The Mother Heart of God

The years of skinned knees are a distant memory. I wonder how many “boo-boo’s" I’ve kissed through my 22 years of parenting. There’s something about the comfort of a mother that makes it all better.

I remember a time in my life many years ago when I had a boo-boo that needed to be kissed by God. It was unlike any other storm I had faced. With tears streaming down my face I pleaded for His mercy to give me something to hold onto. He spoke tenderly to me. “As a mother comforts her child, I will comfort you.”

As the days moved forward He began to show me in tangible ways how present He was. Each time my daughter got hurt, I would sweep her up in my arms, hold her tightly, and wipe away her tears until she was comforted. God spoke to my heart again, “That’s Me with you.” “I’m holding you tight, wiping away your tears.”

He knows when we sit down and when we rise up. Our thoughts are ever before Him. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He wove us together in our mother’s wombs. We are intimately and personally known by Him. I get a small taste of God's love when I think of my love for my own children.

As mothers we kiss boo-boo’s and sometimes stay up into the wee hours of the night to nurse our children. We sweep them up into our arms to comfort them. As we hold them tightly, we sometimes sing softly over them or whisper words of love until their pain is soothed.

I can hear my children’s cries above any other. In a crowd full of people my eye is searching to know where they are. I know their voice. They know mine.

I carried them close to my heart while they were being formed in my womb. They have felt my heartbeat. They are forever woven into the fiber of my being. They have left their mark on me, and now part of me is carried in them. They are the apple of my eye, my greatest treasures on earth.

As I consider my heart towards my children, He invites me to see His heart. As a mother comforts her child, so He comforts me. He dances over me with singing. He tenderly carries those who have young. I am the apple of His eye. He is woven into my very being and I am woven into Him.

The Mother heart of God tenderly carries me when life beats me down. He sings to me His songs of love. He knows my voice. He hears me when I cry out. He runs to grab me up and kiss away my pain. He listens to me when I want to talk.

There’s a place upon His breast in which I can nestle. It’s a place where the storms around me subside. It is there I hear His heartbeat. I settle in close as the rhythm of His heart soothes me. It is then that I realize I am where I belong. He carries me close to His heart.


Papa God, today I am thankful for Your steadfast love that never ceases. I am thankful that You carry me close to your heart. I am thankful for a mother who didn’t give up on me, who waited for me to find love from You so I could see the beauty of her love. Thank you for the gifts of my children. They are my treasures on earth. I love you.

You can find Julie at her blog: Jewelz Sightings

Flip Flops in the Snow

We are thrilled to welcome back Sandy Cooper to the Cafe!

“He changes times and seasons...He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."

~Daniel 2:21 (NIV)~

Sneaking out of bed at 5:35 am, I tiptoe out of my room, so as not to wake the sleeping child lying next to me. I think it’s Elliana, though it’s very dark, so I don’t know for sure. She’s our regular nightly visitor, who also happens to be our lightest sleeper. The slightest creek in the floor, and it’s “Good morning, World!” Can’t risk that. Not today.


Long days filled with carpool lines, laundry baskets and meal preparation mesh with kissing boo-boo’s, quizzing math facts and refereeing sibling battles. Not much time for writing…again. Or ever, it seems. My only opportunities come late at night or early in the morning. And most of the time, I’m too exhausted for either.


I wake up my computer and settle in with a hot cup of coffee and a foggy brain so I can get Monday’s blog post up on Tuesday. Better than nothing.



Quick, Sandy. Write! Create something witty , yet profound, before the day begins.



Glancing at the clock I see I only have twenty minutes left before I must begin packing lunches and waking the children. How can this be? Didn’t I just sit down?



And so it goes with my life. Today. Week in and week out. At least for this season.



The constant fight for writing time—for me time—frustrates and fatigues this momma. Sometimes I wonder what God is up to: giving me this desire, this drive, this dream to write and create and impact my world. Yet forgetting—it seems—to also give me the opportunity to do so.



I think of the seasons. I think of the last few weeks, where literally before my eyes, the green leaves morphed to brilliant reds and yellows and then fell to the ground. How the temperatures swung from 80’s to 40’s. How sunset changed from 9-ish to 6-ish.



I think how the upcoming winter means no open windows. No swimming pools. No late evenings catching fire flies. No early mornings drinking coffee on the deck. No trips to the zoo. No picnics in the park. No flip-flops. No tank tops.



And if I choose to dwell on those things, I can become downright discouraged. If I choose to rehearse in my mind all the activities I cannot do in this season, I will miss the beauty unique to winter.



I will miss hot chocolate by the fireplace. And the pale glow of Christmas lights. And pumpkin-pie scented candles. And snuggling in bed under warm blankets. And marveling at the way the snow outlines every single branch on the trees. And cute scarves. And my favorite boots.





Sure, I could choose to forge ahead with my summer plans in the dead of winter. I could insist upon wearing my flip-flops in the snow. But that would be foolish. That would be dangerous. That doesn’t mean I can’t love flip-flops. And it doesn’t mean I can’t look forward to wearing flip flops when the season changes. But for now…



So, Lord, as my brief early morning writing time comes to a rapid close, please help me see the beauty of this season of life. Help me recognize the unique things that only come while small children are under my care. Help me embrace sticky kisses and little finger prints and footy-pajamas. Help me appreciate spontaneous hugs and silly songs and crayon creations.


Help me understand that there will be no grand announcement stating, “Mommy, this is the last night I will sleep in your bed or ask you to push me on the swing or need you to quiz me on my spelling words.” But as sure as the seasons change, there will be a last time.


Please, Jesus, give me wisdom to seize the opportunities unique to today. Help me remember that for a short time, I have occasion to eternally impact three lives. Today, a timely conversation about life with my daughter is so much more fruitful than a mediocre blog post. Today, nuggets of truth deposited into the heart of my son are better than articles submitted for publication.



Lord, today I come to you, asking you please to show me how to dress my life appropriately for this season.


What opportunities do you have today that you may not have tomorrow?

What can you do differently to seize those opportunities?

How might you be able to change your focus to help you enjoy difficult seasons?

In Him,

Sandy Cooper

Sandy is a wife of sixteen years to Jon, and the mother of Noah (deceased), Rebekah (age 10), Elijah (age 8) and Elliana (age 3). She is a freelance writer and fitness buff who prefers flip-flops over boots and who blogs mostly when her family is asleep. You can meet her daily at her website, God Speaks Today

A Mother's Influence

Serving up the Devotional today is Richele! Please Welcome her!

