A Long, Loving Look At God

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, GOD -of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Attention, all! See the marvels of GOD! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” (Psalm 46:1-3, 8-10 MSG)

As I end this year, a flood of memories come to mind. Memories of joy and struggle, happiness and hardships. Memories where I have felt alone and desperate but also memories where God has shown me the power of love and community. 2014 has been the most trying year of my life but also, the most rewarding. I have learned so much about myself and most importantly about God and His unending love and providential plan. 

Psalm 46 is a beautiful reminder of where safety and provision comes from. As I get ready to start 2015, the truth that He is in control and has my life and my purpose figured out is comforting. I dread suspense and the unknown but having a God on my side that knows and is never surprised gives me the courage I need to step out on faith and push myself into what could be. 

As 2014 ends and 2015 begins, I want you to meditate on Psalm 46 and take a long hard look at God and what He offers. Be comforted by His safety and providence but be bold and courageous and allow Him to use you in ways that are uncomfortable and scary. God can and will use us all for great things if we allow Him to. 

Let's take a long, loving look at God. Step back from the noise and the traffic. Allow God to reveal to us what He is doing and ask Him if we can be part of it. I pray every morning, "Lord I don't know where You are going, but wherever it is I want to go too." Allow Him to be your safe haven and stand fearless on the edge of 2015 with reckless abandoned and a willingness to love and live radically for Him. 

On the last day of 2014, I celebrate His providence. I celebrate the safety He provides and I celebrate the courage given to those who trust and have faith in His plan. I celebrate the long, loving look I have at my Creator and marvel at His goodness and grace. 

Let's celebrate the safe place He provided in 2014, and celebrate the strength given to face the unknown in 2015. Live boldly and love radically my friends. Allow our God to do something amazing through you because He will if we allow Him too. 

The Do Not's That Show Us What He Can Do

In the book of Leviticus God says "do not" 76 times. 76 times He warned us against behaviors large and small that are forbidden. 76 times He said "do not" and as I read through the book of Leviticus, it is apparent that mankind will never be good enough.

I know the Law was created by God to keep Israel safe and to separate His people, but I think also it was designed to show mankind their need for a Savior. God knew no one could keep all His commandments so sacrifices for atonement were made to cover the sins of the people. Before God breathed life into man The Father knew He would send the Son to be the Savior and ultimate atonement for man's sins. 

You see my friends the "do not's" show us the power of what Christ can do. They show us our shortcomings and sins which convict us of our need for a Redeemer. 

As I read through Leviticus I can't help but celebrate every time I read "do not". I celebrate out of His love He commands us "do not" and it is through this  command that Christ came and fulfilled the Law as an atonement for all sin and a sacrifice for all mankind. I celebrate the "do nots" for each one reminds mankind they will never measure up and in this reality, conviction allows Christ to move and transform lives and communities. 

  

Do not and cling to the One that did take all the "do not's" upon Himself so we could have the opportunity to truly live. Do not live under the blanket of sin and shame any longer. Accept the One who came to take all the guilt and sin upon Himself for He knew His fate and willingly came anyways. Christ does for us what we cannot do for ourselves and that my friends is something to celebrate today! 

God Welcomes A Heated Conversation

All this came down on us, and we’ve done nothing to deserve it. We never betrayed your Covenant: our hearts were never false, our feet never left your path. Do we deserve torture in a den of jackals? or lockup in a black hole?

If we had forgotten to pray to our God or made fools of ourselves with store-bought gods, Wouldn’t God have figured this out? We can’t hide things from him. No, you decided to make us martyrs, lambs assigned for sacrifice each day.

Get up, GOD! Are you going to sleep all day? Wake up! Don’t you care what happens to us? Why do you bury your face in the pillow? Why pretend things are just fine with us? And here we are—flat on our faces in the dirt, held down with a boot on our necks. Get up and come to our rescue. If you love us so much, Help us! (Psalm 44:17-26 MSG)

Wow! David's words are pretty strong in Psalm 44. He feels wronged and he is letting God know it. I wonder, do we have such open and transparent conversation with God? Do we talk to God in a raw and real way? 

I think we at times don't feel like we can be open and honest when we talk to God. The truth is we have nothing to hide for He knows it all anyways but when we voice our frustrations, sorrows, and doubts something beautiful happens. We give God the opportunity to respond, to comfort, to reveal. We open a dialogue with our Father that is raw and intimate which strengthens our relationship with Him. 

You see friends dialogue is when two individuals are having a conversation. Our prayers are not monologues, they are dialogues so talk to God about your worries, fears, and doubts. Give Him the chance to respond. He will respond friends if we allow Him to come to us through our prayers and conversations.

Today I celebrate a God who welcomes heated conversations. I celebrate a God who knows me inside and out so I have no reason to hide. I celebrate the dialogue I have with God for He is active and desires to communicate with His children.

