Tag: spiritual

A Winter Mother

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“So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’”

Genesis 18:12 NIV

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Motherhood is a daunting task at any age. I would imagine Sarah, the mother of Isaac, struggled with thoughts of what she could offer a child at such a late season in her life. Would she have the energy to keep up with a rambunctious young child? Would she have the patience? Would she be able to relate? Would she be around for those critical milestones in her child’s life? 

Maybe you haven’t given birth to your child in your winter season, but you have taken on the role of mother to a grandchild, niece, nephew, or complete stranger. You may be a little skeptical of your ability to mother at this age, your ability to provide or, keep up with the child. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL. 

God has given you wisdom, resources, and, most of all, love to share. Embrace your winter season of motherhood, because God is faithful and great is your reward. 

As God blessed Sarah, He will bless you. 

A Prayer for the Winter Mother:

Heavenly Father,

You are faithful. Even in my winter season, You have trusted me and called me to the role of mother. Though at times I don’t quite understand, neither do I think I am up for the task. I know I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Thank You for providing everything I need to parent in this season. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

A Faithful Mother

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“Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.”  

Ruth 3:10-11 NKJV

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Ruth had reason to throw in the towel. She left her family and her beliefs to follow her husband only to lose him without any children to carry on his legacy. She could have easily pulled the shade, curled up on her mat and slept her pain away. Instead, she held on to her newfound faith as if she was clinging on for her life, committing herself to her mother-in-law and her God. 

“For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.”

Ruth 1:16 NKJV

Her resilience, faith, obedience, integrity, and sacrifices ultimately led her to Boaz. Had she stayed in her room, she may have missed her kinsmen-redeemer—missed being the great grandmother of King David and being listed in the lineage of Jesus. 

Don’t let your situation keep you down. Get up and get moving. Your Redeemer still lives.

A Prayer for the Faithful Mother:

Heavenly Father, Despite my loss, You are still God. You are a restorer of all things lost when I feel like giving up. You give me the strength to relentlessly pursue and follow You in willful obedience, trusting You—for You are my God. On the other side of loss is joy and life that is available to me now.   In Jesus’ Name, Amen 

Don’t Miss Out on What You Need

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“…your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.” – Matthew 6:8

 

Have you ever been waiting for your prayers to be answered and found the waiting period reminiscent of days from your childhood?  Those days when we submitted our gift requests to our parents and anxiously waited in expectation for the special occasion to arrive with our much-desired gift in tow.  We talked about the gift nonstop to anyone who would listen, we imagined how much joy it would bring us, and on occasion we lost sight of the gifts we already had while we waited for the brand-new gift to arrive. The forgotten gifts…piling up, neglected, and collecting dust. The same gifts we once begged for, the ones we couldn’t wait to get, the gifts our parents saved for and in some cases, sacrificed to purchase (that’s a word…).  The forgotten gifts that require just a little T.L.C. – waiting to be shared with someone else that could benefit from its purpose and the same joy the gift used to offer.

When the special day arrives, we are often so excited about the gift, we can’t think straight. We open the packaging only to find out it’s not what we asked for…it’s not the gift we wanted. We pretend to show our appreciation while trying to cover our disappointment and, in some cases, hold back tears. We were so certain that our parents were going to deliver on our request. Didn’t they read the list? Didn’t they hear me talking about it 24/7? Didn’t they think I deserved it? Why didn’t they tell me I wasn’t getting the gift I asked for?

After we get over the disappointment and sit with the gift our parents opted for, we realize they gave us a gift we needed. A gift with our best interests in mind. A gift that brings goodness into our lives, a gift they knew would be a better suited for us or in some cases, a gift that would prepare us for what we really wanted but were not mature or responsible enough to handle just yet.

Often, we become so fixated on what we want; we miss out on what we need to receive the gift our Father has in store for us. We miss the lessons that prepare us, the people we need, and the people God has placed in our path that will benefit from our current and future gifts.  We miss out on the process of allowing God to align our requests and our hearts for the new gift He eagerly wants to give us. Not the one we desired…the one He desires for us. The best gift. As He is preparing the gift, He wants to know that we trust Him and that He can trust us with the gifts He has for us.