“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” Proverbs 4:4 KJV

One morning, while brushing my teeth, I looked up and saw my mother staring back at me in the mirror. I was so startled I swallowed some toothpaste.

How could this be?

Without haste, I ran into my bedroom and the sight of what I found stopped me dead in my tracks: the full length mirror. I squinted hard and ever so gingerly I turned around. There it was….right there in front of me…well behind me really. My mother’s butt!

When I was 11 years old, I distinctly remember making a pact with myself that I would never become my mother. I vowed never to wear comfortable shoes, lose touch with the top 40, or embarrass my daughter by asking her friends silly questions. Yet, there I stood in comfortable shoes, unable to name one pop tune to save my life and about to ask my daughter’s friend if her mother will be home while my daughter visits.

I look to the left and see my 11 year old daughter standing next to me. I can tell she is making the same vow that I once did. Helpless to stop the giggle from becoming audible; I think of the day my daughter will look in the mirror and see me staring back at her.

As I recovered from the shock of this event, I realized there is a lesson to be learned in all of this. A mother’s influence lasts a lifetime. If we will one day become our mother’s then one day our daughters will become us!

What will our daughter’s see in that mirror looking back at them?

A day should never pass where we forget that we are not only influencing our daughters but our granddaughters and great granddaughters. We are forming a legacy of the women in our family through our words and actions. What is the legacy of the women in your family? We need to be careful to speak God’s words, show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. The most precious gift we have (our daughters) should not be carelessly torn open or thrown away by our inability to worship the Lord through raising our daughters.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please grant us the wisdom to use every word from our mouths and every action of our hands to profit the children you gave us charge over. Allow us the foresight to raise children infused with your love and filled with your Words so they become your grateful servants. In Jesus Name, Amen.

In Him,

Richele

Join Richele daily at her blog spot, Under the Golden Apple Tree

My Old Dealbreaker

"You take one of my babies and the deal's off!"

A few years ago I stood in my shower and through my weeping, I threatened God, or at least I thought I did, that if anything happened to one of my kids I would walk away. Done. Over.

I literally thought that if the worst of my fears actually came true, I would blame Him and never talk to Him again. I was that afraid. I lived in fear; fear that He would take one of my children and if He did, so help me God... because no one else would be able to.

I had the same experience with Him a few years earlier when it came to my husband. I figured that one way for me to be "forced" into getting closer to God and having the "real me" exposed would be if I faced my worst fears. I cried and cried (again in the shower, I figure it's safe there) and said that I didn't want to get any closer to Him if it meant I would lose someone. The results I heard that come from suffering were not ones I was willing to suffer for.

All in all, it was a twisted pattern that stemmed from my grandparents being ripped from our family in a deadly plane crash when I was thirteen. Somehow, those emotions were capitalized on and the Enemy had a hay day with my thought life. Fear set in like cement and put a rock solid belief system in me that took the sledge hammer of truth to set me free.

However, just recently I was on the porch. I had my head leaned back and I was looking up at the clouds rolling by. It was a moment, just between me and Him. That day in the shower came back to mind and I realized at that moment, I didn't think that way anymore. I smiled and realized that I could actually play out my worst fear without being gripped by it. Now, He is my first thought. I think of Him as a refuge and know now that He is the one who would see me through such a terrible thing.

I'll have it no other way.

I've been set free from fear. I can now say that if the worst happened, I believe, in the end, He would still be my God and I would still be His beloved. There is no fear in love. There may be pain, but there is no fear.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. James 4:18

Natalie.

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and her online Bible Study:

Mothering through the Sand Dunes of Life

The Internet Cafe welcomes Melissa Steckann!

"and they will do well from the treasures hidden in the sand on the shore." Deuteronomy 33:19

Out in the middle of no where, among the Rocky Mountains are acres of sand. Great Sand Dunes National Park is a fascinating place to visit; it is like being at the ocean except the ocean is missing. Leading up to beautiful soft yellow mountains of sand is a vast, expanse of smooth, flat, sandy ground. Some of the flat ground leading up to the dunes is easy to walk through as the sand is compressed; other places the sand is soft making walking more difficult.


The National Park Service is unable to create a map of trails, because the sand dunes are constantly shifting.During our visit to the park, the thought occurred to me that the adventure of motherhood is like exploring sand dunes.



Some days mothering is easy, like walking on firm sand. Other days are tough, no major obstacles, just harder and physically exhausting, like walking through soft sand. While other days are like climbing a mountain of sand.


Difficult!





We've all had difficult days. You wake up two hours late; the baby slept through her 6am feeding. Even though you enjoyed the extra sleep, you've missed that small window of time you had to take a shower. The day doesn't get better. The toddler and the baby both wake up cranky, with stuffy noses and sore throats. After an hour wait the doctor tells you they have a virus and it just will need to run its course. Back at home you remember there isn't anything for lunch, because today was supposed to be grocery shopping day. After feeding the kids cereal you begin the process of getting everyone down for a nap. With nap time under way, you quickly clean up the breakfast dishes, begin a load of laundry, take out the trash and pick up the Duplos the toddler scattered all over the living room and kitchen. Feeling exhausted you decide to lay down for a 10 minute power nap; as you head touches the pillow, crying is heard from the bedroom.


You feel like you have been climbing a mountain of sand,never gaining more them a few steps forward before sliding back to where you started, and your day is only half over.

In Deuteronomy 33:19
Moses pronounces a blessing over the tribe of Zebulun. He declares that they will feast on "treasures hidden in the sand."

Our children are treasures, but on very difficult days we need to remember to bend down and dig. Digging in the sand isn't hard and often we don't have to dig deep before we find an unexpected treasure or uncover a blessing.


Maybe you had a few extra minutes of cuddling time with your preschooler, maybe your toddler said something that brought a smile to your face, or maybe Visitors to Great Sand Dunes National Park are encouraged to enjoy, explore, and learn during their visit. We need to do the same as mothers; we need to enjoy the mundane days for their quietness, learn from the difficult days, and explore on the sunny days. We need to discover anew the treasures of our children. Motherhood is a fascinating journey, one in which we can grow and change like the shifting sand of the National Park.

In Him,

Melissa Steckann

www.amomlikeyou.blogspot.com

Not Forgotten, Not Abandoned

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15).

The New Testament city of Ephesus was immersed in the Greco-Roman tradition of the pursuit of beauty and perfection in every sense: art, architecture, music, and even regarding the human race.

