As I’ve prayed during these last dozen years, I’ve purposely begged God to fling WIDE the doors He has chosen for me and to SLAM shut the doors not in His plan.
When you are walking through darkness during a season of complete uncertainty, you need His light to guide you.
You rely on His guidance.
I like the analogy of open and shut doors; although, I added an extra measure of assurance.
I wanted to easily walk through to His plan or get slammed in the face with a resounding NO.
Might as well be crystal clear, am I right?
I’ve had many doors open with ease: graduate degrees, student teaching, first job, and marrying the right man just to name a few.
I’ve also had plenty of slammed doors, mostly in the area of dating the wrong men before I married my husband. Giggle.
Guess what?
Those slammed doors are a whole lot of fun.
It’s a joy to know which man God did NOT have hand picked for me.
Back in the day, one date never showed up after weeks of talking on the phone.
He would have been my first date post divorce.
It was the weirdest thing, but God knew best.
I won’t lie – I was bitterly disappointed for a few hours.
My pride was wounded.
But I turned my focus to God and realized it was simply a closed door.
And each closed door moves you closer to a door flung wide open!
Another story? Well, a different date ended in disaster after he told me he had been ‘quite bored’.
I was sitting at home when I got that text.
I began to laugh.
This man had spent the previous two weeks proclaiming his devotion and wondering ‘where I had been his whole life’.
He was also a Christian, but every time he called, I almost broke out into a sweat, because he was easily offended.
Not a good sign!
This guy was the one missing out on me.
It was his loss, certainly not mine.
When the ground shakes from a slammed door, get on your knees and thank God for having your back.
He knows what is best for you.
Because God flung wide the door with my beloved almost a decade ago, I am even more grateful for the closed doors.
I mean, God saved me from a lifetime of misery with the wrong man.
How can a girl not get on her knees thanking God for that?
When God answers you, it may be in a way you absolutely never expected.
Trust Him.
You pray for open and shut doors and wisdom for a lunch date.
The door slams shut.
Why? Because the date never shows up.
Recognize God’s shouts after you’ve ignored His whispers.
Yes, God will communicate to you, but we must listen.
And after listening, we must trust that yes, God still knows what He’s doing even after we hate His answer.
Pray for those doors.
Ask your friends and family to pray for you in this way.
Out loud with words or crying out within your soul?
David, the man after God’s own heart, did many times.
This Psalm is one example.
He starts by royally complaining.
From the depths of his soul he wonders how long God will forget him.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (verse 1)
He then tries to console himself.
We all do, when we fail to hear from God.
Or we think we don’t.
He forgets he can choose to praise God instead.
He focuses, instead, on his sorrow.
Again, like we all do.
David goes on: How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (verse 2).
David again pleads, sharing with God he will die if his sorrow remains apart from God’s peace.
He desperately wants God to intervene so his enemies don’t take pleasure in David’s weakness.
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. (verse 3 & 4).
David ends the psalm by choosing to praise God.
He remembers how faithful God has been to him.
That, in turn, helps David realize God will again bring him out of the depths.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. (verse 5 & 6).
Maybe David has found the key.
The key to reconnecting our mind, soul, and body to the One who created us.
Praise.
Choosing to praise even in the midst.
Even when every fiber of our being wants to remain wallowing in the pit of self pity.
Praise the Lord even if.
Praise the Lord even if you don’t feel like it.
You will remember how faithful He has always been in every circumstance.
And you will suddenly lift your eyes, knowing He will once again show Himself.
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 33:4
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. Isaiah 42:5
God breathed and life erupted.
His life filled what He breathed upon.
Creation.
The apostle’s baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Can you imagine anything better than the creation of life or the indwelling of God’s spirit within you?
When God breathes on something, life erupts. Multiplies. Becomes alive.
While at worship last week, I had a picture of God breathing on the ugly parts of life.
The sections of our hearts or lives that contain ugly, messy cobwebs.
With one word, God breathes and darkness disappears, clearing away the cobwebs.
