Be a Life-giver

"The instruction of the wise is like a life giving fountain..." Proverbs 13:14

"The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.  The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, make wise the simple." Psalm 19:7

Sometimes life is tough!  

Sometimes it is really tough!  

Yet, as children of the Lord we are call to stand firm in Him and see His faithful deliverance. We sit at His feet, bask in His presence,  and breathe in His rest... and then sometimes we need help from a friend! 

I have one of those friends.  She faithfully sends scripture when the Lord puts it on her heart. She is in the Eastern time zone and I am in the Pacific time zone, so sometimes after a night of wrestling in prayer, my thirsty soul wakes up to an encouraging, life-giving scripture that is spot on!  The Holy Spirit uses this friend to speak life and hope through His word.  My friend, Kate, is obedient and God gets the glory!  I want to encourage anyone reading this to be one of those friends.  Send a scripture, say a prayer, leave a voicemail... whatever you can.  

We need each other! 

Humbled, Grateful, Challenged!

Christmas is a special time of year!  This season brings out an introspective spirit in me.  I think of the unfathomable fact that the Creator of the universe, holy, righteous and true, saw fit to come out of perfection and dwell on earth. He chose the humble form of a little baby, born into poor conditions on a cold winter night.

He would live within the confines of His human body and work, sweat, love and cry so that I would know that He truly understands my trials.  Then He would suffer horrific torture and death on the cross, and supernaturally raise from the grave so that my sins were erased and that I could live forever free of the power of sin in this life and the next.   I am humbled!!!

In considering Jesus,  I start thinking about my family and the many amazing people He has brought into my life so that I might be a better person from knowing them.  Some have offered truth, wisdom and a listening ear, others a word spoken into my life at just the right moment, and others prayer and encouragement to stay in the race.  Wherever I have lived, the Lord has been faithful to put these kindred spirits in my path.  I am grateful!!!

Finally, I ask myself what kind of impact have I had on others?  Have I been faithful in prayer and eager to listen as others have been for me? Am I bold enough to speak a word of truth when prompted by the Lord?  And do I let others know how precious they are to me?  Now I am challenged!!!

Will you accept the challenge?  Join me in encouraging those around us this season! Let's express how they have blessed us!  When the Lord puts someone on your mind, shoot up a prayer for them and then send them a text or give them a call . . . or even write them a note:)   Let's remind folks that they are important and appreciated and can overcome.  Let's assure them they are not alone.  We are in this together ... let's do it well!

"I'm the Leader!...But What is Leadership?"

The action: “After that, he [Jesus] poured water into a basin and he began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:5

The commission:  “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12-17

“I’m the leader!” How often have you heard your kids battle with their friends for this coveted position? If you ask me, the dispute can get pretty heated. Kids end up with hurt feelings and claim that “they don’t want to play anymore”. With everyone (including me) encouraging their kids to “be a leader” these days, I wonder if our kids truly know what that means?

If we look to the example laid out in Scripture, to lead means to serve and give of one’s self selflessly. It’s the very essence of being a mom. We serve our kids in so many ways each day. We cook for them, clean up after them, shuttle them to practices and games, arrange play dates for them, teach them, wipe their tushies (for the little ones), cook some more, clean some more, the list goes on…

We are serving them because we love them, yet we are also their leader. We are teaching them and instructing them in righteousness…all while serving and looking out for their needs. This is the heart of leadership.  Service.

Leadership, oddly enough, also requires submission—submission to the will of the Father. Jesus modeled this perfectly. We are called to follow the example he set. Contrary to the popular saying, we are not the masters of our own fate. True peace only comes from following the Prince of Peace, not from demanding our own way.

So, fellow momma. J Next time you hear your kids arguing about who is “going to be the leader”, take it as a wonderful, God-sent opportunity to talk about the Biblical meaning of leadership.  Let their minds and hearts chew on a new meaning of leadership: service of our fellow man [or woman] and submission to our Heavenly Father.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father,

We are so thankful for the wisdom that comes from you. Many times your wisdom runs contrary to the “wisdom” of this world. When the world calls for pride, you call for humility. Thank you for showing us that to lead means to serve. Help us model this truth to our children and instruct them in your ways. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 Have a God-filled day! Tune in next Monday for “I’m the Leader Part 2: Making Service Practical for Little Ones”. J

I wake with you on my mind...

I Samuel 12: 23

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord

 by failing to pray for you.”

