet, but the idea is there and we will work on it more tonight.
This made me look this morning at what "rules" the Lord has been trying to establish with me. ......honor my husband.....serve my family selflessly with a joyful heart.....no complaining....spend less money each pay day.....control anger and irritation......Am I being obedient?
Obedience is not always easy but it is always worth it. Obedience to God always brings reward. Deuteronomy 28 spells out the rewards promised to those who obey the Lord, and then the cursing of those who do not. I know which side of that plan I want to be on!!
In the end my husband and I decided that in addition to consequences for disobedience we want to have a reward system for obedience. We came up with a plan to have obedience jars where they will have a certain number of beads each. Throughout they day when they are not obedient (obedience being...the first time asked with out whining, complaining or delay) they have to take out a bead and bring it to us. At the end of the week there will be a reward for those who have a certain amount of beads left in their jar. It got late so we didn't get to work out all the details just yet, but the idea is there and we will work on it more tonight.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
looking to serve
Brady got a McDonalds gift card from my grandmother for his Birthday so yesterday when the big kids had school and he did not I look him out for lunch to use it. We ordered our food and then went to make our drinks. As I was doing this they called out our order. I looked over at the tray with our 2 happy meals on it I realized that I would have to take the drinks and the baby to the table first and come back for the food.
When I got to the table and got everything settled I turned around to go back and get our food and a man came up behind me and set down our tray. He said..."it looked like you had your hands full." I thanked him for being so kind and then had this thought.
Carrying that tray to my table was such a small thing, but it really blessed me. It made me ask myself...."am I always looking for ways to serve others?" The man saw a need, and acted on it quickly.
That is my prayer today.......For God to open my eyes to ways (even little ones) that I can serve others. And for me to act quickly. Not to think about it or ponder on it like I tend to do, but to just see a need and act.
Looking back now I wish I would have used that time to talk to Brayden about serving others and pointed out how kind that man was to us. Maybe he will still remember if I talk to him about it today.
When I got to the table and got everything settled I turned around to go back and get our food and a man came up behind me and set down our tray. He said..."it looked like you had your hands full." I thanked him for being so kind and then had this thought.
Carrying that tray to my table was such a small thing, but it really blessed me. It made me ask myself...."am I always looking for ways to serve others?" The man saw a need, and acted on it quickly.
That is my prayer today.......For God to open my eyes to ways (even little ones) that I can serve others. And for me to act quickly. Not to think about it or ponder on it like I tend to do, but to just see a need and act.
Looking back now I wish I would have used that time to talk to Brayden about serving others and pointed out how kind that man was to us. Maybe he will still remember if I talk to him about it today.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Feelings
In this season of my life I am "feeling" a lot of things.
I am feeling tired.....I feel overwhelmed ....... I am not feeling very skinny......I don't feel very organized.....I actually have been feeling very distant from God spiritually at times.....I don't have as much time as I have in the past to really dig deep into the Word like I am used to. I don't feel filled with the Holy Spirit.
As I said all these things to my friend the other day she pointed out the obvious thing that I didn't even hear myself saying over and over again......all these things are based on my "feelings".
Yesterday my husband and I went to Chili's and shared a big bacon cheese burger followed by a yummy dessert. When we were finished I felt so yuck and fat the rest of the day. This morning after eating all that I still got dressed feeling so "fat"! Well I wentto my son's orientation at school and a girl there complimented me on how great I looked. She said I didn't even look like I had had a baby. She and another girl went on and on about how great I looked already.
WOW!! All the sudden this afternoon I feel so skinny!!!!!!
Am I really any skinnier today than I was yesterday??? NO! The truth is I am only "feeling" one way or the other based on my circumstances, or even what someone else told me!
The same is true about my spiritual walk. I can not base my relationship with the Lord on my "feelings". I am just as filled with the Holy spirit now as I have always been. My circumstances may be different, and I am may not "feel" as spiritual as I may have at other times, but God is working in me all the time, and I need to speak and act in a way that reflects his righteousness all the time despite how I might be "feeling".
I am feeling tired.....I feel overwhelmed ....... I am not feeling very skinny......I don't feel very organized.....I actually have been feeling very distant from God spiritually at times.....I don't have as much time as I have in the past to really dig deep into the Word like I am used to. I don't feel filled with the Holy Spirit.
As I said all these things to my friend the other day she pointed out the obvious thing that I didn't even hear myself saying over and over again......all these things are based on my "feelings".
Yesterday my husband and I went to Chili's and shared a big bacon cheese burger followed by a yummy dessert. When we were finished I felt so yuck and fat the rest of the day. This morning after eating all that I still got dressed feeling so "fat"! Well I wentto my son's orientation at school and a girl there complimented me on how great I looked. She said I didn't even look like I had had a baby. She and another girl went on and on about how great I looked already.
WOW!! All the sudden this afternoon I feel so skinny!!!!!!
Am I really any skinnier today than I was yesterday??? NO! The truth is I am only "feeling" one way or the other based on my circumstances, or even what someone else told me!
The same is true about my spiritual walk. I can not base my relationship with the Lord on my "feelings". I am just as filled with the Holy spirit now as I have always been. My circumstances may be different, and I am may not "feel" as spiritual as I may have at other times, but God is working in me all the time, and I need to speak and act in a way that reflects his righteousness all the time despite how I might be "feeling".
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Good influence
Victoria is participating in youth week this week at church. They are out doing community service in the mornings followed by fun and fellow ship in the afternoons and praise and worship in the evening. It is always a long but really fun week for our youth.
Since we moved here last summer I have prayed for Victoria to find new friends. Because she was home schooled, this was a hard thing for her. In my prayers I would always ask that she find friends of good influence. Every time she is away from me I always pray that she be surrounded by good influence.
Well yesterday I came to the realization of something......good influence at Victoria's age is hard to find. Especially when limited to the idea that most of her friends are 12 and 13 years old. Instead, why not pray that she make the right choices in the midst of bad influence. I can also pray that she be a good influence to those she is around. I think this is a more realistic approach to praying for her. It also shows her that I have the confidence in her that she knows right from wrong and is mature enough to make the right decisions despite the influences around her. That is something she will benefit from even in her adult life.
Since we moved here last summer I have prayed for Victoria to find new friends. Because she was home schooled, this was a hard thing for her. In my prayers I would always ask that she find friends of good influence. Every time she is away from me I always pray that she be surrounded by good influence.
Well yesterday I came to the realization of something......good influence at Victoria's age is hard to find. Especially when limited to the idea that most of her friends are 12 and 13 years old. Instead, why not pray that she make the right choices in the midst of bad influence. I can also pray that she be a good influence to those she is around. I think this is a more realistic approach to praying for her. It also shows her that I have the confidence in her that she knows right from wrong and is mature enough to make the right decisions despite the influences around her. That is something she will benefit from even in her adult life.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Max Isaiah
Max Isaiah Nichols was born on June 23rd 2008 The day he was born was such a special one. I believe it was the day God completed our family.The first few days of his life I could only look at him and be overwhelmed with thankfulness for this little life that God has put in mine. I love all my children so much and could not imagine my life with out them. I did nothing to deserve such a gift, only by Gods grace and sovereignty have I been so blessed.
I am so glad to have experienced birth and life one more time. It is all such a miracle.
We named little Max what we did because Max means "strong leader". One thing my husband and I want for this little baby, that will someday be a man, is for him to be a strong leader. At the same time though, we named him Isaiah because it means "God is my helper". While we want Max to be a strong leader, we never want him (or any of our children) to forget that God is their helper and that they can do nothing without his help.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
37 weeks and counting
It is too hot to be pregnant in Panama City Florida!! Clothes are too hot...makeup is too hot.....it is just stinkin' hot! If I am not in the house or in the pool I am hot. And even in the house it has to be when Bob is not home, because he isn't a fan of the air being set on 72!! But I'm hot!! This baby is heavy and I can hardly walk with out toppling over! I am though, still enjoying these last days of being pregnant. I am so glad to have been blessed with the opportunity one more time.
Doesn't it just figure!
