Month: October 2020

This morning I watched huge smiles emerge between giggles as one by one our three kids woke up, peeked through the blinds and saw the first snowfall of the year. Little fingers pressed against the windows and dancing eyes begged to go out and play. 

I poured cereal and divided out pumpkin bread (It’s still October and suppose to be fall, y’all – who’s with me?) but of course excitement trumped hunger and it wasn’t long before they were back on the couch peering outside. So I sat down with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of tea and simply watched them, savoring the moment. 

Oh to see the world with childlike wonder. 

I’m determined to pause the mundane more often to marvel at God’s intricate handiwork. Nature. Personalities. Relationships. Love. The changing seasons. The mysteries of God. Beauty. 

I know being attentive will take discipline and practice but it’s something worth striving for. Each new day lies before us like an adventure ready to be explored. So much can be learned, enjoyed and experienced if we will embrace the day as such and step away from becoming emotionally stagnant in the daily routine. 

Regardless of how age has labeled us, let’s be children of wonder! 

PS…In case you were curious, the day turned out to be a “school is canceled” snow day which included snowball fights, multiple cups of hot chocolate, cartoons and family dinner. I’m going to bed one exhausted but happy momma.

Our relationship with God cannot be based on emotions because emotions come and go like the tide. A real relationship requires commitment and faithfulness regardless of feelings. But there are seasons when God gifts us with the nearness of His presence. These times are like oases giving us strength to keep moving through our deserts. 

Lately I’ve found myself in such a place. And on the contrast of times when I simply trust His silence, I am hearing His voice like a shout. I’m keenly aware of the absolute passion of our Savior, Jesus, and lover of our souls. His friendship, His love, His peace, His words are life. I think of David when he wrote, “As the deer pants for water, so my soul pants for you.” The more I’m in His presence, the more I want to be there. I’m desperate for Him. 

In the midst of this awesome place, I’m getting a fresh view of God’s heart for His people. I see sadness in eyes and hear hopelessness in voices. And I can’t keep silent. I know the answer. 

My challenge to you and me is to be faithful in every season, trust the season that He is taking us through and share Him with everyone we can along the way. We have a voice and a testimony – let’s use it. 

Survival mode is like a gear. Sometimes we shift through it but we can’t stay there or we won’t move forward. Simply surviving can lead to apathy. Discontentment. Anger. It can lead to numbness of heart and mind and rob us of moments, relationships and opportunities. It may not be a natural instinct but there comes a time when we must choose joy. We must choose life. We must choose to praise Jesus through the pain. If we are going to reach our full potential and live the abundant life that He offers us, we must choose to trust His sovereignty in the unknown when we don’t feel the peace of the known.

Each of us has been, or will be, at a crossroad of emotions. Things happen that were not in our plans of perfection. There are speed bumps, road blocks, dead ends and construction on this crazy ride with the potential to make us or break us, as the saying goes. 

I beg you – don’t let it break you. Get up, stand strong, don’t quit. Your decision will affect you, your future and future generations. I think we often underestimate the power of our choices. Or maybe, rather, we simply don’t consider them. 

I don’t write this to speak at you but to talk with you and to share thoughts that God showed me when I found myself complaining to Him, “I’m in survival mode.”

We are not alone. With God’s help, we have the power to overcome. 

Be encouraged today with the words of Isaiah. He writes in chapter 40 verses 29-31, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 

Tonight I found a prayer I had written back in 2016. I thought I’d share as it’s relevant to 2020 as well.

“God, may we be a generation who purposefully pursues You. May the importance and absolute necessity of dwelling in Your presence be deeply rooted in our hearts. Help us not to be distracted by fears, entertainment or our busy lives.

We are desperate for You.

Teach us to use our words wisely, speaking when we need to speak and staying silent when we don’t. Let our conversation uplift others and honor You. 

Help us love others deeply. 

Give us courage to face whatever comes our way. Give us passion to declare Your Name. 

Keep us in tune to Your voice and sensitive to Your leading. Give us a willing spirit to follow. 

Prepare a way for us like you did for the Israelites in the desert, whether we are walking in the day or the night.

When discouragement and frustrations comes, give us fortitude to stand strong. Keep us faithful in an unfaithful world. Keep us grounded in truth while surrounded by deception. May we never set aside the armor of God.

May we never succumb to complacency but live our lives for the good of others and the building of God’s Kingdom.

Teach us to love, serve, care for, protect and honor those around us. May we be women of God who walk humbly, yet confidently, in who You have created us to be, knowing that You have a plan and purpose for us in this generation.”

Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”