God Grants a Child's Request

In life, I've found, there are those moments when God just likes to reveal himself and essentially say "Look, here I am."  Last night we encountered one of those moments.  My husband, daughter and I jumped in the car to go to a prayer service at church.  As we drove around a curve we saw part of a rainbow up ahead.  We love rainbows in our family.  For us, they really do feel like a promise from God that He is with us.

During our conversation about the beauty in the sky my daughter stated what she wished God would do with rainbows.  First - she said she wished that God would make them last a long time and not fade away so fast.  Second - she said she wished He would make them longer (because usually we only see a partial rainbow).  Then I added a third request.  I said God should make them darker so we could see them better.  You know because sometimes they're barely there.

Well, in a matter of moments, a full rainbow appeared ahead of us.  I said to my daughter: "Wow!  You asked for a bigger rainbow and God gave it to you."  And as I was speaking the colors of the rainbow began to become more prominent.  Who doesn't love to see a brightly colored full rainbow.  It was stunning really.  Two requests already answered and we hadn't even got to church yet.  And wouldn't you know it - that rainbow was still there when we got out of church an hour or so later.  That's a long lasting rainbow.

Sure, I know, people might say I'm crazy for thinking God was listening to us at that moment and felt the need to respond.  If they'd prefer to believe God doesn't interact with us, that's their choice.  As for me - I choose to believe God loves listening to us (especially to the hearts of little children).  I choose to believe He wanted to show Himself - to reveal not only His majesty and power, but also to show us His heart.  Oh - how He loves us!  As we marveled at the symbol of beauty in the sky we couldn't help but say "GOD IS GOOD!!"

I took a picture on hubby's cell phone but it doesn't really do it justice (plus I was in the car - taking the pic through the window.)

Website Supermoms

This morning I was looking at something on the internet which led me to a link to another website.  At first I was intrigued.  I thought, "What a great site". There was so much information.  You've probably seen sites like this.  It was written by a mom who pretended to be just like you and me only she was really a Supermom in disguise.  The more I looked at the site the more I started going into a downward spiral.  I thought how do people like her do this (and by "this" I mean "everything")?  How is it that these people have that much time in their day to clean the house, plan menus, cook all the meals, homeschool four children, write curriculum, have individual time with each kid, and time with the husband, do Bible studies and write a blog all in 24 hours.  I think there's sleep somewhere in there.  Anyway - you get my drift.  I can barely manage a portion of that.  I looked at my husband in disbelief and said "What's wrong with me?"

Yes, I have a problem with comparing myself to "Supers".  I always wonder if there's a secret I'm not seeing.  My husband reiterated to me that I can't compare myself to other people and that people work at different paces.  This didn't actually make me feel better.  The realization is - I'm slow.  That's how I was made.  God didn't make me a high-octane person.  But, ironically, He made me with a desire to do a million things at once and to do them perfectly.  This is incredibly frustrating at my low-octane speed?  How am I suppose to do it all at that speed?

I don't know the answer to that.  But here is my big take-away for the day:  I shouldn't compare myself to the "Supers" of the world.  Instead I should compare myself to couch potatoes!  Then - my accomplishments will seem all the more significant.

In the end I know that God created me to be me.  He has never asked me to do more than I have the ability or the ability through Him to accomplish.  I need to learn to do a few tasks and do them well.  Loving God is the most important task of all.  All the rest is business!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

It's the little things, isn't it, that make us smile and give us warm fuzzies.  The other night it was "store night" at AWANA and one of the things my daughter picked up was a mini flower decorated fingernail file.  Why, out of all the things she could have chosen from, did she pick that gift?  She is, after all only seven and has a way to go still on being obsessed with fingernails (or at least the habit of keeping them nice and trimmed).  She simply chose the file because her mommy (me) has one. 