Never forget He is there. Never forget is listening and never forget He knows all so you have no reason to hide. Be transparent, be real and give God the opportunity to respond. 

A Wrapped Present

There is something exciting about a wrapped present. The mystery of what's inside and the excitement that swells in me as I daydream about the possibilities. Maybe it's something handcrafted and exquisite designed just for me or maybe it's something valuable and expensive that the giver sacrificed to give so I would have more than I imagined on Christmas morning.

As I look at and ponder a wrapped present, I am flooded with the ideas of what it could be. You see my friends while that present is wrapped, it could be anything. A wrapped present is a symbol of something wonderful that is to come. Given with love and intentionally designed to make the receiver feel happy, loved, and valued.

So today let's celebrate a wrapped present and the possibilities they bring, for Christ Himself gave us a wrapped present on the day of our baptism and acceptance of His sacrifice. A present we daydream about and contemplate how wonderful and glorious it will be as we wait eagerly to open the wrapped present we have through our salvation in Christ Jesus. The gift of heaven and all the wonders this place holds. The best gift by far we have ever been given. 

Heaven. The place where He holds us and we no longer wonder about anything for them we will be made known. Where everything is perfect and good. Pure and lovely. Where worship is constant and the light never goes away. The wrapped present that is ours and no one can take from us. Given to us by the Father, heaven the best present of all. 

Let's celebrate the gift He gave us when we sacrificed everything to give it to us. Let's celebrate and praise the Giver of all things good. God, the maker and creator of all things is our Father and our friend. He gives us so much and loves us unconditionally. Heaven, the wrapped gift He gave, is a great reason for us to celebrate today! 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:3-7 NIV)

God Puts A Smile On My Face

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. (Psalm 42:11 MSG)

It's so easy to get down in the dumps. A misinterpreted conversation with a friend can anger you or terrible service at a restaurant during the only date night you've had in months. Maybe it's traffic or you got a bad grade on a project or had a hard day a work. The everyday trials of life that try to rob us of our joy and purpose can really leave us feeling down in the dumps where we need a reservation for a pity party of one please.  

David speaks words of wisdom to us when Satan has derailed our joy. We need to fix our eyes on God and soon we will be praising again. Sometimes you have to live life with tunnel vision where we are fixated and focused on Christ and His goodness. When we focus on Him and what He has done, we see the blessings in the everyday trials and the awareness of the blessings makes us smile in the midst of the temporary distractions. 

So next time my Lily trashes her room when I just cleaned it up, I need to tunnel my vision on what a blessing it is to have a 5 year old who is happy, healthy, and able to play dress up. When things aren't going my way at work, I need to tunnel my vision on the blessing I have to provide for my family in a safe work environment. When I feel left out of a conversation or feel misunderstood by a friend, I need to tunnel my vision on the truth I have a Savior who understands me and calls me friend. 

I don't know what your everyday trials look like, but I do know that they are small battles everyday that we must be victorious over. When the enemy is victorious and causes us to loose focus, we miss opportunities to share the gospel and risk living life staying fuzzy and unfocused to things of God. Satan wants you to turn a blind eye to the blessings of God and he wants to rob you of your smile. We must be victorious and focus on what He has done, is doing, and will do in the life of a willing servant. God is good all the time, and we must tunnel or vision on God's promises in the everyday trials. 

Let's celebrate today the words of David and really put them into practice. Let's not allow Satan to rob us of our joy through the everyday nuisances and misunderstandings. Let's fix our eyes on God and soon we will be praising again for He puts a smile on our faces. He's our God and that's something today I can celebrate. 

We Can See!

God’s love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.

How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light. (Psalm 36:5-9 MSG)

He opens our eyes to light by blessing us with the ability to see Him and to know His ways. God does not leave us to wonder alone, blinded by our own ambition and the worlds ways. He cares about us far too much and His loyalty is astronomic.

In His love and mercy we can find safety and acceptance. He is the ultimate protector because He nurtures and provides for us like any loving father would. We can find what we need and feel secure if we are holding unto Him. 

His blessings are so savory and delicious because they are designed just for us and exactly what we need. We are His children He knows us and is eager to give us gifts. All things good, pure, and perfect come from Him; presents for His children. I want to stock up on His blessings and marvel in the abundance of goodness He gives. 

He is a fountain of cascading light; meaning He is forever pouring out what is good AND He reveals His goodness to us so we can share in it. We are no longer trapped by our blindness that was caused by what is evil.

Celebrate my friends because He pours out what is good and invites us to share in it. Celebrate for your blindness is healed through Christ and He welcomes you into the safety He can provide. Celebrate you're God's family and He calls you child. Celebrate the gift and the Giver who opens our eyes to who He is. We can see! 

