A thought has been in my mind for quite some time. A thought that seems to judge, but I am just as guilty. A thought about parenting, about the past, about what my spirit is teaching, and about what I am learning… a thought about truth. You see I look around and see. I see more deeply than before. I see what my past has done to me; the thoughts, the inescapable connections in my brain that have been hard wired because of a choice or a thought, whichever it may be, that occurred a long time ago. Sometimes I …
When NO is the Answer
As a parent, often it pained me to say “no.” When we ask God for something and He says “no,” how do we react? Do we get angry or curse God? Looking back on my life, I’ve seen times where God clearly said no. Sometimes I couldn’t understand why. Even though we may feel rejected or punished by God, He always knows what’s best, and may be purposely guiding us in a different direction. Accept the unanswered prayer, or the unresolved questions in life, and know that God’s got something better for you. Isaiah 46:11 – “From the east I …
Mission: God, Please Don’t Let Me Screw Up My Kids
I hid in the closet and cried. I very seriously questioned why God thought I would make a good mom. I just spent the better part of an hour yelling at my kids for disobedience, unplanned messes, and chores undone. As I sat in the closet, I believed they deserved better than me, that I was surely screwing them up for life. They need a calm mom who drips grace from her lips. A perfect mom. I had officially punished myself with a time out because I failed. Motherhood has challenged every part of me. Being a …
How To Be In The Word When Your Children are Small
Motherhood is crazy. I get it. You barely had time to wash your hair this morning or go to the bathroom without a hand reaching under the door, much less crack your Bible open and read. Someone needs juice, there are diapers to change, places to go, clothes to wash, and the list goes on. There is no rest for the weary mom. Or is there? Just last week we were rushing into church a little late on Sunday morning. An older gentleman passed me in the hallway and informed I looked a little tired and …
Train Up A Child
Challenge from the Book of Judges: Train Up A Child “After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.” Judges 2: 10 The new generation neither knew God nor what he had done for Israel. The new generation not only does not know God — no personal relationship – but they do not even know about Him. Learning about God – factual information – can draw others in. We can think of it as tilling up the soil of the …
The Prayer of a Father-to-Be
“Oh Lord I beg you. Let the Man of God You sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.” Judges 13: 8 Isaac. Samson. Jesus. The miraculous announcement of each baby was provided in advance. The response by Manoah, the father of Samson, is recorded in Judges 13:8. When told of God’s plans for Samson, Manoah responded in prayer. Two key points in his prayer provide prayer prompts for us. First of all — He begs the Lord. Do you and I come before God with a …