It warms me up inside when my daughter likes to do and have things just because I do.  She wants to be like me.  If I wear a t-shirt to bed, she wants to wear a t-shirt to bed.  If I put lipstick or perfume on, she wants to do the same.  If we have similar shirts, she wants us to wear them together (okay - she's kind of growing out of that phase).  The thing is - little girls imitate their mommies.  But let's be honest - that's a fact that is both sweet and terrifying at the same time.  It's a lot of responsibility to be a role model.  And truthfully, I don't think about my impact often enough.  I want to be a good example and not just of the manicured nail kind.  I want to be an example of a God-following woman, wife and mom.

So - I found two blessings in her fingernail file.  One is the blessing of having a little copy-catter. They say copying someone is the best form of flattery.  And I LOVE that she likes me.  The second blessing is this: being reminded of the what a special privilege I have been given - to mold a precious child after God's own heart.

Be Yourself

Recently my husband and I watched the movie "My Week With Marilyn".  The movie gives a brief glimpse into the life of Marilyn Monroe.  On the surface she was the most popular movie star of her time and yet her reality never seemed to mirror that illusion.  She was incredibly insecure and desperately longed for love and affirmation.  She feared and seemed to believe that everyone who loved her would eventually leaver her.  There was such loneliness found in someone so popular and adored by so many.

As the movie ended I couldn't help but feel sad for Marilyn.  Her on screen image became like a trap for her.  The question is - how can you find happiness in life when you can never be yourself - when the image people like isn't really even who you are.  Is it any wonder she fought depression.  Despite the adoration of millions there was always the constant question.  Do they like her or the person on the screen?  The eventual truth is realized.  Them loving her image is not the same as them loving her. In the end - everyone just wants to be loved for themselves.

One of the great things about God is that no matter what we've done or who we are - he loves us.  He would prefer we lose the act and just be ourselves.  After all - he created us.  He knew us before we were born.  He knows our idiosyncrasies.  He knows all our weaknesses and faults.  He loves us despite them.  And he will never ever abandon us.  With him - we don't have to be someone we're not.  What a great feeling to be loved so much.  With God - we can be free to be ourselves.

National Day of Prayer

Prayer

Thursday, May 3^rd was the National Day of Prayer.  It was my first time attending a local event.  We sang, read scriptures and, of course, prayed.  We were people from all parts of town and denominations who came to unite together in once voice to call upon the Lord our God.  Unity is a very powerful thing.  It was evident that God’s presence was there and that He was soaking in our praise.  In response, I firmly believe He heard our prayers and our cries for help.  We prayed for our country, our leaders, our local governments, our poor and needy, our civil servants, our military and our ministers and ministries.  We prayed for spiritual revival in our land as well as for global transformations. 

As you know by now I’m a firm believer in prayer.  I loved this event.  I was uplifted.  I felt renewed in my strength.  The battles of this world are not ours to face alone.  We call upon the Almighty God to lead our fight.  I so appreciate the work that goes into planning these National Days of Prayer events.  But I came out feeling like it’s not enough.  It’s great to have these events and come together to pray.  But why is it that we only do it once a year?  Is it enough to pray once a year?  I don’t think so.  Granted, as Christians, we pray in our churches and in our small groups and in our homes.  But I believe there is tremendous power in praying together like we do in these events.  It creates unity.  We come together as one to call on one God.  We can’t fight each other and bicker about the differences in our beliefs when we are focused on praying for the needs of others and the needs of this world.  There is so much more we could accomplish if we prayed like this more often.

He'll Never Change

I once had a conversation with a man about his adult son.  The conversation was mainly (from this man's perspective) about how his son was, in not so many words, "messed up".  I asked the man if he ever prays for his son.  The man sort of laughed then proceeded to say that prayer wouldn't do any good because his son would never change. 

I think my first internal reaction was shock.  I mean isn't praying what we're supposed to do - especially for our loved ones?  And this man had already given up - on his own son.  He had essentially written off his son as destined for an unpleasant eternity.  I think my second internal reaction was indignation.  It rose up inside of me. We CAN'T give up on people.  We CAN'T just write them off.  We're suppose to pray for others - intercede on their behalf.  Pray! And then pray some more. 