The process of waiting can be challenging at times as we try to manage our desires, expectations, emotions, and our tendency to control the outcome. We become so focused on what we’re waiting for that we often lose sight of what is right in front of and what’s happening in between, we even tend to neglect the things we need to be maintaining while we wait. It is when we trust God and shift our focus to being present – present in the moment, present with the people in our lives, and present with God that we receive the best gifts. The gifts we need.

Trust our Father, He knows what we need before we even ask!

 

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

Matthew 6:30-33 MSG

 

 

 

While You Wait…

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I am in the middle of quite a few things in this season of my life…home improvement projects, new projects at work, ministry initiatives, personal goals, and mid-life if I am counting the years…

The middle is often a place of waiting. You have certain expectations – a desired outcome, a preferred timeline, and excitement of seeing whatever you’re waiting for come to pass. Then there’s the anxiety about what’s next, deviations from your plans and timeline, and frustration that comes from feeling stuck when things don’t seem to be going the way you would like them to.

This weekend I received a practical lesson on what to do while you wait. I was in between commitments with a few hours to spare. Part of me wanted to take advantage of the down time – just count down the minutes until the next thing and think about the responsibilities piling up instead of doing what is in front of me while I wait.

As I took inventory of my to do list and assessed my current situation, I stared at a pile (well piles) of clothes I was in the process of transitioning to storage for the next season mixed with some freshly laundered clothes that accumulated throughout the week as I tended to more pressing matters. I started working on each pile until each piece of clothing made it to it’s appropriate location. Working on the thing right in front of me…working while I was waiting.

Then I fixed my attention on a pile of unopened boxes containing some items requiring assembly. Items that were part of a home improvement project that was still in progress. I ignored the boxes because I was waiting for the room to be finished and in my frustration I put them off to the side. I opened the few boxes and started assembling. I started working on the next thing in front of me…working while I was waiting.

Before I knew it, it was almost time to get ready for my appointment. I had lost track of time. I was focused on accomplishing the tasks in front on me. Though the things I was working may not have been directly tied to the actual thing(s) I was waiting for, I felt lighter, less overwhelmed more organized, accomplished and encouraged about the very things I was waiting for. Not only that, I went into my next commitment feeling undistracted, prepared and ready to focus on that particular task.

I am learning how to manage the waiting room (sometimes not as well as I would like) and not neglect the sometimes seemingly small or insignificant things we tend to put off in our arrogance and impatience believing we will take care of them at a later time or better yet when the thing we are waiting for becomes a reality.

Waiting doesn’t mean do nothing or just sit around counting the hours that pass until you arrive at your final destination. There are things waiting for you in the wait. People waiting for you in the wait. Places you need to be in the wait. Things to learn in the wait. Commit yourself to the work in the wait. Do the next thing. Wait well.

Don’t just sit there….there is something for you to do in the wait!

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV

CRY OUT!

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“…but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”” – Luke 18:39

Sometimes it may seem pointless to call on God. We may feel that our situation is impossible or we have been crying out for so long and our situation has not changed. It can seem as if our desperate pleas for help go unheard. We don’t understand. Those around us don’t understand. They watch us worship, serve, cry out and wonder where God is when we need Him most. Some may even encourage us to stop our seemingly unheard prayers – or we may give up on our own because we can’t see how God is going to change our situation.

“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:35-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Bartimaeus wanted to see. He probably hoped all of his life to have his sight. He heard about the miracles Jesus did, believed Jesus could change his situation and had faith to cry out when He knew He was near. The men who tried to silence him probably didn’t see any hope for Bartimaeus’ situation. They didn’t want him to distract the Master from His Father’s business. But Bartimaeus’ faith would not allow him to remain silent. While he couldn’t see any of the miracles Jesus performed, he could hear the testimony of others, he was aware of the power of crying out His Name. He believed Jesus could give him the one thing he desired. His faith restored his sight.

