Kids and their bodies. That's all I have to say. They are curious little ones, always wondering about how things work. Recently, I began making a list of things I have said to my children. Things I never in a million years imagined I would ever need to say to anyone. I'm becoming more and more convinced that God allows us to go through parenting not only to keep us humble and to grow us, but to remind us that we cannot do it without Him.
"Go back upstairs and pick up the booger you wiped on the carpet and throw it away."
"Stop sticking your fingers in the light socket."
"Bugs belong outside, not in the house. Don't bring that bug in the house."
"We use shoes to kill bugs, not the brush."
"Where's your diaper? Not this new one you used to pick up your brother's poo, the original one he pooped in.
"Please keep your diaper on after you poop."
"Don't sit down! You'll squish your poo!"
"Don't try to dump your poo into the toilet from your diaper."
"What is that all over you?!? Is that poo?!?"
(Why does it always have to be poo?!?)
"If you're going to pee in the grass, please take off your clothes next time."
"No, I am not going to open up your diaper again so you can see your poop. That's disgusting!"
Oh Lord, help us to see ourselves in our children and know that we need You more than anything. Give us wisdom in how we raise our children and patience as we respond to their different behaviors. Give us a sense of humor as we try to raise our kids to know the difference between right and wrong. Help us survive and praise You in all circumstances!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Bigger than a Mustard Seed
Why is it that the focus of faith seems to be taken from Matthew 17:20...and stop there?
"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."
That's where we stop. We "encourage" each other to have faith the size of one of the tinniest seeds on earth and say we can move mountains with it just because that's what Jesus said we should strive for. I believe that Jesus wanted so much MORE for His disciples than the smallest faith. I believe He desired them to have the faith of what that seed turned into...a full blown mustard tree!
Picture a small pearl inside of an oyster. It is beautiful and worth some money. You can pick it out of that oyster and keep it, or sell it for a sum of money. Or you can allow that oyster to continue to mold it and shape it, and make it bigger and even more beautiful and it will be worth more. That is a lot like how our faith is. God wants our faith to be the largest pearl ever known to man. He wants to shape us and grow us and use us to further His Kingdom. A lot of times we get impatient with God's timing and grab that small tiny pearl of our faith and call it good before that pearl is really ready. Unfortunately God is still in the process of molding and shaping our faith. Growing it and perfecting it. The only thing standing in His way of doing that is ourselves.
Think of all the work, pain and discomfort it takes for the oyster to create the pearl from that small irritating granular of sand. Following Jesus is definitely NOT the "easy" or most "comfortable" way of life, as far as this world-view is concerned. It definitely is the best way to live though. The oyster would probably be a lot happier without a big bulge under its tongue, but then you wouldn't have a beautiful and perfect pearl as the end result.
"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."
That's where we stop. We "encourage" each other to have faith the size of one of the tinniest seeds on earth and say we can move mountains with it just because that's what Jesus said we should strive for. I believe that Jesus wanted so much MORE for His disciples than the smallest faith. I believe He desired them to have the faith of what that seed turned into...a full blown mustard tree!
Picture a small pearl inside of an oyster. It is beautiful and worth some money. You can pick it out of that oyster and keep it, or sell it for a sum of money. Or you can allow that oyster to continue to mold it and shape it, and make it bigger and even more beautiful and it will be worth more. That is a lot like how our faith is. God wants our faith to be the largest pearl ever known to man. He wants to shape us and grow us and use us to further His Kingdom. A lot of times we get impatient with God's timing and grab that small tiny pearl of our faith and call it good before that pearl is really ready. Unfortunately God is still in the process of molding and shaping our faith. Growing it and perfecting it. The only thing standing in His way of doing that is ourselves.
