Hold Me Accountable

You will seek Me

 and find Me, 

when you seek Me

 with all your heart.

 - Jeremiah 29:13

This month I started a weekly Bible study. They provide childcare as well as homework for both the mom and kids too! WOW! I absolutely love it! Their homework aligns with mine and it holds us accountable to studying the word each morning together as a family.

We each have a workbook to complete and fill in. It allows my kiddos to feel like they have a part/role as they come to class as well. They want to finish their work so they can participate in class with answers.

3 Reasons I love going:

1) It holds us accountable. 
   Knowing someone will be checking in each week with 
   us to see how God is challenging us as we study His word. 

2) It is healthy.
    My kids are able to have God-filled conversations
    with kids, outside of our family, as they learn skills to 
    defend their faith. 

3) It  gives my kids community with other little believers.
    They get to rub shoulders with others kids that will spur them  
    on to take a stand for Jesus. 

4) It is refreshing for me.
    Each week I am given 2 whole hours to be with other women
    kid-free to focus on Jesus. I am being sharpened by
    other moms who love Jesus too! What a gift I cherish! God 
    challenges me to look more like Him and how to accept others
    who are in a different place than myself. 

Do you have a place you can go and be held accountable?

Who is speaking truth into your life?

Is there a friend you can go to when struggling, and trust they will guide you back to wisdom of the Word?

If you don't...pray and ask Him for a group/person to hold you accountable. It is well worth the effort it takes to get there. The Lord wants to encourage you and use you to speak life into others today. Join a small group of Christian women. If there isn't one, start one. 

Something beautiful happens when women get together, share what He is doing in their life, and hold each other accountable! 

Community is a Necessity

Necessity is defined as an indispensable thing; essential; necessary. 

I recently started a Bible study on Tuesday nights and it has been life changing. For me. For the ladies. It is a necessity as a Christian. As a woman. As a mom. We were created for fellowship. We yearn for it and when we find like-minded friends it truly is a gift. The reason I started the Tuesday group was the same as last summer...needing refreshment. There is something unique and special each time a group of people gather together in the name of Jesus.

He promises, 

For where two or three have gathered together

 in My name, I am there in their midst.

- Matthew 18:20

As a mom it can be so difficult to get out to a Bible study. I found the top 10 reasons, we don't join a group, from this site: 

http://www.womensbiblecafe.com/2009/11/10-reasons-not-to-join-a-bible-study/

See if any of these ring true for you...

1. You’re too busy. Satan likes a busy woman because those distractions will keep you away from God.
2. You’re afraid of quitting. Not believing in yourself is an advantage for the enemy, he wants you to doubt your strength.
3. Past failure. You tried a Bible Study, got behind and felt guilty. Right, just like the time you got on a bike, fell off, and never rode a bike again.
4. Homework, yuk! Asking your children to do homework and then not doing it yourself…Satan just loves this.
5. No time in my day. We waste time learning from TV and we don’t give our time to God by reading the Bible.
6. My house is noisy. Getting up early is not easy, after the first day. Once you find alone time, you’re value it more than anything else in your day.
7. I have to work. Making money is important, but worshiping money, instead of spending time with God, is not. Get up early or read at lunchtime.
8. It’s too expensive. The online study is free, the book is inexpensive. Use your money for coffee drinks, or for God?
9. The commitment is too long. Being scared is something Satan has instilled in your heart and he wins, not God.
10. The “Holidays” are coming. There will always be a holiday, a Spring Break, Christmas Season or family vacation. While these events are short lived, bible study is a six to ten week commitment of reading God’s Word. His Word in your heart is eternal.

Do any of these have your name on it??

I cannot stress how important and life giving small group Bible study is. I have made some of my best friends through it. Gleaned much and been challenged by others to live more like Christ. I have a group to share my struggles with and the praise reports as well! A community who commits to pray for me which allows for transparency leading to ministry. 

Do you have a group like this? 

If not, pray and press on. Find one. Get involved in this life changing mission and allow the Lord to stretch you. As a mom, community is a necessity. It is essential. We have those moments we feel like a failure and need reassurance we are not! It will allow you to be refreshed. Coming home after -ready to face the rest of the week - with the right perspective. You will be a better mom, wife, and friend because of it. Just do it!

What or Who is Calling you?

Summer is calling!!

Don’t get me wrong I’m a firm believer in academics, but my heart…not so much! I’m thinking I really fit in the “unschool” category of American mommas.

            I love my babys being home, sleeping in, and eating waffles with sticky kisses that follow.  I love watching them carry a favorite book and sit in their tree houses until they figure out how to dress as the character they are reading about.  I love a peanut butter sandwich on the beach.  As you can see, I’ve got “summer fever” bad.

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            As much as I love summer, I already see endless possibilities of activities for them…and for me!  With as many summers as I have under my belt as a mom, can I share one piece of advice; make a plan for your summer with your children.  

            I am only on the third day of a new Bible study, Gideon by Priscilla Shirer.  She is making a case for Gideon’s call.  Priscilla says one reason she believes God lead her to study Gideon is to remind us of the significance of his unique calling.  As a mom with three young boys, she can certainly relate to the call we have as mothers.

           

In talking about spheres of influence 

Priscilla says…

I’m convinced that God lets me witness their cute, comical lives to give me good material in my teaching.  But without a doubt, outside of my relationship with the Lord and my husband, my sons are my highest priority, and I have been commissioned by God to be their mother.  Being a parent may seem like a commonplace human relationship, but I will not be lulled into downplaying it as ordinary.  My role as a mom is a deliberate strategy initiated by God to rear young boys into godly men.  AND I AM RESOLVED TO FUFILL THIS CALLING- to be for them what God needs me to be during this critical stage in their lives.