The Newness of Each Day

I have friends that are struggling with what life has thrown their way. They feel alone, overwhelmed and abandoned. These seasons of life are hard and Satan wants these times to break us and to cause us to turn our back on God's promises.

The book of Lamentations brings comfort and gives us all a cause to celebrate. For each morning is new and each morning His love and mercies are created new for us again. 

So it might feel dark at night but take heart because the morning will bring love, joy, and comfort if we cling to Him. After all, when nothing is going my way I got to throw my hands up, cry, and cling to His promises because He's all I got left. 

Let me give you cause to celebrate my friends. When life doesn't make sense and you feel like the world is against you, hang on and cling to His promises so you can celebrate at sunrise! For each morning His loyal love and mercies are created new for us and, if we choose to stay faithful to Him, He can fill our despair and emptiness with gratitude and celebration! You are not alone and He is strong enough. Sleep easier tonight and get ready to embrace His love in the morning! 

GOD ’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. (Lamentations 3:22-24 MSG)

A Fresh Start

 

Psalm 32 is very encouraging. Don't we all long for a clean slate. A fresh start where nothing is held against us so we can meet our full potential in Christ. I don't know what marks are on your slate. Maybe it's a failed relationship or it's financial decisions you wish you could rewind and do over. Maybe its an addiction or habit you struggle to overcome. Maybe it's a past of anger and apathy that you want to wipe clean and fill with love and understanding. Whatever the marks, the advice David gives us really stands out to me...

⁸ Let me give you some good advice;
    I’m looking you in the eye
    and giving it to you straight:

⁹ “Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
    that needs bit and bridle
    to stay on track.”

 

David is saying, "Listen and listen closely. Don't allow the trials of this world to pull you and sway you. Don't allow Satan to place doubt and feelings of inadequacy inside you for marks that have been wiped clean. Stay on track. Do not waver. We are so lucky and should be happy even in times of trial because God has provided us with fresh start and holds nothing against us."

When Satan says, "You could never do that... You will never be good enough to... You aren't qualified, smart enough, out-going enough, or capable of much."
 

God says, "You can through Christ be something amazing because I (GOD) hold NOTHING against you! You are loved and qualified for the task at hand not because of what you have done but because of Who I Am." 

Friends, we can do amazing things. Our past is forgiven and forgotten. Stay on track and listen David's advice because God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around. So let's sing and celebrate for He gave us a fresh start and in His goodness and mercy, He chose to do amazing things through us to bring honor and glory to His name! Own it and claim it my friends, hold nothing back so you can be what He created you to be! 

Celebrate a fresh start as you read Psalm 32 today!

A David Psalm

32 Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—
    you get a fresh start,
    your slate’s wiped clean.

² Count yourself lucky—
    God holds nothing against you
    and you’re holding nothing back from him.

³ When I kept it all inside,
    my bones turned to powder,
    my words became daylong groans.

⁴ The pressure never let up;
    all the juices of my life dried up.

⁵ Then I let it all out;
    I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—
    my guilt dissolved,
    my sin disappeared.

⁶ These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
    when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
    we’ll be on high ground, untouched.

⁷ God’s my island hideaway,
    keeps danger far from the shore,
    throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

⁸ Let me give you some good advice;
    I’m looking you in the eye
    and giving it to you straight:

⁹ “Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
    that needs bit and bridle
    to stay on track.”

¹⁰ God-defiers are always in trouble;
    God-affirmers find themselves loved
    every time they turn around.

¹¹ Celebrate God.
    Sing together—everyone!
    All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

Greeting Cards and Roller Skates

One of the ways my mom expresses love is through gift giving. She loves to buy my children things. I think she is always looking for something my kids would enjoy or an outfit they would look cute in. Every few weeks a package will arrive for my children or a greeting card with a warm note and five dollar bill. My children always get excited when a new box comes in the mail because they know if it is from Nana, it is going to be packed with care and personalized just for them. I'm terrible at gift giving and remembering to send cards so this beautiful display of her love and affection for my children is inspiring and endearing to me.

My mom asked me what the kids really wanted for Christmas and my children really wanted roller skates. My mom was excited about getting them this gift and I knew if she was picking them out they were going to be amazing. When the box arrived in the mail, mom wanted the kids to try them on to make sure they fit so the kids tore into the box and the whole house was filled with jumping and excitement. My mom had given each child a quality pair of beginner skates. Each pair had a nice shoe and light up wheels. The skates were nicer than anything you can find at a toy store and I could tell mom had ordered them special from a skate shop. Each pair had a note and my kids were so excited about this special and personal gift.

I'm so thankful for my mom and her language of love. I'm so thankful God has blessed her with the ability to express it. It inspires me to be more giving and to intentionally think about others and how I can better express to them the love of Jesus. Mom does not have to take the extra time and care to mail my children a box but she knows the joy that box brings, so she sacrifices her time and resources to do this willing and lovingly. It brings my mom joy to give unconditionally. Does unconditional giving bring me as much joy?