My sweet husband just had his Birthday last week. I never know what to do for him. He is so hard to shop for. He loves salsa, so I thought I had the best idea. He has always made his own salsa in my blender which he likes, but after eating other peoples homemade salsa he said a while back that he thought we needed a food processor so it could be chunkier. So, we got him a food processor for his birthday and the kids and I made him the cutest Salsa cookbook filled with a whole bunch of recipes for all different kinds of salsa I thought looked good. (He has never really used a recipe, just throws stuff in and sometimes he says he gets it good and sometimes not so much!)
Anyway, wouldn't it just figure that you can't find a fresh tomato in any store in town due to the recall!! Oh well, today I just broke down and bought him a couple cans of whole tomatoes. That was all I could find. I think we will try a corn salsa first, because I had 3 ears of corn left over from his Birthday steak dinner he requested.
So blessed
It has been so long since I have written in my blog! I came to the realization today that to sit down and actually write a spiritual thought that makes any sense right now is just not a reality in this season of my life.
It takes every brain cell I have sometimes just to remember how to make a recipe for dinner that I have been making for years!! Not only that but I have been so busy now with school out, and before school got out I was busy getting things done before school got out! Like the babies room! I had so much fun decorating it, and I think that is what I will post today! Pictures of my babies room!
I love this season of life that I am in. I do not have to have a spiritual "revelation" every day to be growing in the Lord and so I decided that for now on I am just going to use this blog as a place to record the joys of being a mom and a wife. I think that is what God wants from me right now, to enjoy the blessed life He has given me, and thank Him everyday for it.
It takes every brain cell I have sometimes just to remember how to make a recipe for dinner that I have been making for years!! Not only that but I have been so busy now with school out, and before school got out I was busy getting things done before school got out! Like the babies room! I had so much fun decorating it, and I think that is what I will post today! Pictures of my babies room!
I love this season of life that I am in. I do not have to have a spiritual "revelation" every day to be growing in the Lord and so I decided that for now on I am just going to use this blog as a place to record the joys of being a mom and a wife. I think that is what God wants from me right now, to enjoy the blessed life He has given me, and thank Him everyday for it.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
God's promise
This last part of this week with my children was tough. Just when I was feeling inadequate and struggling to believe that I am raising my children to love God and each other, my friend called with this wonderful verse...
This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Deidra, my servant, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘ I am the Lord's,’ and will take the name Israel. Isaiah 44:3-5
It is so hard to stay motivated when you see little fruit in your children. I know my teaching is not real eloquent. I feel like I am talking to a wall sometimes when trying to convey truth to my children. It wasn't modeled to me and so it certainly does not come naturally, but I believe with all my heart that God chose me to be the start of a long lineage of followers of Christ. I believe that He intends to bless my children with His heritage as He has done for me.
I have been praying to hear more clearly from the Lord, and I believe that it was no accident that I meditated on Isaiah 44 all weekend. I believe it was a word of encouragement from the encourager Himself!
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed. Isaiah 61:9
I may not always know the right verses to teach my children or the perfect words to say in just the right situations, I know I get frustrated and angry at times but I, like my children, am a work in progress. All I have to do right now is trust God and believe His promises. I know that one day when I look at my children and see them following God and teaching their own children to follow Him, it will not be because I knew what I was doing! It will be because God is the great Redeemer.
I really stink at this Godly parenting thing sometimes, but it is ok because 1 Corinthians says that God deliberately uses the weak nobodies like me to do His great works. God alone made it possible for me to be in Christ Jesus. He alone will make it possible for my Children as well. I will have nothing to boast about but Him.
As the Scriptures say, "The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done." 1 Corinthians 1:31
This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Deidra, my servant, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘ I am the Lord's,’ and will take the name Israel. Isaiah 44:3-5
It is so hard to stay motivated when you see little fruit in your children. I know my teaching is not real eloquent. I feel like I am talking to a wall sometimes when trying to convey truth to my children. It wasn't modeled to me and so it certainly does not come naturally, but I believe with all my heart that God chose me to be the start of a long lineage of followers of Christ. I believe that He intends to bless my children with His heritage as He has done for me.
I have been praying to hear more clearly from the Lord, and I believe that it was no accident that I meditated on Isaiah 44 all weekend. I believe it was a word of encouragement from the encourager Himself!
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed. Isaiah 61:9
I may not always know the right verses to teach my children or the perfect words to say in just the right situations, I know I get frustrated and angry at times but I, like my children, am a work in progress. All I have to do right now is trust God and believe His promises. I know that one day when I look at my children and see them following God and teaching their own children to follow Him, it will not be because I knew what I was doing! It will be because God is the great Redeemer.
I really stink at this Godly parenting thing sometimes, but it is ok because 1 Corinthians says that God deliberately uses the weak nobodies like me to do His great works. God alone made it possible for me to be in Christ Jesus. He alone will make it possible for my Children as well. I will have nothing to boast about but Him.
As the Scriptures say, "The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done." 1 Corinthians 1:31
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Obstacle #5 Difficulty
Bob is working in Tampa this week for a TDY and since it is Spring Break the kids and I decided to come with him. This entry comes on a day when I took 3 kids by myself to Busch Gardens!! Taking 3 kids to the lobby for breakfast was hard enough!! Making it through a day in an amusement park with thousands of other people was going to be a task!
Before we left I had to get my head on straight and realize that with God's help I could do this, and I did. I only lost the 2 big kids once for about 15 minutes. Brady fell on the concrete and got 2 bloody knees and a goose egg on his head, but over all I had a good attitude all day and we all had lots of fun.
The thing about difficulties is that while the enemy intends for it to slow us down an make us weak, God intends for it to strengthen us and make us stronger. I realized a while back that I was saying way too often " I just can't do it" or "I just can't do that" The truth is, I can do ANYthing through God who strengthens me. It is time to stop being a wimp and tap into God's power and not my own. Even if we think it is going to kill us (and sometimes I think parenting just might!)it's ok.......God is an expert in bringing life from death right?? Let's let Him show how good he is. When we accomplish that "impossible" task, wee will only be able to look back and know that God carried us through it! We bring Him no glory if we just sit there and say we can't do it!
Today I will be taking them all to the mall followed by Chuck E Cheese! Tomorrow I will drive us 6 hours home by myself. Bob has to stay until Monday. Pray for me that I will trust in God's power and not my own! :-)
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. Psalm 145:3-6
Before we left I had to get my head on straight and realize that with God's help I could do this, and I did. I only lost the 2 big kids once for about 15 minutes. Brady fell on the concrete and got 2 bloody knees and a goose egg on his head, but over all I had a good attitude all day and we all had lots of fun.
The thing about difficulties is that while the enemy intends for it to slow us down an make us weak, God intends for it to strengthen us and make us stronger. I realized a while back that I was saying way too often " I just can't do it" or "I just can't do that" The truth is, I can do ANYthing through God who strengthens me. It is time to stop being a wimp and tap into God's power and not my own. Even if we think it is going to kill us (and sometimes I think parenting just might!)it's ok.......God is an expert in bringing life from death right?? Let's let Him show how good he is. When we accomplish that "impossible" task, wee will only be able to look back and know that God carried us through it! We bring Him no glory if we just sit there and say we can't do it!
Today I will be taking them all to the mall followed by Chuck E Cheese! Tomorrow I will drive us 6 hours home by myself. Bob has to stay until Monday. Pray for me that I will trust in God's power and not my own! :-)
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. Psalm 145:3-6
Monday, April 7, 2008
Obstacle #4 Conflict
Being in conflict with others is another way we can stunt our growth and be kept from moving forward. I have to admit. I am stubborn and can find it very hard to not hold a grudge sometimes. Especially when I have been wronged!! I can do it with my own husband as easily as I can do it with a lady in the check out line. Keeping a check on my attitude toward others can be hard, but if I take my complaints to God He will often times help me to forgive, even if I have not been apologized to! That is really hard to do, but it brings us so much freedom and allows us to move on and quickly get our eyes back where they should be…looking forward and moving ahead.
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mathew 6:14
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mathew 6:14
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Obstacle #3 Looking Back
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13
It is so easy to get distracted in our walk by our past. Whether it be good things in our past or bad. In order to grow in our faith we have to have our eyes looking forward and on Christ.