In fact, Greeks and Romans regularly abandoned their unwanted (less than physically perfect, or often, female) infants to the elements as a means of divesting themselves of the responsibility and stigma of such a child. This practice was termed “exposing” the child. Some of those rejected children, if physically able, were "adopted" by Ephesian citizens only to serve as slaves.

Testifying to the common act of abandoning children is the following letter written June 17, 1 B.C., by a man named Hilarion to his pregnant wife, Alis:

“Know that I am still in Alexandria. And do not worry if they all come back and I remain in Alexandria. I ask and beg you to take good care of our baby son, and as soon as I receive payment I will send it up to you. If you are delivered of child [before I get home], if it is a boy keep it, if a girl discard it. You have sent me word, ‘Don’t forget me.’ How can I forget you. I beg you not to worry.”

How could such a warm missive contain such a cold directive to simply discard a baby!

As customary as this cold-heartedness was, there were some, mainly Jews and later Christians, who would make a long hike to the outskirts and dunghills to rescue these forgotten children in spite of the great sacrifices they would make to care for them.

Imagine, then, the joy of one of those rescued Ephesian children, slave or free, upon hearing Paul's letter: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Blameless. Loved. Pleasing Him.

You and I also live in a culture which seeks perfection by almost any standard other than the one of a holy God. We want beautiful faces and bodies, state of the art technology, instant and vast knowledge, perfect careers, homes and children. We live in a “throw-away” society that has little use for items, or people, who cannot contribute in ways we find most valuable. The aged, the unborn, and the voiceless are often discarded or put out of view.

And you and I—we definitely fall short by our fellow man’s standards. Even if we became one of the "beautiful people" who graced the covers of magazines and made millions simply by repeating memorized lines, soon the world would tire of seeing us at the top and begin to knock us down the ladder rung by rung until we became yesterday's news, forgotten, mocked, or scorned.

And incredibly, some of us have literally been unprotected or discarded by our very own mothers and fathers.

In other words, we live in a world of hurt.

But we are not abandoned.

Jesus, you could say, like those compassionate Jews and Christians who rescued the abandoned, strapped on his hiking boots and walked a long, steep hill, Golgotha, to rescue us. We belong to him. We belong. He chose us. We are accepted. We are loved.

Can you see Jesus’ determination to rescue us? “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Though it cost him so much, he sacrificed more than we can comprehend to bring us into his family, and no one can ever change our status!

So you may have been literally abandoned at birth, or emotionally abandoned, or abandoned by a spouse or feel like an outsider wherever you are, but the truth is, you are not abandoned. You are deeply wanted.

Jesus, the expression of God’s great love, reached out his mighty hand to scoop you up, redeem you and call you by name—you are His! (Isaiah 43:1).





Please visit Linda Crow at her personal blog:

Such A Time As This

As the leader of our church's women's ministry, I was often involved with service projects. Many of our projects revolved around a holiday- food baskets for Thanksgiving, gifts for Christmas, cookies for Valentine's Day.

Mother's Day was approaching. As a new mother myself, I looked forward to it. I'd always celebrated the day with my own mother. This year I could celebrate with my daughter. I knew my husband would surprise me with something.

Just as moms shop for Father's Day, dad's shop for Mother's Day. This Mother's Day, it dawned on me that there was a group of mothers who would not receive a gift, mothers in the abused women's shelter.

Many of them were literally in hiding. Who would reach out to them in love?

Our women's group organized a new project. We filled gift bags with cosmetics, sweet-smelling lotions and words of encouragement.

Days before Mother's Day, I stopped by the shelter to deliver the gifts, making sure that we had enough for every mom. I left my phone number and asked the shelter volunteer to call me if anyone new arrived. We didn't want anyone to be left out.

"We know of one young mother who is arriving later today," she shared, "she is coming here straight from the hospital."

My heart broke. I could not imagine bringing my child into this world with nowhere to go. My safe life could not comprehend how terrible the fear and pain must be for a new mother to check out of a hospital and bring her child "home" to a strange place. No family, no welcome home banner, no ribbon on the door.

I asked the volunteer if it was a boy or a girl.

"She had a girl," she said.

With that information, I quickly left and went shopping. This mother deserved more than a gift bag. She deserved a baby gift. She deserved so much more, but a warm receiving blanket and onesies is what I found.

I wrapped the gifts in the nicest paper I could find and attached a note. I returned to the shelter and asked the volunteer to give the baby gift to the young mother when she arrived.

Later that day, my phone rang. It was the shelter volunteer. My first thought was that a new mom had checked into the shelter and she needed another Mother's Day gift bag. I was wrong.

She told me that the young mother had arrived and had opened her gift. She wanted to know if it was alright to talk to me.

"Of course," I said, wondering what words of encouragement I would give to this frightened girl.

A soft voice was on the other end of the line.

"Hello, I just want to thank you for the gift," she said, "and thank you so much for the card."

Choking back tears, I shared with her how much Jesus loves her, how brave she was to protect her daughter, how God knew her circumstances and He was watching over her. I told her with sincerity that I was going to pray for her.

She answered softly, "I'll be praying for you, too."

We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone.

I cried in my kitchen that day. I cried for this young mother and her child. I cried in gratitude for the safe home I lived in , the loving husband who supported me, and the God who watches over me.

I also realized that God had brought me to that moment. He put an idea in my head for a Mother's Day project. All the while I thought the purpose was to reach out to those mothers.

Although, I am certain that all of the women in the shelter needed to hear about God's love, I am even more convinced that there was a young mother with a newborn who needed Him so much more.

When God taps on your shoulder or speaks to your heart, rest assured He has a purpose. You may not know what it is. You may think you know what it is. God will work that out. All we have to do is be faithful and obedient to His calling.

Esther is a wonderful example. She became queen of Persia. She was young, an orphan, and a Jew, not the perfect combination for a queen. Unsure of her place or her purpose, she was obedient to God.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14

Esther's role as queen reached far beyond the palace. I am sure she had no idea what her real purpose was. In the end, her place in the kingdom and her obedience to God ultimately saved the lives of the Jewish people, a scenario that probably never crossed her mind when the crown was placed on her head.

Wherever you are today, in ministry, in your home, in a strange city, or in a palace, know that God has a purpose. It may be that you are supposed to fill gift bags for mothers, buy a baby gift for a new mom, or even defend the faith.

Your obedience to God may make you shout for joy or cry in your kitchen. Either way, the results will be nothing short of miraculous.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Ephesians 3:20-21

Reflections:

1. Has there been a time in your life when you followed God's call, not knowing the "why" or "how?" Share what God did in your life.