         I have a list of mommies who need my prayers.  I think of Shona and Madie and Karla as they pack up for a church trip to Israel and leave behind a total of nine children.  Their excitement for a visit to where our Savior was born has been overshadowed by concerns for their children, which will be in others care.

         I have a constant call to be in prayer for Kate as they wait to hear “Jack is ready to go,” meaning they can leave the hospital after a long surgery and recovery.

         I’m praying for Dina as God is in the process of knitting together their fifth little bugaloo.

         I’m praying for Faith to enjoy her last days in Europe while her babes are in the care of their dad and daycare.

         I’m actually praying for you…Parakaleo Moms. You are moms who care about your children, your families and your relationship with Christ.

         As moms we are called to stand in the gap for one another.  It’s easy to get wrapped up and far too focused on our busy and sometimes chaotic lives. 

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      Our challenge today is to pray for each other as moms.  When one of your friends come to mind, pray for them.  Pray for their walks and commitments to the Lord Jesus, their husbands and children.  Pray for wisdom to parent, protection for their children and their ability to enjoy wherever the Lord has them today.  Lets stand in the gap for one another.

A Shift in Perspective

Last night as I slipped into bed, after a long day, I visited Facebook right before checking out. I was nursing my little one, feeling tired and exhausted, wishing she was weaned and reading posts. I was touched by a post and wanted to share it with you today. It made me think. It caused me to have a shift in perspective. I pondered and praised Jesus for the three healthy kids HE entrusted me with. 

Their names are Bob and Danielle. They are a young, newly married couple who just had their first child. As I read their post it was so humbling and encouraging all in the same. I ended my night by kissing my sweet daughter and thanking Jesus for my kids. I hope this post challenges your perspective too.
Here is Bob's post...

Sorry for doing a bad job of updating lately. We’ve tried doing this a few times recently, but news seemed to keep changing every few days.

You guys have been awesome. We walk our days with happier steps thanks to you. We’re grateful for the kind things you continue to throw at us, mainly really sweet notes and good food. There is power in the pen, and quite possible more power in the spatula.

Baby June continues to climb the charts of cuteness. Its impossible for the nurses not to admire June’s long eyelashes, her full head of hair, and her well-groomed fingernails (thanks mom!). June is still everyone’s favorite.

Heading into our 11th week of NICU, it seems like we’re now the veterans here. We look at the new NICU parents and smile at how long they scrub their hands. It used to take us 10 minutes also. We were so scared a germ would jump out from underneath our fingernails into June’s mouth. New NICU parents also ask permission for everything (“yes you can take a picture of your baby, sir”) and are way too polite to the nurses (just kidding so are we…).

The hardest part of seeing new parents come and go, is being reminded that your little girl has been in here way longer than anyone hoped. This means something is obviously wrong…

And it is. Something is wrong.

The last few weeks have been the author of some of the happiest, and darkest moments of our lives. Baby June has experienced several miracles and has given Dani and I countless inexplicable moments of joy.

But on the other side of those sweet memories have lived some sad realities, mainly that June continues to develop major complications that extend way past her heart problems. Without going into great detail, new tests have determined that June’s brain isn’t developing the right way, along with her lungs.

The council of doctors at DiMaggio’s have determined not to move forward with treatment for June. They have based their decision after looking at things from every angle imaginable. The team here has been very accessible to us, and have thoroughly explained their reasoning. The things they say make sense on an intellectual level, but conflict with everything we’re feeling as mom and a dad.

Dani and I decided to seek other opinions. June’s files were shared to teams of doctors at other hospitals, including Miami Children’s Hospital and Devos Children’s Hospital in Michigan.

We were hoping somebody would see something with fresh eyes that would examine June’s case in a different way. Sadly, this didn’t happen. 3 teams of doctors unanimously decided to pass on heart surgery for June.

This leaves us with a short time with June.

We’re not sure what this will look like yet but have begun conversations with hospice care. Making sure June lives her remaining days without pain, and hopefully full of mommy cuddling, is our highest priority.

We foolishly hold out hope for a miracle of biblical proportions. So we ask for more prayers, as this is now, officially, that scene in the movie…

My greatest struggles with miracles, and faith, and sick babies getting fixed has less to do with the existence of God, or the power of God, but more to do with the will of God. I know God can, I wonder if He will.