God never stops desiring his children to return to him (however improbable we may think it is).  He NEVER gives up on us.  So - why is it that we feel it's okay to give up on others?  Why do we feel like it's okay to seal other people's fate - to write them off.  Why do we assume "they'll never change". Thank God He doesn't write us off as easily as we write others off.

I'm pretty certain and thankful that if I ever strayed from my faith, both of my parents would be in constant prayer on my behalf.  I am equally sure that my Lord, Jesus Christ would be up in heaven praying for me as well.  Can you imagine God saying "Don't bother. She'll never change."?  Unimaginable because He would never say that.  God knows better than anyone how to make a hardened heart soft.  He's the healer of our souls.  Our job is to pray and not give up!!!  We need to make sure we don't give up on our loved ones.

I committed that day to praying for that man's son.  And I will not be surprised one day when he turns his life over to Christ.  God's love is never ending.

If Only We Didn't Know

I was reading the other day about Adam and Eve and their experience in the Garden of Eden.  They had everything they would ever need.  They were well taken care of and lacked nothing.  I believe they could have lived a wonderful life if only they didn't know.  Know what?  If only they didn't know there was a tree in the middle of the garden forbidden to them.  If they didn't know that tree existed they never would have wondered what it would be like to eat from it.  They would have been perfectly content with what they had - and I mean perfectly.  They were, after all in Eden. 

So I thought about how life would be different for us today if we didn't know about all of the stuff we don't have or can't have or can't do, for that matter.  How would we behave differently if we only had what we needed and knew of nothing else?  Would we long for that new car, new pair of shoes, dishwasher, or washing machine if we didn't even know they existed?  How much of our lives are spent in discontent because we know these things exist?  Why do we always want what we can't or don't have? 

I wonder how much of our days would be spent in sheer thankfulness to God for His provision as opposed to being spent wishing we had more.  If only we didn't know what existed beyond our needs.

God Works At Chick-fil-a!

Believe it or not but I found God working at Chick-fil-a today.  No, He wasn't the cashier.  I found God working in me.  How?  He blessed me with yummy nuggets and I didn't feel guilty about it.  This may seem like a silly statement to you but you don't know all of my struggles.  For the last several years I've had a hard time with guilt over spending money on certain things.

I would convince myself that being a good steward meant I needed to eat at a $3 place instead of a $7 place.   The fact that one would make me happy and the other would...well...get me by didn't seem to matter.  (And whether the $3 place was actually serving "food" didn't seem to matter either.)  But my logic was twisted. Isn't spending any amount of money on something I don't like just as wasteful?

Of course I need to be responsible.  But I also can't get so caught up in guilt that I won't allow myself to enjoy a few of life's blessings. Yes, I spent $7 instead of $3 but in the scheme of things is that extra $4 going to make a difference? This is how I see it.  God gave me a $4 present today (it's His money anyway, right?). He knew the joy I'd have as soon as I put that first mouth-watering, tasty chicken nugget into my mouth. Chick-fil-a makes me happy and God knows it. And so today He treated me with guilt free nuggets, waffle fries and a drink.

God likes to see us smile.  He likes to see us enjoying the life he gave us.  A smile can do wonders for the soul.  Thank God for Chick-fil-a and the little things that make me happy.  I'm learning to enjoy them one nugget at a time.

Asking For Prayers

When I was in my 20's my grandma was diagnosed with cancer.  I decided to ask for prayers at church. I remember sitting there in my class surrounded by friends and teachers that cared for me.  At the end of class the teacher asked for prayer requests.  I mentioned my grandma's need but even as I spoke, I was flooded with a sense of disappointment.  Because, you see, we asked for prayer requests ever week.  I couldn't remember any of the requests from the week before - which meant the others in the room probably wouldn't remember mine when we walked out the door.

Of course I don't know for sure that nobody prayed for my grandma after that.  I appreciate their efforts if they did.  But the experience as a whole woke me up to a harsh reality for many Christians.  We talk about the importance of prayer but do we really take it seriously?  Do we really believe there is a point to it?  Do we simply pray because we're "suppose to"?  Do we pray only when we need something?