As I watch my children twirl and skate I meditate on God and the gifts He gives out of love. I celebrate Jesus and the gift He gave to mankind on the cross for He did not give what was leftover, He gave us the best and everything He had. Christ gave to us sacrificially and out of unconditional love and my mom reminded me of this through her example of giving. 

So I celebrate each greeting card mailed with love and each box packed with care for someone this Christmas season. I celebrate all who sacrifice and give above and beyond so others can experience Christ through the giver. I celebrate the excitement a personalized package can bring and I celebrate the opportunities we each have to personalize a package in His name. Let's set an example of personalized giving this Christmas season and allow Christ to use us so others can feel loved, valued, and appreciated because nothing says God's love quite like greetings cards and roller skates.

Whispers In My Ear This Christmas Season

There are times in life when you just feel defeated. You try so hard and work so hard and with a phone call everything you thought to be true is tested and you wonder if you even had it together at all or if you were just fooling yourself. I don’t know if you can relate friends but it seems the more I live life radically for Christ the more Satan tries to test my resolve and place doubts in my mind about who I am and what my purpose is.

I recently went through a spiritual battle where I truly believe I was fighting the forces of evil and I was given a choice to show I trust or buy the lie the world was selling. I could justify buying the world’s lie and believing I deserve more than what God has to offer and I will be honest, friends I was tempted to.  I was tempted to go with my gut reaction of selfishness instead of listening to God’s voice and what He desires. I had a choice. Trust and love radically or behave the way the world says I should act.

Was I who He called me to be? Or was I just playing dress up like a small child. Did He see value in me? Or was I not good enough to be used for His glory. You see friends, Satan will whisper, “You aren’t enough and you never will be. Stop playing dress up and face reality.” This venom spewed in a time of worry and fear can cause your faith to teeter on the edge of a cliff.

As he whispered and enticed me with the world’s lies and offerings I started to feel my resolve wavering. In times of weakness when nothing seems to make sense, Satan will intensify his attacks. It is in times like this that we must call scripture to mind, hold unto the promises of God and embrace our frailty and worthlessness apart from Christ.

We must cry out, I’m not good enough and never will be BUT HE IS! I am not very valuable EXCEPT TO HIM! I don’t have much to offer BUT HE DOES! In times like this we must call on Him and His strength because He’s the source of strength and power and all things good anyways. The world believes what we do is based on us, but that is a LIE. What we DO, who we ARE, what we are WORTH is based solely on HIM!

When I called on Him, He came and He brought me strength and perspective. He gave me peace and assurance that He had this under control. As I was able to be compassionate, He became my comforter. When I chose to be joyous, He provided me with opportunities to smile and laugh. As I trusted in Him, He provided encouragement to me through others. As I praised Him through times when my life didn’t make sense, He showed me a simple but profound truth… He can handle it.

I don’t know what battle the enemy is waging against you this Christmas season. I don’t know what lie the world is trying to sell you or what doubt is being whispered in your ear but friends, DON’T BELIEVE IT. Our God came to earth as a baby in a manger to save us and redeem us from our worthlessness. He gave EVERYTHING to whisper in your ear, “You ARE valued. You ARE loved. You ARE beautiful. You ARE not alone and you ARE created for something special.”

This Christmas season lets stand together as children of God and say we will not buy the lies of this world but we will trust and believe in the simple truth that He can handle it. Let’s allow Him to give us the gift of provision as we trust in His goodness and rest in His love. Let’s allow the God of the universe to radically transform our lives, families, and communities when we stop buying the world’s lie that we are not useful, inadequate, and never good enough. Let’s stop fooling ourselves by thinking we deserve more than what God has to offer and joyfully embrace His redeeming grace and abounding love which is so much more than we deserve. 

Lord God we praise You. We praise You for your perfection and Your ability to make us perfect through Christ. We praise You for the gentle whisper of Your voice that speaks to us saying,“You ARE valued. You ARE loved. You ARE beautiful. You ARE not alone and you ARE created for something special." Keep whispering to us God, for we need to hear your voice...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

~ James 1: 4-7

Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.

Expect God to get here soon.

 ~ Psalm 31: 24

I wasn't expecting that from my check up...

We had a presentation on wellness at school few weeks ago and a free lunch was served so it was going to be a win regardless. The speaker addressed the importance on taking care of yourself and offered us a free consultation at her clinic. Those that know me, understand my love for free stuff. So I'd made an appointment and found myself in the waiting room of a wellness clinic.

