Reboot and Be Used Today!!

Morning! Loved this verse to stay on track with our heart, mind, and bodies towards our little ones!

"Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God." -Romans 6:13 NLT

It is always refreshing to read a verse that speaks right to your heart - in the season you are in!
This verse does that for me! Take a moment and give yourself over completely to Jesus. Ask Him to grab the wheel of your day and control it from beginning to end! Ask Him to use you  for His glory.

Allow your struggles to be a catapult into doing more ministry! Give yourself 5 minutes to stop and reboot with His love, His compassion, His mind, and His heart. Even our computers get clogged with garbage and need to reboot. And after they do - things run much more smoothly! Are you frozen in a spot this morning that makes you want to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over your head?
Remember there is much ministry waiting in store for you today both under your roof and with those He has you rub shoulders with in your day to day routines!!

What do you typically do to "reboot" when you are having a rough morning or day?

How's that working for you? Do you need to change it up to better align with Him - in order
to be an instrument used for His glory?

He loves you! He has great things in store! Reboot and be used today!!

Stop Speaking...Start Praying

Earlier tonight I "shared" with my husband some frustration I had over the way another child treated our son. Granted my son definitely can provoke like the best of them, but it was the way this older boy really had an attitude afterwards toward him that bothered me so. As we began to talk, my husband reminded me gently to quietly let it go. The Holy Spirit reminded me to pray for that boy and also for a softening of my heart towards the "meanie." It was a challenge though because I really enjoyed just telling it and having a listening ear.

We can easily slip into gossip and not even recognize it...especially sharing with family about issues with our kids. Even more-so... if it's a wrong done against our child, right? Be careful Christian that you don't fall into sin because of a sin done against your child. Satan is crafty. He wants us to harbor bitterness in our heart and then share it with others. As we share that gossip goes down into the innermost parts of our heart. Staying there for future times we feel the need to "share" with someone else. Be careful. Your little ones are watching. They will emulate you and repeat your 
offense :)

Has someone offended you regarding your child? 

Have you committed to praying for that person? You should. Allow your heart to be softened and watch the Lord work. In you. In them. In the life of your child.

Be challenged. Be changed.

Can you find your keys?

        Greg and I enjoyed the opportunity to speak at the “Strong Marriage” series our church is hosting.  We chose the title of our teaching, “Seven Keys to Making your Marriage Work.”  

         As many of the posts in Parakaleo reflect, we believe our marriages are the paramount relationship.  Successful parenting is a by-product of a successful marriage.  

       

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  We had a difficult time choosing only 7 for a single teaching. Our preparation included each of us writing what we thought the “Seven Keys” should be.  We ultimately settled on the following:

Key #1

Follow the Instructions (God’s Word)

Key #2

Live in Trust (with honesty and forgiveness)

Key #3

Die to Self

Key # 4

Speak Each Others Love Languages

Key # 5

Spiritually Grow – Together

Key # 6

Enjoy Each others Differences

Key # 7

Make Time for Each Other

         We used verses to support each key and personal stories to explain the key and better relate with those in attendance.  Greg shared the seventh key was given to us by my father.

         When Greg asked Daddy’s permission to marry me almost 27 years ago, my dad’s response other than “yes” was, “always make time for each other.”  Greg and I have made this a priority through the years.  Every season of our lives has been filled with its own distractions and busy-ness.  We have had to purpose to date weekly and go away yearly for our anniversary.  These “dates” and “overnight excursions” rarely are pricey or complicated but it is what we look forward to in the midst of our busy lives.

         My challenge this week is for you and your spouse to find your own keys. Write down your own 7 Keys to Making Your Marriage Work.  

         Your 7 Keys will possibly reflect your spouses. However, they could be very different.  Pray and ask the Lord for His direction and continue to seek to make your marriage work.  In making your marriage work you will find your children think you are awesome parents!

Life on the Wall

A few weeks ago God gave me some clarity and direction for this season of my life.  I found it so freeing and beautiful that I wanted to share it with you. 

I had been in prayer about a new responsibility I believed God was calling me to, and, at first, I could only think of it as an extra burden and another little slice of my time. 

But, I believed God had put it into my heart so I began praying and asking others for prayer. This verse from Nehemiah, I thought, was my answer to why I should not pursue this idea.

 “So I sent messengers to them, saying, ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?’ “  (Nehemiah 6:3 NKJV)

But as I journaled on it, God worked through my pen to show me this was the very answer to why I should be moving on it.

Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem.  He was busy about the work that God had called him to.  But there were some men, from surrounding areas, who did not want this work to happen.  Rebuilding the wall was not in their best interest.  And as a result, they were doing all they could to distract Nehemiah from this “great work” he was doing. 

But Nehemiah knew the strategy of the enemy…and he refused to be distracted.  He would not come down from his “great work”. 

I know the "great work" The Lord has given me for this season is raising my children, the next generation; “encouraging them, comforting them and urging them to live lives worthy of God who calls them into His kingdom and glory” (1Thess 2:12), this is my wall.

Just like Nehemiah would not be distracted and come down from his “great work,” I cannot come down from mine. My kids, though older now, are still young and require a lot of time, care, and direction. But here is what God showed me as I journaled:

I picture Nehemiah up on the wall building and focused; not willing to set aside his tools and be distracted from the "great work" God had called him to.  But he invited others to help him in the work. I see him, going along the wall encouraging, comforting, loving, and reminding the people why and for Whom they are doing this "great work". All the while, he was always urging them to live lives worthy of the One who called them and to not be distracted by the enemy that wanted them to come down.

I believe that God answered my prayer through this picture of Nehemiah's devotion to the call of God. He was doing the "great work", but invited others up onto the wall with him and encouraged them in the "great work".