         

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Yes Moms, summer is calling, our friends are calling, and our kids are calling.  Don’t miss God’s call!  Don’t miss opportunities for the summer. Be the mom who has a plan and is “unschooled” enough to enjoy the unexpected.

            This is His Summer, enjoy His Call!

Judges 6: 14  The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hands.  Am I not sending you out?"

SEE the TRAIN in the TRAFFIC

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father 

of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change 

like shifting shadows.

 - James 1:17

Today my oldest son experienced the presence of his Heavenly Father. This encounter showed him how God is into the small details of his life that bring great joy. We were on our way to a Bible study, quite a bit away from our home, when we got stuck in a traffic jam on I-95. I continued to watch the time wondering if I would be late in meeting up with friends. 

When things aren't working out 

as you wish, 

be patient. 

Stop trying 

to move ahead of God. 

His timing is perfect. 

Trust Him.

  -unknown

At the perfect moment, at a standstill, my son turned his head and was ecstatic to see the Tri-Rail, a huge train, pass by the highway. This led to a great conversation! 

I explained how the Lord knew how much my son LOVES trains and had us stopped at just the right time so we could see it. What a blessing! What a gift! It reminded me to praise God for being such a great Father. He is into the small details of our life and delights in blessing us. 

Today's train reminded me of our perfect Heavenly Father with perfect timing that sometimes my finite mind can't understand. I want my timing but if I am patient the Lord will far exceed my expectations. I saw a traffic jam but God saw a blessing he had been planning for my son. A sweet blessing that touched more than just my son.

What was your "traffic jam" moment today?

You have one. Think for a moment mom, and look for one unexpected way HE blessed you today.

Your heavenly Father is into the small details of your life. 

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. 

He delights in every detail of their lives.

-Psalm 37:23-

Every good gift is from Him. God loves you so much! 

Don't miss those moments He causes you to slow down in order to see the "train" in the "traffic." 

Renewal By Waiting

Hi Ladies!  My name is Dawn and I’m so excited to be a part of Parakaleo.  Two weeks ago, my friend, Patrice, told me about an opportunity to write a monthly devotional to share with other moms.  I’m very thankful the Lord has opened this door and I look forward to getting to know you all better.  For the past week and a half, I’ve enjoyed reading the posts that have been coming to my inbox.  

Before I go any further, I’d like to take a minute or two to tell you a little bit about myself.  I’m a mom to three amazing kids; Hailey, 16, Chase, 12 and Jillian, 11.  In a few months, my husband, Brian, and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage.  Six years ago, we relocated from Ft. Lauderdale to the mountains of North Carolina to plant a church.  I’m a native Virginian, so North Carolina was a little like going home for me, although, I’ve never lived a such a small, rural area before.  I would describe my life as organized chaos, between homeschooling, spending time with my family, working, and helping my husband in the church.  I’m very thankful for this opportunity to share my heart with you and I pray, that through this blog, the Lord will continue to be glorified and we’ll continue to be edified.

I don’t know about you, but I have a very difficult time waiting.  Whether it’s waiting on my chocolate chip cookies to finish baking (Mmm. I can smell them now), waiting for the Lord to reveal fruit in my ministry, and I’m embarrassed to admit, waiting for the cashier in Walmart; waiting is not my strong suit.  And we all know, as moms, we spend A LOT of time waiting, especially on our kids.  When they’re little, we wait for them to sleep through the night, to learn how to talk, and to learn how to walk.  When they’re older, we wait for them to come home at night, to get their driver’s license, and to receive acceptance letters from colleges.  Waiting plays a big part in our lives.  And sometimes, all that waiting can leave us feeling drained.  Sigh.  

But check out what Isaiah 40:31 says:

“But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”  (NKJV)

Now, that’s certainly good news to me!  With all of the waiting I do in life, the most effective time I spend waiting is when I wait on the Lord.  When I choose to begin my day reading my Bible or a devotional or maybe praying in the shower, it makes all the difference in the world.  Inviting Christ to be the head of my life, each day, helps me put all of the other waiting in proper perspective.  Not to mention, waiting on the Lord, has a wonderful promise attached; our strength will be renewed and we won’t suffer from complete exhaustion and burnout.  I find, the majority of times I’m worn out from “mommying,” is when I’m trying to do it in my own strength; relying on me to get it all done.  And while that’s a bad pattern we all fall into from time to time, I want to encourage you to purpose in your heart to spend time waiting on the Lord every day.  I know this may not seem doable, especially if your children are very young, but I can assure you, that if you carve out that time, be it, five minutes or fifty five minutes, not only will you benefit, but so will they.  When my kids were in the baby and toddler stages, I spent countless hours in the car, either worshiping to praise CDs or listening to Bible teaching on the radio.  At that time in my life, my spirit was refreshed every time I turned my car into my prayer closet.  

Spending time in the presence of God transforms our hearts to be more like His and our homes to be a refuge for our families.  Raising godly children is a mountain sized task  which requires strength that only comes from the Lord.  And by His design, the only way we can tap into that strength is when we wait on Him.       

By the way, the cookies were worth the wait.  Although, they can’t begin to compare with the strength we get from waiting on the Lord!

1.  What hinders you from spending time with God each day?

2.  How do you define “waiting on the Lord”?

3.  Think of some creative ways you and your children can wait on the Lord together.