Those of us who lead a life of sin before being called by God to a new life can easily be entangled by looking back at our past. It can rob us of our confidence, our security, and our hope if we let it. In the past, I would struggle when around other Christians, because I did not want them to know my past. I would lie or hide things, because I thought that what was in my past made me less of a Christian. The truth though, is that my past sin brings God great glory now because my new life shows how truly amazing God’s grace really is. If He can pull a wretch like me out of a pit, He can pull anyone out. The enemy wants to use my past to bring guilt and condemnation to me, but God means for it to show His power and salvation. On occasion I will be plagued by a thought of my past that makes me sick to my stomach. Instead of giving into shame and discouragement I immediately have to rebuke it and praise God for His great salvation before the thought becomes a stumbling block for me.
Just as easily as I can become entangled by negative thoughts of my past, I can also be just as affected by good things in the past. Being in the military and moving so often, I always miss my friends at my previous base. I left New Mexico almost a year ago now, and I still miss my friends there so much. It is hard at times to keep my eyes on God’s plans for me here rather than looking back at how much I enjoyed my time there. I can do the same thing in my marriage or with my children. Who wouldn’t want to go back to those days when our husbands where ooog-a-lee eyed over us and lavished us with love notes and red roses. Do they love us less now than they did back then?? No, of course not. How they show it has changed, but I know that my husband’s love for me (and mine for him) has only grown and matured. I could look all day at sweet pictures of my children when they were little and wish they were so small again. Instead, I am to be thankful for who they are now, and how God has grown them and me, as they continue to move into new stages in their lives.
We may always remember our past, but we should use it to see how much we have grown and then look forward to how many more wonderful things God has for us ahead.
It is so easy to get distracted in our walk by our past. Whether it be good things in our past or bad. In order to grow in our faith we have to have our eyes looking forward and on Christ.
Those of us who lead a life of sin before being called by God to a new life can easily be entangled by looking back at our past. It can rob us of our confidence, our security, and our hope if we let it. In the past, I would struggle when around other Christians, because I did not want them to know my past. I would lie or hide things, because I thought that what was in my past made me less of a Christian. The truth though, is that my past sin brings God great glory now because my new life shows how truly amazing God’s grace really is. If He can pull a wretch like me out of a pit, He can pull anyone out. The enemy wants to use my past to bring guilt and condemnation to me, but God means for it to show His power and salvation. On occasion I will be plagued by a thought of my past that makes me sick to my stomach. Instead of giving into shame and discouragement I immediately have to rebuke it and praise God for His great salvation before the thought becomes a stumbling block for me.
Just as easily as I can become entangled by negative thoughts of my past, I can also be just as affected by good things in the past. Being in the military and moving so often, I always miss my friends at my previous base. I left New Mexico almost a year ago now, and I still miss my friends there so much. It is hard at times to keep my eyes on God’s plans for me here rather than looking back at how much I enjoyed my time there. I can do the same thing in my marriage or with my children. Who wouldn’t want to go back to those days when our husbands where ooog-a-lee eyed over us and lavished us with love notes and red roses. Do they love us less now than they did back then?? No, of course not. How they show it has changed, but I know that my husband’s love for me (and mine for him) has only grown and matured. I could look all day at sweet pictures of my children when they were little and wish they were so small again. Instead, I am to be thankful for who they are now, and how God has grown them and me, as they continue to move into new stages in their lives.
We may always remember our past, but we should use it to see how much we have grown and then look forward to how many more wonderful things God has for us ahead.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Obstacle # 2 Comparison
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:20-22
Looking to the right, looking to the left......another obstacle for me! Where should I be looking?? Straight ahead! At Christ and where He wants ME to be. What a stumbling block it is in our growth, when we compare ourselves to others. Yes, many friends and other Christian women can be of great influence to us. They can serve as wonderful Godly examples, but when it becomes a problem is when when we are looking so much at other people that we are missing what God has for us. We can do this in different ways.
We can stunt our growth from the insecurity that comes with thinking God has blessed someone else greater than us. I believe that a lot of times the enemy intentionally uses jealousy and comparison to distract us from from running with our eyes fixed on Christ. He can also use it in the very opposite sense. He can tempt us to be prideful in thinking that we love Christ more than others, or that we are closet to God than another fellow Christian. Either one is looking to the right or the left, and either one is destructive.
I can at times get frustrated or bitter because another person seems to have it easier than me. How does it make us feel when that other mother's baby is sleeping through the night and your baby is still up every 2 hours, or when your 4 year old is struggling to learn the alphabet when your neighbors child is reading already? I know I have been prone to comparing the behavior of my children quite often to others. I have even said to myself before....."I just wish her kids where like mine for one day so she could see how it is!!" I hate it when I walk through Walmart and see another mom with a child that sits so quietly in the cart and never makes a peep! My boys have SO much energy, and NEVER seem to slow down OR quiet down! The bottom line is, we can get so frustrated when others don't seem to have to go through the same struggles that we do, but what we we should be doing is keeping our eyes on our own cart. God has given each of us our own struggles, and every single one of them is to get use to stay close to Him. I know for a fact that my exhaustively active boys and my sassy 12 year old daughter, keep me on my knees every day.
Lord, help me to always keep my eyes on you and what you want for me. Let me press on through the enemies attempts to make me stumble by looking to the right or left and comparing myself to others.
Looking to the right, looking to the left......another obstacle for me! Where should I be looking?? Straight ahead! At Christ and where He wants ME to be. What a stumbling block it is in our growth, when we compare ourselves to others. Yes, many friends and other Christian women can be of great influence to us. They can serve as wonderful Godly examples, but when it becomes a problem is when when we are looking so much at other people that we are missing what God has for us. We can do this in different ways.
We can stunt our growth from the insecurity that comes with thinking God has blessed someone else greater than us. I believe that a lot of times the enemy intentionally uses jealousy and comparison to distract us from from running with our eyes fixed on Christ. He can also use it in the very opposite sense. He can tempt us to be prideful in thinking that we love Christ more than others, or that we are closet to God than another fellow Christian. Either one is looking to the right or the left, and either one is destructive.
I can at times get frustrated or bitter because another person seems to have it easier than me. How does it make us feel when that other mother's baby is sleeping through the night and your baby is still up every 2 hours, or when your 4 year old is struggling to learn the alphabet when your neighbors child is reading already? I know I have been prone to comparing the behavior of my children quite often to others. I have even said to myself before....."I just wish her kids where like mine for one day so she could see how it is!!" I hate it when I walk through Walmart and see another mom with a child that sits so quietly in the cart and never makes a peep! My boys have SO much energy, and NEVER seem to slow down OR quiet down! The bottom line is, we can get so frustrated when others don't seem to have to go through the same struggles that we do, but what we we should be doing is keeping our eyes on our own cart. God has given each of us our own struggles, and every single one of them is to get use to stay close to Him. I know for a fact that my exhaustively active boys and my sassy 12 year old daughter, keep me on my knees every day.
Lord, help me to always keep my eyes on you and what you want for me. Let me press on through the enemies attempts to make me stumble by looking to the right or left and comparing myself to others.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Obstacle #1 Fear
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
I have been writing this week on revelation and what I think can also be called God's Wisdom. We should always be seeking it and always listening to hear it.
From the time we are set apart as God's children until the time He calls us home, He is working in us and making us more and more like Him. Little by little and one revelation at a time, we should be constantly straining forward (v.14)
The word straining tells us that it will not always be easy. Yesterday I said that I wanted to write about 5 obstacles we have to "press on" through in order to reach that prize that Paul is talking about. Today I will look on #1 which so happens to be a huge struggle for me!!
1) Fear: Fear= unbelief When we are fearful, we are telling God that we do not believe He has the power to handle it. (what ever our IT might be)
Philippians 4:19 says God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
God raises Jesus from the DEAD!! That is some kind of power! If he has that kind of power, why do I not believe that He has the power to meet what ever need I have.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:6
There is not a day that I do not look at this big earth and this seeming endless ocean that I am so blessed to live by, that I do not awe in the creator of it all. I think that is partly why I love to travel so much. I will never forget the day my family hiked to the top of a mountain in the beautiful Island of Hawaii and looked down over the entire island. It was the most beautiful site I had ever seen. If you have ever see the Grand Canyon or the Smokey Mountains, you can relate to the "awe" I am talking about.
Romans 1:20 says For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Knowing God's great and divine power I don't have any excuse for not trusting Him. Fear is an obstacle I MUST "press on" through.
I have been writing this week on revelation and what I think can also be called God's Wisdom. We should always be seeking it and always listening to hear it.