Think of all the work, pain and discomfort it takes for the oyster to create the pearl from that small irritating granular of sand. Following Jesus is definitely NOT the "easy" or most "comfortable" way of life, as far as this world-view is concerned. It definitely is the best way to live though. The oyster would probably be a lot happier without a big bulge under its tongue, but then you wouldn't have a beautiful and perfect pearl as the end result.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Learning to Trust
These last few days have been insane...even for a mother with four kids. They have been filled with a trip to the ER with my 2-year-old swelling beyond recognition (which we later found out it was because she was attacked by fire ants and is apparently highly allergic to them). We found out that both of our boys have ruptured ear drums and our 2-year-old has an infected toe...and nostril. (Oh boy, bring on the medical bills!!!.) On top of all of this, the kids have not been sleeping well, thus we have ended up with three of our four children in our bed...which does make it difficult to get any sleep what-so-ever. Plus, we gave our 90-day move out notice, so we are busy trying to sell off things, and things are kind-of up in the air with where my husband will be working next. So, as you can see, it has been easy to allow ourselves to be overwhelmed with what's going on around us.
In the midst of all this, though, there have been so many blessings! It can be so easy to get overwhelmed with the negatives that happen, that I can blind myself to the positive moments. There have been moments where we have been able to really feel God taking care of us. Kaitlyn was able to get right into the ER with absolutely no wait. The doctors and nurses were wonderful, and they took really good care of her. I was able to speak to one of my really good friends that I haven't spoken to in quite some time. We have been able to sell some things off that we didn't think we'd be able to so quickly. Even though the appointment was only for our oldest son, the doctor also saw two of our other kids which is when we found out all three of them needed to be on antibiotics. Peace, amazing feelings of peace that can only be from God.
It's those moments that I have been clinging to, knowing that He is taking care of us through it all. Even though it may feel like the world is crashing down around us, I am so thankful that God is bigger than it all. I can trust Him, knowing that all I see is what is right in front of me, while He sees EVERYTHING and is taking care of me, and my husband, and our children.
"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
In the midst of all this, though, there have been so many blessings! It can be so easy to get overwhelmed with the negatives that happen, that I can blind myself to the positive moments. There have been moments where we have been able to really feel God taking care of us. Kaitlyn was able to get right into the ER with absolutely no wait. The doctors and nurses were wonderful, and they took really good care of her. I was able to speak to one of my really good friends that I haven't spoken to in quite some time. We have been able to sell some things off that we didn't think we'd be able to so quickly. Even though the appointment was only for our oldest son, the doctor also saw two of our other kids which is when we found out all three of them needed to be on antibiotics. Peace, amazing feelings of peace that can only be from God.
It's those moments that I have been clinging to, knowing that He is taking care of us through it all. Even though it may feel like the world is crashing down around us, I am so thankful that God is bigger than it all. I can trust Him, knowing that all I see is what is right in front of me, while He sees EVERYTHING and is taking care of me, and my husband, and our children.
"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Untitled
You are loved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He made you in His perfect likeness. He loves you so much, that He died so that you can live with Him. Jesus loves you. God loves you. He wants a relationship with you. Just be who He made you to be...His child who needs Him. Seek Him with all of your heart and He will direct your path. Don't worry about tomorrow, for He has given you today. Rest in His presence. Let Him restore your tired soul. He will heal your heart as you cling to Him and confess your weaknesses to Him. When you are weak, He is strong. He will deliver you. Just rest in Him.
"Oh Israel, trust in the Lord." Psalm 115:9
"Oh Israel, trust in the Lord." Psalm 115:9
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Importance of Forgiveness
Matthew 5:44 says: "But I say to you, love your enemies and bless the one who curses you, and do what is beautiful to the one who hates you, and pray over those who take you by force and persecute you." (Aramaic Bible)
Jesus knew that unless we are able to love our enemies and bless those that curse us (or hurt us, or wrong us...ect), we would never experience the freedom we have in Christ. And, what is more beautiful than actually PRAYING for those that we are hurt by, threatened by, are bitter toward, hate, despise, or just don't like? And, not just pray for them, but actually pray blessings on them? Praying for God to use them if they know God, or that they would find God and seek Him with all of their hearts if they don't?
What a different world this would be if Christians would actually do what Christ commanded and PRAY for their enemies! Oh God would You change our hearts to be like Yours! May we learn to pray for those who hurt us so we can be more like You.
It's amazing how much your heart for your enemies will change once you start praying for them. You begin to see them as imperfect human beings on their search for Meaning and Truth instead of who you think they should be.