2. Are you being asked to do something for God and you are not sure how it will work out?

Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."

Gummin' It Will Never Do

My baby has been cutting more teeth. It's not very fun for her...or her momma. Cranky little toot. No appetite. Doesn't sleep well. Rubs her ears and sometimes even cries when she eats. Oh, it makes me sad for her. But, the poor darlin' has to go through it in order to get the teeth. They cut through her little pink gums with no regard to the fact that hey!, this is a baby here. She can't even talk to tell me what hurts or how to fix it. Her gums swell a little and then begin to whiten right where the little booger is going to cut through.

I guess the worst part is knowing she's in pain without being able to actually see the tooth yet. It's her pain. It's deep and she is the only one who can go through it.

What bothers me more than that, is there will come a day in all three of my little girl's lives where I'll watch them walk through life-pain. Once again I'll see life hurt them from the inside and I won't be able to fix it with Ibuprofen or Boo-boo Bunnies. Their pain will have to make it's way to the surface just like everyone else. They might cry and tell me where it hurts by then, but I still won't be able to take it for them. Their little souls will whiten from the pressure and maybe even bleed. They'll be wounded.

However, (and there is always a 'however') by the power of the Spirit in them, they will have strength in their bodies soon after to be able to chew and swallow the bigger painful morsels of life. They will have strength to know what will be sweet to their spirit's and what will need to be spat out in order to live a life worthy of the calling. Their pain will be theirs, yes, but I would never take it from them. Their pain is His for the making, molding, growing, and most of all, healing.

Don't get me wrong. If there was Life-Ibuprofen, I'd give it to them, but we all know that medicine simply masks the pain. The growing and changing and stretching of soul and mind will inevitably come through. And on top of that, it's not my job. Only the Prince of Peace can give them what they need. Only the King of Glory can change them from glory to glory. Only the Counselor can give them the real life-changing truth.

So what is my job? What it's always been meant to be: I love them with my whole heart, bend over, kiss their face, then lift my arm and point... to Him.

I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:2-4, 7

In Him,
Natalie


Natalie writes for many reasons: life, laughter and most of all, love. Join her at her blogs!



and

A Servant's Heart

One of the greatest desires I have for my children is that they would have Servants Hearts. Scripture teaches us that Jesus came not to “be served, but to serve” (Mth 20:28). We struggle with this on a daily basis in our family. So, in an effort to work on this principal and lifestyle of servanthood, I have been reading the book Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends, during our morning breakfast devotional time to the children. It was written by three siblings ages 21, 16 and 12. We read a few pages every day, talk about it, look at the scriptures that are referenced and then pray about what we have read.

One morning we were particularly inspired as we read about the characteristics of a true servant. I’d like to list a few of these here for you (taken from pgs 44-45):

A true servant:
Knows that all assignments are actually from God
Will be quick to volunteer
Considers his assignment important
Takes orders
Does not desire to have authority
Will do what others do not or will not do
Enjoys meeting needs
Doesn’t need recognition
Will voluntarily serve without pay
Doesn’t seek higher status
Will do more than is required
Does not have his own selfish ambitions
Will serve anyone – even those who others don’t like to serve
Is willing to be treated like a servant
Does not seek the “big” and “important” assignments
Will serve with a joyful attitude
Will put his whole heart into each task
Thinks of others before himself
Desires that his master receives the credit
Desires that God receives the glory

As we read through this list, I felt myself being wholly convicted. This list doesn’t just apply to our children. It’s not limited to age. It’s not limited to gender.

As we read through this list, I began thinking of all the times recently I have failed to be a servant. Here I am trying to teach my children to have a servant’s heart only to realize that maybe the example isn’t being set to well. The phrase “monkey see, monkey do” quickly came to mind. My sweet little monkeys are only doing with they see their mamma monkey doing.

As part of our devotional time, we talked about what we could do today to serve Daddy. Now, serving can be done in a multitude of ways. One of my husband's main “love languages” is acts of kindness or service. So the boys decided that today they would serve Daddy by picking up and tidying up the backyard and raking the leaves for him. (This is a task that he has been wanting done for a while now). So, as I type this, they are out working on it. I, too, have written down a list of things that I can do to serve my husband.

To go along with our devotional time on servanthood, our scripture memory verse is Ephesians 6:7-8:

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”

It is with a humbled heart I ask you; are you living a life of a servant? How have you served your husband today? Your children? The book goes on to say that, “God has given each of us the perfect place to learn to be a servant – at home”. This is so true. How can we be true servants outside the home, if we are not first being servants in our own home?

Father God, the desire of my heart is that my children would learn to have a servants heart. I fully realize, however, that this begins with me. Show me what I need to change in my own heart so that I might set the example that your beloved Son set for me.

Does it REALLY matter?

I have a 12 year old son who loves the Star Wars Saga. There are many awesome lessons to teach through these movies. But, as we were watching Episode III the last time, I realized again how important it is to LISTEN to what is being said (both intentionally and unintentionally), talk to my kids about the "message," and always remember that the secular world is usually not a "friend" to Christianity.

In this episode, Anakin, the once noble Jedi knight, has alligned himself to the evil Dark Side.

When he is battling his teacher, Obi Wan Kanobi, Anakin says,

"If you are not with me, you're against me."

Master Kanobi responds, "Only Siths (evil) deal in absolutes."

When I heard this, a chill went down my spine. I had probably watched this movie at least three times before, but hadn't noticed it until now.

Anakin's words sounded much like Jesus' when He said, "He who is not with Me is against Me..." (Luke 11:23)

Evil Siths deal in abolutes.

Absolute Truth= Evil

Is the Bible absolute truth? Is the Bible like the Siths?

Do you see the confusion a child may have?

It can be a confusing to be "in the world, but not of the world "(John 7:14-15). As Believers, we LIVE in this world and we are to be SALT and LIGHT to those around us in the world, but we don't want the "world" to BE IN US.

"Do not be conformed to the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.."-Romans 12:2

To live a transformed Christian life, we cannot be conformed to the world and its ideals. We can't be both transformed and conformed at the same time. We can only be one or the other.

God empowers us to be holy, sanctified, and set apart from the world- in Him and for Him!

Thankfully, we don’t live this way on our own or in our own strength. We have a still, small voice that helps us and guides us. The Holy Spirit helps us to make choices between Godly and ungodly.

Our choices in life need to glorify God.