From the time we are set apart as God's children until the time He calls us home, He is working in us and making us more and more like Him. Little by little and one revelation at a time, we should be constantly straining forward (v.14)
The word straining tells us that it will not always be easy. Yesterday I said that I wanted to write about 5 obstacles we have to "press on" through in order to reach that prize that Paul is talking about. Today I will look on #1 which so happens to be a huge struggle for me!!
1) Fear: Fear= unbelief When we are fearful, we are telling God that we do not believe He has the power to handle it. (what ever our IT might be)
Philippians 4:19 says God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
God raises Jesus from the DEAD!! That is some kind of power! If he has that kind of power, why do I not believe that He has the power to meet what ever need I have.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:6
There is not a day that I do not look at this big earth and this seeming endless ocean that I am so blessed to live by, that I do not awe in the creator of it all. I think that is partly why I love to travel so much. I will never forget the day my family hiked to the top of a mountain in the beautiful Island of Hawaii and looked down over the entire island. It was the most beautiful site I had ever seen. If you have ever see the Grand Canyon or the Smokey Mountains, you can relate to the "awe" I am talking about.
Romans 1:20 says For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Knowing God's great and divine power I don't have any excuse for not trusting Him. Fear is an obstacle I MUST "press on" through.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Responding to revelation
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Galatians 2:2
Before I went to the Beth Moore Conference I said to a friend of mine "I am expecting a revelation this weekend." The night after I made that statement, I thought about it all evening. I asked myself..."am I really expecting a revelation??" Not just hoping for....wanting.....?? Finally I said to myself...No, I am expecting one.
Well, I about fell out my chair when one of the first things she said to us the first day was....."Girls, I sure hope you all came here expecting a revelation from the Lord!! Cuz, I believe each and everyone of you is gonna get one!"
Yes, I was expecting it, and yes, I got it!
The key word for me in Galatians2:2 is response. There is more to it than just receiving a revelation. We studied that this weekend. We came up with 3 steps in the process and I found this very interesting.
1~ the revelation it self: recognizing that Jesus is up to something new. Sometimes I feel the
need for a new revelation and pray for it, other times he has to hit me over the head to
get me to realize that it is time for some change.
2~ comprehension: grasping what it is that God wants to do; understanding it and realizing that
you want (or need) the change
3~ Apprehension: (Here is the one I think I tend to struggle with!) This is the response to the
revelation; grasping it and putting it into action!
That last one is truly the hard part for me. Sometimes I can keep going in circles in one same area. For example I have for a while known that God wants be to work more at having joy in all circumstances. He has been trying to point out to me my tendencies to think negatively and prompting me to make a change in my daily attitude with my husband and my children. I can do really well, but then when it gets to hard, or I let in one negative thought I end up spiralling back into my old ways and before I know it I am back to where I started.
I think #3 is the area that God really wants me to work on. I know the areas of my walk that he wants to make change, I just need to press harder to achieve it and not let my feelings or other obstacles get in my way. Making changes in any area of our lives can be hard. We learned this weekend about some of the obstacles that can keep us from getting there. I hope to have the time the rest of this week to put all my thoughts together on the 5 that we came up with.
It is so good and I can't wait, but for now Brayden and I are heading out to Pump it Up to get out of the house on this rainy day!! That is another "revelation" I am trying to put into action......The house is a disaster and I am behind on so many things, but my time with the kids should never be sacrificed! What a struggle that is for me. Especially today when there are piles of laundry in the living room and dirty dished in the sink.
They will still be here when we get back right??
Before I went to the Beth Moore Conference I said to a friend of mine "I am expecting a revelation this weekend." The night after I made that statement, I thought about it all evening. I asked myself..."am I really expecting a revelation??" Not just hoping for....wanting.....?? Finally I said to myself...No, I am expecting one.
Well, I about fell out my chair when one of the first things she said to us the first day was....."Girls, I sure hope you all came here expecting a revelation from the Lord!! Cuz, I believe each and everyone of you is gonna get one!"
Yes, I was expecting it, and yes, I got it!
The key word for me in Galatians2:2 is response. There is more to it than just receiving a revelation. We studied that this weekend. We came up with 3 steps in the process and I found this very interesting.
1~ the revelation it self: recognizing that Jesus is up to something new. Sometimes I feel the
need for a new revelation and pray for it, other times he has to hit me over the head to
get me to realize that it is time for some change.
2~ comprehension: grasping what it is that God wants to do; understanding it and realizing that
you want (or need) the change
3~ Apprehension: (Here is the one I think I tend to struggle with!) This is the response to the
revelation; grasping it and putting it into action!
That last one is truly the hard part for me. Sometimes I can keep going in circles in one same area. For example I have for a while known that God wants be to work more at having joy in all circumstances. He has been trying to point out to me my tendencies to think negatively and prompting me to make a change in my daily attitude with my husband and my children. I can do really well, but then when it gets to hard, or I let in one negative thought I end up spiralling back into my old ways and before I know it I am back to where I started.
I think #3 is the area that God really wants me to work on. I know the areas of my walk that he wants to make change, I just need to press harder to achieve it and not let my feelings or other obstacles get in my way. Making changes in any area of our lives can be hard. We learned this weekend about some of the obstacles that can keep us from getting there. I hope to have the time the rest of this week to put all my thoughts together on the 5 that we came up with.
It is so good and I can't wait, but for now Brayden and I are heading out to Pump it Up to get out of the house on this rainy day!! That is another "revelation" I am trying to put into action......The house is a disaster and I am behind on so many things, but my time with the kids should never be sacrificed! What a struggle that is for me. Especially today when there are piles of laundry in the living room and dirty dished in the sink.
They will still be here when we get back right??
Monday, March 31, 2008
Fresh Highlights
I have to say, I am a girl that loves to get some fresh highlights in my hair. There is nothing better than the first 3 weeks after a great highlight. it is just one of those little indulgences I love and splurge on. The sad part about it is, that they don't last for ever. As I get older, I find that i have to go more and more often. After about 8 weeks or so I feel a little dull and need a little pick me up again! So, I call up my hair dresser and make an appointment to feel fresh and new again!
That is how I feel in my walk sometimes. There is nothing better than a fresh revelation from God. I pray for them often, and before I went to the Beth Moore Conference I said to a friend of mine "I am expecting a revelation this weekend." The night after I made that statement, I thought about it all evening. I asked myself..."am I really expecting a revelation??" Not just hoping for....wanting.....?? Finally I said to myself...YES, I am expecting one.
Well, I about fell out my chair when one of the first things she said to us the first day was....."Girls, I sure hope you all came here expecting a revelation from the Lord!! Cuz, I believe each and everyone of you is gonna get one!"
The Greek transliteration for revelation is the word "apokalypsis" meaning: a disclosure of truth, instruction. Some other descriptions I found were "uncovered" "revealed"
Thayer's Lexicon said: ~especially relating to the Christian Salvation-given to the soul by God Himself or through the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Fresh direction always comes from a revelation, and I knew that I needed some fresh direction in my life. I was feeling a little stagnant and needed to know what God wanted me to pursue next.
In our Christian life it is so important to keep moving forward. We need to keep seeking fresh direction and revelation from God.
I love the story in Exodus 34 of when Moses went up on the mountain and saw the Glory of God. When he came down the skin on his face shined, because He had heard from the Lord. Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw it, and knew that Moses had new revelation from God. He shined so bright he would wear a veil over his face, until it wore off and he went to hear from the Lord again.
When we receive fresh revelation from the Lord people notice because we shine! We are filled with a new joy and a bounce in our step. I always love it when I come home from getting a highlight at the salon and my husbands eyes light up. He always gives me sweet little "hot-mama" complements and I know he can see a fresh bounce in my step that he likes and finds attractive.
Just like it isn't long before I need new highlights to freshen up my hair, I need fresh revelations from God to keep my walk fresh and heading in the right direction.
I just love words and their meaning, so here is one more for today......Shine ~verb: 1: to emit rays of light 2: to be bright by reflection of light 3 a: to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished 4: to have a bright glowing appearance ;to make bright by polishing
That is how I feel in my walk sometimes. There is nothing better than a fresh revelation from God. I pray for them often, and before I went to the Beth Moore Conference I said to a friend of mine "I am expecting a revelation this weekend." The night after I made that statement, I thought about it all evening. I asked myself..."am I really expecting a revelation??" Not just hoping for....wanting.....?? Finally I said to myself...YES, I am expecting one.
