What comes out when you are POPPED?

Whoa! I’m doing some journaling in my Journibles for Galatians and was totally convicted.  (Love these Journibles.) This however, was a good conviction – a clarifying conviction. 

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

How many countless times have we all read this part of scripture and just skimmed over the words?  (Did you do it just now?)  We haven’t murdered anyone; we are not into idol worship or the other stuff in there – of course because we are all perfect, right?!  Well, I was convicted because my flesh was exposed – not my physical flesh, ladies but the works of my flesh.  Here’s the story:

Recently, our family went camping with other families and I took it upon myself to organize the meals.  We were to all bring such and such to share.  From what I understood it was all good and everyone was on board.  However, over and over during the weekend I heard questions about the food list.  We were coming up short in some things and I felt like everyone was blaming me.  Well, the burden of it built up so much so that at one point I yelled the loudest I may have ever yelled before, and said, “That’s IT!...” I don’t remember every word but I was angry and frustrated.  I POPPED!

You see, the evidence that I was not walking in the Spirit was that I blew up in the flesh.  My buttons were pushed and I popped out what I had been putting in.  If you saw me that day you would have said, “but Laura, you did your devotions this morning, why didn’t that come out?”  Good question, I asked that too!  The clear answer was that I was just going through the motions. <jaw drop> I was caught!

Are you caught, too?  What comes out when your buttons are pushed? 

Fill yourself with the truth whether it’s just meditating on one verse all week or a whole chapter, etc.  Better to pop out that verse than your flesh!

Bond of Peace

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3

I read this verse and was determined to live out the “bond of peace” part.  All day while the normal things that would have rattled me and given me the “right” to raise my voice at our kids, I chose to remember those three words, “bond-of-peace” and act in a more peaceful manner.  The result was a more tempered momma, less stressed kids, and the unity of the Spirit.

The dictionary defines the word endeavor: try hard to do or achieve something.  Well when we invite the Lord to work in and through us to endeavor[ing] to keep the unity of the Spirit of the bond of peace we don’t have to try so hard—just let Him work through us!  He will remind you of His peace as He did me!

Bedtime is supposed to be 8pm but this night it was going on after 9:30 and I was still being asked to put cream on mosquito bites and letting them know that there is no reading in bed by the light of the little lighted Christmas tree in their room.  I felt the Lord with me like a loving coach as I handled the moment.

May we strive to keep this bond of peace in our homes as we cheer on our kids to live walking worthy of the calling with which they are called. That they would do this with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, as they endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in their lives.

Praying for you, Momma

Lord, I pray for moms who are in the trenches of training up their children.  These early years can be so stretching for us as we learn how to live out the principles in the Bible in front of our kids.  

God, as Your word instructs us I pray that we would instruct our kids from Your word as it is the lamp to our feet and the light to our path.  Let the fruit of the Spirit be evident in us as we make choices to stay self-controlled during those crazy moments, that we extend love and grace and speak encouragement to our children rather than lash out in anger and frustration.  

Lord, maybe if we’ve set the bar too high for our kids to reach sometimes please help us to keep a sound mind and reach them where they are at.  Let us stop drilling them with what they should have done but rather give thanks for the things they do.  Help us to stop everything and look at them in the eyes and let them see our eyes.  May we not miss the opportunity to give a high-five or hug but also not miss when a tear needs to be wiped away or boo-boo kissed and prayed for.  Help us to be firm, wise and always seeking Your counsel upon giving correction.  Help us keep our word.  

Be glorified in our mothering.  We desire to be at Your feet asking for the way, that we should walk in it.

Storms?...Be Still and Know

Due to Tropical Storm Erika we were hit with thunder and lightning storms that ran over us rather quickly.  One morning I woke up at 3 a.m. to one of these storms and wondered if my kids would get scared.  So I went into their room to offer comfort but everyone was peacefully asleep.  So I went back to bed, yet still keeping an ear very attentive just in case I heard the smallest whimper from either of them.  I wanted to be right there for them the instant fear showed on their sweet little brows.  I wouldn’t want them to go through any length of time where I wasn’t aware of their fear…so I laid there listening…. (The kids’ room is all the way across the house – through the maze of the kitchen counters and living room couches…zig zag, zig zag…) … listening…. And then the AC came on and I couldn’t hear a thing!! 

