There Is a Real Battle Being Warred - Part 1

A few months ago I went to see "War Room" and was reminded that the war we wage is real. It is unseen, like the wind, but ever present while we are here on earth. As I have spent time with Jesus lately, the Lord has brought to mind the Truth that I am not alone in this battle. That I am on the winning team, and just how important it is to pray while on the battle field. 

1 Samuel 17:47 is a great place for us to camp for just a moment. David is on the battle field ready to fight Goliath where he shares this great truth....

All the people gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will help us defeat all of you.

The odds were greatly against David in the physical realm. Goliath was huge, David was small and only had 5 stones. Armor didn't fit, and most probably thought he would be defeated based just on what was seen. But David had a huge God. A God he trusted and placed his hope and faith in. One who had this supernatural story that he wanted David to be a part of. A God who does the miraculous and asks us to partner with him in it. 
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What is your Goliath? Is there an battle in your life that seems hopeless?

Special Needs Child?   Finances?   Children Fighting A LOT?  Marriage Hiccups?  School Struggles?
Friendship Struggles?  Church Struggles?  Doctor Struggles?  Weight of life Struggles?
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The battle belongs to the Lord. Entrust it to Him. Hand it over to him. 

Unexpected Surprise From An Unlikely Source

It had been a LOOOOOONG week and my oldest had given me a run for my money...MANY times. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. I was worn out and beat down. Sunday, I put on the "I am ok" face as I walked into church. Not wanting to give any details of my week with those I encountered,  so I kept quiet of the challenges my disciple, my son, had given me. I went through the motions of set-up and break-down of my department I serve in, and then...it happened. God whispered to me through a children's ministry worker girl. HE reminded me how HE delights in the details of my life (Psalm 37:23 NLT). 

It was a holy hug given to me by the words spoken over me. Words of affirmation and encouragement. Those words we hear rarely but need desperately. 

She pulled me aside and shared how my son's closing prayer lifted her up. It looked, as though none of the kiddos were paying attention. Wondering if any of them "got it" as my son volunteered to pray and managed to weave in the lesson's verse into it. It brought tears to her eyes and mine as well. I was reminded that our kids see our hearts towards prayer. They watch and learn how we handle scripture. And the seed we plant in their hearts will grow a harvest if we don't give up. After the week I had, the Lord knew I needed that sweet nudge of edification and allowed it to come from a source I wouldn't have guessed. 

Be a mom who encourages other moms. It's a tough job and we need each other. Take a moment to text or email a friend and remind them they will reap a harvest if they don't give up. 

Don't miss those moments the Lord gives you to encourage your parenting. Pause and praise God, with your child listening, for the milestones your child accomplishes. Remember academics and sports are huge but so are spiritual accomplishments!

Library Books Educate Our Kids & Us Too!

Last week we were at the library, as a family, when I came across a book that intrigued me. I picked up "How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?" by Jane Yolen, without realizing how powerful it would be. The premise of the story is about a dinosaur  and how he deals with his anger. It gently goes through his inappropriate actions and turns it around to share the correct way to deal with anger. Counting to ten, not throwing things, breathing calmly, says sorry, gives hugs, and soon enough his anger is gone.

This book wound up being my son's favorite library book of the week. Because he could relate to it greatly, but more-so because he could laugh about the naughty behavior and recognize dinosaurs struggle with anger too. It helped us bridge a conversation in a new way. A fun and cute way. A way my child could relate to and enjoy through the process.

Have you ever thought about checking out a book or video from the library dealing with an issue your child is struggling with? With cute and inviting characters depicting it?

Ask the Lord to give you direction on how to approach the struggles your kiddos have. It may just come from a place you never would have guessed :)

 

Family Vacations REVEAL A lot

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 

Point out anything in me that offends you,

    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

-Psalm 139:23-24-

I love trips. Long trips. Short trips. Day trips. They are eye-opening, give an opportunity to have fun, and refreshing for all. My family just returned from a 10 day trip, our summer vacation, and we had a blast. 

The first leg of our trip entailed 14 hours of driving with a pitstop half way. With a movie on for the kids, iPads charged, and a full tank of gas we headed off. Most dread driving the distance but not me. It seems as though when I get away on any family trip...God does some revealing in my life. Slipping away from our normal routine, being with my spouse non-stop 24/7, and being in a small confined min-van leads itself to some layers being pulled back. 

