Don't Wait

We are a vanishing mist.

Category: Spiritual Growth

Yonder Breaks a New and Glorious Morn!

December 12, 2020 /

I’m currently doing a book study with a group of girls from church called “Advent: The Weary World Rejoices” by Lifeway Women which can be ordered HERE.  I was drawn in rather quickly by this book simply by the title which is, of course, a line from the well-known Christmas carol “O Holy Night.”

A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

Do you identify with that second line?  I know I certainly do, especially at the current time we’re living in.  During this year, I’ve seen more division than I’ve ever seen in my 44 years of life.  The Covid-19 pandemic alone has divided people on many levels.  Masks vs. No masks.  To quarantine or not to quarantine?  Vaccine or no vaccine?  Shut down businesses to protect people or let the virus run its course?

And then there’s the loneliness that is being experienced by nearly everyone.  Elderly people in nursing homes are unable to see their families, people who are housebound due to age or a disability are further isolated in order to protect them, and the immunocompromised have to be selective about with whom they have direct contact.

Some families have chosen not to get together to celebrate birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays in order to slow the spread of the disease.  Children are confined to their homes the majority of the time and if they live in an area where they are allowed to attend school they are kept 6 feet away from their teachers and peers.  As I wrote in THIS post back when the pandemic first started, we were not created to be socially distant.

And how about the racial division?  I’m ready for the dissension to be behind us.  I hate to see people full of so much hatred and hurt lashing out at each other.  I long for peace on earth, but in my opinion I don’t think that is realistically attainable on this side of heaven.  

We’re weary, but yet we can rejoice.  Think of all of the years of waiting for the birth of Jesus.  Imagine not hearing from God for 400 years.  What FAITH it must have taken to trust that even though He was silent, the long awaited King would one day arrive.  Thankfully, He did indeed arrive and now here we are over 2,000 years past that sacred night awaiting His return.  We’re worn down by life as we know it and long for our heavenly home.  This is where our hope must lie.  The fact that this world will soon be behind us is the reason that we can rejoice.  

For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

As I was praying about this post, this next line popped in my head.  We can have confidence in knowing that no matter how hard this life gets, a new and glorious morn is in the distance.  We are to press forward toward the goal as Paul instructs us to do in Philippians 3.  If you are a Christ follower as I am, then you are just passing through.  Our 70-80 years here on earth are miniscule compared to eternity in the glorious home that we are headed towards.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  ~ Philippians 3:20-21

Our perspective should be an eternal one.  This world will pass away!  Our lives are but a mist (James 4:14).  I have never longed for heaven more than I do right now.  I have never identified more with what Paul said in Philippians 1:21-23:

For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying—well, that’s better yet!  But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don’t know which is better, to live or die!  Sometimes I want to live, and at other times I don’t, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here!

Oh how I feel this deep in my soul!  I can often feel an ache within as I yearn to be in my heavenly home where I will spend an eternity with my creator and lover of my soul.  But, for now, I am here which gives me more time to share Christ with those around me.  This brings me to one of my life verses.

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.  ~ Acts 20:24

As Christ-followers, we have the hope that so many are longing for.  Our lives are pointless if we don’t share it with others.  We don’t have the time to wait.  Now is the time to share with them that a new and glorious morn is coming!  We are holding this gift in our hearts and we must share it.  

It’s easy to see that there are so many who are looking for hope and security in the wrong ways.  For some, it’s a vaccine.  For others, it’s national and state leaders.  And this list goes on indefinitely: money, job security, prestige, fame, house, spouse, pastor, government…there are countless ways that people try to fill themselves.  But, these things only bring temporary pleasure.

And let me add a little disclaimer here.  I am no better.  I certainly get swept up in the cares of the world and forget where my focus should be.  I get tired and overwhelmed and instead of looking to Jesus for answers, I try to do things myself.  I make things of this world my idol, often thinking these may fill me.  But, they don’t!  That’s when he brings me gently back in and reminds me that He is all I need.  If I have the answer to the unsettledness that I at times feel, why wouldn’t I share it with others?

Things are a bit tricky and it’s hard to reach out to people with the current pandemic, so you may have to get creative.  There are some who wouldn’t feel comfortable being over for dinner, but maybe you could drop off a plate of cookies.  Or who doesn’t love getting a card or letter in the mail?  A face to face conversation may not be possible, but a phone call would work, too.  Strive to build relationships so that you can share the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) that so many people are longing for.

No matter how worn out you are, don’t lose heart.  Our eternal reward is on the horizon.  The greatest way to find complete peace is to focus first on Jesus, and then on others.  He tells us to first love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and then to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).  Let’s get our eyes off of our own weariness and focus on serving others so that they can experience the promise that we have of a new and glorious morn.  Let’s rejoice even in our lassitude as we pass the reason for our thrill of hope to those around us.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

Plumb the Depths

November 13, 2020 /

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  ~ Roman 8:28

If you’ve been in church any amount of time you’ve probably heard this verse a time or two (and probably more).  Think closely about the words of this promise.  God works for our good in ALL things.  He doesn’t say in just a few things or in SOME things.  He says ALL things.  That means the good as well as the bad.  

In an earlier post which can be found HERE, I wrote about the time that God spoke to me after my second father (Papa) passed away.  His words calmed me for a bit and eased some of the turmoil that was ravaging my mind. I also mentioned that throughout my entire grieving process, I had some really tough days, but it was His voice that would always quiet my soul and reorient me back to Him.  I would have never dreamed that losing Papa (one of the worst days of my entire life) would be used for my good. But, God did use it for something amazing because that’s just the kind of God that He is.

Let’s rewind to about 6 months prior to Papa’s death.  I had reached a point in my spiritual journey where I felt stuck.  Even though I had gone to church faithfully for my entire life, I could not wrap my head around God’s love for me.  I couldn’t understand how He would love ME and care for ME in spite of all that I was.  I struggled to comprehend the depth of it, though I earnestly desired to.  So, I began asking Him to help me to grasp His love for me.  I had read a book called Deeper, by Debbie Alsdorf, which told the story of how God had used Psalm 139 to bring healing to Debbie’s life by taking what she knew in her head about God’s love and planting it in her heart.  I knew that I desperately needed the idea that God loved me to be shifted from my mind and to become deeply embedded into my heart.  

