Renew My Heart

Life is full of seasons. Some are beautiful with foliage full of colors where the breeze is a bit cooler. We love fall and welcome it!  Then, comes winter. The weather is cold, leaves are gone, and the look is very bland. The trees look as if they have died and we wonder if they will bloom again with beauty.  Spring bring rains that seem bothersome at the time but allows great beauties to bloom after. Summer is full of sweat and heat where we must take cover to refresh.

Having experienced seasons before, we know it is a constant changing cycle. It is similar in the journey as a parent. We go through seasons of winter, drought, rain and then fruit-bearing seasons as well. But the great thing about seasons is...they are NOT forever. They are temporary and soon enough a new season will emerge.

What is the season you are walking through right now?

One where you see your deposits into your kiddos bearing much fruit?

Or do you find yourself wondering if they are getting it at all?

Remember this promise...

and this one...

and...

Seasons are not forever. God is faithful. His promises are true. Don't give up. Ask Him to hold up your head as you seek His face daily. The Lord stretches us for future ministry. HE loves you!

The journey isn't over - no matter how old your kids are - but has just begun.

Seek God today. Ask Him to renew your heart towards your kids. Allow Him to refresh your mind.

Allow Him to remind you that your labor is not in vain. HE sees it all and is grateful for your efforts!

BEING a MOM is JUST SO HARD

Rejoice in hope, 

be patient in tribulation, 

be constant in prayer. 

- Romans 12:12

REJOICE IN HOPE

As I struggled this week in many areas of my life I was reminded in scripture where my HOPE comes from. It is not my situation that determines it. It is not conditional. My hope is not based on my finances or how "well" my children behave. Christ died so my HOPE could be and remain constant. The Lord reminded me that people (even our beautiful little children) will fail us, because they are sinners too! But Christ will never fail me. Many mornings this week I hungered for encouragement and HE met me as I opened the word of God.

BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATION

Tribulation is defined as "a cause/state of great trouble or suffering." As moms, sometimes it can feel like we are in a 

state of great suffering, right? Romans 12:12 reminds me 

that I should be patient in those trying times. I must trust HE has a plan and will build my character as the heat is

turned up in my life. It is in the furnace that many observe 

and inquire about our hope giving way to ministry opportunities. A guest speaker at church recently said that we are always in 

one of three places as we walk through life (1) IN THE FIRE 

(2) COMING OUT OF THE FIRE (3) GOING INTO THE 

FIRE. Isn't that so true for the life of a Christian mom? But 

be encouraged it is not forever. Heaven is such a beautiful 

plan and many days I long to be there because of the crazy 

experienced here on earth.

BE CONSTANT IN PRAYER

Much help we can access if we will reach out with our voices and hearts in prayer to the one will all the power. Many times we go through our day, many tasks on our list, many mouths

to feed and hearts to train and yet we forget to ask the Lord  

for help. Christ wants us to ask the HELPER, the HOLY 

SPIRIT, to empower us to do the things that we cannot on 

our own. Showing love to those who have spit in our face, 

forgiving those hurtful words said, and loving the unlovable. 

Today was one of those days I failed miserably to call on 

the name of Jesus in the midst of chaos with my kids. I need to

put sticky notes up with the word "PRAY" on it as a reminder

to seek Him out when I want to throw in the towel. I need to 

be constant in prayer when I want to give up. Instead of 

checking my email I need to get on my knees ask seek His 

face (Psalm 105:4) continually. Even as I type this I

reminded of how much help I need in this area.

Of the above three (paragraph titles), which do you need 

most help with? 

Ask Him for help!