Whoosh. God says, “I am breathing on all of your cobwebs. Cleaning them all away. Forever gone.”
What areas of your life do you desperately need God to breathe?
With His breath, you’ll replace death with life. Destruction with living. Selfishness with godliness.
Ask Him to breathe on your heart. Ask Him to clear away your cobwebs.
Cobwebs connecting to family members. Gone.
Cobwebs connecting to destructive habits. Gone.
Cobwebs connecting to ugly past sins, guilt, or shame. Gone.
Cobwebs convincing you God truly deems you unworthy of Him. Gone.
When you allow God to fill you with His breath, He will make all things new.
Breathe Him in and receive His healing. His power. His peace.
Breathe Him out and become His hands and feet. His witness. His proof.
All glory returns to God for creating us in His image, allowing us to experience the freedom, forgiveness, and purpose He has for us. Spread the word. To God be all glory.
Like the prodigal son’s father watched every day for the return of his wayward son, God watches for your arrival.
For your restoration.
If you are completely lost, when you decide to return to God, He’ll scoop you up the second He sees you, forgiving you completely.
If you are wandering away, stepping off into self-focus, not relying on Him, the moment you decide to return life’s burdens to Him, He’ll take them back in an instant.
Because He’s always watching for you.
Watching out for you as you walk with Him, guiding you around the rocks so you don’t stub your toe.
Showing you which path to take, when the path splits in two.
And protecting you with His umbrella when the dark storms arrive.
He’s also watching for you when your choices take you apart from Him.
When you’re determined to make it all on your own.
When you selfishly trudge on alone, thinking the entire world is against you.
It’s not, and God’s available to give you His peace.
He longs to have a relationship with you.
What are you waiting for?
God, who created you and all things, craves a relationship with you.
He can make all things new.
He can cross your every t and dot your every i.
Effortlessly.
Why wait?
Whenever you are ready, God will be there.
Always.
Because He is forever watching for you, His precious child, to return completely unto Him.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6
God made us human.
Flesh.
And when we have not recognized the need for our Savior, we live according to the flesh.
Ourselves.
Satisfying our every “need”.
Romans says when we set our mind on ourselves, it leads to death.
Death.
Literally the opposite of life.
But when we have recognized our desperate need for God, giving ourselves over to Him, we begin to live according to the Spirit.
That means life.
As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, helping us to live according to God’s will and plans.
We set our minds on the things of the Spirit.
And that, my friends, brings life and peace. Ahhhh.
But is it possible to choose death instead while living within the Spirit?
Yes, because we are human.
God allows us to make our own choices, choosing between living in the flesh or the Spirit.
It’s easy to tell if you are choosing to live within the Spirit.
Are your words producing life and peace or death?
Are your actions reflecting life or death?
Do your decisions cause others to recoil in death or thrive within life?
Setting one’s mind is critical, God says so.
Means you purposely align yourself to God’s ways through His Holy Spirit.
It’s a choice.
And then it’s a choice to stay fixed on God.
Choose to set your mind on God.
Ask Him to help you and His faithfulness will continually point you to life.
“Sir,” asked the demon who was tiny but had a large voice.
“What do YOU want,” demanded the demon in charge whose name escapes me.
“I found someone I can dominate. I’m sure of it. Look.” The tiny demon with the large voice pointed at a man sitting in a comfy chair. The man was starring at his phone. Life swirled around him unnoticed.
“Fine. He’s practically lost anyway. Go,” shouted the demon in charge whose name escapes me.
Demon #2, who was tiny but had a large voice, shrank away, excited to show the demon in charge his moves. He had just learned some new tactics. This man seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Demon #2 crept up to the man who was starring at his phone while life swirled around without him.
Whispering into his ear, demon #2 reminded the man of his failures, disappointments, and poor life choices. Causing the man to become uncomfortable, he suggested a snack even though the man had recently eaten.
The man shuffled to the refrigerator, pulling out some food. Balancing the food with his hands and phone, which he never put down, demon #2 startled the boy who immediately began running into the kitchen, knocking into the man. Food went everywhere. The phone went flying.