I really didn't know what to expect. I figured I would at least learn a little more about my current physical health and that information intrigued me. As I sat in the doctor's office and waited for my consultation, I found myself thinking about my spiritual health. I spend so much time focusing on my weight, lack of exercise, and poor diet but I wonder, do I focus as much on my prayer life and study time. It bothers me that I am still wearing maternity clothes. Does it bother me just as much that I'm not intentionally trying to memorize scripture?

My physical wellness needs work but is my spiritual wellness also in crisis? As I ponder this thought, even weeks later, I find myself realizing I need a life style change. I need to intake less junk so I can improve my physical and spiritual health. If I'm honest with myself, I'm intimidated by this realization. Not because I don't want to become more healthy, but because it takes time and dedication and in my humanness I easily can sink back into a comfortable routine. I have proven time and time again that I can diet but I struggle to make lasting lifestyle changes.

I was telling my husband about this today and His advice really resonated with me. He told me I need to think less of myself and stop focusing so much on me. What? His advice confused me at first but the more I thought about it the more it made sense.

If I constantly think I need to... I should do... I better be, then where does Christ fit in? I can't and I've proven that with my failed attempts at lifestyle change but if I stop focusing on my inability and start focusing on His reliability He will cultivate a willpower within me as I discipline myself to sharpen my focus on Christ. Through small acts of submission and choosing to celebrate while I live joyously I can change my physical and spiritual lifestyle.

In the mornings when I wake up maybe if I start the day off spending a little quality time with Him, my mornings would not be so stressful. If I set an alarm on my phone to pray and praise my Creator maybe I could focus better on what is important and not sweat the small stuff. I could put others first which if I do intentionally, can resonate through all aspects of my life.

By putting the health and well fare of my family first it causes my lifestyle to have a priority shift. What I want to eat is irrelevant the only thing that matters is what my family needs to be healthy. When we put the needs of others first, we become happier, healthier and more joyous because we have focused our attention on what Christ loves, His people.

As I rock sweet Stella I celebrate that my God loves me enough to keep refining me. I praise Him and am so thankful He's not done with me yet. May I sharpen my focus on Him and take it one step at a time as I focus my attention less on my ability and more on His reliability. May I care more about my spiritual health and prioritize what is truly important.

Lord make me over on the inside and help me to daily surrender to my humanness so I can think of You and think of others. Everything else will fall into place.

I Just Want to Run and I Don't Mean for Exercise...

Some days I just want to run and I don't mean for exercise. Admitting this is difficult and could cause others to pass judgement but truly there are days as a mom I just want to run. The more I live and watch my children grow the more I realize I cannot fix every problem or bubble wrap them from pain. They will be upset and there will be times I cannot protect them or stop them from crying. Being a parent can sometimes be overwhelming and I just want to run because the pain and stress their tears cause me can be almost unbearable. 

Stella is starting to suck her thumb. I have two thumb sucking girls currently and it is a constant battle in our home to break this addiction with our daughters. I promised myself I would not allow Stella to suck her thumb but my daughters seemed cursed to follow the same path as they all have tried to soothe themselves with this attached instrument of dental destruction. I put a glove on her hand this morning so she would not be able to put her thumb in her mouth and, as her sisters before her, she would not be deterred but tried to suck her thumb through the glove.

I know this is a small battle to fight but as I drove to work this morning I couldn't help but think how desperately I want her not to do this. I find myself angry at my girls and annoyed by this habit. I know the hardships Stella will face as she tries to break this habit if it is formed and I don't want to fight this thumb sucking battle with another child because I feel like I am constantly loosing as the habit is not broken but my daughter's confidence is.

It doesn't matter what the problem, as a mom we hate to see our children struggle. We hate to see them hurt, unappreciated, or caught in a habit or addiction that they cannot break. No matter what form hardship takes in their life we feel the weight multiplied and even worse at times can do nothing to lighten the load. 

Being a parent looks nothing like I thought it would and if I had known the reality of what I know now, I would do nothing differently because even though there can be great pain there is always uncoditional love. A love so great and so pure it can only be felt by a parent for their child. A love that is displayed through Stella's smiles or Lily's laughter. A love that is given when Sam draws me a picture or Lucas curls in my lap to watch a show. They do not doubt I will always be there and I cannot replicate the satisfaction I get from tucking them in at night. Being a parent can sometimes be overwhelming but I just can't imagine a better name to be called than mom. 

I wonder if God in His wisdom knew we would go through these highs and lows in parenting so He chose to have us call Him "Father". Think about it my friends, our God can empathize with what we are going through as parents. He gets it. He knows what it is like to watch a child go through hardships and pain. He knows what it is like to offer a solution and only be rejected. He understands what it is like to loose His child and to watch His child be mocked and abused. He gets our pain friends truly He does and I wonder if that might be a reason why He chose to allow us to call Him "Father". An name we can understand and a name we can correlate with unconditional love and protection. 