The storm passed.  And as I laid there at 3:45 a.m. I notice that it was still quiet in our home because everyone was still sleeping (except ME).  Of course I was still thinking but this time of our Heavenly Father who is always there to comfort us in the storms of our lives.  He listens to our silent prayers; is there to catch our tears and store them in a jar; holds us up when we stumble and fall.  He is the One who is there the very moment of our fear, the tiniest quivered lip He takes note of and He is there to wrap us up in His arms of love, fill us up with love, joy, peace (the whole fruit basket!).  He can even hear perfectly through all the chaos around us.

No matter when, where, how – how loud, how soft, how many words, how few words… Cry out to God in your time of need, Momma.  He is already there.

(For a little extra: I looked up “storm” on a Bible search program and it gave me Nahum 1:3… “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.”  Think about that. He’s got this!)

Applying God’s Word

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  1 John 2:15

Each night my husband reads the Bible to our kids before they go to bed.  One night they were in 1 John chapter two and when they got to verse 15, Matthew must have “hidden God’s word in his heart.”  Throughout the next couple of days he kept reciting this verse to us, REBUKING us for the things we were doing – like being on our phones (texting), and other things that would come up in conversation that would set our minds to think…hey, he’s right!  He would simply say, “Don’t love the things of this world.”  Why don’t we receive and apply the Word as a child would?

 (I even had to ask him where the verse was so I could write this!)

Lord, thank You for child-like faith.  May we come into Your presence today and receive what You have to say to us and apply it to our walk in life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

The Fruit of Our Words

As parents we find ourselves at times rolling on the floor laughing at the funny things our kids say!  However, there are other times when we hear the awful things kids say that leave us with a different taste in our mouths.

"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:36-37

I was working in our kitchen listening to the playful conversation between brother and sister in the playroom when all of a sudden Jordan said something that sounded so condescending to her big brother.  And then I realize it sounded a lot like how I talk to her at times. God tugged on your heart and said, “It doesn’t sound good coming out of your mouth either, My daughter.” It left me humbled, feeling so ugly with my words to my sweet daughter!  When this happened I found myself like the mom on the movie “A Christmas Story”, putting the bar of soap in her own mouth.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Flesh vs. Love

A healthy conviction set in as I read my In Touch devotional booklet, “Our human nature finds it easier and more satisfying to hold onto our anger.  But as vessels of God’s love, Christians no longer live according to the impulses of the flesh.”  Uh! I acted in the flesh the other day when a lady opened her car door RIGHT onto my car.  We had just arrived at the beach into a good parking spot when I glanced in my side mirror and watched this insane injustice!  My flesh spiked high and I made a rash decision.  It seemed all in one motion as I turned off the car, ran around the back, rose up my arms at the lady and yelled, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME!??!”

For the next two days I went around telling my friends about the injustice I suffered that day.  Over and over my daughter heard the dramatic presentation of how I responded to the lady. 

The next part of my devotional notes, “Thanks to the Holy Spirit, when someone mistreates us, we can not only forgive but also show love to the person.”  The day after my incident, our pastor shared the truth in Galatians 5:16 about walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. 

