"Our Focus" by Courtney Hrinik

You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the LORD, who is here among you, and you have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’” (‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭20‬ NLT)


The Israelites were so focused on what they didn't have… They complained and forgot what the Lord had brought them out of and what the Lord Had given them! This complaining was rejecting the Lord and what he had done for them.

Father God I pray that you would help us to keep our eyes focused on you and all that you have done for us. Don't let us look to the left or to the right but to you!

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Are you focusing on what you don't have or praising Him for what you do?

Take a few moments to stop and praise God for the life He has entrusted to you.

It's Just a Season!

It's just a season! Those words we say when walking through a rough spot of our faith. The beautiful reality... is that seasons aren't forever. They have a purpose and plan with inner workings divinely placed there by God himself. Even in winter, when trees are bare without leaves and looking withered, the tree's roots are gathering in nutrients it will need in the other seasons in order to bloom beautifully.  It's underneath is being worked on. The part that allows the tree to live and grow. 

Although in the moment seasons can seem never-ending. We tend to forget that, just like the tree, there are things underneath the surface (like - our heart) that God is molding and nourishing. Through our "seasons" His goal is that we would rightly represent who He is- to a dying world. They are watching. Wondering where our "nutrients" are coming from when our circumstances (weather of life) seems to look unfortunate. 

What season are you walking through right now?

Remember it's not forever and there is a purpose - even if right now it is unseen. 

God divinely ordains situations and circumstances to grow your faith and to allow onlookers to observe your great God.

Look for the nutrients in your season right now. Remember your source is unlimited and HE has a plan beyond what you can think or imagine :)

Each season has a purpose.

The Sandwich Generation

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        As I walked the beach with my friend Ellen she shared how difficult this season of her life is.  Ellen and her husband have three children, each at a crossroads in their lives.  Their older son is in his mid twenties, their youngest is a blossoming teenage daughter and their middle child is severely autistic.

         One can imagine all that is entailed in caring for her children.  Greg once spoke of our children when they were high school, middle school and elementary as the makings of the “perfect storm.”

         In this particular season, added to her parenting responsibilities is the somber reality of her dad’s cancer diagnosis.  As we walked in the surf and discussed each scenario, I listened as Ellen shared how she was juggling and caring for those God had entrusted to her.

         Ellen is blessed to have a very involved husband as well as some extra help to care for their middle child.  As she shared what she thought needed to be done for each of her children, it occurred to me the resources she had at this juncture.

         She asked my opinion about what was going on in her life.  I told her with the help the Lord had given her and with the ages of her children it was time to call in help for her children and focus on her father’s care.

         Now fast-forward five months.

         Ellen’s father has spent the last three weeks in the hospital fighting the complications of his cancer.  Ellen has been by her father’s bedside or has helped her mother make her pilgrimage to the hospital daily.

         Ellen has made arrangements for her husband and children.  They are well cared for.  Ellen has been an amazing wife, mother and daughter.

         She will never regret the time she is spending with her father and mother.  Her children are watching their mother care for their grandfather that is setting an example for how they will treat her one day.

         Sometimes being the best mom means demonstrating what it means to be the best child. Living out a life of integrity through care, humility and thoughtfulness will be a life lesson her children will not only learn but will one day demonstrate.

         As a spectator to this very hard season in my friend’s life, I too am learning from her example. 

Questions to Ponder:

·      How am I being an example to our children?

·      What life lessons are our children learning from my daily behavior?

·      How am I juggling the care of our children and other significant relationships?

·      How can I thank someone who is being an example to me?

"Lonely Moms" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

There we were on the bench at the park.

I had seen her around church and a few birthday parties. There had been  quick waves and some small talk. But this day was different.  In a few moments of uninterrupted conversation a tear fell down her cheek.

She didn't understand.

She loved being a mom.

"Why do I feel so lonely at times?" she asked.

I understood completly. I had been there many times.

Being a stay at home mom means never really being ALONE. We have our children around us all day long, asking us a million questions, needing constant attention and loving us unconditionally.

Yet, loneliness creeps in.

Motherhood is a whole lot of giving and not much receiving.

Moms everywhere are going through this too. Challenge yourself this week to take a few extra moments for that mom you see at the park, in the grocery store line, or at church.  Reach out to a friend with a text, just letting them know you are praying for them. Set up a playdate. Grab a cup of coffee with a fellow mom.

We are not meant to walk this journey alone.

Jesus promises us in  I Peter 5:7 that if we cast our cares on Him, he will care for you.