As I watch sweet Stella sleep and I think about all my kids and the hardships they have faced I celebrate that God is my Father. I ponder this relationship I have with Him and celebrate the love that He gives to His children. I celebrate no matter what I am going through, He is big enough to handle the pain and will never run because He loves me unconditionally, His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in my weakness.

I will never be a perfect mom. I will make mistakes. I will loose my temper and I will feel the inclination to run. The world is broken and so am I but my God is not. If I daily surrender myself to Him and take it one step at a time He will provide me with what I need to be the mom my kids need me to be. Even dirty clay can be molded into a beautiful piece of pottery if allowed to be worked by the Potter. 

Lord, I give myself to you now. A dirty piece of clay not of much use to anyone so mold me. Mold me into something that is strong and able to face the challenges of life and motherhood. Something that can serve those around me and prepare my children for the challenges they will face ahead. Something that is durable and able to withstand the hurt and pain my children face without breaking or running away. Something that is memorable and able to tell a story that brings honor and glory to Your name.  Above all something that is truly Yours so I can worship You forever.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
~Isaiah 64:8

First Encounters and Photo Opportunities

I love visiting with international students in our community. They are so kind and polite. They are always positive and very thankful when you cook a meal or give them a ride. One of the things I enjoy the most though is watching them play with our kids. They love family and miss being away from their family so they seem drawn to our rag tag crew.

It’s always fun to watch the interactions between Stella and the students the first time they meet her. For most, she is the first American baby they have ever held. They take pictures with her, coo at her, and try to get her to talk. They ask questions about her age and her development while they tell me how beautiful and precious she is. They are delighted to meet her and every time I have one of these encounters I am amazed by the attention and love my sweet girl receives. I see and hold many babies in our community but for our international friends, Stella is the first and that makes her special. That makes their candid meeting a photo opportunity and they ask if I can take their picture while they hold her and smile at the camera. 

I woke up this morning with this imagery on my mind and began to ponder the love of my Heavenly Father. It hit me very hard and strong as I remembered the excitement and joy Stella gave our new friends. You see our Heavenly Father loves us as if we were the only one. God would have sent Jesus to pay the price for my sins if I were the only one in need of being saved. He greets me everyday with an intensity only given to a first encounter because the Bible says His love and mercies are made new every morning.

God loves us all with a depth that cannot be measured and desires to give us love and attention to fill the void left by sin and abandonment. Those who embrace the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross become part of an eternal family, Christ’s beautiful and precious bride the church. So they will always have community and be loved in a real and valuable way.

As I watch sweet Stella sleep in her bassinet, I celebrate the intense love God has for us. I celebrate the sacrifice that was made so I could have an encounter with my Creator. I delight in His love and the family I am part of in Christ Jesus. Our God came down from heaven in the form of a man to meet us in our shame and restore our brokenness. There was nothing candid about this plan to save humanity and that makes Him special.

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great is your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God. He’s all I’ve got left.

~Lamentations 3:22-24

Some Things Are Not Easily Replaced

I wouldn’t consider myself a sentimentalist. I develop attachments to people not possessions but the few items I treasure are irreplaceable and have a deep meaning and impact on my life. When Nick and I first got married we were in ministry at a small country church. Sheri and Larry attended this small church and we instantly connected with them and their children. They always strive to put God first in their lives and instill Godly principles and values into their home. They served, loved, and cared for others and Sheri always knew how to make you laugh and bake a mean cheesecake. I love this family dearly and it’s been almost 15 years but we are still connected, consider them role models and esteem them greatly. God placed them in our lives when we were young and in need of mentorship. They showed us with their words and actions Christ’s love, grace, and forgiveness to mankind.

When Lucas was born Sheri gave our children the first edition to a Hallmark ornament series. She told me how she gave each of her children an ornament every year to hang on the Christmas tree and she wanted to start a collection for my children as well. I was grateful for her generosity and every year Sheri would give the kids the next edition in their ornament series. My children became attached to their ornaments and as the years went on, they treasured this keepsake as much as I did.

Time passed, children grew, people changed, and our ministry at the church came to an end. We kept in contact through an occasional text or conversation with their children but we did not visit as often with one another. As the years passed, during the Christmas season we would receive a visit or a package from this family with the ornaments for our children. We would visit for a few minutes or exchange a thoughtful text and the kids would put their ornaments on the tree. When Lily was born, they started her an ornament series as well and as the ornaments multiplied my appreciation for their kindness over the years swelled inside me, as this simple act became my family’s most treasured Christmas tradition. These ornaments are precious to me and one of the only possessions we have that I truly cherish.

Sheri in her wisdom knew something almost 15 years ago because of her life experience and wisdom gained by her growing children. She knew time could not be replaced and as the years passed the ornaments would become a treasured memory of each Christmas season for my family. Every Christmas I take time to celebrate this thoughtful gesture demonstrated to us by a Godly family. Each year when we decorate the tree, my children reminisce on Christmas' past and carefully, with thoughtfulness and love, hang their ornaments on the tree. My children are so proud of their ornament series and get so excited every year to see open the Hallmark box and hold their new ornament.