The man who usually starred at his phone while life swirled around him found himself yelling at the boy. The boy, who was only four and looked up to the man, began to cry. Instead of comforting his son, the man tried to find his phone. Finding it under the table, the man picked it up and gasped. The screen was broken.
The man who usually starred at his phone while life swirled around him swore as he began cleaning up the mess from the boy.
After cleaning up the mess, the man sank back into his chair, looking at his phone. Thankfully, he realized it really wasn’t broken at all. It was merely scratched. All was well. Demon #2 suggested the man did not need to apologize for yelling at his son. After all, his son was in the wrong!
The man sighed, agreeing with demon #2. Forgetting all about his snack, the man settled his focus once again onto his phone. Life continued to swirl around without him.
Demon #2 found the boy crying in his room. All alone, demon #2 began to whisper lies, confirming the thoughts the boy was having. “Your dad doesn’t really love you. He cares more about his phone than you. He ignores you because you’re boring. You’re not worth his time. You’re so clumsy anyway. You should stay away from him.” The boy sniffled as he listened to the lies from demon #2.
Checking back in on the family later, the woman wondered aloud to the man why the boy was so upset. The man didn’t have any idea, although he barely heard her as he was still on his phone while life swirled around without him. The woman left the room wondering what she had done to the man. The boy continued to feel unloved. The man continued watching his phone as life swirled around without him.
Demon #2 reported back to the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. “Sir,” began demon #2 who was tiny but had a large voice. “I influenced not only the man, confirming his previous believed lies, but I successfully planted new lies into the boy and woman, confirming them with actions from the man.”
Putting down his paper, the demon in charge whose name escapes me, looked up in surprise. “Well, that’s more like it,” he replied. “Maybe you’ll work out down here after all.”
Grinning, the tiny demon with a large voice said, “Yes, sir! Looking forward to more torment, sir!”
Demon #2, the tiny demon with a large voice, revisited that family many times. Over the years, he repeated the unloving lies into the boy, who was now becoming a man. This was almost too easy…
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
I know, you have control over your reactions, but not over the actions or responses of others.
You have no control how other people will react or sometimes not even care.
You also have no control over circumstances thrown your way.
Sickness, job loss, inflation, an inconsiderate spouse, ungrateful children, the threat of war.
You can only control your reaction.
What does your flesh immediately do when faced with any of that ugliness?
Become wrapped in self-pity as unloving or fear try to walk back into your mind?
Seems justified, yes, but that choice brings darkness.
Walks you away from God and His love for you.
What if instead, you began to thank God for walking with you, for providing you a continued walk with His peace?
And what if you continued to thank God for your circumstances and His provision for all things we pray?
You’d be slapping the devil in the face for sure.
I don’t know what you think, but to me, when we step out in faith while slammed by life outside our control, there’s a bigger hallelujah sung behind us.
Bigger than when we are simply obeying God through flowery, sun-shiney days.
When we choose to ignore our pity party, celebrating God’s goodness instead, the sting sent the devil’s way is a little more obvious to him.
A little more painful. A wee bit more disappointing.
The devil knows you, knows your weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Why give him a good time instead of you?
Give him a bad time. An absolutely horrid time.
Keep showing him Who is boss over you. And it’s not him.
While life is often completely unfair, remember God is always kind and just to you.
He’s always with you no matter your attitude. And that’s not fair to God.
So resolve to give the devil a hard time by ignoring your fleshly cries, filling yourself up with God instead.
In return your days and nights will be even better.
My Jewish faith has always been central in my family.
I keep the laws, heading to the tabernacle when my sacrifice is due.
We’ve waited for the Messiah my whole life.
Actually for generations now.
Sometimes my condition takes over and I can think of nothing else.
Honestly, I feel so useless.
Always feeling tired, needing to run to the toilet.
My condition also makes me unclean.
So I feel ashamed. Constantly.