I printed Psalm 139 out in several different versions of the Bible and began pouring over them.  I would spread them out in front of me as I knelt on the floor, begging God to help me understand His love and care for me.  I would read each verse slowly from all 4 different translations that I had printed out, just trying to find SOMETHING that would make it all click for me.  

This search continued until Papa passed away in July of 2008. My pursuit of understanding was put on the back burner (or so I thought) as I worked through my grief.  For the remainder of the summer, my mind was still clouded and my world was dark and gray.  I typically am not an emotional person, but for the next few months, I cried every single day.  I had never felt such deep sorrow.  I was advised by several friends to take my time grieving, so I took their words to heart.  I knew that I needed to grieve properly in order for healing to take place.  

About 3 months in, bitterness began to creep its way into my life.  How could God do this to me?  The only thing that made me feel better about losing my first dad was that my mom had married Papa.  If my first dad had not died, Papa would have never been in my life.  But now, they were both gone.  Why would God make my mom a widow at the age of 34 and then again at 59?  She still had many years left to live.  She had always served God and lived a good life.  She didn’t deserve this.  And what about my kids?  They had lost their grandfather whom they were very close to.  My flesh and earthly perspective took over and I forgot all about the fact that the trials and adversities in this life have purpose.  I lost sight of the promise that His ways and thoughts are higher than mine. 

Over time, I began to hate the way that I felt.  Bitterness just doesn’t feel good when it festers and festers.  It begins to bleed into all areas of life and can be a huge, unnecessary burden.  So, I told my husband that I was going to dig my heels in and work through the resentment that I was feeling.  He patiently supported me through the long, arduous process. I used my journal as my outlet and didn’t hold back as I wrote.  My entries were written to God because I knew that my healing could be found in Him.  But, I was pretty angry with Him, and I laid it all out.  I confess I said some pretty harsh things.  I lashed out, questioned Him, and said things that I never should have said.

A few months into this process, I was standing in the bathroom and picked up a copy of “The Message” (a translation of the Bible) and opened it to begin reading.  I’m not even sure why I was reading in the bathroom, but the exact moment will forever be etched in my memories.  I randomly opened to Ephesians chapter 3 and began reading where my eyes landed.

16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit – not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength – 17 that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 18 you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! 

The very second that I read, “Plumb the depths!” I felt every single bit of bitterness and anger that I had been carrying around COMPLETELY disappear and I felt an overwhelming, deep sense of love that was undeniably from God.  Think about it.  I had certainly tested its length.  And I had undoubtedly plumbed the depths.  I had said nasty things to God.  Things that He didn’t deserve.  Things that were terribly cruel.  And in spite of all that I had said, God loved me so much that He reached down and in a split second He healed my heart.  The healing has remained for 11 years and I’ve never once felt even an ounce of resentment since that day.  It was truly supernatural.

Can you see that God uses all things for our good?  Losing Papa was one of my absolute biggest fears.  Knowing that I would no longer have his love and support here on this earth again absolutely wrecked me. But, God had used one of the most tragic events in my life to answer my prayer.  He taught me about His love.  I finally got that He loved me deeply no matter who I am at the core of my sin-filled being.  Even when I had said nasty, hateful things to Him, He touched my heart and healed me.  That is something that only God himself can do.

Are you in need of healing in an area of your life?  Don’t Wait to ask God to mend you.  Remember that He can use every single thing to work for your good, to bring you closer to Him, to make you more like Him, if you will just allow Him to.  Reach out to Him and experience the breadth of His love.  He loves you more than you can fathom.  I know that I still don’t completely understand how deeply he cares for me because my human mind can’t even begin to comprehend that.  But, I do know that His love is immense and it’s His desire to bring you ever closer to Him.  It doesn’t matter if you are new to faith or a seasoned believer, ask Him to use every area of your life for His glory.  Do it today.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

Above All, Put on Love, Part 2

July 31, 2020 /

In my last post found HERE, we looked at Colossians 3:12 where we are told to put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience just as Jesus did. This is especially vital during this day and age where there is such division in our country. Today we will move on and look at Colossians 3:13 and the necessity of forgiveness.

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Unforgiveness is something that I battled for ages. If someone offended me or treated me unfairly, I would hold onto the hurt and live as a victim. I kept myself in bondage unnecessarily, but thankfully the Lord wanted me to be free from this. He has had to work in me over the years and I’ve found that the journey of correction is often tough. I’d love to share the story of one such lesson that he taught me many years ago.

Several years ago, my husband worked for an organization that was Christian based. Our entire family was heavily involved in his work and much of our social circle was comprised of people involved in this particular organization. His job was our life. Unfortunately, things went sour and my husband was let go. It was determined that he was not a good fit for the position. After a few days, the shock wore off and bitterness and anger began creeping in.

How could this happen to our family? This decision did not just affect my husband. It affected our entire family. We had to give up friendships and a huge part of our lives. We had put so much time and energy in and sacrificed countless hours, only to be let go.

My reaction in this situation was anything but Christlike. I distanced myself from all Christians and “took a break” from church. I stewed in my resentment for several months but hated the way I felt. I began asking the Lord to help me to forgive because I was tired of feeling heavy and angry. I slowly began going back to church and on one particular Sunday, our pastor spoke on forgiveness. I was to the point in the process that I couldn’t even figure out how to move forward. I felt stuck. During the sermon, I began to realize what I needed to do.

The next day, I contacted the leader of the organization as well as a few others and we met for a chat. The only agenda for the meeting was for me to apologize for the way I handled things. I wasn’t there to point fingers or rehash any of the details. I was simply there with a repentant heart to confess my wrongdoing and to ask for forgiveness for my attitude. To be honest, they didn’t even know that I had held onto things as long as I had. Yet, I knew that I had to apologize.