When it comes to serving, for the first time in my life I feel an amazing freedom in these guidelines (for lack of a better word) God has given me.

I always have this incredible desire to serve, and here God says to me, "SERVE, but do not come down off that wall to do it! Invite others up onto the wall with you. Invite other families into your home, into your life; love them, serve them, do life with them, urge them on toward Me!"

The best way I can serve and love on others is to invite them up on the wall with me.  It will sharpen me to have others on the wall with me and it will sharpen them as well.

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”  (1 Thessalonians 2:8 NIV)

When it comes to serving I can now ask myself some questions:  Is this something I have to come down from the wall to do?  Can I invite this person/this ministry to join me on the wall as I build? 

In this season of my life, as a homeschooling mother of four, I simply cannot stay up on that wall if I am meeting women for lunch multiple times throughout the week, or carving out hours to serve in every ministry that catches my eye.  So, I need to ask myself those questions.  

Just because something is good does not mean that it is part of the “great work” God has called me to.  The enemy is not above using a good work to prevent a great work. 

What is the “great work” God is calling you to?  

Maybe you’re missing the “great work” God is calling you to because you are looking through the eyes of man.  I wonder how many really thought Nehemiah’s “great work” was really all that great . . . he was building a wall.  What made it great was not WHAT he was doing but that God had called him to it.  

You look tired..

Not my favorite words to hear, but tonight, I didn't need anyone to say it.  I felt it!  I was weary and worn.  It had been a long day, it was after 9 and I had more 'to do.'  As I sat down to type this tonight, my computer failed me and took much longer than I would have liked to perform some updates that prevented me from getting started.  Frustrated, I stared at the time passing on my PC clock and realized I would be up late. 


It was all God.  He needed to slow me down long enough to hear from him.  He wanted to encourage me.  And, I'm so glad He did because it was just what my weary heart needed to hear! I pray it's what yours needs to hear, too.


As I waited, I prayed for strength, and for His words to encourage those of you who would read this.  But God knew I needed some encouraging first!  As I read Christine's post from yesterday, What You Do Matters, I knew God had heard my prayer.  He was listening. 


Next, God placed this verse on my heart.

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28


Ahh, one of the most comforting and refreshing verses in the Bible, isn't it?  Yes, Lord, how I need rest right now!!


And then, this in a text from a friend...


My help and glory are in God
    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
 (Psalm 62: 7-8, MSG)

God said this once and for all;
    how many times
Have I heard it repeated?
    “Strength comes
Straight from God.”

 Love to you, Lord God!
 You pay a fair wage for a good day’s work!

(Psalm 62:11-12, MSG)

Isn't God so awesome that HE provides not only rest, but strength, too?  I was surely in need of rest and strength tonight.  HE called me to HIMSELF and, when I asked for strength, HE reminded me that HE is the source of both rest and strength.  HE alone has an unlimited supply to pour out on our weary momma minds, bodies and souls whenever we need it.  All we have to do is ask. 

One of the things I love most about our God is that He often gives us even more than we ask for!  I asked for strength and He gave me that, but He also reminded me that He "pays a fair wage for a good day's work!" A need that I hadn't even articulated to Him, but He knew my heart.

 Moms, nothing you do goes unnoticed by our God.  He sees every sacrifice and He beams with pride every time you press on through exhaustion to meet a need, heal a hurt, or lend a hand, especially when He's the only one who noticed!  So carry on, super mommas, and continue to " Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT)

What you do matters!

After making healthy lunches and folding the laundry, cleaning the dirty dishes and washing windows, helping with homework and going for groceries, feeling for fevers and driving to the doctor, it is easy for a mom to loose site of the end goal. 

If you are like me, you need to see the “purpose” for the seemingly endless demands a momma faces daily.  Let’s see what the Lord saysJ

Psalm 8:3-9

^{3 "}When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
⁷ All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
⁸ The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.

⁹ O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 8 reminds us that we have been “crowned with glory and honor” and have been given “dominion over the works of His hands.” Likewise, the children He gave us are also “crowned with glory and honor” and will “have dominion over the works of His hands.”
 As you carefully nurture your “mini you’s,” remember that one day they will be managing homes, businesses, and I dare say our country! As they raise families, participate in their communities, cast their votes and live to God’s best and highest use for them, they will be changing people and events in their sphere of influence!

I want to encourage you, though the fruit is still a coming, your labor is not in vain!

The truth and love you pour into those little ones sacrificially today will directly affect future world events. Continue on friend, teaching them to love God and walk in His purpose and the authority He has given them.  What you do matters! 

My Child's Struggle REVEALS My Own Heart

Often my child's struggle reveals whats on the inside of my heart. It's as if their meltdowns are a highlighter underlining all the issues and illuminating them for me to see. As if there is a magnifying glass enlarging all my areas needing work. 

My own self-control - is the area HE is choosing to challenge me on this week. I preach "self-control" to my kids daily and yet that is the area I, myself, am lacking. With three very active and challenging kiddos, somedays I find myself losing patience and yelling out of frustration. 

It's a wild thing, but many times as my kids test the waters, it is what is on the inside of my heart that spills over. Oh especially on those days when my quiet time, with Jesus,  has been little to none.

I  need to bring my struggle before my Creator and ask for HIS wisdom and strength. Allow HIM to cleanse me and give a fresh new attitude as I start each day. That is when I am truly refreshed!

What does your quiet time look like?

Do you find yourself struggling more when you've missed your quiet time? 

What is HE highlighting in your life today that needs change? 

Ask HIM for help. HE longs for you to ask for HIS strength to uplift your tired and weary arms.