Well, I about fell out my chair when one of the first things she said to us the first day was....."Girls, I sure hope you all came here expecting a revelation from the Lord!! Cuz, I believe each and everyone of you is gonna get one!"
The Greek transliteration for revelation is the word "apokalypsis" meaning: a disclosure of truth, instruction. Some other descriptions I found were "uncovered" "revealed"
Thayer's Lexicon said: ~especially relating to the Christian Salvation-given to the soul by God Himself or through the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Fresh direction always comes from a revelation, and I knew that I needed some fresh direction in my life. I was feeling a little stagnant and needed to know what God wanted me to pursue next.
In our Christian life it is so important to keep moving forward. We need to keep seeking fresh direction and revelation from God.
I love the story in Exodus 34 of when Moses went up on the mountain and saw the Glory of God. When he came down the skin on his face shined, because He had heard from the Lord. Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw it, and knew that Moses had new revelation from God. He shined so bright he would wear a veil over his face, until it wore off and he went to hear from the Lord again.
When we receive fresh revelation from the Lord people notice because we shine! We are filled with a new joy and a bounce in our step. I always love it when I come home from getting a highlight at the salon and my husbands eyes light up. He always gives me sweet little "hot-mama" complements and I know he can see a fresh bounce in my step that he likes and finds attractive.
Just like it isn't long before I need new highlights to freshen up my hair, I need fresh revelations from God to keep my walk fresh and heading in the right direction.
I just love words and their meaning, so here is one more for today......Shine ~verb: 1: to emit rays of light 2: to be bright by reflection of light 3 a: to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished 4: to have a bright glowing appearance ;to make bright by polishing
Sunday, March 30, 2008
I'm Back!!
..but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
I know it has been several weeks since I have had time to sit down and journal, I have had out of town company and just not a minute to get on the computer. Let me tell you though, I just got back from a trip to Jacksonville, Florida to see Beth Moore and the Living Proof Ministry, and it was so incredible. I will have weeks and weeks of things to share with you, if the Lord will allow me the time to sit down and type it all!!
Before I went I prayed for and EXPECTED a revival in my heart, and let me tell you the Lord answered! He has renewed my strength and refreshed my soul in ways that I will never be the same.
Just looking at the picture you can get a glimpse of what the weekend was like. (I got it from Beth's Blog....this was not my seat thank goodness!) Yes, very crowded , and a little stressful when it came to bathroom time! (luckily I have this cute little belly that got me preferential treatment all weekend when it came to a need for a bathroom stall!! Ha!) But, let me tell you 14,700 woman praising God in the Spirit, the only thing I could think of was WOW!! If this is even a micro-glimpse of what heaven will be like, I can't wait. The voices were so beautiful and the music so powerful that it was like thousands of angels singing praises to the Lord. I wish I could have recorded those 14,700 voices singing Amazing Grace acappella. It was the most beautiful thing I have EVER heard.
I got up bright and early this morning ready to live out the revelations God gave to me this weekend. I wish I had more time here on my back porch to tell you all about it, but I have to get my kids ready for church! They and their dad had a fun weekend together. Yesterday they took the jet skis out to Shell island and watched the air show that was on base this weekend. They showed me pictures, and I can tell they had so much fun. I think my man was wore out though! I am praying this morning that God will meet him out on the Golf course. I know that he will! :-)
Friday, March 7, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
This week and last have been one of the busiest in a long time. We have several projects going on all around the house, and our kids have had one activity after another. The boys both have baseball, Tori has youth group activities, we have had 2 big school projects due this week, I have had baby showers and Bible studies, we have company coming in a week and a guest room that is in shambles..........the list could go on and on.
I have struggled each day to get up and do what I know I should do first. As soon as my slipper feet walk in the kitchen to turn on the coffee maker I start thinking in my head what I have to tackle today. "..I need to practice Zack's spelling words with him....oh no, I forgot Tori wanted me to proof read her book report last night......ah! I forgot to make Bob lunch for today......" I haven't even turned the kitchen light on and my head already feels like it is going to explode. Then this verse came to me......
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-39
I need write this out and put it right by my coffee maker where I can see it each morning as a reminder of where I need to be first thing each day.
I have struggled each day to get up and do what I know I should do first. As soon as my slipper feet walk in the kitchen to turn on the coffee maker I start thinking in my head what I have to tackle today. "..I need to practice Zack's spelling words with him....oh no, I forgot Tori wanted me to proof read her book report last night......ah! I forgot to make Bob lunch for today......" I haven't even turned the kitchen light on and my head already feels like it is going to explode. Then this verse came to me......
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-39
I need write this out and put it right by my coffee maker where I can see it each morning as a reminder of where I need to be first thing each day.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Shine
So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe Philippians 2:15
When I left my wonderful group of friends in NM they gave a wall hanging with this verse on it. I hung it on the wall by the door that leads to the garage, so that I can see it every time I go out somewhere. It is great for my kids too. My hope is that as they leave the house they will be reminded of how we are to shine out in the world filled with darkness.
Those of us in the military all have places we would like to go or hope to get assignments to. We don't always get the places we really want, but I have learned that no matter where I go, what I really want is to be where God wants me to be. I never want to go anywhere with out the Lord's presence.
Today I read this passage in Exodus 33:16 How will anyone know that you distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” The answer to Moses' question is God's presence. It is what sets us apart. We have to be in His Word and in our quiet times so that we can be filled with His Holy Spirit everywhere we go each day. If we re not filled with the Holy Spirit, the only thing that sets us apart from the others is that we have to get up early on Sunday and give up one of the only 2 days in the weekend!!
In my situation, God has not chosen to put me in a place where there are already a whole lot of other lights. That is a new thing for me. I guess that means that if I don't have all the other lights to shine with me like I am used to, I better just shine brighter!
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2
When I left my wonderful group of friends in NM they gave a wall hanging with this verse on it. I hung it on the wall by the door that leads to the garage, so that I can see it every time I go out somewhere. It is great for my kids too. My hope is that as they leave the house they will be reminded of how we are to shine out in the world filled with darkness.
Those of us in the military all have places we would like to go or hope to get assignments to. We don't always get the places we really want, but I have learned that no matter where I go, what I really want is to be where God wants me to be. I never want to go anywhere with out the Lord's presence.
Today I read this passage in Exodus 33:16 How will anyone know that you distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” The answer to Moses' question is God's presence. It is what sets us apart. We have to be in His Word and in our quiet times so that we can be filled with His Holy Spirit everywhere we go each day. If we re not filled with the Holy Spirit, the only thing that sets us apart from the others is that we have to get up early on Sunday and give up one of the only 2 days in the weekend!!
In my situation, God has not chosen to put me in a place where there are already a whole lot of other lights. That is a new thing for me. I guess that means that if I don't have all the other lights to shine with me like I am used to, I better just shine brighter!
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Blooming where I am planted
Here I sit another beautiful Sunday morning on my back porch with the sun beaming. I couldn't think of a better way to start the Lords day.
The Lord has planted me in a new and foreign place in my life that I have not been before. It has stretched me and grown me as I am learning to rely more and more on God for my direction and comfort. I feel very alone right now in my walk with the Lord. It isn't really a bad thing, but it is just different.
I don't have anyone in my family that is Christian. I love my parents and my siblings dearly, but NONE of them are believers. Neither is my Grandmother or any of my other immediate family.
I love my husband very much, but I have to admit he is not really interested in my passion for the Lord either. My pride makes that really hard for me to admit, because often times I like to dream or maybe even "pretend" that I live this perfect Christian life with a perfect husband that loves the Lord as much as I do. That is what everyone around me has, and as much as I long for it, today I (with a lump in my throat) admit that it just isn't true. I am lucky if my husband goes to church with us once every month or 2. He has a passion for golf, but not for the Lord. He has 2 days off on the weekend, but I I usually spend a good part of it alone with 3 kids. I am not venting or trying to make him look bad, I am just pushing myself to admit something that my pride has tried to get me to simply ignore or hide.