That night, the Lord completely healed my heart. The hurt and bitterness were gone and I was able to look at the situation with a completely different perspective. I knew that the leader of this organization as well as everyone else involved (including us) were humans. We’re all broken people and none of us are perfect. The situation was two-sided and both sides no doubt contributed to the issue. We all learned valuable lessons from the situation as a whole and God has brought restoration to the relationships. As a matter of fact, I ran into a few of them within the last year and was able to hug them with genuine love and talk to them without one ounce of ill feelings.

Have any of you ever struggled with this? Is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive? How easy it is to get our feelings hurt and hold onto the grievances that we feel. We get upset when our Facebook friends don’t agree with us and then we hang onto our negative feelings. Or if receive hate just because of the color of our skin (and I am talking to all races here), we let that fester and influence our relationships. But, we are called to forgive!

St. Augustine said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” 9 times out of 10 when you are carrying around bitterness, anger, and resentment, the other person has gone on living their life without a thought of you. Carrying this baggage around hurts no one except you. When my husband was let go of his job, I put myself in prison. His employer went on living while I sat feeling sorry for my husband and our family. That was so much time wasted!

We are often so quick to judge others without looking at ourselves first and realizing that we are no better. Nor do we look at the consequences of our judgment. Jesus gave us a clear illustration of this in Matthew 7:1-5. The first 2 verses say this:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

These verses get me every time I read them. The way I judge others is the way I will be judged. I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to be judged harshly. If I want to be shown mercy, I must first show mercy to others. I remind my children all the time that when someone lashes out at them it’s important to look at the entire situation. More than likely, the person who has hurt them has been hurt by someone else. Or maybe they have reacted out of fear. It’s easy to see that the social unrest and division that our country is experiencing stems largely from fear and pain. Many are terrified of COVID, so they are angry when they see people unmasked or not following guidelines. There are those who have been hurt by other races, so they are projecting their pain onto others. And then there are individuals who are anxious about the upcoming election results. They can’t understand why anyone would be a Trump or Biden supporter. They are terrified of the direction our country is heading, so they loudly voice their opinions. Grace should be shown in each of these situations.

And then Jesus uses a hyperbole to further drive home His point:

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

The first time I read these verses I was somewhere around middle school age. I remember how strongly these words affected me. Could Jesus have made this any clearer? It’s easy to look at the little speck in the eyes of those around us without looking at ourselves first. Just a quick glance at ourselves will allow us to see the large, splintery plank hanging out of our own eye. So, we have a choice. We can judge others and let bitterness and resentment consume us in our day to day interactions, or we can offer unmerited grace just as Jesus offers to each of us and forgive those who have wronged us (or those with whom we do not agree).

Colossians 3:14, the last verse of the passage that this 2 part post began with, ties all of this up beautifully.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Christ’s love is what will bind all of us together, no matter our differences. Without love, we cannot exhibit compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience which were discussed in my previous post. And without love, we cannot forgive.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

It’s easy to see that the qualities of love are the opposite of unforgiveness. We need to be patient and kind to each other, even when we disagree. Let’s work to honor others and put them above ourselves even when they hurt us. Fight against being easily angered and resist keeping a record of wrongs even when we feel our family has been treated unjustly. Instead, let’s make every effort to protect each other and persevere through our differences and disagreements. It’s what Jesus calls us to do. And always remember, DON’T WAIT!

Above All Put on Love, Part 1

July 23, 2020 /

Back in June, my husband encouraged me to take a 2-week social media break because I was so burdened by the things I was consistently reading. My anxiety was through the roof as I continuously felt as though I had an elephant sitting on my chest and that I had been kicked in the stomach. It’s common for me to carry other people’s burdens around even though that is not my job. I am so bothered by all that is going on around us, but not for the reason that you may think. I do not fear the election results or the direction our country is headed in because I know God is at the helm. I am not even fearful of the virus. I may get it. I may even die. But, that doesn’t bother me. I know Who holds my future and He has written every day He has for me in His book. Instead, I am grieved by the response of all humanity, especially the Church, to all that is going on. The racial division, the political disputes, the nasty comments and posts, the bickering back and forth, and the lack of compassion are disheartening.

4 weeks later, I am still on my 2-week social media break 😉 and I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve had to make a conscious effort to focus on God’s truth instead of the bitter vitriol that is being spewed among strangers, neighbors, friends, and even family.

It is vital, especially during these times in which we are living, for us to exhibit the very essence of who Jesus is. Truth has been so distorted that people no longer know which way is up. So many have lost their way and are consumed with self and what makes them feel good. Fear has gripped the hearts and minds of many throughout the entire world. The only answer to all of the turmoil going on around us is Jesus, so we must show them who He is by both our actions as well as our reactions.

As I was praying through all of this, I came across Colossians 3:12-14. These verses hold so much truth and I think we all need to dig deep into what they say. Let’s start with verse 12:

Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Let’s break this verse down. First, we are to put on compassion. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that compassion is the sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Wow! So, we aren’t supposed to just feel sympathy, but we are to have a desire to alleviate their distress. This makes me think of the racial division we are currently witnessing in our society. So, how can we show compassion? Perhaps with hearts to serve one another and by trying to understand one another. Let’s look for ways to alleviate the distress of our brothers and sisters (no matter the color of their skin) by serving them.

Next is kindness. Consider the kindness of Jesus. He touched the untouchable and healed the lepers. There was also the woman with an issue of blood who had a hemorrhage for 12 years and was legally deemed unclean. When she reached out just to touch the hem of His garment so that no one knew she was around, He not only healed her, but He stopped to acknowledge her. Jesus showed kindness to the unlovable. We are surrounded by many these days who feel unlovable, especially when they loudly voice their opinions that do not line up with ours. It’s easy to turn our backs and write them off because they are unreachable in our minds. But, perhaps showing kindness will soften their hearts. If they see anger from us instead of kindness, they will want no part of Jesus and all He has to offer.

Humility. I can think of no one as humble as Jesus. I cannot fathom being the creator of the universe, the savior of the world, and taking the form of a servant here on earth. Yet, He did. Just prior to His death, Jesus humbled Himself and washed the feet of His disciples. Their feet were no doubt caked in dirt and manure since roads were made of dirt and they wore sandals back in those times. What a symbol of love and humility! Even Judas who would betray Him, Peter who would deny Him not just once but 3 times, and Thomas who would doubt Him received this loving gesture.