I know God can heal me. He just hasn’t yet.
Maybe He won’t. Maybe this will be the way I always live.
I need to accept that if indeed my life will remain the same.
God can still use me.
But I’m so tired. Tend to feel sorry for myself if I’m completely honest.
Where am I standing? I’m in the city streets.
Today is going to be different.
I’ve heard Jesus will be walking through town today.
Heard simply amazing things about Him.
Miracles. Healing. Acceptance.
I need to see Him. He can help me if I can get near enough to Him.
I can feel it in my heart.
I’ve been waiting in this heat for awhile now. I’m so tired.
But I must remain standing. For Him.
Oh, I see a large crowd coming. They are so joyful and loud!
I see Him. Jesus is here! I can recognize Him from His eyes.
He is looking so loving at all of us, the crowd pressing against Him.
Ok, here’s my chance. I’m going to reach out and touch just the edge of His garment. That’s all I need to do.
Wow. I did it! Thank you, God!
Do I feel any different? Possibly? Could it be?
Wait. Jesus has stopped walking.
He has turned around, eyes searching the crowd.
Now He’s speaking, wondering who touched Him.
His disciples are confused as there are many surrounding Him.
But Jesus keeps looking for me. I just know it.
His eyes find me and I step forward trembling. I confess what I did, falling at His feet.
Jesus reaches down and helps me to my feet.
He called me Daughter! And said my faith had made me whole!
My suffering is now finished and I am to go forth in peace.
My body instantly feels completely different. I really am whole!
I am crying like a baby. I am full of overflowing joy and love from this man who noticed me.
This famous man, Jesus, sought me out and noticed me.
Yes, my body is healed, but He also healed my heart.
My identity has changed from unclean to daughter of the Messiah.
I must tell everyone He has come! Our wait is over! Hallelujah!
What do you need from God today?
Do you have faith He will help you, too?
As a Christian, our identity is fixed into God’s family as daughters and sons of the Most High.
Your Father in heaven will fill you with love and peace to overflowing each and every day.
Go to Him like this woman, believing He will help you.
And He will.
Because He loves and notices you.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:20-22
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1
What do you measure your life with?
The yardstick of worldly success, fame, or money?
The ruler of putting yourself first?
Counting your possessions, 401k statement or stock market?
Or just God?
When we measure our life, we decide how happy we are or not.
How content we are, how peaceful, or fearful we have become.
Your focus equals your measuring stick.
What you focus on helps determine your level of contentment.
Take your family for example. They are needy, sometimes too much so, and you find yourself in a bad mood with the work load.
You are focusing on what you are unable to do at that moment while stuck helping others.
Focus instead on God and what He has you doing at this moment. Make your work an offering to Him.
Changes your mood.
God must be our first focus, our second, our third, and on and on it goes.
When you change your perspective, your measuring stick disappears.
When you focus on knowing God is always with you, walking beside you every moment, life suddenly brightens.
Remembering your inclusion into the family of God Himself yields the ultimate acceptance.
You don’t need the world’s love. It’s fleeting anyway.
God allows us wonderful times here on earth, but when you focus on those, disappointment is right around the corner.
Focus on God and His love for you.
When you put Him first in all things, you’ll begin to depend upon Him more and more.
The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, is upset.
He’s a champion for the dark side.
Here is his rant.
I am discouraged. First the overturn of Roe vs Wade.
Good grief, it was so utterly easy deceiving Americans for almost 50 years now.
Guess we relaxed our efforts too much, thinking the law would never change.
Who would have thought those Christian prayers would ever really help?
I sure didn’t. Especially not after this long.
Time to work on the states. Surely most will keep choosing death. They think it’s a choice, but I know the truth.
What? The court decided coaches can now pray after a public school game?
On the field? In public? Like out in the open? Are they crazy?
Need to ramp up the violence. Let’s concentrate on the cities with less police protection.
What about the Christians? I’m not worried. I know how to get them.
Let’s take him over there.
I know him well. He looks spiritual, but underneath, he’s a mess.