I was obviously not walking in the Spirit that morning at the beach as told by the way I responded to the lady.  A good witness to the testimony of the Lord was totally blown away even though while I was going through it I was trying to figure out a way back to a good representation of Christ.  And then I taught my three year-old daughter how to walk in the flesh by repeatedly sharing my bad news with others.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Lord, please cover my mistakes and help me to walk in the Spirit so as to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  Help me to put on love each day so I would not behave rudely, not seek my own, not provoke others or myself be provoked to anger.  Help me put on humility and the shoes of the gospel of peace.  Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your grace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Intentional Love

I was recently reminded of a time two dear friends, Paul and Tammy, and I made our way to a little Greek restaurant in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego.  Paul and I were students at Horizon School of Evangelism and sweet Tammy had been raised in the Lord and literally "oozed" His love on everyone she met.  We choose the restaurant because the owner, a fascinating and highly intelligent man, was also a guest speaker at our school. He shared (in a contentious but memorable way) how the Lord wrote the Gospel story in the constellations.

All of us zealous for the Lord, ordered our food and immediately began talking about the scriptures.
Within a few minutes, a complete stranger who over heard our conversation invited himself to sit with us at our table.  It turns out that he, a devout atheist, was one of the plaintiffs suing the city of San Diego for having a cross on Mt. Soledad.  He began needling and challenging and trying to cast doubt in our conversation.  Covered in that "first-love grace," we were completely unscathed and quite determined to help him know the truth.  The conversation went back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth 90 minutes after the restaurant was closed!  The owner, who was well aware of the atheist's agenda, watched from the kitchen somewhat amused.  It seems we were not the first to fall into this man's trap!

At one point in the conversation, my sweet friend Tammy welled up with tears.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, she pressed right into the man's space and cried out,  "I just feel so sad for you!  My heart is broken for you! You really don't know how much Jesus loves you!"

Silence... palpable vulnerability... confusion ... softening... then the wall went back up.

This man was rocked!... at least for a minute... by genuine love.  He was awkward, squirmy and confused when he came in close contact with the thought someone truly cared about him.

I'd like to say this heady man got on his knees and asked Jesus to be his Savior right then and there.
That's not what happened. He did, for a minute though, consider at a heart level the idea of LOVE. There was a definite chink in the armor!

This is such a powerful reminder to me that it is "His kindness that leads us to repentance" and that "of the gifts, the greatest is LOVE."  Love is a powerful offensive weapon and I daresay underused.  Let's make 2015 the year we use LOVE intentionally and valiantly, taking ground for the King!

Marriage Fundamentals

I posted this blog on Facebook and had so many shares, I felt it may be worth posting here.  I don't know Frank or Karen, but I appreciate these 10 fundamentals they shared and believe its worth reviewing.  

http://eighthrising.com/2013/10/28/10-marriage-tips-every-wife-needs-to-hear/

NOTE:  I would add an "eleventh" point: Read the Word together! Romans 12 tells us to be transformed by renewing our mind.  When a husband and wife read together, they are united in a supernatural way.  They share intimacy with each other and their Creator in a way that aligns under His headship.  Ask your husband to wash you in His word.  A few minutes a day can be a game changer. 

 Enjoy!

Love is Powerful

The kids and I were outside reading books under the shade of a few palm trees in our backyard.  We read “Ask Mr. Bear” and a Franklin book and a Dora book…  We made animal noises in all the books and stretched our arms like a goose with her wings spread and Baaaa’d like sheep as loud as we could.  Inside we play cars and dress barbies, twirl with our pretty dresses on and ram each other wearing helmets.  Yes, I have a boy and a girl J  We also read a children’s devotion and make reference to Scripture throughout the day.

“But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Joshua 22:5 

It’s in the daily life where these things are passed from one generation to the next.  They will see it, hear it, feel it, and maybe even taste and smell it.  Love is powerful.  The love of Christ is full of power.  I wonder if David played “cars” with Solomon.  I wonder if that is where he imparted the wisdom he learned from God to his son.  I wonder if Mary sat under the tree in their backyard and read books to Jesus and his brothers.  Moses to Joshua.  Naomi to Ruth.  Lois to Eunice to Timothy.  God has shown us in His word how important it is to spend time with our kids sharing what it means to love the LORD, walk in all His ways, keep His commandments, hold fast to Him and serve Him.

