The Road to Damascus

The term “Road to Damascus” has been defined as an important turning point in a person’s life where a great change occurs. It is derived from Acts 9, the conversion of Saul to Paul on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians.

We as moms have a road in mind for our children, but I’m sure it does not include the one to Damascus. The Lord exhorts us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

We would like to believe this in the literal context. If we train our children they will not sin. Ha! But God, being omniscient (knowing all) teaches us how to protect and keep our children close to Him. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NKJV

I have tried in my almost 15 years of being a single mom to be diligent in this training of my daughter. As the teenage years approached and my daughter’s obedience to me and the Lord departed, I held on to God’s promise in Proverbs 22:6. God is faithful!! After falling and being blinded on her road, she has repented of her sins and again lives for the Lord! Hallelujah!! We recently shared this scripture:

“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 NLT

So, even though I did not have the “Road to Damascus” in mind for her, I am so glad she had that important turning point in a person’s life where a great change occurs.

Challenge: Be diligent learning the word and applying in your life so that His commands “shall be in your heart.” Then, you can “teach them diligently to your children.” Be careful not to exasperate them. What can you teach them today?

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."

What's their secret?

I was so blessed to spend time with one of my favorite families last week. You see, this is a BIG family! Parents with four children. But there was still so much love to go around that they adopted two precious sisters from 4Kids of South Florida. So now they're at six kids. Ages ranging from three to twenty. With that many people living under one roof, I have never heard a word of disrespect or arguing like normal brothers and sisters. What were these parents feeding their children? What was their secret? Well I was going to get to the bottom of this one!

When I arrived I found one daughter folding laundry at the dining room table. Then another daughter
jumped up to do the dishes from the meal she had just made the family. Another daughter was making a green bean stew to enter into the Green Bean Festival the next day. Don't think that the Mom was there giving them directions on their duties, because she wasn't even home. She was out food shopping. I enjoyed listening to their conversations. Made me think of "Pride & Prejudice" or "The Walton's", how many hands make light work. Love was definitely in the air.

I wonder if something was in the water? When one of the little girls needed something, they jumped right up to meet it, like young mothers themselves. Never passing the job on to someone else. First time obedience? Forget about it! You didn't even have to tell them what to do. They know their roles
as siblings, and the responsibility that comes with it. If I saw them occasionally, I'd say they could pull off this type of behavior. But I see them every week and the consistency of it is no role playing.

I walked into the living room, and sure enough, there lay the evidence. Right in the open. Bibles everywhere! And journals to accompany them.  If I didn't see fruit from their lives, I'd think, nice props to display for visitors, but their walk tells me those Bibles are not collecting any dust. Those Bibles are their diets.

Uh Huh! It was BOTH the food and the water!

Matt. 5:6
Blessed are those who Hunger  and Thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Deut. 8:3
So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Matt. 7:20
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

I wrote about this family that they might be an inspiration to everyone. Yet another confirmation that God's Word empowers parents. This isn't a reality for some yet . . . But remember . . . Isaiah 55:11
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

So Moms, I challenge you to keep those plates and cups full, and even encourage seconds.
Bon Appetit!

Can We Talk?

My son, obey your father’s commands,

    and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

 Keep their words always in your heart.

    Tie them around your neck.

 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.

    When you sleep, they will protect you.

    When you wake up, they will advise you.

 For their command is a lamp

    and their instruction a light;

their corrective discipline

    is the way to life.

- Proverbs 6:20-23 NLT

Recently I received saddening news. A family friend, sick with cancer, after having surgery and chemo found out the cancer has spread everywhere and there was nothing left the medical professionals could do. As I read their latest Facebook post, informing me of this, I was broken and sad.

It was a Monday morning and my family was waiting in the car for our "family time" outing to begin as I read this news. I began to cry as I walked to the car to meet up with my husband and kids. As my boys began to ask questions why I was upset, I allowed it to be a learning experience for them. For me.

How would I handle a conversation with my children that could potentially be uncomfortable? The way Christ would want me to.....filled with honestly, scripture and truth.

The Holy Spirit used this opportunity for growth in their understanding of life and death.  As we drove, I explained what had happened to our friend and the possibility that he may die soon. I also followed it up by reminding them about about my sister, their Auntie Beth, who is in heaven and will see again someday.  My husband and I explained that death is part of life, and how it started back in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned.

My heart also expressed great hope & enthusiasm for where our family friend will go if he passes away. My kids now grasp the idea that those friends and family left behind, here on earth, are sad but the one who has died, knowing Jesus, is going to heaven happy because they get to be with Christ! What a blessing!

As a parent the Lord lays opportunities everyday at our feet. For conversation. For Truth. For prayer. Many times we run from those "talks" because we fear, the unknown, of how the discussion will go.
Many parents will lie just to avoid sharing truth. Ironic, huh?

Death.
Sex.
Drugs/alcohol.
Violence.

Last weekend at church I was reminded of the detriment of fleeing those "talks" by our guest speaker, Sy Rogers. He shared that someone will guide and influence your kids. Either the "Pop Culture" or YOU. Who will it be? They will have questions. They will ask. Will you answer? Will you create an environment welcoming those healthy open conversations? Will you be the voice they hear... investing Truth into their lives?