After all, my prayers are usually offered in a hurry, right after I’ve done something bad, and hardly ever feel powerful. Why would He?

I also sympathize with a God that is really, really, really, really, really busy. How could He?

Why would He? How could He? One questions His love. The other His ability to multi-task.

The truth is, if the Bible is true, not only does He love Baby June more deeply than I do, but He’s also paying more attention to June’s every breath more than I will ever pay attention to anything.

He loves June with ferocity and pays attention to her with fierceness.

So please join us in knocking on the door, of the throne room, that hosts the God, that's big enough to breathe stars into existence, and close enough to notice the small things that fall. Like sparrows. And sometimes babies.

Once in a while He doesn’t let the baby fall… and that’s the scene in the movie we hope we get to see.

I pray this post challenges you to have a shift in your perspective as it did mine. Please remember to pray for baby June, Bob & Danielle- that the Lord would do a mighty miracle for His glory. What that might look like only God knows.

Your Next Five...Friends!

James 1: 17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows."

Last week I told you I had all intentions on taking Julie Andrews place on Broadway.

I have now decided an audition is just not right. Instead, I will sing, “My Favorite Things” to the top of my lungs, not for man's approval but as a Praise Fest to the Lord!

My next five things to be thankful for are; friends! Five friends (or groups of friends)who have loved and ministered to me during a host of different times and seasons of my life.

1.    My childhood best friend.  This friend endured my playing with Barbies and baby dolls while she was playing her banjo and looking for a game of flag football.  I saw her as my role model because she was beautiful and smart and I so love her family.  What I most appreciate about this friend is she told me about Jesus and prayed with me to receive Christ.

   2.    My best friend.  She has walked with me through every stage of pregnancy, ministry, moves and life.

   3.    The women I serve with at Church.  It’s always more fun to serve with someone you laugh with than to serve without relationship.

   4.    The Angel.  She is certainly sent directly from the Lord.  She makes life easy and fun.  She hears what I am not saying and validates who I am.

5.    The peps.  The friends who understand. Who let me be me. Those who are flexible and respect me and my schedule.

It is hard to stop the praise with just five (even when it represents so many.) 
I encourage you to praise privately in your time with Lord, but never neglect to praise publicly.   Allow your children to see your enthusiasm for the hand of the Lord.  Whether you have taken the Thanksgiving Challenge from last week or the beautiful "Gratitude Journal" as a part of your tradition, always allow your children to hear you say "Thank you!" to the Lord.

My question today is who are the five people you are thankful for?  Have you told them lately that you are thankful for them? Do your children know you are thankful for your friends? Most importantly tell the Lord Jesus you are thankful for them!

DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?

Hebrews 10:24-25

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

               I have a tendency to isolate. I don’t think I do it on purpose but when life gets busy I tend to put my head down and push through. I thank God that I have understanding friends, Godly women, that continue to text, call, and try to spend time with me. Sometimes I feel that if it weren’t for their perseverance I would isolate myself to my life and my family and not receive all that God wants me to learn. As women we are relational, we thrive on relationships. I can read books, hear sermons, and even do my own Bible study’s but I have found that when I spend time with other Godly ladies the Lord reveals Himself in ways that I never imagined. Hearing their stories, the way they do life, and the faith they have spurs me on to be a better daughter to our Heavenly Father. I come home with a new perspective and a renewed spirit!

Proverbs 13:20

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

               I praise God daily for the Godly friends He has placed in my life. I pray for Him to remind me when I become so focused on my “things” to reach out and spend time with the ladies that “spur me on” to be a better mom, wife, and Christian. When you spend time in fellowship and are transparent you develop a unity with other women that can’t be expressed into words. I know I am not doing life by myself. I have a group that is praying for me, listening to me, and supporting me. They point out when I am off in my thoughts and deeds, and they love on me through the trials. It’s an amazing thing.

Philippians 2:1-2

If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

               My encouragement for you today is to find a group of ladies to do a Bible study with. Build relationships, be transparent, pray for the Lord to send you these ladies and pray for them. Do life together and I guarantee you will be blessed!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for hearing my prayers so long ago and sending me these amazing Godly women. Lord, help me to carve out time for fellowship. Help me to open up and be transparent with these ladies and to absorb all that you have for me. Guide me to be an encouragement to them and to listen wholeheartedly with love and gentleness. You are an amazing Dad who always provides what we need when we need it. Thank you! Amen.