Even little things like the TV shows and movies we watch, lyrics we listen to, the clothes we wear, and the books, magazines, and websites we read are important. We must ask ourselves with every choice, “Is this pleasing to God? Do my words glorify God? Would Jesus buy this magazine? Would God enjoy this movie, or would He be embarrassed by it?”

You may be wondering why little things like TV shows or magazines matter so much. You may be thinking, “I’m not hurting anyone watching this show. I’m just relaxing. It’s only TV. The kids are in bed. I’m an adult. It doesn’t matter.”

Does it matter?

The Bible warns us to be careful. Peter tells us “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Imagine yourself lying on the couch late at night, flipping channels and being drawn to MTV or an immoral reality show. You allow the channel to linger there for awhile, even though you feel a tinge of discomfort. The show has peaked your curiosity. You reason with yourself that watching these shows couldn’t be harmful. You aren’t hurting anyone.

But ponder this. When you are drowsy and inattentive, you become easy prey for the enemy, “who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Lions usually hunt at night, and there you are at night, feeding on worldly filth, allowing it to penetrate your heart. Now you have opened a door for him, allowing him a foothold.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” Don’t fill your eyes with images of the world that can never be erased. Proverbs 4:23 says:

Guard what goes through your eyes into your heart! These reality shows are making a mockery of marriage and God’s plan for our best. We have shows that tell us that God’s creation isn’t nearly good enough, so we will change it by having several plastic surgeries. It is so easy to be sucked in to these shows, and then our ideals and morals begin conforming to fit with what we are watching.

Sometimes, we feel a tinge of discomfort while doing something that isn’t glorifying to God. We don’t realize it, but this is the Holy Spirit, the still, small voice inside of us trying to help us, trying to guide us. In today’s society we hear that we shouldn’t feel “guilty.” We hear things like, “Feeling guilty is wrong and teaching others about guilt is wrong. If you are not hurting anyone else, then everything is okay. We are in our own homes. We are consenting adults. God is a God of love, and He wouldn’t make us feel guilty.”

God is a God of love and that is why He instilled in us this guide. Feeling a sense of conviction or feeling "guilty" is a mechanism created in us by God to help us make the right choices. This mechanism helps us to discern what is right and what is wrong. It shows us when we sin.

When we feel uncomfortable watching a TV show, music video, or a movie, or listening to the lyrics of songs, or wearing provocative clothing, there is a reason for it! God is speaking to us. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us make choices for Him, to live a godly life. God doesn’t leave us on our own, “fending for ourselves.” He gives us His Word to teach us and His Spirit or Counselor to guide us.

Now there is a difference between the Holy Spirit guiding us and the enemy condemning us when we make wrong choices. The Holy Spirit gives us a warning before we sin or while we are sinning to STOP. The enemy, on the other hand, heaps on condemnation after the fact. When we have already done something, he comes in telling us how awful we are for doing it. The enemy doesn’t warn us to stop, he reminds us constantly of what we have done when it’s over.

“Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

God forgives our sin and empowers us to walk in FREEDOM from sin.

So....I found I need to make CHOICES.

*****WARNING!*****

Don't remove yourself from the world completely! I have swung too far in both directions- being completely removed from the world and too tied to the world. If I am in a "bubble", completely removed from the world, how can I be "SALT and LIGHT", leading unbelievers to Christ? How can the Light of Jesus shine through me into the darkness of the world, offering salvation and LIFE?

Jesus taught, walked with, touched, and ate dinner with sinners- prostitutes and tax collectors, making the Pharisees furious! He loved the unlovely, the dirty, the leper.... We are to love them as well!

Prayer
Father God, I give You all glory and honor and praise! I thank you for your Word to help me and I thank You for Your Spirit to guide me. I pray God that you would open the eyes of my heart. I pray that You would give me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I may know You better. I pray, Lord, that You will help me seek You out, not the world. Help me God to store up my treasures in Heaven, not here on earth. I pray that I would have ears to hear You and a heart to follow You. Your Word says I am strong in the Lord. Give me a boldness, Lord and a confidence to be strong in You and for you. Help me to listen to the Holy Spirit. Remind me always to ask, “Does this bring God glory?” Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE A WATCH THIS POWERFUL VIDEO, SLOW FADE, BY CASTING CROWNS.

Questions

1. Are there areas in your life where you have become “cozy in the world?” Have you developed habits that don’t glorify God? Take a few moments to journal here what they are. Ask God to help you surrender these areas to Him.

2. Read 2Timothy 3:1-9. Do you see any similarities between what Paul describes as “Godlessness” and today?

Please visit me at my personal blog,

Blessings,
Tracy

The Call

So it happened . . . the dreaded "call." The call no parent wants to get. The call that other people get, not me. The call that says "There's been an accident."

I don't remember the next few minutes. I know that I got into the car. I know that my husband drove. I know that I couldn't get there fast enough and yet I dreaded reaching the scene. I couldn't look and yet I couldn't stop scanning the highway. Stupid call. I hate the call.

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I'm relieved to report that Thanksgiving Day 2008 did not have a tragic ending. There are details, yes, but they are being dredged through, one day at a time. There were emergency room visits, and a totaled car and an over-turned vehicle and policemen and ambulances and traffic and the stop sign I steadied myself with as it all unfolded. But, by God's sovereign grace, there was no tragedy. (Um, Jesus . . . Thank You . . . again.)

It's crazy how parenting transforms life. As an unbelieving single person, I only thought of myself. Later, as a believer, before having children, I began to learn (albeit painfully s-l-o-w-l-y) to trust God with the details of life. And then, children came upon the scene, and the trust in God, that I truly believed I possessed, showed itself to be transparent. The struggle had begun.

AND EVEN THOUGH . . .

I know that God Almighty can be trusted for salvation. (I know my name is in the Lamb's Book of Life. I know that a place is being prepared for me. I know that Jesus is coming back for me, maybe soon. . . I know. I am convinced.)

AND EVEN THOUGH

I know that God heals and delivers and restores. (I know, because my mind has been healed and my emotions have been delivered and relationships have been restored. . . . I know. I am convinced.)

AND EVEN THOUGH

I know that trials, despite their shock and awe, are truly (in the hands of a Holy God) able to transform us into people who look and act and think and love like Jesus . . . ( I know. I am convinced.)

Even though we may fiercely believe all of the above, with all of our hearts, sometimes we still struggle to really "let go" of our kids and trust that they are truly kept by Him. So, most of the time, we keep ourselves 'readied' for "the call."