Thank You Lord for giving us yet another opportunity to live out these commandments for Your glory. This generation (whatever age our kids are) NEED to see real upright examples of those who walk with You with all our hearts and with all our souls.  You are worthy to receive all praise and honor, Savior.  Amen.

My Sister's Keeper

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

My family and I have been blessed recently to rejoin the YMCA after a two year hiatus. I love this little time of refreshment for myself where I know the kids are cared for, and I can work out a little mommy steam uninterrupted. That is….until my little guy started having an issue at the Y. My oldest son and my daughter were having a blast, but my little guy would dread going, and he started saying “NO” to his teachers at the gym. I asked my oldest Doodlebug what was going on, and to my surprise, he was oblivious. He had no clue what the issue was, so I probed a little deeper. I wanted to know who his brother was playing with, if he was making friends, etc. After further investigation, it seemed that my oldest son was off playing with his friends, and my sweet little daughter was enjoying some much needed company with other little girls.

That’s when it dawned on me; my little guy needed friends of his own at the Y. We as a family needed to pray for that. BUT until then, I gave my oldest Doodlebug a mission: YOU are to be your brother’s best friend, include him, and help him make new friends. Our little guy needed to know he had a place to belong, and we needed to let him know that he ALWAYS belongs in this family. (As a side note, I am totally not blaming his discipline issues completely on not having a friend. My husband and I have to be very consistent, firm, yet gentle to enforce the rules. But we needed to play offense and defense so to speak to tackle this issue.)

The truth is the body of Christ should operate in the same way. We need to encourage each other. Three easy ways we can show our love for Christ and each other are:

1. Affirming each other with kind and encouraging words. Not empty flattery, but sincere praise. If you see something beautiful in another sister, let her know.
2. Time well spent—maybe a play date or a quick BYOL (Bring your own lunch) at the park while the kids play would provide the refreshment you and another mom (and your kids) need.
3. Prayer. Let’s make a habit of praying with each other. It’s great to let someone know you’ll be praying for them. It’s even better to stop right then and pray with them.

On the other hand, godly encouragement can also take the form of admonishment. Maybe a little truth in love is what is needed. Maybe that sister needs to hear a loving, “Stop doing that because that is sinful and will end up hurting you and the ones you love.” I’ll be honest; sometimes we all need to hear that kind of truth in love. In the earlier example, I had to encourage my older son to do that for his little brother. Please, help that boy stay out of trouble. LOL J

When it comes down to it, in the body of Christ, WE ARE OUR SISTER’S KEEPER.

Have a blessed day in the Lord, my friend,

Teresa

Verses to ponder:

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

Live, Laugh, Love

Going through some old files I came across the theme of one of our family reunions I planned. Live, Laugh & Love. I was reminded to live every moment, laugh everyday and to love beyond words.

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NKJV)

I visited my 92 year old grandmother in the hospital last night. To see her deteriorating, I am reminded that life is a vapor.

 “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. - James 4:14 (NKJV)

Today, I encourage you to live, laugh and love. Live every moment. What have you been putting off? Celebrate each day with your spouse, children, family and friends. Make plans and keep them.

Laugh everyday. Just look around you. If you look, you can find humor in your life everyday. Kids making silly faces, embarrassing moments or even talking with a friend.

Love beyond words. SHOW people how much you love them. Make a card, bake someone cookies, or any random act of kindness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, show us how to live every precious moment You have gifted us. Let us enjoy this earthly life, until You bring us home. Please forgive us for any time that we have taken for granted. Lord, help us to be light hearted in this fallen world. Help us to laugh at ourselves and bring joy and laughter to others. Show us how to love beyond words. Use us Lord to accomplish Your holy will. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Love Is.....

Love is patient, 

love is kind.

 It does not envy,

 it does not boast,

 it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, 

always trusts, 

always hopes, 

always perseveres. 

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Someone once encouraged me to put my name every place, in the above verse, that I saw the word LOVE. It was convicting then...convicting today. Now, as I look at this verse through the eyes of a mom, I realize I need to be praying daily for those character traits of LOVE mentioned above. I want to rightly represent who Christ is (LOVE) to my children who are intently watching all I do. 