He’s full of self-pity, one of my favorites. Tends to affect him every night about 7pm.
Becomes morose thinking of his family. I know how to stoke that.
Sometimes, he doesn’t crumble under the lies, because he prays, bringing the power of God into the room.
Not tonight. I got this.
Look – he’s thinking of his family. I’m going to plant a doubt, telling him they don’t care a whit about him.
Neither does his wife. Good. He’s quite upset. Perfect.
Let’s keep going, as this is quite fun.
I’ll whisper, ‘You’re nothing. You’re old and it’s almost over anyway, so what does it matter…’
Haha, good. He bought it. Closed his eyes and tried to escape.
He’s done for the night. Who else can I torment? Time’s wasting.
Now we will peak into his evening as the demon in charge, whose name escapes me, determines the next assignment.
“Who’s got her?” shouted the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
“I have her, sir,” answered a tiny demon with a large voice.
“Excellent, #2”, replied the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
“Want me to apply the usual tools, sir?” asked the tiny demon with the large voice.
“Yes, #2. Full report when you are done,” answered the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
Running to the girl, demon #2 assessed the situation.
He saw her sitting at the table, heads in her hands. It was late. He saw no one else up.
“Fabulous!! She’s staying up past her children and husband. She’s all alone, ready for my thoughts,” declared demon #2 with a large voice, although he whispered not wanting to disturb her.
Whispering into her head, demon #2 said, “You’re right. No one ever cares. Certainly not your family. They couldn’t care less about you. You might as well leave. Would they even notice your absence? They could live totally fine without you. You are not needed. You are useless. You are stupid.”
Sitting back, demon #2 witnessed her reaction. While the words began to take affect, she started to cry. Confirming the lies from demon #2, she agreed with his words, blowing her nose from the tears, which were beginning to flow from her weepy eyes.
The angels were stirred. Immediately, they circled her, knowing her heart and loyalty to God. They began to whisper God’s truth, combating every lie from demon #2.
Demon #2 sat up, scared. “Crap, they are negating my lies.” Immediately, he began to whisper more lies into her head.
Suddenly, the girl was aware of two trains of thoughts entering her head: the angels and demon #2.
Burring her face into her hands, demon #2 thought he had won. He started to celebrate, a smile erupting on his ugly face.
All of a sudden, the girl yelled, “NO.” She began agreeing with the angels, opening her bible to read. Her lips declared the name above all names, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
Demon #2 shrank back in fear, recoiling from that powerful name.
Immediately, he ran back to his nest, more comfortable among the evil comrades.
“Back so soon?” asked the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. That demon was certain of demon #2’s triumph.
Shuttering in fear, demon #2 replied, “Sir, she was helped by the angels from On High. They came and I didn’t know what to do. She began agreeing with them. And sir…she even declared that name. Jesus.”
“NOOOO,” cried the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. “Next time, I will personally accompany you. We must not let that girl out of our grip. She’s too important. Her mission from God MUST be accosted no matter what. Do you understand me?” He roared in anger.
And that ends our story. Demon #2 went on to worry about the next assignment. The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, went on a giant rant for a long time, certain to pull out all stops the next time he could encounter the girl.
The girl remained in her home, unaware, or partly aware of the spiritual battle swirling around her. Knowing she needed to remain whole, she began to pray deep in her heart, wanting to remain always loyal to Him, deciding from then on to listen closely only to His voice.
Are you loyal to Him? What might the dark side say to you when visiting your thoughts? Will you choose to believe God’s truth today and always?
I’ve always loved planting flowers, but I’m talking food.
Growing your own food. Like actually growing literal food.
We grew some tomatoes and jalapeño peppers last year.
While that was fun, this year’s garden is even funner. 😉
We have acorn squash trying to spread their vines over everything else.
Carrot seeds looking lovely, their soft green tops reaching high above the soil.
Watermelon, pumpkins, cucumbers, herbs, and a whole box of flower seeds!