And then there is meekness, which I believe is often misunderstood. This does not mean that we become timid doormats who let others walk all over us. The article “Who are the Meek? Why did Jesus say “Blessed are the Meek”? says this, “Meekness is not weakness. Sometimes we confuse the two. But the difference between a meek person and a weak person is this: a weak person can’t do anything. A meek person, on the other hand, can do something but chooses not to.” I love this so much! Jesus demonstrated this perfectly in Matthew 27:12-14 as He was brought before Pilate just hours before His crucifixion. “12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?’ 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” If I am on social media or talking in person to someone that I do not agree with, I can show restraint. This doesn’t show weakness. It actually shows that I recognize that voicing my opinion can just cause more division. It’s ok if others don’t agree with me. I don’t have to always prove my point and I don’t need to defend my stand on the latest hot topic.

Lastly, we have patience. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 that even though he was the “foremost” sinner, he was shown “perfect patience” by Jesus. Paul (formerly known as Saul before his conversion) was “ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Even with this extreme persecution of Christians, Jesus chose to convert Saul. He didn’t lose His patience or write him off. He didn’t punish him or strike him down permanently. Instead, He showed Saul great mercy and chose him to carry His name. Paul went on to write 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Even those around us who are tearing down our faith and ridiculing us for our beliefs should be shown patience.

In my next post, we will move on to the next verse(s) in this passage. Until then, let’s really focus on striving to be like Jesus. When we see friends arguing over political matters or Christians vehemently disagreeing with each other, fight hard against participating in the division and instead show compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Showing these virtues may just be what pulls someone from the grip of fear that has them bound. Let’s show them the hope that can come from Jesus and Jesus alone. And whatever you do, Don’t Wait!

Continue Steadfastly in Prayer

May 28, 2020 /

What do you do when you receive bad news?  Do you call a friend?  Do you get angry?  Do you try to fix the problem yourself?  Or do you immediately talk to God?

God has been gently nudging me lately and reminding me that I need to pray more.  Not just quick little prayers throughout the day, though those are important, too.  Rather, He’s been reminding me to really get down on my knees and commune with Him.  Let’s think about this:  how do we stay connected to our spouse or significant other?  We share our innermost thoughts and feelings and the particulars of our day.  Shouldn’t this be even more so the case with our Savior?  It is vital that we take time out of our busy day to talk to Him.  Nothing in life should be more important or pressing than this.  And when life knocks us off our feet, we should immediately hit our knees before talking to anyone else or looking for a solution within ourselves.

Jesus Himself even prayed while on the earth.  He was God in flesh, yet He still talked to the Father regularly.  Luke 5:16 (NIV) says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”  Notice that He prayed OFTEN.  He didn’t just occasionally pray.  This was His way of life.  If we strive to be more like Christ, then we must emulate this discipline that He lived out.  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all mention Jesus going to a mountain alone to pray.  So, not only did Jesus pray regularly, He would go off on His own to pray in solitude, no doubt to drown out the distractions in life.  We must set this time aside during our day.  It was a regular part of his day, and it should be for us, too.

I was recently challenged by the first several chapters in Nehemiah.  At the beginning of the first chapter, Nehemiah received the news that the wall of Jerusalem was destroyed and its gates were burned.  He was devastated by this report.  It’s what he did next that really got my attention.  Instead of feeling sorry for himself or getting bitter and angry, Nehemiah said, “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”  He went straight to God before doing anything else.  How often do we neglect doing this?  If you’re like me, it’s pretty common that I try to figure things out on my own first before going to God.

The results of Nehemiah’s prayers speak to God’s faithfulness and show us the benefits of a healthy prayer life.  After praying, fasting, repenting, and mourning, Nehemiah (who was the king’s cupbearer) went to the king to ask for permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.  Not only was he given permission to go, but he was given letters for the governors of the areas he would pass through with permission to travel.  He was also given a letter to the keeper of the king’s forest which gave him permission to use timber in order to rebuild the walls.  But, that wasn’t all.  Once the construction began, Nehemiah began to meet opposition.  There were groups in Judah (which Jerusalem was a part of) who were opposed to the project, so they schemed to come together to fight against Jerusalem.  Nehemiah, yet again, did not cave to the bad news.  Instead, he once again went straight to God.  “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as protection against them day and night,” (Nehemiah 4:9).  With half of his men building the wall and the other half guarding, Nehemiah was successful.  As the wall was completed, Nehemiah said, “And when all of our enemies heard it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”  Our ultimate goal in life should be to let God’s glory be seen.  Nehemiah’s prayers and faith allowed just that to happen.

So, what do we do when we receive bad news?  We should go straight to Jesus in prayer.  That’s what He wants!  He longs to commune with us.  He desires an intimate relationship with us.  My husband and I have been getting better at living this out.  There are many times that I’ll bring an issue up to him and he’ll say, “Let’s pray.”  Just recently we were discussing an issue that one of our children was facing.  After a few minutes of talking about a solution, I said, “Let’s pray.”  And that’s exactly what we did.  The issue is still there, but we have peace knowing that God will work even this for our child’s good.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

When we find out that our child is facing a huge mountain, we don’t have to fear.  It’s easy as a parent to jump straight in and nervously try to fix things for them.  But, that is the wrong tactic.  I’m not saying we say a quick prayer and then ignore the problem with a flippant, “Oh, God will handle it.”  Instead, we should immediately get on our knees and ask for wisdom.  Don’t try to handle things on your own.  Don’t lay awake night after night in fear and worry.  It’s hard to believe that anyone else could know our children better than we do, but God does.  He knows what’s best for each and every individual child that we have.  

When we find out we’ve lost a job, we shouldn’t become bitter and angry and question God.  We saw from Nehemiah’s example that it’s ok to cry and mourn.  But, along with that we should pray immediately as we are joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.  Let’s give God a chance to let His glory be seen and known.  Our lives should forever be a reflection of His.

