Just a few years ago this picture was taken of my little boy. Full of life, energy, curiosity, creativity, love, passion, compassion, rarely sitting still, and in a blink of an eye, grew up to be a 14 year old, incredible young man, full of all these things and keeping his mother busy in new ways! As I reflect on a BIG GOD, WHO is greater than all our challenges, I came upon this picture today, and as they say, a picture tells a thousand words. The big pencil = big ideas = big responsibility = big GOD able to take the little things and grow through every season of life.
Mothers working hard to teach and reach our children for Jesus. Children with energy, wiggles, lacking focus for very long, and so much that cannot and should not be contained to a small box, but rather allowed to explore, and live in adventure, wonder, in awe of life created by God.
Today, he keeps me busy in new ways. Including, the book he has been inspired to write. Into chapter 9 of his writing and not finished. I get to be his very own personal editor. A few years back, I would have never imagined this would be! I am busy here. In a good and beautiful and victorious way.
The world cast such a doubt on my abilities a long time ago. These casting of doubts will always attempt to pull us away from the truth that we are living for. The enemy comes to steal and destroy. Jesus came that we would have life abundantly. I hope you don’t allow the world to cast so much doubt upon you, that you are overcome by the fears, by the multitude of anxieties. “In the multitude of my anxieties within me,Your comforts delight my soul.” Ps. 94:19
Sister in Jesus. Oh this world… “they” must not know our Jesus to cast such doubts. The Jesus in me. The Jesus in you! Sure, my abilities, utterly weak and bankrupt, but His ability – EXCEEDINGLY above and beyond what we could imagine. We are not of this world. Walk it in faith. Denounce the lies. Live by the truth of His Word. Live to be different. Live to swim against the flow, and believe in the Jesus Who did the same, and literally lives in you, in me, in us!
Some children struggle to learn, many in some ways, and some in many ways. And the enemy is good trying to convince us as mothers, that our children need something more, than we as parents have to offer – than JESUS HIMSELF – in us. No! So very wrong! Enemy is also good at distracting us, confusing us, keeping us busy about everything else, but the kingdom of God right in our home, in our family!!! In marriage, in children, and yes, even in caring for mother-in-law now in our home.
I am grateful for every year I have been gifted to be here. Through all life’s difficulties, seasons, highs and low, hills and valleys. God continues to teach me. Refine me. Show me more of Him and less of me. Not looking to the world. Not looking to what others are doing, accomplishing, being about. But seeking God for the KINGDOM focus, that matters beyond anything else for the LIFE of our children and families.
We are given one life on this earth. I hope to touch beyond the walls of this home, the good news of Jesus. But my greatest hope, is this calling to touch the lives inside my own home for the sake of the Kingdom. To have a crumbling home life because I have given up and given in, is to have lost much. But to persevere in love right here, it matters. Like Kingdom to come, matters. HERE! Now. These precious lives! Every single one.
“God forgive me for the times I neglect in heart, mind, and am elsewhere, in my motives. God protect me from the lies that try to cripple me in telling me the difficulties and weary days of my calling are showing I am failing. Thank You for grace that reminds me these difficulties are meant to draw me closer to You. Thank You as I seek you with all my heart, I find you, and overcome once again, the confusion and lies. Thank You for picking me up in the truth. We are broken people and trial draws me to this realization in causing me a great, deep, well of communing with you, finding peace, rest, life.”
We must not allow the weariness to bring us down to ruin, but seek God and live. Denounce the lies, and persevere in love, grace, truth, in His strength, power, might, and ability. Praise Jesus for His grace to cover where I have sinned and lacked. Praise Him for raising me up with new life and strength to keep going in LOVE. His love for me. His affectionate love that tenderly cares for me, as I care for them. As we care for one another.
We can have vast, wide, deep, real, challenges with disabilities, difficult life situations, and the unknowns of how to proceed in teaching, training, guiding, living daily life. Praise God His love extends EXCEEDINGLY more VAST, WIDE, DEEP, in persevering for us, giving us all that we need, by His great power to overcome. Don’t let the world, the systems, the attacks of the enemy of our minds, or people, our own futile minds decide we cannot. Believe in the ONE full of power and authority living in us, to continue to show His glory and strength. The way. He will do it for you.
I reflect on these two things. A short writing by another. As well as a poem. May God bless you all the days of your life. With fresh perspective, new fervor for Him, truth and love to overcome.
“There is a principle here that applies to you and me: God takes small, imperfect things and builds them into a habitation for his glory. O, how we should take courage in our little spheres of influence! And is this not the message of Advent and Christmas? What more appropriate word could God have said to Mary as Jesus was growing up: Take courage, young mother, you build more than you see. And so it is with every one of us. Nothing you do is a trifle if you do it in the name of God. He will shake heaven and earth to fill your labor with splendor. Take courage, you build more than you see.” ~Pastor J.
ONLY ONE LIFE TWILL SOON BE PAST – by CT STUDD
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of] his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
Romans 8:11-14
