I've been without a computer for a while..... a virus was the culprit! I became victim to an old trick that has been updated. I received a message stating that I had contracted a virus and I needed to run my virus software to find it and get rid of it. Well, this wasn't the first time I've seen that trick so I did not click on the yes or no button, instead I clicked on the X in the top right hand corner to get me out of it. OOPS!!! Wrong thing to do. Because I clicked ANYWHERE in the box, I was doomed. I was not on a new website, I had not clicked on something that was forwarded to me and I certainly had not opened an attachment, I was just surfing the web and the message came up.
I started thinking that our lives are just like computers and we can pick up viruses at times we least expect it. It can be so easy for sin to sneak into our lives. We all know that we must guard our hearts and minds by being careful what we watch on TV, but sometimes if we are not careful, we will get a virus through something as "simple" as a commercial. Other times it comes in through our favorite show that has nothing wrong with it until something is "slipped" in that we ought not to be watching or listening to. Perhaps our favorite radio station that has nothing wrong with it becomes over powered by a radio station that has music on it that we ought not to be listening to, but music that is so tempting.
.
I now have a very good virus software. Of course, the virus software will not do me any good unless I take it out of the box, download it and run the scans. If I just buy the virus program and leave it sitting in the box, you think I could convince the company that they did not do their job? No, they would immediately tell me it was my fault I was infected because I did not load the virus software onto my computer. The same is true in our lives. We cannot have a Bible, leave it sitting on our coffee table, and expect it to protect us from the viruses of the devil. We must use read the Bible daily and hide God's Word in our hearts because if we don't, we will just do all the wrong things when we are tempted. The devil knows our weaknesses and he knows exactly what to tempt us with.
Let's determine in this new year to not let any viruses into our homes. Let's make a habit of having our devotions, praying and staying in church. Strive for a virus free year!
Happy New Year!!!!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Our advanced form of communication
The other day I was reading the Christmas story and I read where the angel told Mary that she was going to be the mother of baby Jesus and the angel also told her that Elizabeth was also pregnant and was approximately 6 months along. I've read that so many times, but not until this time did it occur to me that the angel had to tell Mary that Elizabeth was expecting because they did not have phones, the postal service or email back then. Of course I knew they did not have those forms of communication back then, but I had never given thought to the fact that Mary probably had no idea that her own cousin was 6 months pregnant until the angel told her.
It made me think of my first boyfriend. I remember when we used to write each other (his father was a missionary so they did not live local) that it seemed to take forever for his letters to come and once they finally came I would read them over and over again because I was so "hungry" to hear how he was doing and so happy to hear that he was thinking about me.
It was then that I had to bow my head in shame because I realized that have a love letter that is even more important, yet I do not read it as much as I should. We all have that love letter, it is from God and it is His Holy Word. God longs to hear how our day went and He longs to hear us tell Him that we love Him. God longs to speak to us as well and He does that through His Word.
Not only am I lazy about reading God's Word, but I am also lazy about telling my family how much I love them and how much they mean to me. We have so many forms of communication now that I think we actually take them for granted and don't use those forms of communication to express our love to our friends and family. If we did not have phones, U.S. Mail or email, we would realize how important it was to express our love every chance we got.
This is the Christmas season. Let's determine to spend more time expressing our love to our friends and family, but more importantly, express our love to the Lord Jesus Christ by reading His Word and spending time with Him each day in prayer.
Happy holidays!!!
It made me think of my first boyfriend. I remember when we used to write each other (his father was a missionary so they did not live local) that it seemed to take forever for his letters to come and once they finally came I would read them over and over again because I was so "hungry" to hear how he was doing and so happy to hear that he was thinking about me.
It was then that I had to bow my head in shame because I realized that have a love letter that is even more important, yet I do not read it as much as I should. We all have that love letter, it is from God and it is His Holy Word. God longs to hear how our day went and He longs to hear us tell Him that we love Him. God longs to speak to us as well and He does that through His Word.
Not only am I lazy about reading God's Word, but I am also lazy about telling my family how much I love them and how much they mean to me. We have so many forms of communication now that I think we actually take them for granted and don't use those forms of communication to express our love to our friends and family. If we did not have phones, U.S. Mail or email, we would realize how important it was to express our love every chance we got.
This is the Christmas season. Let's determine to spend more time expressing our love to our friends and family, but more importantly, express our love to the Lord Jesus Christ by reading His Word and spending time with Him each day in prayer.
Happy holidays!!!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Brighter days ahead
I usually can't contain myself when the holidays start up, but this year I am having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. I could not write anything for the last week or so because I just could not put into words how I was feeling, nor could I write anything because nothing seemed to "fit".
My blog is turning over a new leaf. I will write at least every other day. It may not be a devotion every day, but it will be something uplifting, helpful or encouraging. While looking through a book called, "Life Can Be Hard Sometimes", I found the following poem. This is not a poem based on scripture, but I hope you will find it encouraging, like I did.
Look to the Future and Brighter Days Ahead
Sometimes it seems like the world is crumbling around us and we just can't go on.
But those are the time when we most need to look to the future, to hold on to our
faith and hope and to each other.
One of the hardest things to accept is the realization that things that make no sense
to us now may never make any sense, but life will go on anyway - with no explanations
or apologies, and that we somehow survive the changes thrust upon us.
We even manage to grow.... but nothing grows without rain, so when it begins to pour,
let it flow. And when the storm has passed, let it go. Be kind to yourself; ask for what
you need. You are not alone.