When you receive bad news from your doctor about that medical test that you just had run, God saw it coming.  When you are shocked to find out your spouse is unhappy and wants out of the marriage, God is not surprised by the news.  When you get the call that a family member has been in a bad accident, God sees and is grieving with you.  In Psalm 139:16, we are told that every single day that God ordained for us was written in His book before one of them even came to be.  Shouldn’t we WANT to talk to Him since he knows every intimate detail as well as the solution to our problems?  There is no human on earth that has the answers that He has.

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Notice that each of these three verses mention thankfulness.  How often do we thank God and simply praise Him for who He is and what He’s done?  It’s so easy to only go to God and ask, ask, ask, or complain, complain, complain.  How selfish we are!  He’s reminded me lately that not only do I need to go to Him immediately in prayer as each new circumstance in life arises, but I also need to simply recognize who He is and praise Him!  Our prayers should open with praises and prayers of thanksgiving instead of looking at God as a genie.  He desires intimate conversation and praise.  

As life throws you curveballs or as it weighs you down, Don’t Wait to go to God in prayer. If you do this, you will experience peace, hope, and joy instead of fear, worry, bitterness, and hopelessness.  As I’ve begun practicing this lately, I’ve seen firsthand the effects of this type of living.  My nervousness dissipates, my confidence in Him grows, and I see Him work.  He is near to all who call Him (Psalm 145:18) and wants to be near to you.  Open your day with prayer and call on Him immediately instead of spinning your wheels trying to solve problems on your own.  He is waiting for you.  So, whatever you do, Don’t Wait!

Walk In a Manner Worthy of Your Calling

May 14, 2020 /

Last summer, I was having breakfast with a friend and she said something that really caught my attention.  She said something along the lines of, “As believers, shouldn’t everyone we come into contact with notice that there is something different about us?  Shouldn’t they see something in us that they want, too?”  Her question really got my attention because there is such truth to it.

We are called to be like Jesus.  Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us that we are to be imitators of God and walk in love as Christ loved us.  Let’s think about Jesus’ life here on earth.  Once His ministry began and people began to realize that the long-awaited Messiah had indeed come, they began to seek Him out.  They wanted just a glimpse, just a touch of His robe.  Jesus spent His time on earth walking in love among the dregs of the earth with grace and mercy.  At times, he had masses of people following Him for days at a time. There was just something about Him that attracted people.  There was something different. Something magnetizing. Something that people wanted to learn more about. His love drew people in.

This has made me question myself. Do I walk in a way that attracts people? Do they see something in me that they desire? Of course, this has nothing to do with me. It is CHRIST that I long for them to see. 1 John 2:6 says,”Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”  So, what should that look like?

If we want to walk as Christ did, we must love one another.  John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  I feel like in this age of social media, this is where we SERIOUSLY FAIL!!!  If we are arguing with each other, posting condescending articles, and spewing hate, no one will want any part of Jesus.  We are the ones that give Him a bad name.  About 15 years ago, I heard a quote by Gandhi that grabbed my attention.  He said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”  Let that sink in for a minute.  There is much truth to that statement.  We have to do better!

Paul urges us to in Ephesians 4:1-2:  “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  

Let’s break this down a bit.  As we go about our day to day lives, whether that be at work, in our neighborhoods, or on social media, we are called to strive to walk in humility.  Christ demonstrated this for us in the most unbelievable way.  He is the Creator of the universe and Savior of the world, yet He wasn’t born to a rich King who lived in a palace.  He didn’t live a life filled with riches and wealth.  Instead, He came down to earth, was born in a stable, lived among the people, hung out with the outcasts and sinners, and was a servant.   He couldn’t have been more humble.  

Paul also encourages us to walk “with gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” This is not an easy task!  If you notice, all 3 of these  (gentleness, patience, and love) are Fruits of the Spirit.  A good way to tell if you exemplify these qualities is to insert your name with each fruit.  Kendra shows love.  Kendra is joyful.  Kendra is peaceful.  Kendra is patient.  Kendra is kind.  Kendra shows goodness.  Kendra is faithful.  Kendra is gentle.  Kendra exercises self-control.  Talk about humbling!!!  Oh, how I often miss the mark!  We all do.  But, as we grow in our relationship with Christ and prayerfully become more like Him, these should become more and more evident in our lives.  I pray that these attributes will point others to Christ as they recognize their need for Him.

This brings me to the same conclusion that I will always come to.  In order to become more like Christ and for others to see that He is all that will satisfy them, it is essential to be in His Word every single day.  I know I sound like a broken record, but this is the most crucial piece of advice I can give.  We must KNOW His word.  We must study it.  We must meditate on it.  We must memorize it.  That means every single day, even when we’re tired and worn out from a late-night with our newborn or sick child. Or when life’s troubles are pressing in on us.  And especially when the entire world is shut down due to a pandemic.  It’s an absolute must and is a prerequisite for learning to walk as He did.  We have what the world needs.  They just need to see it.

Our lives are flipped upside down right now.  People are fearful and we are more divided than ever. Let’s pray that the lost will see Jesus in us.  Pray that they see that we have something that they desperately need.  Let’s reach out to our neighbors with gentleness and patience.  Let’s be imitators of God and love the way Jesus loves us.  Let’s show humility as we put others before ourselves and reach out to those whom many won’t.  And whatever you do, Don’t Wait!!!

Honoring God With Clean Eating

May 6, 2020 /

Until just a few months ago, my diet was pretty sad.  I was a sugar addict and ate my fair share of processed foods, mainly just out of convenience.  I’m a busy mom and it’s much easier to throw a frozen pizza in the oven than to cut up and saute fresh veggies in order to start a healthy dinner.  Pathetic, I know.  Because of my eating habits, I just didn’t feel well.  I was sluggish, a bit on the depressed side, had bad headaches at least 3-4 days a week, and often had back pain.  My clothes were getting tight and I knew my eating was getting out of control.  I live in an area of the country that is cold 9 months out of the year, so there are long stretches of the year where I can’t get outside for much exercise.  I’ve also gotten into this terrible habit of eating comfort foods full of carbs and sugar, so I put on 10 pounds every single winter.  I don’t eat a lot, I just don’t eat the right things.  By Spring, I feel horrible, yet I continue to let the cycle continue.  God began convicting me that He has more for me.  