"The Call" is a secret menace in the background of every parent's mind. It's there because the parent/child connection is very powerful and whether we give birth to them or adopt them or inherit them by marriage, when they become "ours", they actually become a part of us. And as we spend years nursing tiny injuries, feeding growing bodies, encouraging bruised emotions and praying for their spirits to one day choose truth, we sometimes forget that a day is fast approaching where we (should) begin to turn them loose and entrust them to their Creator.

What then?

Will God watch over them as closely as we have? Will he make sure that their lives are comfortable and safe and purposeful and safe and happy and safe? As long as "The Call" (or something comparable) never comes, we have a tendency to believe that God is performing his co-parenting job well enough. But what about the day when "The Call" comes. What then?

"God, were You paying attention? I asked You, just this morning, to watch over them while they were driving. Remember?"

"Lord, You promised that You'd never leave them nor forsake them!"

"Father, I dedicated this child to your Kingdom before his birth. Why didn't you take care of him?"

"Jesus, I want to trust you, but I need to know that my children will . . . "

These and countless similar thoughts invade the minds of true believers every day. For all of us, I will end with the words God placed on my shaken, parental heart on Thanksgiving Day:

Child, do not trust your eyes. Everything I allow, everything I prevent, is sovereignly appointed with a divine purpose. I make ALL THINGS work together for good. . . I AM able. I love them more than you can possibly know. My eternal goals for your children are far higher and far more glorious and far more weighty than anything you can think or imagine or dream. Pray. Continue to intercede. Believe. Continue to speak truth into their lives. Know that what I have done in you, I am doing in them. Do not trust your eyes. Trust Me.

In other words . . .

For you should walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor 5-7) Know that all things work together for good...(Romans 8:28) Be satisfied and fully assured that God is able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He has promised.(Rom 4:21) I love them with an everlasting love.(Jer 31:3) I Am He who is able to do super-abundantly, far over and above all that you dare ask or think - infinitely beyond your highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams... (Eph 3:20). My ways are higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) Pray without ceasing. (1 Thes 5:17). Speak excellent things; make your mouth speak truth. (Prov 8:6-8). For you should walk by faith, and not by sight.(2 Cor 5-7) I will preserve them. Put your trust in Me.(Psalm 16:1)

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Reflection:
Are there areas in our walk with God that harbor hidden (even unknown) situations that we are afraid to trust Him with? He is more than faithful to show them to us if we ask Him. And then, He is more than able to deliver us from fear to victory so that we may walk in true freedom - released from the bondage of fear. Did Jesus give His life for anything less?


In Him . . .



Visit Darnelle at her personal blog: All Things Work Together...

The Bible Through the Eyes of a Child

A couple of months ago my three-year-old was obsessed with the biblical story of Daniel trapped in a den full of hungry lions. Our night time routine was not complete until we read this particular story. Many times it included some lion roaring thrown in for fun.

My husband and I read the story so frequently that we nearly had each word from the children's Bible memorized.

Before my son's recent obsession, I read this story countless times throughout my life. I heard it in church as a child. Somehow its familiarity over the years had not given me a reason to pause and reflect on such a magnificent story! Think about the lions, the den, and the fear Daniel must have had that night he spent down there.

The more I read the story, the more amazed I became. How could my heart have become so dull to such a testimony of God's mighty power?

Since then, I started to view the familiar Bible stories that I read to my boys differently. I don't read it to them as any other storybook and turn my heart and mind off to their message. Instead, I see God at work in magnificent ways that I had missed before simply because I wasn't looking. God's Word is always fresh when we allow it to be.

There are all kind of stories that will absolutely blow you away when you start to look at them from a fresh, child-like perspective.

Did you realize Jesus actually walked on the water? (See Matt. 14:22-33) You may have read that story many times but have you stopped to visualize what this event must have looked like? Put yourself in that boat. Feel the waves hitting your little boat and watch a Savior approach you as if you were sitting on dry land. Wow!

Have you ever been hungry but felt like there was noting in the house to eat? Put yourself in the sandals of the disciples when they realized Jesus wanted to feed over 5,000 people. (See John 6:1-14) The only food there was five loaves of bread and two fish. Talk about feeling like you need to go to the grocery store!

Yet, Jesus was not limited by a lack of food. When it was all over, everyone ate until their bellies were full and there were leftovers! (Who can't say a hearty "amen" for leftovers!) As I struggle to cook enough food for my family of four, I am affected by this event on an even deeper level.

As a parent, I want to help my children hide God's Word and principles in their hearts. Reading His Word and watching their little minds comprehend its magnificance is inspiring as a parent.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:11

Not only does God teach my children something about Himself each time we study it together, He teaches me something, as well.

If you have young children or grandchildren, spend time in God's Word with them. You will be amazed as you watch them grasp the incredible stories that you read. Don't be surprised, however, if God opens up His Word in a new and inspiring way to you like never before.





I would love for you to visit me at my personal blog, "Overflowing Grace."






Photo courtesy of microsoft.com

Dino Shaped Lunches and Divine Shaped Lives

Dino Shaped Lunches and Divine Shaped Lives

I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand – from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry – forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor!”
Job 42:5-6

Sometimes when I make my kids sandwiches, I cut away the crust and make them into shapes. The sandwich cutter precisely trims the crust and creates a fun shape. I package it in the baggie or serve it on a plate and wipe away the crumbs. It never fails when I do this, my little guy will come to me after school and say, “Thanks for the dino shaped sandwich today!” This small extra step communicates love to my children.

As I read this phrase in Job 42, I couldn't help but think of these fun shaped sandwiches. I would never consider serving my kids a plate with just the crust or the crumbs from the counter, and yet how many of us have woke up to the reality that spiritually we have been living on the crust and crumbs.

We go to church, listen to great preaching, we hear testimonies of the greatness of God and it feeds us. It’s good, but have you ever considered that this is just the crust, that there’s more? So much more! Why do we often settle for the crusts and the crumbs spiritually?

Job came to the stark realization that he had been living on what He had heard. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was truth. What he knew about God was true, but it wasn’t personal, firsthand experience. He realizes that He had been missing the intimacy, settling for the “crusts of hearsay and the crumbs of rumor”.

I’m sure that none of us want to be satisfied with the crusts and crumbs, but rather we want the real sweet center of intimacy with Christ. I want to take the extra time to get to know him firsthand. I want to walk in obedience, so as to see His faithfulness firsthand, and I want to take the time (as Job said) to “listen, and let Him do the talking”, so I can learn from Him firsthand!