Don’t let ANYONE – the enemy, your family, friends or even YOU, silence your prayers. Despite what you can or cannot see, don’t give up! Keep crying out to the One who is capable of changing you and your situation.

Father, Thank You for hearing us when we call on Your Powerful Name. We know that all things are possible through You. Even when we can’t see what You are doing, help us to remember that You are working all things out for our good. Thank You for restoring our spiritual sight and increasing our faith to trust You in every area of our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

There IS Light in the Tunnel

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gray scale photography of lighthouse

Like most of the world, each day I wonder when this situation is going to end. When will I turn on the news to hear a cure has been found, that there have not been any deaths or more illnesses from this virus, that there is a vaccine to keep us safe, or we can return to life as we once knew it.

The other day as I returned from the coffee house (which is now my kitchen) to my makeshift work space slightly frustrated with the new norm, my screensaver displayed a beautiful lighthouse at the end of a long stony road. The black and white photo highlighted by the brightest white drawing attention to the light from the beacon of  the lighthouse, reminded me of the saying “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”  – John 8:12

Believers in Jesus Christ do not have to wait for the light at the end of the tunnel. The Light has already come that we can have abundant life here and in eternity – full of goodness and hope, even in the midst of chaos, tragedy and devastation. Jesus came into the world – into our hearts, not only to save us but that we would be a reflection of His light for others to see the hope of glory that is in us as a testimony of His salvation.

There is Light in the tunnel.  His name is Jesus. The world needs His Light more than ever.

In our darkest moments, we need to fix our eyes on the Light to be reminded and encouraged by His faithfulness,  using this time to seek Him through prayer and His Word, and to serve Him by being the light among all men.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

If you have never placed faith in Jesus Christ, you do not have to wait until we get through this..until we get out of this tunnel. Jesus came to rescue us ALL from darkness.

You can receive this Light today.

If Jesus has prompted your heart to do so, pray this prayer:

Jesus, I am a sinner lost in darkness. Come into my heart, illuminate it with Your Light, and cleanse me of my sins. Today I accept You as my Lord and Savior. I believe that You came to earth as a servant, as God in the flesh. You died, was buried, and rose from the dead, that I might have the Light of life. I place my faith in You alone. My heart belongs to You. Thank You Jesus for loving me and saving me. 

In Jesus Name,  Amen

 

Closets…

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A few years ago I moved into a home with much more closet space than I was used to…a woman’s dream, right? Problem is…my closets have become an area of neglect. In addition to being a storage place for clothes 2 sizes too small that (that I am working really hard to get back in to – NOT.), they have become a space to hide all of the junk that I want to keep out of site to make my home look presentable and feel welcoming. When I come across an area of clutter, I have picked up this terrible habit of moving the clutter to a closet instead of sorting through it and putting everything in it’s proper place (The type A part of me cannot believe that I am sharing this…).

The same could be said about my spiritual closet. There are some things tucked in there that I am holding on to just in case God’s plan might not work out the way I’d like. Things I don’t want to deal with…the hard stuff. Treasure buried underneath unforgiveness, painful memories, grief, and disappointment. Things I don’t necessarily want people to see in my life, because if they do it might indicate that I am a bit of a mess. But who am I fooling…I am a mess! A mess with a King for a Father. A Father that knows everything I try feverishly to hide. A Father that has already cleaned me. A Father that wants me to go deal with that closet – both the spiritual and physical ones.

As you prep for spring cleaning, don’t forget your spiritual closet. There might be some stuff in there you forgot about. Get rid of junk that needs to be tossed out, sort through all that stuff, you might even find some treasure buried under all the clutter waiting to be shared with others.

Father, You know everything about us even the things we try so desperately to hide from others. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to address those issues in our spiritual closets that hinder us from being all that we can be in Christ Jesus. Whether its fear, unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, envy, disappointment, insecurity – whatever it is You have given us power to overcome. We thank you Lord because you love us despite everything that we have kept in the closet. Let us honor Your love by tidying up our closets making them presentable to You.

In Jesus Name, Amen.