You see, our bodies and this life are a gift.  God has given them to us, so we should show our thankfulness by the way we treat them.  When we are given a gift, we typically take care of it in order to show the giver that we are appreciative.  We don’t misuse the gift or destroy it.  Why should our bodies be any different?

In February of this year, our pastor began talking about doing “The Daniel Fast” as a church because we would soon be in the season of Lent.  If you are unfamiliar with Lent, this is the 6 1/2 week period leading up to Easter Sunday.  It’s a time of reflection and remembrance for Christians as we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us through His crucifixion and resurrection.  Many people “fast” or give up various things in order to better focus on the season. The small sacrifice of giving up certain types of food or an activity (such as tv or social media, for example) serve as reminders to pray as the cravings hit.  The Daniel Fast is based on Daniel 1:8, 12, 13, 15 which says,

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way… ‘Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’ At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”

The modern-day Daniel Fast lasts 21 days and is the cleanest form of eating you can find:  fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, sprouts, etc. can be consumed.  On the other hand, meat, poultry, fish, white rice, bread, caffeine, preservatives, additives, white flour, sugar, etc. are to be avoided.  I knew that I was supposed to participate as soon as I heard our pastor announce the fast, but I absolutely DID NOT want to.  I casually mentioned it to my husband hoping he would blow the idea off which would make it easier for me to ignore what I knew I was supposed to do.  But, the opposite happened.  As soon as I mentioned it, he said, “I’ll do it.”  SIGH.  

I began doing some quick research because I had no clue what I was doing.  I found some Daniel Fast approved recipes and we headed to the grocery store.  I was surprised to find that healthy eating really doesn’t cost as much as I thought it did (the expense of healthy eating was a common excuse that I often used in order to avoid it).  The next day, the fast began and, I admit, I did not go into it with a great attitude.  The first week was HARD.  Cooking was time-consuming, I craved carbs and sugar, and wondered if it was all worth it.  We had family in from out of town at the end of the first week and they requested some of their favorite foods that can be found in our area of the country.  Their requests are also some of my favorites, so saying no to big, fresh donuts, pizza, and the most delicious ice cream sundaes I’ve ever had was difficult.  But, I persevered with a little bit better (but not much better) attitude.

By the end of the 2nd week, I started realizing a few things.  First of all, the amount of time it took to cook  was really not that bad.  I had to get creative with when to squeeze it in, but I was doing it.  Also, I was surprised at how much better I was feeling.  My body was getting rid of the crap I had put into it for years and my energy was increasing.  My weight was decreasing and my clothes were fitting better.  One of the most exciting realizations that I had was that I hadn’t had a headache in 2 weeks!  I knew that I was doing exactly what God had called me to do. 

The conversation I had with my husband on the 21st day (which was March 21) was shocking compared to where I had been when the fast began.  Instead of being excited that we’d soon be able to once again eat whatever we wanted, we were both a little sad that it was ending.  We were feeling the best we had felt in years and absolutely did not want to go back to where we were 3 weeks prior.  So, after a little tweaking, I am happy to report that we are still eating clean for the most part.  We have occasional “cheat days”  but overall, we are on track.  I’ve also added a little dairy simply because I like cheese and enjoy a periodic glass of milk.  We have continued to eliminate meat, white flour, white sugar, bread, fried foods, preservatives and additives, white rice, margarine, etc.  We are both down 10 pounds and are feeling great.  

Here are a few things I’ve learned from clean eating:

  1.  When God tells us that we need to exercise self-control, that includes our food choices.  Being controlled by sugar cravings is not pleasing to Him.
  2. I have much more energy when good things are going into my body.  The natural foods that God gave us fuel my body much better than manufactured and processed foods.
  3. Eating clean allows my body to stay at my natural body weight.  I was amazed by how quickly I dropped 10 pounds simply because I was able to rid my body of the terrible foods I had been eating.
  4. Cutting sugar from my diet has eliminated headaches.  There have been a few times on cheat days that I’ve eaten some sugar and within an hour or so my head is pounding.
  5.  God gave us life so that we can serve Him.  If I treat my body well, I will have the energy and focus to follow him well.
  6. I LOVE avocado!  I had always turned my nose up to this fruit, but it’s become one of my favorites.  It’s chocked full of nutrients and is easy to add to a variety of dishes.  I even enjoy slicing it in half and eating it with a spoon.  
  7. My rice steamer can be used for more than just rice, and I don’t know why I never realized this! Our favorite meal has become brown rice and beans.  I simply put brown rice, water, diced onions, green peppers, and celery, a can of red beans drained and rinsed, a can of Rotel, a tablespoon and a half of cumin, and a tablespoon of oregano in my steamer, turn it on, and within 25 minutes it’s all set to go.  Add some avocado and you have a filling, delicious, healthy meal.

My goal is to next get our children on board.  We’re not quite there yet.  As a matter of fact, as my husband and I were eating our black bean soup for dinner last night, one of our older teenage kids said, “I feel like you guys eat the same thing every night, just a slightly different color brown.”  I think it’ll take a bit of convincing to get her to join us.

I am only 9 ½ weeks into this, and I must rely on God in order to continue.  I still have sugar cravings at times, and I know that if I don’t stay on guard, I’ll be right back to where I was.  I’m praying that He will give me the strength to continue moving forward. Apart from Him, I can do NOTHING.  I hope this post inspires you to eat healthily.  We only get one life to live and we need to make the most of it.  Take the time to take care of yourself and serve God even with your diet.  And whatever you do, Don’t Wait!