This is Stella’s first Christmas and I wasn’t sure if Sheri was going to start her a series. I hadn’t talked to them much this year and we have grown even farther apart because of distance and busy schedules. I think and pray for their family often but in my humanness, have not made time to reconnect. Last week a box came in the mail and inside was a Christmas ornament for each child including sweet Stella. A simple note enclosed said “Surprise!” and I was flooded with memories of their family and the kindness they have shown to us.

Sheri knew. She knew the impact these ornaments could have on our family and in her wisdom and love for Jesus she did for me what I did not have the wisdom to do for myself. I treasure these ornaments and the love they represent. Not only the love for my family but also the love for my neighbor and most of all the love we have for Jesus. This thoughtful gift given every year at Christmas time reminds me of God's love and their willingness to show it.

As I rock sweet Stella I think about my own life. Do I give in my wisdom and love for Jesus so others can have a treasured keepsake year after year? Have I impacted the life of someone with as much intensity with a repeated act of kindness? You see friends it is easy to give a gift but to remember a long lost friend each year and bless them with a reminder of His love and how much you care is a gift that is rarely given. One-time gifts are valuable but gifts given year after year to build a collection of memories that are loved, valued, and appreciated are irreplaceable.

I celebrate the Sheri’s of the world and their generosity to others. I celebrate the opportunities we have to help others build lasting memories and irreplaceable treasures when we are wise and generous. I pray God will give us wisdom on how we can bless with a small gift and begin a collection of memories in the repetition of giving year after year. I celebrate our God and His repeated gift of grace and mercy to a sinner like me. Thank you Jesus for seeing the value in a gift repeatedly given. May we each strive to love in a way that is not easily forgotten or replaced.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

~ 2 John 1:6

Celebrate Those Crazy Mornings Even If You Haven't Had Your Coffee Yet!

My days depend on the kind of morning I have. Some mornings I wake up on time and rested. The kids get ready quickly without complaining and they are waiting to leave for school by the front door. My clothes fit well and my hair looks nice so I am not trying to piece together something or self-conscious before I’ve had my morning coffee. I wish all days were like this but most days I am lucky if I brush my hair and wear clean clothes let alone clothes that are stylish. We scramble and in a frenzy rush around the apartment to make it out the door close to on time. The aftermath we leave in our wake frustrates me and I feel my blood pressure rising as my kids argue about who gets to sit upfront.

This morning was no different. I woke up 15 minutes late and in my world I might as well have slept till noon. We rush, we hurry and everyone makes it outside the house frazzled but mostly intact. I’m praying for peace and clarity when my husband calls me on the phone and the conversation we had gave me so much insight into my Heavenly Father that I have to stop and celebrate.

He began to share with me the morning our sweet Stella was having.  She started to rustle and whine so he went in to check on her. She peeked and saw Nick standing there ready to comfort her. She smiled at him and settled in peacefully knowing she was not alone but safe with her father. My Stella does that sometimes. She peeks her eyes open looking for a familiar face and when she sees us, she smiles and is comforted because she knows we are there. She settles in and rests peacefully as we watch over her and keep her safe.

After I hung up with Nick I began to ponder the contrast between my morning and Stella’s. She rustled in her sleep, unsettled and unsure if there was someone who loved her that would take care of her and provide for her. So she peeked her eyes open to see if she was alone and abandoned. Stella was unsure and frazzled but when she saw the face of her father all her anxiety faded and she was reassured by his presence. She finds comfort when she sees us and joyfully greets her day with smile because she knows she is provided and cared for.

Should we not greet our day in the same manner? Peek our eyes open looking for the familiar face of the One who gives us safety and provides us with peace. When we see Him through prayer and His word shouldn’t we be reassured by his presence and joyfully greet our morning because we know He is there? I wonder if I would peek my eyes open and see His face first if my morning routine would run a bit smoother and be filled with joy and reassurance as I settle into the truth that He is in control.

So I celebrate the comfort I find as a child of God. I celebrate each morning as a new opportunity to experience His love take joy in His promises. I celebrate that when I rustle and am unsettled by the unknown, I can settle in and know He is in control. May I remember to greet my Heavenly Father each morning and start each day reassured by His presence. 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,

for to you I entrust my life.