Jesus knew that unless we are able to love our enemies and bless those that curse us (or hurt us, or wrong us...ect), we would never experience the freedom we have in Christ. And, what is more beautiful than actually PRAYING for those that we are hurt by, threatened by, are bitter toward, hate, despise, or just don't like? And, not just pray for them, but actually pray blessings on them? Praying for God to use them if they know God, or that they would find God and seek Him with all of their hearts if they don't?
What a different world this would be if Christians would actually do what Christ commanded and PRAY for their enemies! Oh God would You change our hearts to be like Yours! May we learn to pray for those who hurt us so we can be more like You.
It's amazing how much your heart for your enemies will change once you start praying for them. You begin to see them as imperfect human beings on their search for Meaning and Truth instead of who you think they should be.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Shelter
This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians and when I got to verses 16-18, I was reminded of all the things Christ is, so I made a list to help remind me of Who He is:
Jesus You are my shelter
Jesus You calm the storm
Jesus You are my Refuge when I lay in the shadow of Your wings
Jesus You are my Light
Jesus You are the Truth
Jesus You are my Strength when I am weak
Jesus I need You, need You, more than anything
You are my Rock
You are my Deliverer
You are Forever with me.
I was encouraged, I hope and pray someone else out there is encouraged as well.
Lord, I pray these truths would stick with me today. It's so easy to forget all the things You've done for me. May someone be encouraged.
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look a the troubles we see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 2:16-18 (NLT)
Jesus You are my shelter
Jesus You calm the storm
Jesus You are my Refuge when I lay in the shadow of Your wings
Jesus You are my Light
Jesus You are the Truth
Jesus You are my Strength when I am weak
Jesus I need You, need You, more than anything
You are my Rock
You are my Deliverer
You are Forever with me.
I was encouraged, I hope and pray someone else out there is encouraged as well.
Lord, I pray these truths would stick with me today. It's so easy to forget all the things You've done for me. May someone be encouraged.
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look a the troubles we see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 2:16-18 (NLT)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Acts
I've been reading in the book of Acts lately and the question that keeps coming to my mind as I read about all the miracles and lives that are completely turned upside down during the ministries of amazing people like Paul, Barnabas, Phillip, Stephen, and others is: How come that's not happening now? (Wow, that is a very long sentence!)
If we as Christ followers believed like the Christ followers in the book of Acts, think of how different our world would be. People would be coming to Christ right and left, people would be healed and risen from the dead all over the place! How amazing would that be to experience?
So, I guess I'm just struggling with what it all means to me. How do I get there? How do I become so in love with Jesus Christ that it seeps out of my every pore. How do I make my words be so drenched in the love and the knowledge of who Christ is that lives are eternally changed?
The only answer I've come up with so far is to pray for it. I'm not even close to being close to getting there, but I'm finding that by starting to pray for it, something is stirring within my very soul. I've never had such a thirst and hunger to read God's word before, nor have I ever had such a deep desire to spend my day in constant prayer. So I believe that that is a start. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there, but I know that Jesus wants us to become like Him, and He will make that happen as long as we allow Him to change us.
Jesus, take this heart, this mind, and soul. Take all of me and make it Yours. I am nothing and You are All. I need You, Father. Without You, there is nothing.
If we as Christ followers believed like the Christ followers in the book of Acts, think of how different our world would be. People would be coming to Christ right and left, people would be healed and risen from the dead all over the place! How amazing would that be to experience?
So, I guess I'm just struggling with what it all means to me. How do I get there? How do I become so in love with Jesus Christ that it seeps out of my every pore. How do I make my words be so drenched in the love and the knowledge of who Christ is that lives are eternally changed?
The only answer I've come up with so far is to pray for it. I'm not even close to being close to getting there, but I'm finding that by starting to pray for it, something is stirring within my very soul. I've never had such a thirst and hunger to read God's word before, nor have I ever had such a deep desire to spend my day in constant prayer. So I believe that that is a start. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there, but I know that Jesus wants us to become like Him, and He will make that happen as long as we allow Him to change us.
Jesus, take this heart, this mind, and soul. Take all of me and make it Yours. I am nothing and You are All. I need You, Father. Without You, there is nothing.
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