A Prayer of Protection For Your Family

April 23, 2020 /

I absolutely hate the damage that I see happenng to so many around me.  No matter how much people are trying to stay in touch, disconnection is happening.  Online church services are great.  Zoom meetings are serving their purpose (sort of).  Facetime calls allow some connection.  But, face to face, human interaction can never be replaced.  I’m still so bothered at the thought of people dying alone.  I’m sad for parents who have to send their children into hospitals all by themselves (this happened to a friend and it wasn’t even COVID-19 related).  I hurt for families who are unable to visit sick loved ones.  I personally know of people who have recently died from natural causes (totally unrelated to the virus) and friends and families are unable to grieve together due to social distancing. Instead, meals, cards, and flowers are being left on porches as they talk to and cry with their loved ones from at least 6 feet away. Those who live alone are desperately lonely.  People are feeling desperate because they’ve lost their job and have no clue how they’ll feed their families.  Suicides are beginning to occur because people are scared, lonely, and feel hopeless.  I recently heard the story of a 99 year old man who committed suicide because he felt our current circumstances signified the end of time and he couldn’t bear to see the end result.  Imagine that.  He lived NINETY-NINE YEARS.  NINETY-NINE!!!  Can you imagine the things he had lived through and the things he had seen?  Yet, fear overtook him.  I’m afraid we will see more and more of this in the days and months to come.  I’m fearful of the psychological damage that is being done to people all across the world.

So, what can we do to combat this?  How can we protect our children?  How can we fight back against the fear, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness?  For my family, I’ve been using Psalm 91.  I think many people have been reading this Psalm as a cry for physical protection which is great.  The Lord has impressed on me, though, to pray this for my family for spiritual protection.  Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  We have an enemy who is on the prowl.  He is walking around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  He WANTS us to feel despair.  He WANTS us to be depressed.  He enjoys watching us suffer.  He loves the hopelessness that many people are feeling presently.  We MUST be on guard.  Mommas, pray for your husbands and babies (no matter how old they are).  Daddies, pray for your wife and children.  Personalize Psalm 91 and pray this over your household.  

1 We who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 We will say to you Lord, “Our refuge and our fortress, our God in whom we trust.”

3 For you will deliver us from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

Let me stop right there.  With all that our world is facing right now, we, of course, read “deadly pestilence” and think coronavirus.  But, can I tell you something?  Yes, God CAN protect us from earthly things such as disease.  He never promised that He will, though.  Instead, the deadly pestilence I think of here is Satan’s schemes, spiritual harm.  God will absolutely protect us and deliver us from the things that can harm us spiritually.  And THAT’S what matters.  That’s where our hope lies.  

4 You will cover us with your pinions, and under your wings we will find refuge; and your faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 We will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

We will not fear the pestilence.  I was looking at the commentary “Barnes’ Notes on the Bible,” and this is what he said about the phrase “the pestilence that stalks in darkness” (Psalm 91:6)  (think of the coronavirus as you read this).  “Not that it particularly comes in the night, but that it seems to creep along as if in the night; that is, where one cannot mark its progress, or anticipate when or whom it will strike. The laws of its movements are unknown, and it comes upon people as an enemy that suddenly attacks us in the night.”  Sound familiar?  I’ve heard countless people say that this virus can be anywhere at any time and we will obviously have no clue because we cannot see it.  We have no clue whom it will strike next.  But, we cannot fear it because it cannot take our souls.  Our souls are what matter and spiritually, God has us covered with His wings.  

7 A thousand may fall at our side, ten thousand at our right hand, but it will not come near us.

8 We will only look and see the recompense of the wicked.

Think of that!  Satan is hurling thoughts of fear at our families.  He’s heaving the idea of hopelessness at us.  But, through God’s protection, he cannot come near us.  We will only look and see what he’s trying, but he will simply fall by our side.

9 Because we have made you, Lord, our dwelling place – the Most High, who is our refuge – 

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall us, no plague come near our tent.

Once again, this is not saying that we will never suffer physical harm.  A relationship with God does not ensure us an easy, pain free life.  It’s actually quite the opposite.   Though He loves us,  adores us, He allows pain.  Actually, BECAUSE he loves and adores us, He allows pain.  This pain perfects us, refines us, makes us more like Christ.  Instead, the plague that will not come near our tent is Satan.  The next time he tries to whisper lies to you, remember that when we dwell in the shelter of God and call Him our refuge, our fortress, our God, he cannot befall us.

11 For you will command your angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways.

12 On their hands they will bear us up, lest we strike our foot against a stone.

13 We will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent we will trample underfoot.

14 Because we hold fast to you in love, you will deliver us; You will protect us because you know our name.

He knows your name!  The creator of the universe knows your name.  He commands His angels to guard your thoughts and your mind.  Pray this for your family that you will be protected from that which can harm you spiritually.

15 When we call to you, you will answer us; You will be with us in trouble; You will rescue us and honor us.

16 With long life you will satisfy us and show us your salvation.

Think about the long life He will give us.  Once again, we aren’t looking with our human eyes, but instead with our spiritual eyes.  My dad was an amazing Christian man and the Lord saw fit to take him at the age of 37.  He didn’t live a long life here on earth.  The long life He will give us is in our heavenly home.  We are just passing through here.  The burdens of this world are only momentary when compared to eternity.

I copied this Psalm in my journal and have been praying it over our family every single day.  Here is the prayer I wrote at the bottom of the page:

“Lord, please hear us.  Protect us.  And not necessarily physically.   Pray we’ll all have our eyes on you and only you.  We can’t look at everything around us.  

Protect us spiritually.  I’m not concerned with physical – no matter what happens, I know eternity is all that matters.  I pray that all six of us plus future spouses and generations to come will follow you and YOU ALONE.  I do not fear physical threats.  Protect us, though, from spiritual threats.”

God’s desire is to cover us with His feathers. He wants to be our shield and buckler.  I encourage you to pray against the possible psychological effects that this period in history can have on your family.  Fear, despair, depression, and hopelessness are what Satan wants us to feel.  But, we have the HOPE and PROMISE of our God who will use all things for our good and who will answer us and be with us in trouble.  Keep your eyes on Him.  Don’t look to the right or to the left.  Ask Him to protect your family both spiritually and mentally.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!

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Don’t Wait to Parent With Peace

March 10, 2020 /

We are living in an age that can be very scary as a parent.  The world seems very upside-down and we are witnessing our country experience major changes.  We know that there is an enemy who is out to destroy our families, so we must be on guard. Through my years of parenting, I’ve discovered that there is only one way to parent well and that is by being in God’s word every. single. day.  I can’t stress this enough. Notice I didn’t say we must read the latest parenting books or ask Siri or even friends for wisdom. Those things can be useful and very beneficial, but at the end of the day, only God Himself knows what is best for your family.  