Just as it takes more work for me to make the dino shaped sandwiches for my kids, it takes more work to grow in our personal walk with Christ. Just as my heart shaped sandwiches communicates love to my children, so me taking the time to get to know Christ intimately shows my love for Him.

So, next time we carve the crust off that Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich, may we ask ourselves this question, “Have I carved out the necessary time for Christ today, so that I don’t live of the crust, but on the sweet God shaped life that comes from a personal relationship with Christ?” It’s only through this firsthand walk with Christ that He can shape our lives into something beautiful for His glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom.

Lord, thank you for the testimony of Job and how you clearly reminded Him of Who you are. Thank you that we too can know you firsthand and we don’t have to live off of the crusts and crumbs. Thank you that you desire to fill us with the sweetest part of your goodness and shape our lives into something more wonderful than we could imagine all for your glory!



You can read more from Tammy by visiting her on her personal blog at Steps In Our Journey

Train them up!

" An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life." - Source Unknown

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

-Proverbs 22:6

Teachers are one of the most important members of our society. Next to family, children spend most of their time interacting with, learning from and hopefully growing from their relationships with their teachers. However, as a teacher myself, I'll be the first one to admit that there are severe gaps in the educational system (hypocrisy, political nonsense, secular humanism, etc) that the teachers simply cannot be held responsible for.

As teachers, we are essentially told what to and what not to do, and those "rules" we follow impact your child each and every day, for 10 months out of the year, for at least 6 hours a day! But, as the quote above says, what use is a well educated mine if the heart and spirit are not tended to which allows children to actually become people and not just sources of regurgitated information and facts?

As a teacher, I highly encourage parents to fill that gap that teachers simply cannot fill. What should parents fill the gap with? Well...faith, humility, honesty, sincerity, compassion, commitment, courage and most of all, love. Too many parents leave the rearing of their children up to teachers and spend little to no time getting to know their child and mold and shape their lives helping them become adults who exhibit humility, compassion, faithfulness, courage and real intelligence.

All of the text book knowledge in the world means nothing when you are facing some of life's most difficult circumstances - what good will that equation get you then? (unless you are installing carpet :)). Children need to learn, from their parents, where to turn when trying to actually become people. And, surprisingly, it is not found in a textbook, a thesis, research papers, statistics, the news, Oprah or anywhere else ...

It is found in the B.I.B.L.E - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. The one book that, unless your child is in a parochial school, cannot be given out by teachers.

This book is the one book they will need to not only build a life, but to help others build their lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, not of the "world". This is a book that has to be placed into their hands by you, their parents, and also must be one that is in your hands as well. This is the book that should be the basis for every aspect of their development - it should be their guidebook to life...their manual for success. But, as a teacher, we cannot teach your child these lessons...we can be examples, but we cannot, legally (unfortunately) teach Biblical principles...so who will? Who will ensure that the well trained mind that hard working teachers (and home school parents!!) develop turn into adults that know how to build a life upon the only solid teaching that ensures true success - the Word of the Lord.

Will you be that teacher? Well then, train them up! :)

PRAYER:

Father,

I pray that each child have the opportunity to not only be exposed to Your Word, but to truly take it to heart and build their lives upon the foundation that You laid out for us from the beginning of time. Father help us know how to best train up the children you have lent us, guide us, provide us with true wisdom which only comes from Your Word, and Your will. Bless Your children, Lord, and bring them all unto You. Help us to direct them to Your arms with well educated minds, a humble spirit and a heart to follow hard after You, Lord. In Your Son Jesus Christ's name we pray,

Amen.

Allison is the author of, Simple Christian Living, a blog committed to enjoying Christ, simply, every day in every way.

Teen Drama

I planned to write something about a study I've been doing. I read some scriptures and commentary about the Law. And then life happened. My focus changed.

We just finished a week of teen vacation Bible School this week at church. It started out so great! I had the best time. I'm one of those people who get caught up in the whole thing, I act like one of the kids and have a blast. I got to know a lot of them better and really had a great time. I even learned a thing or two.

The first night a great dynamic speaker talked about not having a father growing up and how he came to the realization that God was with him all through his life, guiding him and protecting him. His message really touched those kids. There were a lot of tears, and repentance.

I watched the kids that week, especially a group of girls who are in my bible class. These girls come from troubled homes, they are brought to church. They actually call to find a ride to church. They have such a desire to overcome, but there are so many odds against them.

The end of the week some details of bad things happening in the youth group came out. To me. More than I would ever want to know. Too much to hear. My own kids heard some of it. It was a low end to a really high week.

Why does the devil attack so ferociously?

I have spent a huge amount of time in prayer and deep conversation with my kids. I want to put them under my wings and protect them from all the hurt in the world. Keep the evil influences away from them.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Psalm 27:5

After a day of reflecting and prayer about the situation (and a lot of listening to repentant girls)... I feel so strongly that this fight of faith is such a battle.

Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12

Questions for reflection:

How do you deal with viscous attacks from the enemy?

What are some ways you fight the fight of faith?

The Message of the Words

The Message of the Words

How often have you considered what your child really hears? It wasn’t until God began my healing that I realized how much had been distorted in me. It wasn’t necessarily what a person said, it was what I interpreted their words to mean. As I became aware of things I had believed about myself through another’s words, I had to face the reality that my children had heard things through my words. So many years had passed in my child-raising. Was there any way things could be redeemed? How could I go back and speak truth into those places? I know with God it’s never too late for redemption, but how do I go back?

One day God gave me a front row seat to His never-ending desire to heal and restore. My 2nd daughter was struggling when she came into my room. Being my child who internalizes, it wasn’t evident what was really going on, so I started asking questions. She blurted out. “I’m sorry I’ve always caused you so much pain.” Having just finished an intense time of healing through a set of tools our church uses, (Christ-life Solutions) I knew God was extending an invitation to be involved in a rescue.

I began to question her to find out why she would say such a thing. She said “I was the one who brought you so much pain in childbirth”. Aha, the lie is revealed. She had heard me talk to women, as most of us do, about my child births. She had heard me say that she was my longest, most painful childbirth. But what her mind processed was “I’m the one who caused my mom the most pain.” “I hurt my mom.” “It’s my fault.”

I held her in my arms as she wept. I began to soak her with the truth. “Oh sweetheart, you didn’t cause me pain.” “It wasn’t your fault.” “It was MY body that would not cooperate.” “You tried to get here, but my body wouldn’t let you.” “It’s not your fault.” “It was my body’s fault.” As she held onto me I told her of how desperately I had wanted to hold her in my arms. I told her how greatly she was loved and longed for. A moment of healing came as the truth set her free.