Which of the above verses resonated most with you?

Is there a characteristic of love that you need to hone in on this week?

Pray. Christ longs to give us His Spirit and help if we will just reach out and grab the hem of His garment.

Hubby Matters

Tired. Let’s face it, as moms we are often tired by the time the clock reaches 3:00 p.m., but we brew a cup of coffee and push through to dinner time, bathtime, and finally bedtime for the kids. After a long day of teaching, disciplining, redirecting, playing, cooking, cleaning, and mediating disagreements between siblings, we are often exhausted.

I wish I could say that this blog post is about to offer you some new, profound information on how to be a phenomenal wife, but…it’s not. I simply want to remind you of some things that you already know, but may need to hear again.

For starters, your ultimate hubby is your Father in heaven. Absolutely nothing can replace time well-spent with him. He is your life-line, your source of strength, your peace in the midst of the toys, laundry, etc. He is the one who teaches you how to love.

Secondly, as easy as it is to get this one twisted…your second ministry is to your husband.  A very close friend of mine once confided in me that she knew her mom loved her and her siblings, but she wasn’t so sure about whether her mom loved her dad…even though they were still married. I know that this uncertainty with regards to her parents caused her great anxiety. She said, “A happy marriage leads to happy kids, but not the other way around.”

Wives, you are a mom, BUT don’t forget that you are a wife first. Your husband needs to know that you esteem him, that you love him, that you value him, that you have time for him. He desires you. You are still his wife, and as much as he loves his children…they do not complete him the way you do.

So…..as Valentine’s Day approaches and your kids start preparing their cards and candy for their friends, classmates, and Daddy…don’t forget to shower your Valentine (your hubby) with love…not just on February 14^th, but throughout the year. He will be blessed, and your kids will be too.

“Let the wife see that she respects her husband, that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and honors him exceedingly.” Ephesians 5:33 (Amplified Version)

Ladies, that may seem like a tall order, but a love like that does not go unnoticed. A love like that is seen, felt, and totally worth imitating.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are right and true. Thank you for giving us your love, and for giving us your word that instructs us on how to love our husbands. Please help us to follow you in all things. Help us to set a godly example in our marriages…one that our children can follow. May you get all the glory in our lives now and always.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Live, Laugh & Love

Friday morning, I was going through some old files Friday morning and came across the theme of one of our family reunions I planned. Live, Laugh & Love. I was reminded to live every moment, laugh everyday and to love beyond words.

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NKJV)

Later that afternoon, our nation was rocked by a horrible act of violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I was reminded that life is a vapor.

 “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. - James 4:14 (NKJV)

Today, I encourage you to live, laugh and love. Live every moment. What have you been putting off? Celebrate each day with your spouse, children, family and friends. Make plans and keep them.

Laugh everyday. Just look around you. If you look, you can find humor in your life everyday. Kids making silly faces, embarrassing moments or even talking with a friend.

Love beyond words. SHOW people how much you love them. Make a card, bake someone cookies, or any random act of kindness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, show us how to live every precious moment You have gifted us. Let us enjoy this earthly life, until You bring us home. Please forgive us for any time that we have taken for granted. Lord, help us to be light hearted in this fallen world. Help us to laugh at ourselves and bring joy and laughter to others. Show us how to love beyond words. Use us Lord to accomplish Your holy will. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Control Your Mouth

I posted this blog a few months ago...yet its words came creaping into my mind earlier this week. I knew God was gently reminidng me that I needed to hear this...and share it...again..

A little while ago I witnessed quite a scene. I was picking up my oldest Doodlebug from Vacation Bible School, and I was waiting for his class to come back from the Creation Museum. As I was waiting, I received an important phone call that required my full attention. Just about the same time, a mom walked out with her preschool age son who was throwing a full-fledged fit. I mean he was letting his mom have it. She remained calm, while trying to lovingly, yet firmly correct him; but he wanted no part of it—he was intent on having his way.