If there is a "uncomfortable" conversation you feel led to have with your child...PRAY...allow the Word and His Holy Spirit to guide your lips, message, and delivery. Sy also shared it is better to be on the side of preventative maintenance then on the flip side. So true!

Allow obstacles to be opportunities in disguise!

Lord, help us to have those "talks" with our children that could be difficult. Give us the words to say. Help us to be bold when we want to cower. We love and trust you. Thank you for calling us into the powerful position of influencing the next generation for you, Jesus!

Help!

Luke 18: 40 – 42
Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

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A couple of weeks ago, on one of our super hot Florida days, I noticed a lady as I was coming in from my mom van.  An apparent runner was leaning against a neighbor’s tree and seemed exhausted. 

Thinking I could help, I grabbed a bottle of Gatorade and took it to her at the end of the driveway.  As I offered her the bottle she replied she was fine.  I told her I knew it was exceptionally hot and I had seen her leaning on the tree as if very hot.  She again refused my help, thanked me and walked on.

I was struck with the obvious.  She was hot and in need, yet she refused help. Could this be why Jesus asked the obvious question, “What do you want me to do for you?” Rather than offering sight to the blind man, maybe Jesus knew he needed to ask for help first.

Moms, it is so easy to be drowning in our everyday lives, our own pride, our own shame, our own fear, so we don’t ask for help.  No, our husbands or families or friends, can’t take all our problems and make them right, but they can help you shoulder the burden.

One of my Mommy friends texted me yesterday, with a simple plea for help, “I’m going to need a little extra prayer today.”  I was honored to pray for her and the circumstances of her life.  I was also very proud she was willing to ask for help.

It has been an on-going lesson to teach our children to ask for help, but I think it is a lesson we need to continue to remember too! Let’s not be too proud to ask for help.  Jesus is asking us, “What do you want me to do for you today?”

A Teachable Spirit

“But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14

 

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”  Matthew 18:3-4

 

“At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”  Matthew 11:25-26

There is something HUGE to be learned from our children…How to have a teachable spirit.  Here is my own observation on what generally makes children have a teachable spirit. 

They look at the great big world around them as an adventure.  There are things everywhere to be discovered.  They very quickly realize there is so much that they do not know.  The desire in them to know creates a big sponge and bit-by-bit they start soaking up everything they can.  They are memorizing everything they hear and are repeating it whether we want them to or not. 

What I have observed in my own children is that what seemed like a great big world to them when they were little was really not that big.  Something happens in them when they start to learn all those things that they couldn’t wait to learn.  Now they can read a little they can write a little.  They can add up marshmallows and cheerios.  They can tell you what time it is.  Life is good and they think they have the hang of it. 

They get all puffed up and think they have learned all they need to take on that great big world, which in reality is very small.  I have noticed in my four kids that it was not a certain age that this happened but it is definitely a certain attitude…Pride. 

 

This is where some of us get stuck, isn’t it?  In our pride we loose that simplicity of mind that God chooses to reveal things to.  We are no longer humble or teachable we are prideful.  That pride may not be recognizable externally by screaming, “Look I am PRIDEFUL.”  Most of the time I think it is that quiet internal emotion that gives a sense of superiority. 

We need to get back to simplified thinking.  Thinking where we are humble, looking to God with great big eyes ready for Him to show us the world His way. 

Life is a Vapor Part 2

So, I came across an amazing devotion from My Utmost that I wanted to share with you. However, each time I went to upload it tonight, I received an error message. I stopped after my 4th attempt and realized, the Holy Spirit must have something else He wants to say today, in this moment to me, to you, to us.

Over the past few weeks "vapor" and "moment" as you know have been reoccurring terms in my life. Tonight, pressing on my heart are many realizations that this life here on earth, is only for a moment. We can miss it if we aren't careful. God took such careful attention in creating such a beautiful place for us. In six short, but very busy detailed days, He created an amazing place for us to dwell, temporarily. I know I can fill a calendar "like nobody's business" and run from the east to west side of town in 40 minutes flat. I know I can busy myself in ministry and my calling, but I have to challenge us all to say, is that what God would really want us to do?

Just stop for a moment and think of the last time you actually watched the rain fall. I'm not talking about watching it because you were hoping it would stop, but watching it in wonder and awe. Or the last time you admired the beauty of a flower and the intricate parts? When was the last time you sat on the beach and stilled yourself to hear His faint whisper in the sounds of the waves or ocean breeze? When was the last time you took hold of your lil ones or not so lil ones hands and danced with them, even if there wasn't music playing? Be silly, my dear ones. Laugh. Enjoy life, for it is passing us by ever so quickly and He, as our Creator, wants us to enjoy every moment of it.

My dear friend who is battling for his life right now, is hanging on and fighting the good fight. Diagnosed with Leukemia, the Chemo is taking its toll on his fragile body. As his wife and two year old son watch this happen to their loved one, I can only imagine their thoughts....and his. I know when he comes through this valley, he will dance, laugh, be silly, etc. Life is a vapor. Let us take hold of each day, each moment, each opportunity. Tell those you love, you love them. Make sure they know it. Hold them close. Draw near to your friends. Forgive and Forget. Yes, even the toughest of situations. Let go and let God. Finally, love God and love people. Everything else will fall into place.

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Luke 10:27