Our words have an effect, whether we realize it or not. Words like “you’re driving me crazy” are interpreted “I drive my mom crazy.” “I’m a problem”. It’s not the child that’s driving you crazy, it’s their behavior. But the child thinks it’s them. When I joked around saying “my kids are my slaves” my oldest heard, “mom just had us so we could work for her.” “You’re not getting this” can be interpreted “I’m stupid, I can’t understand.”

Children hear things through a child’s mind. They can’t reason it out through the mind of an adult. Whatever their minds process is what they end up believing. I know, I was one of those children.

I have hurt my children, because I have not considered what they might be hearing through my words. Sometimes I wonder if it can ever all be recovered. And then I remember:

“I will restore the years the locusts have eaten”, says the Lord (Joel 2:25)

Most heartache and brokenness come through family life. Words get distorted. Things are heard that are not meant. Children get hurt. I’ve heard enough stories to verify that. Listen through the ears of a child. Be careful what you speak. There is one who prowls around seeking to distort what you say to steal, kill and destroy. Don’t allow him to use your words.

I am thankful that it’s never too late. His grace covers everything, even my words. Instead of condemning me, He invites me to be a vessel of healing. I believe in the God who heals. I know, He came for me. What about you? What’s behind your words?

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

Questions for Reflection:

• What are your kids hearing from your words?
• Have you ever considered what you might have heard that’s been distorted?
  

“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, My God. Prick my heart when they’re not.”

You can find Julie at her personal blog, Jewelz Sightings.

A Word Please??

A Word Please??

I simply cannot express how it pains me to begin this devotional. Why? Because to do so, I am forced to use a phrase that I'm not ready to use. Just . not . ready. I know that I am a mother of 5 children. I am aware that 4 of them are teens and one is halfway through college! I understand that I am no longer 20-somethin'. (Heck, my marriage is 20-somethin'.) But knowing these facts deep inside my brain, and saying them out loud, are two different things. However, in the interest of becoming more mature and less vain, (and in the interest of finally getting to the message) here goes . . .

Almost 20 years ago, (That's the criminal phrase. How in the world has it been that long? Seriously? How? - sorry) . . . Almost 20 years ago, (sigh) I sat in an obstetrician's office, nearing the end of my first pregnancy, in the process of having my excitement exchanged for fear.

Week after week, the doctor continued to comment about my not gaining weight. It seemed that my weight gain had stopped progressing at about 7 and 1/2 months, and every week, she commented about it. Every week I tried to tell her that my fat-girl pants and skirts were getting noticeably tighter around my noticeably bigger belly, and at the same time, my arms and legs were getting thinner. (Think Mrs. Potato Head.) It made perfect sense to me. My baby was growing, while every other part of me was shrinking. All I had to do was look in the mirror - it was seriously, very obvious. It seemed that my body was losing weight at the same rate that the baby was gaining. The doctor ignored my non-medical school observations and only cared what the scale told her. Since it was my first prego experience, I wasn't sure enough of myself to protest.

Every week, after weighing me, she wrote secret doctor things in my chart. On this particular day, however, with only one week until the due date, she dropped the bomb about her secret.

"Since you haven't gained any weight for the last six weeks, I must assume that the baby is not growing. Because he/she should be gaining more weight at this point than at any other time during the pregnancy, there must be something wrong. I'll send you for an ultra-sound to determine if the baby is even big enough for me to induce labor. (Apparently, babies under 5 pounds don't fare well in the induction process.) If he/she is anywhere near 5 pounds, we'll induce. If not, the baby could die."

Bedside manner was not her specialty.

I remember little of the following week except fear and tears and tests. There were ultra-sounds that suggested that the baby was "approaching" 5 pounds and therefore "medically viable for induction." There were forms to sign giving permission to " induce labor despite blah, blah, blah . . .". Suddenly, nine bliss-filled, medically uneventful, eat-all-you-want months turned into a nightmare that I was not prepared to process. So I did the next, hormonally logical thing. I blamed God.

God, what's the matter? What have I done wrong? What's going on? Are You here? The doctor said . . . The ultra-sound technician said . . . Why is this happening? Can't You do something? What if . . . There's no reason for this God! What good can possibly come from this? Are You listening?! Do You hear what they're saying?!

In the midst of my desperate, faithless, whining, I heard God's still, small voice speak 5 words that changed everything:

Those are not MY words.

In an instant, everything changed. In an instant, I knew that He was in control and had not left the throne. In an instant, I understood that I had swallowed fear in massive doses without once consulting Him - the One who has the last word on everything.

The next few minutes featured a very pregnant short girl on her knees. I repented and promised God that I trusted Him with the outcome. I trusted Him to equip my husband and I to handle whatever happened. I asked Him to speak louder in my head than the doctor's words. I began to realize that, though this situation had caught me completely off guard, it had not surprised Him at all. I forced myself to stop mentally reciting (worshiping) the doctors' reports.

Those are not MY words

Two days later I was in the hospital holding my new, over 8 pounds, perfectly healthy, perfectly perfect, perfectly lookin'-like-his-daddy, baby boy.

Don't you just love it when God knows what He's talking about?

Those are not MY words.

How incredible is that? No 5 point sermon. No lengthy, guilt-inducing speech beginning with, "Oh, woman of little faith!" Just a gentle nudge to remind me that I had forgotten whose words I should be seeking and listening to and meditating on and trusting. A short but powerful glance at myself from His perspective.

God has much to say about each and every aspect of our lives. Whatever burden you are carrying - voluntarily or otherwise - He knows about it. I am convinced that He has a life-giving, burden-lifting, eye-opening, soul-healing, joy-imparting, world-changing word for E*V*E*R*Y setting we find ourselves in. And the bonus is that HIS words are not simply sweet little doses of encouragement - they are power and life and healing and deliverance and peace and so much more! And they are available to us as believers . . . simply for the asking.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)
This book of the law (Your Word) shall not depart from my mouth, but I shall meditate on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8)

The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. (Psalm 37:23)

I will make known to you the path of life. (Psalm 16:11)

I know the plans I have for you. . . (Jeremiah 29:11)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)

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Reflections:

• Which situations am I ready to bring before my Father - expecting a life giving word?
• Are there any places in my life where I need God to change my 'words' and thus my perspective?
• What untrue 'words' of the enemy am I believing? Is it time for God to expose them?
  

In Him . . .

Visit Darnelle at her personal blog: All Things Work Together