A King's Example

"And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord." 1 Chronicles 28:20

Chapters 28 and 29 of 1 Chronicles taught me something about being a mom.  “How?!” you may ask.  As moms we would like to think we hold some level of control concerning our children.  Don’t get me wrong, we have a great responsibility to train them up in the way of the Lord but we ought not to fall into wrong thinking that we can control all of our children’s choices.

I think, as a parent and leader of the people of Israel David learned something by the end of his time here on earth.  He learned that the reigns were not really in his hands, but God’s.  There was nothing David could do to control what his son, Solomon was going to do after David died.  He could ordain Solomon to be king and anoint him as the one who God chose to build the house of the Lord but after he was gone he had no more say.

Mighty God, it’s only by Your grace and patience with us that we can grow and learn more about putting our full trust in You.  Please help us encourage our children to walk in Your ways and then watch as they make choices that would honor and glorify You.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

"You ARE Seen" by Courtney

“Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭35:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I was so blessed by this today. We hear of Rebekah's nurse when she leaves her family to go to Isaac and here when she is named and set apart as special to this family buried under an oak they name oak of weeping. She was a nurse to many generations, probably often overlooked as she cared for the children of this family and loved them. But never insignificant.  She was so significant to God that he mentions her by name here in the Bible to be remembered forever.

The number of days I get overlooked for all I do as a mom far out way the number of days anyone seems to notice. But God always notices. He is the one I am serving as I serve my family. And here I was encouraged in that and in the love this family had for Deborah.

Love you girls. You are valued and loved for all you do even when you don't feel seen, you are by the Most High. 

Trusting Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

-Lamentations 3:22 - 23-

A breath of fresh air. Refreshment for my soul. Truth reminding of how His love never fails. Never leaves me. Never ends. Faithful and full of mercies. As that Word is etched on my heart today it tells of how I am to parent my kiddos as well. Loving well, forgiving much, and living today as if yesterday never happened. Wiping the slate clean, giving hugs, with excitement, trusting tomorrow will be better than today.

If we were completely honest, some days are hard to let go of. Hours of exhaustion in parenting sometimes leads to moments of doubt. Wondering if all my effort is in vain. Will I see a harvest of integrity in my children someday even if it seems nonexistent today?

God knew I would doubt. God knew I would need daily reminding. God gives me His Spirit that presses on when my flesh wants to give up. God encourages me with the Word when I wrestle with the whispers from the enemy. HE gave us.....

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (NKJV)

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (MSG vs. 9-10)

Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. (AMP)

This couples so well with the verse we started with. Don't give up and continue to give mercy. We will reap if we continue to forgive, as HE does. If we are steadfast and faithful to seek His face in every struggle and trial...mercy will flow from our lives. 

I can honestly say that these verses were for me today. For a week that has been emotionally and physically exhausting...refreshment only came when I looked to the Source that never ends. The One who reminds me who I am and tells me what I can look forward to if I don't give up. Don't give up, ladies. HE will strengthen your weary heart and empower your feeble hands. HE loves. HE sees. HE knows. 

What has you weary and exhausted this week? 

Are you discouraged in your parenting? 

Seek the One, who is continually parenting YOU - for wisdom and strength on how to equip your little one for the great and awesome plans HE has for them. 

Steeped in His Word

Do you enjoy sharing tea time with a friend?  I do.  Every now and then our kids and I have some tea time using beautifully painted dainty tea cups and saucers.  (Pinky out and everything.)  No matter who you are spending tea time with it seems to be a special time, like a time-out that’s good.  J

As you may know, to experience a good cup of tea you need to steep the tea bag well enough to make the water transform into tea.  The color of the water changes, the smell changes, and the taste becomes something delightful – all due to the length of time the bag is steeped in hot water. 

I was reading a book by a fellow momma Karen DeBeus over the weekend and one of the lines in chapter six was like this, “When we are steeped in the Word, we are transformed.”  This reminded me of tea time!  When our tea bag is well-steeped it transforms the taste, look, and smell of water into calming tea.  When we are well-steeped in God’s Word, we are transformed too!  Our thoughts change, our speech changes, our aroma to the Lord is sweeter. 

As fellow mommas, may we keep each other accountable to stay steeped in God’s Word each day of this new year.  Let’s not just write and read a blog about it, let’s do it!  Let’s train up this next generation to be steeped in His Word as well.  Our world will be transformed as a result.  To God be the glory!!