The the church we attend isn't really what I would like it to be either. It is very different than what I am used to. It is a wonderful church, but while the people seem very "religious", I have struggled to find many people there that are as passionate and serious about their walk with the Lord as I am. I find myself just waiting there in limbo until the Lord leads me somewhere else. Church shopping by yourself with 3 kids is really not much fun. The kids love it there, and I know that they are learning about God's word. I try to be as involved as much as I can hoping to bring a passion for the Lord to someone maybe in the Bible study I lead or somewhere else. I have seen little glimmers of hope, especially this past week in class. Maybe that is why the Lord has kept me there. I don't know.
This is the first base we have lived where I have not had a really close group of friends that are on fire for God. I have really close girlfriends elsewhere that I keep in touch with regularly, but even they seem distant right now as they have things going on in their own lives that keep them just as busy as I am.
So here I am, trying to raise 3 kids to love the Lord with all their hearts. Seems like an impossible task to do on my own, but with that being said I again think about my entry last Sunday. ".......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??"
I am not sure why the Lord has me where I am right now, but I trust Him and know that He has a plan. In the beginning of my entry I wrote that I feel alone in my walk with the Lord, but I just realized that is not really true. It is just me and my God. Maybe He has eliminated other distractions for now, so I can focus only on Him. I am excited to see what He has planned.
In my devotion this morning I ironically read this.....the contentment that the world offers is fleeting and incomplete. Thankfully, the fulfillment that God offers is all encompassing and everlasting. This made me think of one of the very first Bible verses I think I ever heard as a little girl.....The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want.
The Lord has planted me in a new and foreign place in my life that I have not been before. It has stretched me and grown me as I am learning to rely more and more on God for my direction and comfort. I feel very alone right now in my walk with the Lord. It isn't really a bad thing, but it is just different.
I don't have anyone in my family that is Christian. I love my parents and my siblings dearly, but NONE of them are believers. Neither is my Grandmother or any of my other immediate family.
I love my husband very much, but I have to admit he is not really interested in my passion for the Lord either. My pride makes that really hard for me to admit, because often times I like to dream or maybe even "pretend" that I live this perfect Christian life with a perfect husband that loves the Lord as much as I do. That is what everyone around me has, and as much as I long for it, today I (with a lump in my throat) admit that it just isn't true. I am lucky if my husband goes to church with us once every month or 2. He has a passion for golf, but not for the Lord. He has 2 days off on the weekend, but I I usually spend a good part of it alone with 3 kids. I am not venting or trying to make him look bad, I am just pushing myself to admit something that my pride has tried to get me to simply ignore or hide.
The the church we attend isn't really what I would like it to be either. It is very different than what I am used to. It is a wonderful church, but while the people seem very "religious", I have struggled to find many people there that are as passionate and serious about their walk with the Lord as I am. I find myself just waiting there in limbo until the Lord leads me somewhere else. Church shopping by yourself with 3 kids is really not much fun. The kids love it there, and I know that they are learning about God's word. I try to be as involved as much as I can hoping to bring a passion for the Lord to someone maybe in the Bible study I lead or somewhere else. I have seen little glimmers of hope, especially this past week in class. Maybe that is why the Lord has kept me there. I don't know.
This is the first base we have lived where I have not had a really close group of friends that are on fire for God. I have really close girlfriends elsewhere that I keep in touch with regularly, but even they seem distant right now as they have things going on in their own lives that keep them just as busy as I am.
So here I am, trying to raise 3 kids to love the Lord with all their hearts. Seems like an impossible task to do on my own, but with that being said I again think about my entry last Sunday. ".......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??"
I am not sure why the Lord has me where I am right now, but I trust Him and know that He has a plan. In the beginning of my entry I wrote that I feel alone in my walk with the Lord, but I just realized that is not really true. It is just me and my God. Maybe He has eliminated other distractions for now, so I can focus only on Him. I am excited to see what He has planned.
In my devotion this morning I ironically read this.....the contentment that the world offers is fleeting and incomplete. Thankfully, the fulfillment that God offers is all encompassing and everlasting. This made me think of one of the very first Bible verses I think I ever heard as a little girl.....The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Being Cheerful
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15
Last night I hardly slept at all. I was woken up twice, once by each of my boys, and then after over an hour of trying to get back to sleep I woke up with a terrible leg crap that would not go away. I would probably be pushing it if I guessed that maybe I got 3-4 hours of sleep. When I am pregnant, for some reason, my body only chooses to sleep in spurts all through the night. I know this is common, but it can really wear me down after a while.
I have been convicted lately of not letting my circumstances effect my ability to show joy and gladness. I woke up this morning thinking about my entry this past Sunday when I woke up to a bright and sunny morning and "felt" like rejoicing and being cheerful. The true test is when it is a dark rainy day like today and I am extremely tired and don't really "feel" cheerful. Can I can still give God the praise and honor that he deserves? Can I still give my family the gift of a cheerful mother and a happy wife? This morning I had to practice something I tell my kids all the time....A cheerful look brings joy to the heart..... proverbs 15:30
Try it! It really works. It is impossible to be grumpy or angry when there is a smile on your face. Even if it is fake one at first, I can feel my attitude gradually change when I chose a joyful look.
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3
Last night I hardly slept at all. I was woken up twice, once by each of my boys, and then after over an hour of trying to get back to sleep I woke up with a terrible leg crap that would not go away. I would probably be pushing it if I guessed that maybe I got 3-4 hours of sleep. When I am pregnant, for some reason, my body only chooses to sleep in spurts all through the night. I know this is common, but it can really wear me down after a while.
I have been convicted lately of not letting my circumstances effect my ability to show joy and gladness. I woke up this morning thinking about my entry this past Sunday when I woke up to a bright and sunny morning and "felt" like rejoicing and being cheerful. The true test is when it is a dark rainy day like today and I am extremely tired and don't really "feel" cheerful. Can I can still give God the praise and honor that he deserves? Can I still give my family the gift of a cheerful mother and a happy wife? This morning I had to practice something I tell my kids all the time....A cheerful look brings joy to the heart..... proverbs 15:30
Try it! It really works. It is impossible to be grumpy or angry when there is a smile on your face. Even if it is fake one at first, I can feel my attitude gradually change when I chose a joyful look.
I read this quote this morning from Marie Freeman..."God is good, and heaven is forever. And if this does not cheer you up, nothing will!"
It reminded me of my blog on Sunday ".......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
learning what I teach
If you where to ask me what I struggle to teach my kids more than anything else, I would with out a doubt say obedience. Having said this, I have to confess that this has only brought me to a constant realization that I struggle so very much with the same issue myself.
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2John 1:6
This verse made me think today..... The way that I show God that I truly love him is by obedience to Him. I think He tests me on this quite often. I am sad to say that I often fail.
This morning I have to confess that I was disrespectful to my husband. Something made me so mad and although I knew that I should not approach him about it, I let me flesh lead me and did exactly what I felt God telling me NOT to do.
you are to obey his commands instead of following your own desires and going your own ways, as you are prone to do. Num. 15:39
Now I have spent the whole morning feeling bad about my choice, and wishing I had just obeyed. Which brings me to another little thing I have been teaching Brayden......Obeying makes us happy, disobeying makes us sad. It felt good at the moment to tell my husband how I really felt and get it off my chest, but it only lasted for a moment. Now it feels "sad" and I wish I had chosen the better.
This is my prayer for today.....
Lord I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Today I am ever grateful for your forgiveness and the the truth that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just and will forgive my sins and purify me from all my unrighteousness. Amen
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2John 1:6
This verse made me think today..... The way that I show God that I truly love him is by obedience to Him. I think He tests me on this quite often. I am sad to say that I often fail.
This morning I have to confess that I was disrespectful to my husband. Something made me so mad and although I knew that I should not approach him about it, I let me flesh lead me and did exactly what I felt God telling me NOT to do.
you are to obey his commands instead of following your own desires and going your own ways, as you are prone to do. Num. 15:39
Now I have spent the whole morning feeling bad about my choice, and wishing I had just obeyed. Which brings me to another little thing I have been teaching Brayden......Obeying makes us happy, disobeying makes us sad. It felt good at the moment to tell my husband how I really felt and get it off my chest, but it only lasted for a moment. Now it feels "sad" and I wish I had chosen the better.
This is my prayer for today.....