Tomato plants sprouting up from throwing old tomatoes into the garden soil last fall.
We won’t discuss our sad strawberry plants, yielding a total of 3 strawberries so far.
You get the point. We have 96 square feet of growing goodness. I can’t wait.
How’s your garden? Need to yank some weeds? Redirect your plans back to God?
We all have seeds cast our direction, that with the right ingredients, can take root.
Believing a lie, confirming it with situations, watering it with self-pity. That root would be hard to yank.
Yet, immediately refusing a lie planted in your head, would remove it instantly.
Fertilizing your garden with God’s truth and wisdom would then create a garden where sin’s seeds fail to take root. Or would at least take more effort.
Is your garden full of God’s truth? Are you able to yank these weeds easily?
Gardens like that regularly see fruit. Sometimes there’s a drought, but it’s not because the soil is ugly.
Or is your garden soil so full of weeds, truth can hardly begin to grow?
Squash and cucumber vines love to grasp anything they can, clinging to the next plant in their path.
We must be diligent to shape the vines, freeing the plants they wish to cling.
Like those vines, we must be careful to keep our garden free from not only weeds, but things in our life that want to choke out everything else. Even the good things.
Time to put on your gardening gloves, tie that sun hat around your neck, and dig into the dirt.
Gardens only flourish with purpose. And your garden, hidden within your heart, will only flourish with God.
Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. Psalm 25:12
Christianity is really very simple.
We are nothing without God.
Less than nothing.
Sinful, destined to live forever apart from God.
God created us. Loving us so much, He threw us a lifeline.
Jesus died in our place.
When we believe in this free gift of salvation, God is forevermore with us.
Abiding literally in us.
That’s the simple part.
When we choose God, He resides within our heart.
With God in us, why do we ever allow worry to peek out?
God will take care of it.
With God in us, why do we nurse our fears?
God is bigger than any fear and He is taking care of everything.
If we really trust that God is dwelling within us, His power is a billion trillion quadrillion times more than any stupid fear, doubt, or worry.
Remind yourself God is here.
God is here and He is bigger than anything you face.
With Him by your side, you can be filled with His perfect peace as you face whatever comes your way.
How dare we become so wrapped up with ourselves, we forget Him?
Repent and move forward with your complete trust in Almighty God.
Become so dependent on Him your mind is trained to immediately squelch fear with faith.
Going forward, replace fear with trust.
Replace unnecessary stress with peace.
Psalm 25 reminds us God will instruct us when we fear Him.
Will you fear Him, trusting His plan for your life?
Thank you, God, for saving us not only for eternity, but saving us from ourselves. We are nothing without you. Continue to remind us of your awesome presence constantly residing within us. With You continually on our mind, we can remain within your perfect peace as you instruct us in the way You choose for us. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)
Do you find yourself surprised when our faith seems to be tested?
Really, are you ever surprised?
I am and I’m guessing you are, too.
But stop and think about something: Jesus allows trials to refine us.
To make us stronger. Finer. More solid.
Doesn’t that sound like a positive outcome?
Let’s flip it to the other side. The dark side.
Does the devil want to cancel you?
100%. If he can cancel you, you’re done. Finished. Don’t matter no more.
If the devil can succeed at tempting you to give up, he wins.
If you pass the test of faith from God, you win. And so does God.
Either way, it really doesn’t matter why you are entering a trial of whatever it is.
Matters how you come out on the other side.
Take God’s wisdom, love, grace, and mercy with you on the way.
Your maturing will enable you to face the next test with some of the answers.
After all, you’ll have one more detail of your life under your belt. A detail God orchestrated in your life.
Expect trials and tests. You’ve got the answers, so sit down and pass. With God’s help you will faithfully pass each time.
Moms are the most underpaid, under acknowledged, under revered bunch.
Not only do we grow humans from within our bodies, we grow them in our hearts.
Children, whether natural or adopted, are extensions of ourselves.
We ache when they cry. We rejoice when they laugh. We cry when they fail.