I eventually channeled my disappointment in my own prayer life into something different.  It wasn't an overnight success story.  It took many years of wanting to change before I actually did change.  Now I'm dedicated to praying.  My hope is that others will stop seeing prayer as something we just do at church, at Bible studies, or simply when we have a need.  My desire is to help Christians utilize one of the most powerful tools God has blessed us with and to help them see the different types of blessings we receive from connecting with God in this way.

Find A Home - Find A Family

Last night the church I attend held a women's tea.  It was a time for the women of our congregation to enjoy a night together with our daughters.  We had food (seved by the men - yeah!), music, guest speakers and most importantly, fellowship.  I bring this up to share my thoughts on getting involved in a church.  I spent a couple of years without a church home.  That's not to say I didn't attend.  It's more to say there wasn't much happening in that church.  There were no real avenues available to get to know one another.  But that's not my point.  The point is - I really and truly missed the fellowship of a family of believers.  Our church had a tea party last night but that's not the only thing going on.  There are so many ways to get connected with other members.  My encouragement to you is to simply not show up at a church on Sunday morning and walk away for the rest of the week.  Find a church that's active.  It truly makes a difference in a person's outlook to be engaged in a church family.  You will find friends to laugh with, to encourage you, and to lift you up when you are down.  Another aspect is serving.  Don't underestimate the power of serving others.  When you find a place to serve and people to serve - you find purpose.  Engage yourself in a church home.  It is life changing and faith-building.

Don't Believe The Lie - Prayer Works

Have you ever spent many hours praying for something and yet feeling like either God's not hearing you or that He's simply choosing not to listen?  I have.  I've been at that point where I wondered if my prayers really mattered - if they really counted.  I wondered where God was and if he had shut me off completely.  I desperately needed to see that prayer worked.  I pushed through my doubts by continuing to pray - holding fast to the promise that God hears my every word.

Realizing the devil is always trying to get us to doubt our faith is key to beating him at his game.  If he can put a few dings in our belief in prayer, then maybe we'll stop praying altogether.  He would love that.  But I'm here to encourage you not to believe the lie.  God always hears your cries, your pleas, and your praise.  We may not feel His presence every day or hear a response but that doesn't change the truth.  God never leaves us.

I began pouring my efforts into praying for other people.  I still didn't know what He was doing in my life but I could see Him clearly answering my prayers and working in the lives of others.  My faith in prayer was slowly being restored.  And a greater blessing I received was knowing I was making a difference in the lives of others - just by praying!  I count it a priviledge to pray blessings into people's lives.  My hope and desire is that you can find your way in prayer and tap into that same joy.

Pre-Mother's Day Gift

Yesterday I was having a not-so-good day.  I had a headache that seemed to get worse by the minute.  You know the kind – when your head feels like it’s in a vice and your eyeballs feel like someone is squeezing them.  Needless to say – my productivity level was at a low.  I managed to attend a morning women’s Bible study (which is always a blessing) and get to the store for a few things.  After that – the couch was my perch for the day.  Thinking the air would help me, I walked with my husband to pick up our daughter from school.  Which brings me to the point of my post.  On the way home we stopped in at Grandma and Grandpa’s house to pick up something.  During our short visit, my daughter saw a store advertisement about the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday.  (It’s never to early to shop for moms).  She grabbed a piece of paper and went off to, what I assumed, doodle.  But she was working on something for me.  She wouldn’t let me see and when we got home, she asked me for an envelope.  As she was getting ready for bed, she told me there might be something under my pillow for me.  I asked if she wanted me to look at it now or wait.  (She’s not big on waiting to hand out surprises.)  I found the envelope underneath my pillow and opened it and read the following note:

In the midst of the pain from my throbbing headache came a glimpse of God.  He appeared in the love and sweetness of my daughter.  She not only loves me but she loves God (and flowers).  I am truly blessed by her and that God brought joy to, what I thought, was a "not-so-good" day.