Lord I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Today I am ever grateful for your forgiveness and the the truth that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just and will forgive my sins and purify me from all my unrighteousness. Amen
Sunday, February 24, 2008
the glory of the morning
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11
This morning I woke up to the most beautiful bright sunshine beaming into my bedroom. It was so wonderful that it prompted me to get my Bible, a cup of coffee, and head out to my back porch before touching anything in the house. We moved our boys in together yesterday, and I think the idea of being with each other has some how made them comfortable enough to sleep in a little longer today, or maybe it could be the fact that they were up giggling and playing until 11:00 last night!! Either way, I am enjoying it!!
As I came out here on the porch and just soaked up the beauty of the morning, I tried to think of a verse to sum it up, and as I started to read Philippians, I came across 2:10-11 and realized that it just says it all. Jesus Christ is the Lord! He is the glory of the Father. Nothing else really matters. If this morning is so bright and splendid that I can hardly see the screen of my lap top (I better proof read this typing when I get back inside!) how much more breath taking will it be when I stand before the Lord one day!!
I need to wake up to more days like this....not confessing that the dish washer needs emptied, the living room is a mess and the washer and dryer both are full with 2 other loads waiting to go in, not that I have 3 kids and myself to get ready for church this a.m., but just opening my eyes to the morning saying.......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??
This morning I woke up to the most beautiful bright sunshine beaming into my bedroom. It was so wonderful that it prompted me to get my Bible, a cup of coffee, and head out to my back porch before touching anything in the house. We moved our boys in together yesterday, and I think the idea of being with each other has some how made them comfortable enough to sleep in a little longer today, or maybe it could be the fact that they were up giggling and playing until 11:00 last night!! Either way, I am enjoying it!!
As I came out here on the porch and just soaked up the beauty of the morning, I tried to think of a verse to sum it up, and as I started to read Philippians, I came across 2:10-11 and realized that it just says it all. Jesus Christ is the Lord! He is the glory of the Father. Nothing else really matters. If this morning is so bright and splendid that I can hardly see the screen of my lap top (I better proof read this typing when I get back inside!) how much more breath taking will it be when I stand before the Lord one day!!
I need to wake up to more days like this....not confessing that the dish washer needs emptied, the living room is a mess and the washer and dryer both are full with 2 other loads waiting to go in, not that I have 3 kids and myself to get ready for church this a.m., but just opening my eyes to the morning saying.......Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. What else really matters right??
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The way up is down
I have been preparing this morning for a new women's Bible study that I will start tonight at my church. As expected, this has brought with it feelings of inadequacy on my part. As I prayed about it this morning, I realized that God has me to feel these feelings for a reason. Not because I am inadequate, but because God wants me to remember where my strength comes from. I am no more than an insecure scaredy cat! My wisdom and strength comes only from God.
As I read this morning in Philippians I focused a lot on the topic of humility. My daughter is really struggling right now with obedience and submission to our authority. I thought this would be a great lesson for her as well, and prayed that God would help me to present it to her in a way that she will receive. Philippians 2:8-9 gives us Christ’s example to us of humility.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death–
even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, Philippians 4:8-9
On a human level Jesus’ humility really didn’t get Him very far…..it resulted in death, but on a divine level the result was astounding……He was highly exalted and given a name above all names. This shows me that humility may not seem like anything in this world, in fact it appears in earthly form as a weakness, but in heaven it brings great reward.
Dying to self is so hard. I am thankful for Christ’s example of complete selflessness and sacrifice for others. This will also help me so much as I prepare to share my desire for God’s Word with other women.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 4:3-7
I will no longer feel bad about my feelings of inadequacy. I am thankful for them, as they remind me that I am humble servant of God. I truly can do nothing with out His help.
As I read this morning in Philippians I focused a lot on the topic of humility. My daughter is really struggling right now with obedience and submission to our authority. I thought this would be a great lesson for her as well, and prayed that God would help me to present it to her in a way that she will receive. Philippians 2:8-9 gives us Christ’s example to us of humility.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death–
even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, Philippians 4:8-9
On a human level Jesus’ humility really didn’t get Him very far…..it resulted in death, but on a divine level the result was astounding……He was highly exalted and given a name above all names. This shows me that humility may not seem like anything in this world, in fact it appears in earthly form as a weakness, but in heaven it brings great reward.
Dying to self is so hard. I am thankful for Christ’s example of complete selflessness and sacrifice for others. This will also help me so much as I prepare to share my desire for God’s Word with other women.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 4:3-7
I will no longer feel bad about my feelings of inadequacy. I am thankful for them, as they remind me that I am humble servant of God. I truly can do nothing with out His help.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
God's Peace
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
This weekend and yesterday I have been extremely busy for me. I have several projects around the house that I have started and been unable to complete, my husband has painting and other "house" projects that I have had to help with, I start leading a new Bible study at church tomorrow night that I am completely unprepared for, my house is completely in shambles, and I feel like I am in over my head. I have to admit, that I have had no time in the word, and limited time in prayer over the past week. As you can imagine, this has brought me no where but to a place of anxiety and lack of peace.
Yesterday I spiraled into a full blown anxiety attack about something completely unrelated to anything on my to-do list. It had to do with a fear that came over me, and it was so bad that I got physically sick over it. I even had a moment when I doubted and questioned my faith. That situation taught me how quickly I can fall away from God and my faith ad trust that He is in control of all things.
Today reading Philippians 4 I realized 2 things. One I have not been rejoicing in all things and two I have not been praying and presenting my needs to the Lord. Thus, resulting in my lack of God's peace which is the only way to guard my heart and mind. When I become anxious or overwhelmed in my circumstances, I am not trusting God.
Today I read this sharp quote that cut me deep........"Anxiety or lack of trust is a species of "unconscious blasphemy" against God"
Wow! I think I better get my act together. This morning, against the will of my flesh, I went into a long time of prayer and was amazed at how quickly that brought me back to where I need to be......... rejoicing in the Lord and protected by His peace which will stand guard against the anxieties that want to attack my heart and mind.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Cast your burdens
Cast your burdens upon the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22
Sometimes I can get so frustrated with how early my day starts, and how little time I get to spend in the Word before my busy morning hits full speed. Today I only had time to read this one little verse, and it spoke multitudes to me. When I first read it I said..."Lord, then why do I always feel shaken?" The answer was so obvious. The verse it self gives me my answer......because I do not cast my burdens on the Lord!!
Why do I do this?? Why do I let myself get so bent out of shape about things my kids do or things that are not going the way I would like them to? I choose to take it on myself rather than praying and casting it upon the Lord.
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2
Hmmmm...looks like I really have no excuse to be "shaken", except that I am not letting the Lord do His job.
Sometimes I can get so frustrated with how early my day starts, and how little time I get to spend in the Word before my busy morning hits full speed. Today I only had time to read this one little verse, and it spoke multitudes to me. When I first read it I said..."Lord, then why do I always feel shaken?" The answer was so obvious. The verse it self gives me my answer......because I do not cast my burdens on the Lord!!
Why do I do this?? Why do I let myself get so bent out of shape about things my kids do or things that are not going the way I would like them to? I choose to take it on myself rather than praying and casting it upon the Lord.
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2
Hmmmm...looks like I really have no excuse to be "shaken", except that I am not letting the Lord do His job.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Thinking right thoughts
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8
A few weeks ago the Lord convicted me of a bad habit I have of thinking negative thoughts. These thoughts can be negative about a person, a situation, what ever. I know that speaking negatively is a bad thing, but I had never really thought about the things that I don't say but think in my mind.
When I am doing dishes or drying my hair, I will often times just think about "stuff". The other day on the way back from talking with a neighbor I found myself "thinking" a something about her in my head. Lately I have started to ask my self if what I am thinking falls under one of the characteristics above. When I started actually paying attention to this habit, I was shocked at how often my thoughts are negative and do not follow the Philippians 4:8 way of thinking!!
This type of thinking can really harm my relationships with people, and add to my fears and anxieties. Luke 6:45 says: The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (or in my case..his mind thinks!)
Today in my devotional book I read this little quote from Barbara Johnson...."You must learn to resist negative thoughts before they hijack your emotions." Oh how often my negative thoughts hijack my emotions! Sometimes it can be negative thinking that can make me bitter or irritated with the people I love (especially my husband!) or it can be negative thoughts that lead me into a spiral of fear and anxiety.