God revealed a few areas of my life that need working on. I found the Lord highlighting how I worry a whole lot in small increments throughout my day. If asked about anxiety in my life, I would definitely have said no. But once back home, I realize that things that are out of my control I must hand over to God and let it go. Really let it go. Let it fly out of my mind, and when it wants to consume my thoughts - bring myself to the Word and find relief in His peace. 

I also realized that my kids are really great. Sure they have struggles just like yours, but they have amazing qualities that sometimes the perfectionist momma in me overlooks. We can get into ruts where we completely overlook the character God is chiseling out in our kids. 

Lastly, I found myself praising God for the ability to retreat with my family and make memories we will tuck away in our hearts. I am grateful for our annual trips to Tennessee and our tent, very cheap, campsites at Disney. It gives an opportunity to see life with new eyes. A heart away from the hustle and bustle of normalcy, allows room for the Father to speak Truth into our hearts, giving us new eyes to see the life HE has entrusted us with.

Yeah I like trips. They bring me to a place of seeing life for what it is. Trips are a must. Something we must schedule, save for, and do annually. Can't afford one now? Plan for one in the future. Set a date, a budget, and begin to plan. It is well worth the investment.

What has the Lord been teaching you lately about parenting? life? Truth?

When was the last family vacation you took? What memories did you make?

Renew My Heart

Life is full of seasons. Some are beautiful with foliage full of colors where the breeze is a bit cooler. We love fall and welcome it!  Then, comes winter. The weather is cold, leaves are gone, and the look is very bland. The trees look as if they have died and we wonder if they will bloom again with beauty.  Spring bring rains that seem bothersome at the time but allows great beauties to bloom after. Summer is full of sweat and heat where we must take cover to refresh.

Having experienced seasons before, we know it is a constant changing cycle. It is similar in the journey as a parent. We go through seasons of winter, drought, rain and then fruit-bearing seasons as well. But the great thing about seasons is...they are NOT forever. They are temporary and soon enough a new season will emerge.

What is the season you are walking through right now?

One where you see your deposits into your kiddos bearing much fruit?

Or do you find yourself wondering if they are getting it at all?

Remember this promise...

and this one...

and...

Seasons are not forever. God is faithful. His promises are true. Don't give up. Ask Him to hold up your head as you seek His face daily. The Lord stretches us for future ministry. HE loves you!

The journey isn't over - no matter how old your kids are - but has just begun.

Seek God today. Ask Him to renew your heart towards your kids. Allow Him to refresh your mind.

Allow Him to remind you that your labor is not in vain. HE sees it all and is grateful for your efforts!

Little Girl Lost

Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

She smiled and laughed as most little girls do.  She played with dolls and toys and friends and to everyone else she appeared to be happy.  But inside this little girl was sadness.  Her mommy and daddy were always fighting and the drug abuse had gotten out of control.  So at age 5 this little girl was told she was going to go live with her Grandparents because her Mommy and Daddy needed help...  

For the next two years she lived with her grandparents. Her grandparents did the best they could, but no one could replace her parents, as messed up as they were.  During this time her parents had gotten a divorce...  At age 7 her parents had completed their drug rehabilitation and she was able to move in with her mom.  Although everyone thought moving back in with her was the best idea, this is when the child saw and experienced things no child should ever see or experience.  

During these years the little girl got to see and spend time with her daddy and his new wife and children.  Eventually the new wife came to know the Lord and starting praying for all of them.  Soon the little girls Daddy got saved too.  

I will spare you all the details of the pain and poor decisions this child made as a teen and adult later in life.  But what I will point out to you is this, this child was prayed for.  People reached out to her.  Family and friends and strangers took the time to share the gospel with this child.  This child was me... and I am writing this blog as a living testimony that you are praying to a very real and personal God and prayers are being answered.    

You see, many people didn’t like me because I was covering up my hurting with hardness.  I was your enemy and your persecutor.  I was someone who you wouldn’t have naturally wanted to get close to (Bring anyone to mind)?  Only Christ in people can love the unlovable.  It takes effort on our behalf to reach out to those who may not be so desirable and pray for them...  because of those prayers and people reaching outside of their comfort zone, my life was changed forever and so were many generations to come...

My challenge to you: Who has God placed in your life who has persecuted you?  Who in your children's  lives can you take the time to love who may not be so lovable?  Whose life can you change for generations to come?

My prayer: Lord Jesus open our eyes to see others as you do.  Help us to love the unlovable, serve the undesirable, and pray fervently for the salvation of the lost. 

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.

Matthew 25:40