To be honest, I don’t know why this little boy was having such a tantrum in the hallway at church—completely oblivious to the world around him. His mom saw that I was on the phone, yet she looked at me with pleading eyes. Completely exasperated, she looked at me and said, “See, this is what I have been talking about at Mom-to-Mom.”

To be honest, I didn't know what she was talking about. I attend Mom-to-Mom, but we are not assigned to the same table for discussions. BUT, my heart felt for her. I am sure she expected me to give her some type of advice—advice that she had probably already heard before. However, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to simply encourage her. S

he was obviously embarrassed by her son’s behavior, and she was managing the situation as best as she could at that moment. But, she still felt bad that her son was causing such a raucous in the hallway…and while I was on the phone.

In light of all that, I simply looked at her and whispered, “It’s OK. You are a good mom and YOU ARE doing a great job!” You can tell she didn’t expect me to say just that. She looked at me with a look that almost melted my heart, a look that I myself have given at times when mommyhood just left me scratching my head—when I had given my best Mom effort, but still felt lacking. She replied sincerely, “Thank you! THAT (emphasis added) is exactly what I needed to hear.” She smiled lovingly, and she and her son walked away.

Ladies, before kids I would have been the first one to pass judgment on a situation like that. I was loaded with ammo about what I would say if I were that mom, and how would get that kid back in line. (It is my experience that we say a lot of things before we have kids..and we end up reanalyzing later.)

Yet, two kids later with one on the way, I have still been tempted at times to give advice before filtering it through the Holy Spirit. Before I speak to another mom about her kids, I need to ask myself if this is the right time and place; am I communicating my heart in love?

Often times we need to use the double gate God has given us to keep our tongues in check—lips and teeth. Sometimes, I need to just clench my teeth, say a prayer, and walk away. At other times, I should speak up and speak the truth in love. Ladies, let’s encourage one another, and let us offer advice—or withhold it—in a loving and timely fashion.

Prayer:

Lord, you know as women we have so much to say. You have made us wonderfully complex and full of so much emotion. Help us to channel our words, actions, and even our thoughts through you first. Help us to accurately reflect your truth and your grace. Help us encourage each other on to good works as we raise our children to love you.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Passage to consider: Job 16:1-5 (NLT)

Job’s response to his friends after they offered their unsolicited advice:

1 Then Job spoke again: 2 "I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are! 3 Won't you ever stop your flow of foolish words? What have I said that makes you speak so endlessly? 4 I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off my criticisms against you and shake my head at you. 5 But that's not what I would do. I would speak in a way that helps you. I would try to take away your grief."

VISION OF LOVE

VISION OF LOVE

A dedication to my friends and family

My son woke up from nap time with a fever. Being that we have 3 kids it was just another day in the Pierce household. You know, we were planning a date that evening, had a sitter, everyone was fine all day and at 4:30 pm the inevitable happened. After contemplating what this mysterious bug was going to turn into we called off the sitter and prepared for a restful night with the family instead. Little did I know all this would soon change!

Proverbs 16:9    In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

My husband went on a Publix run at about 9:30 pm. everyone had gone to bed and the fever had long been broken by the Motrin given at 6pm. I was resting on the couch going through the mass of e-mails awaiting my response when I heard a strange noise. The house was quiet but the noise wasn’t distinct enough to make out and I semi-ignored it looking around as if to point out where and what I had heard by process of elimination. There it was again. My kids talk in their sleep, surely it was some dream that brought them to far off places in the imagination of a child. No, there it is again! It was at this point that I arose from my comfortable place on the couch and said to myself I better check on D.J., though I was sure he was fine. I went upstairs slowly and found his back to me in his bed. He was making a horrible grunting sound and that’s when it hit me that things were severely wrong.