I can remember my eldest. I had pre-eclampsia, so my feet were puff balls.
Literally swollen and blue if I stood too long, which means like a few seconds.
He was 2 weeks late and I labored all day and night for him.
Having no drugs, I can remember referencing Eve’s sin while in the throes of labor pains.
But when he was born, it was literally all worth it. The pain evaporated.
Motherhood is like that. Sacrifice. Emptying of ourselves for another.
There is no relationship like it.
When these humans become adults, we let them go. Off into the world, exploring for themselves under the protection of their childhood.
It’s no easier, folks. My eldest recently married the love of his life. Wasn’t there as they privately wed before a judge.
I love them so much, but it hurt not attending their wedding.
But it’s their choice. Sigh.
As mothers, we must do our very best. We continually sacrifice for them, whether it’s when they are small or grown.
Mothers are always there for their children. Not letting attitudes pass, but we are their constant.
Yes, we face multiple disappointments. But we are still there. A constant in their life like God is for us.
What an honor. Thank you God, for allowing us to be your hands and feet to others.
Help us to navigate the waters of motherhood as you would want us to act.
Fill in our cuts and bruises, which seem to reopen with a child’s actions.
Only with Your constant presence may we even begin to excel at this, the toughest job in the world.
For Mother’s Day, we mothers choose to honor God, our loving, constant help.
God, who gives us His strength, when ours is never enough.
God, who gives us His love, when ours is all used up.
God, who gives us His peace, when ours last nerve has been clearly trampled.
God, who hears our every complaint and joy, yet never chooses to leave our side.
God is our constant. Our everything. He will always be your faithful companion as you navigate the calm or troubled waters of motherhood. Give Him your family again today. He will make you a happier mother today.
But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise. Mark 15:5
When Jesus was before Pilate, He answered some questions, but He did not give a speech, defending himself.
He didn’t dive into a tirade, justifying His actions.
Jesus knew what He needed to do, and said only what was necessary.
Do you talk too much? Often defend your honorable intentions?
Sometimes we do. Talk too much.
For example with children, we explain ourselves WAY too often. Yes, offer an appropriate explanation, but you never need to defend yourself as a parent.
Why? Because you are the parent. And your child is not. They are the child.
Glad we are on the same page now.
Children enjoy trapping adults into arguments. Children are pros at arguing and whining.
Some regularly win when they keep going, grating on parent’s nerves.
You know you can stop that, right?
Tell the child no. Your only words offered for their benefit will be “because I said so”.
Repeat yourself when they keep asking why.
Then put a stop to their tantrums. Walk away.
While interacting with children is only one example, we sometimes talk too much in other areas.
Work, phone calls, emails, social media, the list goes on and on.
Sometimes saying less is more. Better. In fact, superior.
Let’s practice quiet authority. Not saying every thought that pops into our brain.
Think things through before uttering a word, asking God to help you speak His words of life.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 ESV
Has God directed you a certain way, but you’re not sure why?
Has God asked you to go a certain way, but you’re not sure where?
Trusting God while walking in darkness takes guts. We’re talking seriously strong guts.
Trusting someone we cannot see for a direction we are not sure where?
Are you crazy? Yep. You?
I wouldn’t call it crazy. I would call it trust. Wild trust. But trust with a secure foundation.
Abraham had layers of trust with God, knowing he could rely on God’s faithfulness.
While he did not know where he was going, he knew God was with him.
That God had ordained his steps. That was enough for him.
Is that enough for you? We have layers of trust with God, too.
Faithfulness found in the details of our lives when we care to look back. To remember.
God has always been there for you. He continues to be and will continue to be.
His faithfulness to you stretches over all of your days.
With God, there is nothing to fear, because you can look back at His personal faithfulness to you.
When He asks you to go somewhere, you can go.
When He asks you to do something, you can.
Even if you don’t know all the why’s, what if’s, or where’s, you can start on the journey.
Count yourself blessed. Just like Abraham, your faith in God will enable you to follow God all the days of your life.
Amy Linnea 
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