~Psalm 143:8 

Celebrate Your Brokenness

There is a problem my friends. It is not easy to dwell in a world mutated by sin. This world is in distress, it is broken and there is nothing we can do to restore it and make it new again. Through Christ and His sacrifice there is an eternal restoration, but the temporary restoration is not promised. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

I came to a realization this week as I lived life and visited with people who were torn apart from the affects of a broken world. We will have trouble. Embrace it. We will sin or be affected by sin as long as we exist on earth. There will be sadness, morning, and death. There will be fights, trials, and pain. We will be misunderstood and taken advantage of. We will loose and not be able to find as long as we reside in this place. Jesus told us we will have troubles, life will not be easy but don’t despair I (Jesus) am with you and I can ultimately fix the brokenness. As I write and ponder this truth a peace swells inside my soul and I can't help but celebrate.

Jesus did not leave us here in our brokenness to despair and question why we have troubles. In His deep love for us He was proactive and He told us, not “if you have troubles” but “you will have troubles” so take heart I (Jesus) have overcome the world. My friend, you are not the first to suffer and you will not be the last. Your pain is great and as I write and pray over this post my heart is heavy with compassion and love for you in your brokenness. But we must remember, even though we are in great pain…. He is greater. Even though our relationships and loved ones are broken and lost… He can fix and find them. 

I love the story of Moses in the Bible. He was not a man’s man nor incredibly enthusiastic about His mission, but in the end He was willing and God used Him to do mighty things. God chose Him, an orphan who was outcast by society and not comfortable with leading or speaking. Moses was not ideal for this task and did not possess any of the skills necessary when God spoke to him. But our God does not make mistakes and He chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and through his brokenness, God made him strong. 

One of my favorite parts in his story is the conversation Moses has with God for the first time. Moses was doing his job and tending to the sheep his father-in-law had entrusted to him. He moved them to graze on the west end of the wilderness not for any profound reason, just because of the pasture. Moses did not know when he went into the fields that night he would have a glorious encounter with God, but God knew. He chose Moses, and God knew it was time to let Moses in on the plan. 

Moses looked. In the distance he saw a bush that was ablaze but did not burn up. Moses could have run away. He could have, in cowardice, left and moved his flock away from this strange sight. He could have played it safe and not succumb to the curiousness of this event. Moses did not have to inquire, but he did and we see a glimpse of his strength and courage as Moses goes to investigate. He unknowingly becomes a valuable player in God’s plan to restore the nation of Israel and ultimately, the world. Moses looked, then explored and God magnified this tiny act of courage and obedience through his brokenness. 

In this story, Moses doubts God’s choice five times. The bush that blazes but does not burn is speaking to him and he doubts? Some of us just want God to speak to us and show us a miracle. If our miracle comes, will we believe in His goodness? We will believe in His power? Would we really? If we were honest with ourselves, would a burning bush in our lives be enough? Could the true root of our problem not be the lack of “miracles” but the lack of faith in the one who performs them?

Here is where the story takes a turn my friends and where God speaks in a mighty way to the broken. Moses asks God what His name is. God says two words, “I AM”. He is whatever we need Him to be. What a great way for God to describe Himself to us! I AM all of it. You need to be healed? I AM a healer. You need to be comforted? I AM a comforter. You need strength? I AM able to make you strong. You need to mend broken relationships? I AM a counselor. You need provision? I AM a provider. Whatever shoe you have, I AM can wear them.

You are broken. You are hurt. Your pain is great and your life is in chaos. My friends, He is I AM. Let’s not make the mistake Moses made when he gave God excuse after excuse on why He could not be trusted. Let’s not doubt and lack faith in what we need but run to the One who can bring peace in times of trouble. The One who can restore the broken and give rest to the weary. We are broken. Embrace it, because I AM is everything we need to mend the pieces and become whole again. In our troubles we are reminded and convicted we cannot do this alone. Alone, we cannot fix our marriage or heal our child. We cannot be what we need to be. But, through Him, we can have peace in the promise that He has overcome our troubles and He can be what we need. 

When we accept this truth and faithfully trust in I AM, peace will resonate through our lives and relationships. When we abide in Him and allow Him to bring us rest, we feel rejuvenated and able to face whatever challenge is ahead for He is our true source of strength and provider of rest. When we accept and embrace what I AM is, we start to see light in the darkness and smile a little easier as we become joyous and celebrate the small victories. We trust in His plan and provision not in the world's false sense of security and molds for success. Things start to not look so desperate and the weight we carry seems to be lighter. Not because our troubles have disappeared, but because we are allowing Christ to do most of the lifting. We see His hand moving and working and we take courage from the Conqueror when He becomes what we need in our brokenness. 

We need to call upon I AM when we are tired, weary and broken. We must call upon Him for provision and strength, trust in His plan, and abide in His love and rest. Waves of peace will come over us and we will feel His strength and healing as he meets us where we are. So lets celebrate our brokenness and need for His mending. Lets celebrate that the same God who revealed Himself to Moses, reveals Himself today to all who call His name. He is I AM and that is more than enough to get us through anything. My friends, we cannot fix our problems alone so lets stop trying and start relying on I AM.