Isaiah 41:10   So do not fear, for I am with you; 
                                     do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
                           I will strengthen you and help you;
                                     I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

My son was flaccid, burning hot, unresponsive, and had grunting respirations! I ran him downstairs not really believing what was happening. I tried to arouse him but there was no movement. I laid my son on the couch on his back. His respirations sounded worse. His eyes were rolling side to side and back, his body was postured in toward his core, and again came the grunting sound as he attempted to breath.  My heart raced as all the years of training as a paramedic and RN raced through my head. I performed a sternal rub-no response, is he incontinent-no so I crossed off a seizure, is it epiglotitis-God please no!! I called my husband; my hands shook as I attempted to dial the phone. I frantically demanded he leave the groceries and come home. I began to search around for the thermometer, unable to find it I ran to the freezer and placed ice packs under his neck and in his armpits-no response. I was terrified as his lifeless body lay there. I begged him to “talk to mommy, baby” I screamed DJ what felt like a billion times with no sweet sound exiting his lips. As I begged God to spare my son and help me to help him his breathing took a long pause. I felt like I was looking down at a scene played out in my head over and over when I was a medic only this time it was happening to me. I couldn’t wait anymore and I called 911. While I was on the phone I begged the dispatcher to please get them here faster! All I could say is DJ talk to mommy and Oh God please don’t take my baby!!!

Psalm 116:1  I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

As my husband arrived just before the comforting sound of the sirens he grabbed my son’s lifeless body and ran him out to the rescue truck. All I could do is stand in the middle of my living room as if I was frozen. My mind attempted to make sense of all that had just happened but I couldn’t fathom it. I noticed my 11 year old standing to the right crying and shaking but I couldn’t hear sound. I snapped out of this state in time to ask my neighbors who had come to see what had happened to stay with my kids and rush out the door to follow the rescue vehicle. My street had become a spectacle of fire trucks, rescue vehicles and police cars all lit up as if a carnival were outside my door. I jumped in my car and attempted to follow the rescue truck that was going full speed with lights and sirens. As I drove my heart raced, my hands shook, and my mouth spoke. It’s amazing what comes out of your heart to God when your entire body is encompassed with fear! “God, please God, don’t take my boy! Please God!! Please” is all I can remember. The mother in me searched for some way to help and my mind went straight to Kate! I know I can trust Kate to spread the word and start a prayer chain. That was my only hope. I can’t imagine what she thought on the other end and I still have no idea what I said to her but my heart cried out for prayer. When I arrived at the hospital it had been almost an hour since I had first heard the haunting grunting sound. My son was in my husband’s lap in a bed. His eyes met mine and though he wasn’t responsive enough to talk yet I felt my adrenaline pour down and thanked God for His undying mercy on my family!!

God’s grace showed up next even more then I could have imagined. My son began to talk and said “Mommy I’m scawed” “What are you scared of baby” I responded. “There’s a mommy ghost right over there and I’m scawed!” As he pointed to the corner of our emergency room my mind again raced. God are you here? I thought! My husband began to pray and as we finished more miracles! Kate’s husband entered the room with Bible in hand. Surprised, we thanked him for coming so fast! Mind you it was now 10:30pm! I felt cherished and unworthy of such attention! But then my mom too walked in and I was told by the nurse that Fran and Franci were waiting outside. I felt bad for causing a stir but what an amazing feeling of love that overcame me! These people all have families! It’s late, they drove all the way here just for us?! I felt an amazing love, a Jesus love, as if He Himself were reaching down from heaven to hug me. I talked with my selfless friends and they cried for me and held my trembling hands.  I thanked God for His mercy, for these angels of friends, for showing Himself, for loving me with through His people, for their willingness to respond, for my husband who knew how to calm me, for the rescue workers, for the dispatch lady who kept me on the phone knowing I would go crazy with all my thoughts, for my neighbors, for my family! Amazing Grace!!  I will never forget what happened that night but I will also never forget how God’s loves us through any circumstance! Philippians 1:3  I thank my God every time I think of you!!

^{Ephesians 3:17-18   17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.