Even though I was raised in church, this is not a discipline that I practiced until later in life.  I would read a few times a week and I fully believed in God and everything that He promised, but it took going through a deep depression to realize how much I NEED God, especially as a parent.  A few years ago, my pastor was preaching a sermon and used John 15:1-5 as a reference. John 15:5 really stuck out to me (though I had heard it a million times) and the last part has become my mantra.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” (my emphasis added)

“Apart from you, Lord, I can do nothing.  Apart from YOU, I can do nothing. Apart from you, I can do absolutely nothing.  Apart from you, I can do nothing.” This is my cry throughout the day, nearly every day.  And guess what? He gives me exactly what I need. We absolutely cannot parent in the times that we live in without spending time with Him DAILY.  It’s hard, I know. You’re tired. You’re running here and there. You’re up late with your newborn. You’re chasing your toddler all day. You’re working your job.  You’re cooking dinner. You’re driving your children to games, practices, and classes. Our lives have become insane! BUT!!! Time with the One who created us, who sustains us, and who gives us peace is a necessity.  

When the alarm goes off in the morning, it’s tough to not continuously hit the snooze button until the last possible moment because you are exhausted and running on fumes.  But, Don’t Wait to take the time. Get up 15 minutes early. If your kids are wired the way mine are, they probably have some sort of radar that lets them know when you are awake, so they will get up, too.  I have to admit, I would often stop reading when this would happen and would move on with my day. If I could go back, though, I never would have done that. I would have found the time. I know that it would have made me a better mom, one with more peace. If your children wake up early, as mine inevitably did, get down on the floor while they play and read next to them.  Think about what that will teach your child. Or take time during their nap while the house is quiet. You could also try turning a movie on to entertain them for a bit (I’m giving you permission – it isn’t going to hurt them). Or how about after they’re in bed? Breast-feeding mommas, read during a few of your feedings throughout the day. Whatever it takes, you cannot afford to skip this! Over time, 15 minutes will turn into 30 and 30 into 45.  It’s like any other healthy relationship. The more time you spend with Him, the more you’ll find any moment possible to do so. The relationship will just get deeper and deeper and sweeter and sweeter.

Here are just a few benefits I’ve found of spending time in God’s Word:

  1.  Spending time in God’s Word will keep our hearts in the right place as we guide our children.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 

I see two specific things in this verse that stick out to me.  First, God’s word is alive and active. This is why even though I had read John 15:5 over and over, it didn’t stick out to me until a few years ago.  You may feel you know what the Bible says, but reading a verse one day and reading the same verse a few days later can impact you in a different way. Also, His Word judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  As parents, we must constantly allow God to judge our thoughts and attitudes. And how does He do this? He speaks to us as we pray and spend time reading the Bible. We are responsible for guiding our children and if our thoughts and attitudes do not line up with God’s Word, we will do a poor job of this.

  • 2. Spending time in God’s Word will guide you as you are making critical decisions concerning your children.  

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105

We need God to guide us, especially in the times we’re living in.  We’re navigating unchartered waters as we parent during this age of technology.  Our children (even our little ones if we aren’t careful) are inundated with information that we did not have access to when we were kids. Porn is easier to access, videos and ads expose them to the evils of the world such as mass shootings, diseases, and other matters that they do not need to worry with (even if we try to shield them, their friends will fill them in), and cyber-bullying is a concern because their peers can hide behind a screen. A very wise older woman at church pointed out to me that our generation cannot ask older generations of parents for advice on social media and technology because they didn’t have to face the decisions that we are having to make.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been praying for wisdom concerning issues such as this and a verse will pop out that points me in the right direction. He alone knows what works best for my kids. If we ask Him, He will guide us through His Word during these uncertain years.  

I heard a sermon on this verse (Psalm 119:105 from above)  years ago by Pastor Jerry Gillis at The Chapel at Crosspoint and it has stuck with me.  He said the lamp that David is referring to is not a modern-day lamp that lights up the entire room.  It’s an oil lamp that illuminates only a small area. So, God shows us a step or two at a time. This is why we must be consistent in our time with Him.  We can trust that He will guide us through each little step that we take when we are in daily communion with Him. We don’t have to look way down the road with fear. That should bring such PEACE!  We don’t have to make decisions regarding our children on our own. He gives us the wisdom that we need.

  1.  3. Spending time in God’s Word enables us to parent peacefully.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

This is a verse I memorized when I was deep in depression 20 years ago.  It has gotten me through some very dark times in life. Let’s take a look at what it says.  First, we don’t have to worry! There are so many things to think about, past, present, and future, as we parent our children.  Instead of fretting over these concerns that are often far beyond our grasp, we should pray. It’s that simple. Pray, tell Him what you need, and thank Him for all He’s done. When we do this, we will experience PEACE that won’t make any sense.  How can we have peace when our children are at risk of contracting the latest virus or when they have to go through lockdown drills at school in case there’s ever an armed madman in their school building?  It’s because of Christ. His peace truly will guard your heart and mind. I am proof of that. I’ll share my rocky journey into motherhood at some point, but just trust me when I say I started out as a very nervous mother that was so consumed by fear that I could barely function for the first year of my firstborn’s life.  But, time in His Word daily has taken all fear away.  

  1.  4. Spending time in God’s Word gives us strength.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1

I would encourage you to read the rest of Psalm 27.  It’s a great reminder of why we need God. He will give you the peace, strength, guidance, and wisdom you need to make it through these scary, uncertain, exciting, and precious years you have with your children.  Don’t Wait to begin this practice. I’ll be honest, I am only 4 and a half years into making this a priority every single day even though I have attended church the entire almost 44 years of my life. I cannot tell you the difference it’s made in every area of my life.  I no longer live in fear, especially as I raise my children. God gives me a peace that I cannot explain and I so desire for you to have the same. Take the time to make God the number one priority in your life. And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!!!

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