Maybe another mom needs to be reminded of this promise this week.

"A Heart Not Distorted by Worry and Fear" by Courtney

"You have eyes—can’t you see? 

You have ears—can’t you hear?

 Don’t you remember anything at all?"

 - Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ NLT

This was Jesus on the boat speaking to his disciples after he had fed 4000 people with a couple fish and some bread. He gives them a warning about the Pharisees but they completely miss it. They turn his words into something else because they are worrying about the food they forgot to bring.  And what they have really forgotten is WHO they are on the boat with!

Father God, what a great reminder to me this morning of all I forget and all I miss when I take my eyes off you. I pray for each lady this morning that you would help us to remember you.  Remember the God who fed the thousands. Who parted the seas. Who healed the sick. Who keeps His promises. Who has loved and protected us.  Been our Rock and our sure foundation. Life throws crazy at us but help us to look to you, to hear you and see you with a heart not distorted by worry and fear.

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Moms, what fear or worry do you need to give Him today? 

He loves you for all that you are ...and all that you will become! 

Attractive Transparency

               My eldest is asking, "Why would I want to have children?"
If I asked you if you liked being a mom…I’m thinking you are going to say a resounding, “YES!”

            If I asked you if you would recommend motherhood to married women, I think the answer would be another, “Yes!”

            Our churches and culture have in recent years encouraged a spirit of authenticity and relatability.  I continue to support the thought behind this.  As believers in Jesus its ok to be normal, to recognize the challenges of living in this sin fallen world and specifically that we “become clean” by being honest about our lives.

            It is in this thought process that I find myself in a quandary as I consider a blog post. That being said, how do we “be” transparent about life’s struggles and our personal battles and issues without living in a tailspin of despair and disillusionment?

            I think you know what I mean.  There are certain people we find ourselves avoiding because they are always being...shall I say, “transparent.”  They live in a constant snapshot of Instagram.  They share such details as how bad they slept, which leads to how they couldn’t get out of bed on time and then ran late all day.  Which turned into; no time for breakfasts, or quiet time or (heaven forbid) coffee.  They had a rotten day at work with co-workers, the children fussed and argued and wouldn’t do their homework or chores.  Get the picture? 

            I mean social media gives a whole new angle to “getting real.”  I know where they ate, who they were with, what they did, where they will go in the future, what music, TV program, app, font…and on and on the details go.  All in an attempt to “be real.”

            All that said, “Why would anyone want to have children, if your life was the only one they had ever watched?”  I ask this because I’m being asked.  If all the younger generation (including our children in our homes) only see us “being real” talking about “all I have to do…” and “how tired I am” and “we have no money” and “this kid is driving me crazy” do we think we are encouraging them to consider parenthood?

Titus 2: 9

“…so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”

            It is important to be real.  It is important to express our emotions and debrief our day.  I think the most important aspect of this transparent existence is choosing to what extent we need to tell all.

            I’m really not suggesting hypocrisy or duplicity.  Rather, I am asking that we consider to what extent we “tell all” or “withhold nothing.”  Proverbs has much to say about the wise who can hold their tongues.  Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything.  May we be prudent as we consider what we share.

            I want our eldest to someday say, "YES! we want children! One of our reasons include attractive transparency by the parents we know!" May we be ever mindful of making our transparency attractive. 

"Run to the Cross" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
    For each day he carries us in his arms.

- Psalm 68:19 

I don't know about you but somedays I need a good reminder that children are a calling. 

My kids are not my hobby and I did not have children because it was the cool thing to do. I DESIRED to be a mom.

Somedays we can lose sight in the mundane tasks.  The huge piles of laundry that need to be folded and put away. Dirty dishes that pile up in our sinks. And the meals that are prepared as our precious ones complain about the broccoli. 

You stand there everyday as a picture of the gospel to your kids. How do you represent Jesus to them? Freely or  Resentfully? You are a testimony of giving up yourself and running to the cross.

Because at the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice.

 Live the gospel in the things that no one sees. Make sacrifices where only the children would know. Place their value ahead of your own.

Run to the cross.

Lay down your perfectly clean house.

Lay down your hopes and your fears.

Lay down your desire to be recognized.

Lay down your insecurities. 

Because laying your life down for another represents the gospel.

And there at the foot of the cross, He will meet you. Jesus will carry your burdens. He will give you what you need to make it through the day. He will sustain you and renew your weary soul.

Run to the cross.