So glad God brought this to my attention, now I just need prayer to help me keep it in check.
A few weeks ago the Lord convicted me of a bad habit I have of thinking negative thoughts. These thoughts can be negative about a person, a situation, what ever. I know that speaking negatively is a bad thing, but I had never really thought about the things that I don't say but think in my mind.
When I am doing dishes or drying my hair, I will often times just think about "stuff". The other day on the way back from talking with a neighbor I found myself "thinking" a something about her in my head. Lately I have started to ask my self if what I am thinking falls under one of the characteristics above. When I started actually paying attention to this habit, I was shocked at how often my thoughts are negative and do not follow the Philippians 4:8 way of thinking!!
This type of thinking can really harm my relationships with people, and add to my fears and anxieties. Luke 6:45 says: The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (or in my case..his mind thinks!)
Today in my devotional book I read this little quote from Barbara Johnson...."You must learn to resist negative thoughts before they hijack your emotions." Oh how often my negative thoughts hijack my emotions! Sometimes it can be negative thinking that can make me bitter or irritated with the people I love (especially my husband!) or it can be negative thoughts that lead me into a spiral of fear and anxiety.
So glad God brought this to my attention, now I just need prayer to help me keep it in check.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Meditating on God's word day and night
With a fresh new year, I have been re motivated to get back into a better discipline of reading my Bible ever single day. I want to persevere this year and not slack off. I will need God's help in that area. Especially if I do this in addition to my Bible study class which requires a good bit of homework. In years past I have chosen a reading plan that reads straight through form Genesis to Revelation, but this year I am trying a new plan where I read from a different part of the Bible each day alternating between the the law and books of history, the Psalms and poetry books, prophesy, the gospels, ect.
Today my reading was definitely motivation to keep up on my plan. I read in Joshua and came across this verse...Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 This is a commandment about staying in God's word, followed by the reward that will come from being obedient. I know I long to be prosperous and successful, this verse tells me how to do it!
Then, I moved on to Psalms ( I am a little behind, so I had to cover 2 readings today) and came across this verse: Blessed is the man......(who)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 1:1-4
I am in awe at how God taught me the same thing in two different verses today. I will write these in my journal as a reminder of why it is so important for me to make God's word a priority this year, and the blessing that will come from being obedient.
Today my reading was definitely motivation to keep up on my plan. I read in Joshua and came across this verse...Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 This is a commandment about staying in God's word, followed by the reward that will come from being obedient. I know I long to be prosperous and successful, this verse tells me how to do it!
Then, I moved on to Psalms ( I am a little behind, so I had to cover 2 readings today) and came across this verse: Blessed is the man......(who)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 1:1-4
I am in awe at how God taught me the same thing in two different verses today. I will write these in my journal as a reminder of why it is so important for me to make God's word a priority this year, and the blessing that will come from being obedient.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Believe and not doubt
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6
This is the very next verse after the one I wrote about yesterday. I pondered on this verse and realized that is exactly how I feel when I ask for God's wisdom during a situation like the one I wrote about yesterday......like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind..
I feel as if I ask for God to help me, and then as I wait, my mind goes in a million different directions and I end up with nothing. I meditate on this all afternoon and prayed that God would show me why I do this. Last night it came to me.
While I am asking God for wisdom, my mind is going off and trying to figure it out myself. I start thinking about what so and so would do or how I think my other friend might handle this....have I read anything that tells me what to do in this situation?? Maybe I should as the pediatrician??? Call my mom???
All this after I just asked God for His wisdom. No wonder I can't hear Him. I have to learn to block out all the other outside influences, and believe and not doubt that He himself will give me an answer. I have to stop worry about what others will think or what they would do, and seek God and how he would want me to handle it.
Last night as we sat down for dinner I poured out Zack's medicine and handed it to him. I said I wanted him to drink it before dinner so we did not have to fight over it after eating. He took the cup from me and said...."ok, what can I drink after it?" I said "how about your milk?" He said..."no, some water." He poured a glass of water, drank down the medicine followed by his water and then sat down at the table to eat! My mouth dropped to the floor and I didn't know what to think!
Thinking about it later, I realized that God did not give me wisdom the form of a technique or a tactic to get him to take the medicine, but instead He gave me wisdom as to how great He is and sometimes He can just do it for me and I don't have to do a thing!
This is the very next verse after the one I wrote about yesterday. I pondered on this verse and realized that is exactly how I feel when I ask for God's wisdom during a situation like the one I wrote about yesterday......like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind..
I feel as if I ask for God to help me, and then as I wait, my mind goes in a million different directions and I end up with nothing. I meditate on this all afternoon and prayed that God would show me why I do this. Last night it came to me.
While I am asking God for wisdom, my mind is going off and trying to figure it out myself. I start thinking about what so and so would do or how I think my other friend might handle this....have I read anything that tells me what to do in this situation?? Maybe I should as the pediatrician??? Call my mom???
All this after I just asked God for His wisdom. No wonder I can't hear Him. I have to learn to block out all the other outside influences, and believe and not doubt that He himself will give me an answer. I have to stop worry about what others will think or what they would do, and seek God and how he would want me to handle it.
Last night as we sat down for dinner I poured out Zack's medicine and handed it to him. I said I wanted him to drink it before dinner so we did not have to fight over it after eating. He took the cup from me and said...."ok, what can I drink after it?" I said "how about your milk?" He said..."no, some water." He poured a glass of water, drank down the medicine followed by his water and then sat down at the table to eat! My mouth dropped to the floor and I didn't know what to think!
Thinking about it later, I realized that God did not give me wisdom the form of a technique or a tactic to get him to take the medicine, but instead He gave me wisdom as to how great He is and sometimes He can just do it for me and I don't have to do a thing!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lacking Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
I have been needing wisdom in so many areas of my parenting lately. Most of my frustrations come from not knowing the right way to handle certain situations. Some as simple as how to get my 7 year old to take his new medicine each night at dinner. I sit there each night and try all different tactics, none working.....I then think to myself...."ok Lord, I need wisdom....what do I do next?" After an hour of struggling, he finally took it, but only after much crying and frustration among all of us. I still don't feel like I received wisdom.
I guess because I feel like if I had done it the right way it wouldn't have taken so long or been such an ugly drawn out situation. I also feel like if I had received God's wisdom I would feel confident in how I will handle the situation again tonight. Guess I will keep praying about it today.
I have a long list of situations with my kids similar to this one that I think I lack wisdom....maybe I should write them all out so I can pray on them daily.
I have been needing wisdom in so many areas of my parenting lately. Most of my frustrations come from not knowing the right way to handle certain situations. Some as simple as how to get my 7 year old to take his new medicine each night at dinner. I sit there each night and try all different tactics, none working.....I then think to myself...."ok Lord, I need wisdom....what do I do next?" After an hour of struggling, he finally took it, but only after much crying and frustration among all of us. I still don't feel like I received wisdom.
I guess because I feel like if I had done it the right way it wouldn't have taken so long or been such an ugly drawn out situation. I also feel like if I had received God's wisdom I would feel confident in how I will handle the situation again tonight. Guess I will keep praying about it today.
I have a long list of situations with my kids similar to this one that I think I lack wisdom....maybe I should write them all out so I can pray on them daily.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
New Year New growth
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
When you're a mom is it possible to ever have a day without trials of many kinds? It doesn't seems so in my household. It has been a crazy season around here, and some days I find it hard to keep up. As I meditated on this verse today I realized that all the struggles I face each day are always growing my faith and drawing me closer to God. Oh how I long to be mature and complete, lacking nothing. I know that will take time....and lots of trials, but I look forward to this new year and seeing how God will test and grow my faith. Drawing me closer and closer to lacking nothing. One hour, one day, one week, one month, one year at a time!
When you're a mom is it possible to ever have a day without trials of many kinds? It doesn't seems so in my household. It has been a crazy season around here, and some days I find it hard to keep up. As I meditated on this verse today I realized that all the struggles I face each day are always growing my faith and drawing me closer to God. Oh how I long to be mature and complete, lacking nothing. I know that will take time....and lots of trials, but I look forward to this new year and seeing how God will test and grow my faith. Drawing me closer and closer to lacking nothing. One hour, one day, one week, one month, one year at a time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)