Kerry McCaskill
My blog is turning over a new leaf. I will write at least every other day. It may not be a devotion every day, but it will be something uplifting, helpful or encouraging. While looking through a book called, "Life Can Be Hard Sometimes", I found the following poem. This is not a poem based on scripture, but I hope you will find it encouraging, like I did.
Look to the Future and Brighter Days Ahead
Sometimes it seems like the world is crumbling around us and we just can't go on.
But those are the time when we most need to look to the future, to hold on to our
faith and hope and to each other.
One of the hardest things to accept is the realization that things that make no sense
to us now may never make any sense, but life will go on anyway - with no explanations
or apologies, and that we somehow survive the changes thrust upon us.
We even manage to grow.... but nothing grows without rain, so when it begins to pour,
let it flow. And when the storm has passed, let it go. Be kind to yourself; ask for what
you need. You are not alone.
Kerry McCaskill
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Teaching our children to make a difference
The title of this group is Single Mothers Making a Difference. Well, how can we make a difference? There are so many ways that we can make a difference, but today I want to focus on our children.
I raised my children to be giving and kind, among many other things. Our society today is so involved in self.... self worth, thinking highly of yourself, etc. Many children, and parents alike are too self absorbed. I did not want my children growing up thinking only of themselves. I learned early on that the best way to teach your children is by example. So, when we found out of someone in our church that was in the hospital, the kids would make a card for them, we would buy a small vase of flowers and then go visit. At Christmas time, we would bake or make items to give to people at church. If we went to McDonald's to get something to eat and there was someone sitting on the sidewalk that looked like they were homeless or hungry, I would order them a bigger meal than what we had and let the kids give it to them. One time I was pumping gas and a man walked up to me and said that he did not have any gas and could I give him some money for gas. Well, I did not have much money to put gas in my own car, but told him to pull up to the pump when I was finished and I gave him half of what I was going to put in my car.
Why did I do all these things? Because I wanted my children to see that taking care and being kind to others was more important than taking care of ourselves. And each time I did something like that, I always made it a learning lesson. I explained why I did what I did and told them that it was very important to let God use us to be a blessing to someone else. I even found that at times when I was discouraged or depressed, doing these things made my day brighter.
Thanksgiving is a good time to teach your children to be giving. We have so much to be thankful for and we ought to teach our children to be thankful for what they have and to help the less fortunate.
Let's determine to take time to teach our children to think of others first. And as they get older, pray that God helps them to continue thinking of others instead of self.
I raised my children to be giving and kind, among many other things. Our society today is so involved in self.... self worth, thinking highly of yourself, etc. Many children, and parents alike are too self absorbed. I did not want my children growing up thinking only of themselves. I learned early on that the best way to teach your children is by example. So, when we found out of someone in our church that was in the hospital, the kids would make a card for them, we would buy a small vase of flowers and then go visit. At Christmas time, we would bake or make items to give to people at church. If we went to McDonald's to get something to eat and there was someone sitting on the sidewalk that looked like they were homeless or hungry, I would order them a bigger meal than what we had and let the kids give it to them. One time I was pumping gas and a man walked up to me and said that he did not have any gas and could I give him some money for gas. Well, I did not have much money to put gas in my own car, but told him to pull up to the pump when I was finished and I gave him half of what I was going to put in my car.
Why did I do all these things? Because I wanted my children to see that taking care and being kind to others was more important than taking care of ourselves. And each time I did something like that, I always made it a learning lesson. I explained why I did what I did and told them that it was very important to let God use us to be a blessing to someone else. I even found that at times when I was discouraged or depressed, doing these things made my day brighter.
Thanksgiving is a good time to teach your children to be giving. We have so much to be thankful for and we ought to teach our children to be thankful for what they have and to help the less fortunate.
Let's determine to take time to teach our children to think of others first. And as they get older, pray that God helps them to continue thinking of others instead of self.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Parenting takes commitment
A reporter for the U.S. News and World Report from 1994 once wrote on our culture's view of parenting:
"Americans are so shaped and stamped by their legacy of individualism that the concepts of community virtue and moral obligation have been discredited. In our popular culture, adulthood is too often defined as doing what you want to do, not what you are supposed to do. Making a baby is a sign of status, while caring for one is not. Right and wrong are old-fashioned, politically incorrect concepts. And sin? Forget it...Half of all Americans who marry and have children eventually divorce. For many, marriage is more like a hobby than a commitment, a phase instead of a trust. We are becoming a country of deadbeat dads who don't pay their bills and dead-tired moms who work two jobs to pick up the slack. Even many parents who pay for their children don't pay attention to their children. In so doing, they miss out on some of life's greatest joys: hearing a small giggle or holding a small hand. Probably the best thing that society can do for its toddlers is to make 'parent' an honorable title again. No job is more important, yet no job is more often taken for granted. We teach work skills but not life skills, how to change a carburetor but not a diaper, how to treat a customer but not a kid. Becoming a parent should be...a sign of a lasting relationship, not just a passing infatuation; a source of pride, and not remorse. Only then will our children be safe."
Although the article wasn't written from a Christ-centered viewpoint, it points out many flaws in our views of parenting. In order to raise Godly children, we must first be committed.
We have to be commitment to parenting. When we become a parent, we realize the extra work required to train a child. Our responsibility moves past changing diapers and providing food, but also includes teaching our children Godly principles and values, correcting them when they disobey and helping them see God's plan for their lives.
As single parents, we ought to thank God that He has blessed us with our children. We should never take for granted the lives he has allowed us to shape. Our responsibility as single parents is more difficult than others, but with God's help we can be just as successful as any parent at seeing our children grow to love God and serve Him.
Are you committed to raising godly children? Being committed to raising Godly children takes work, but God trusted us when He gave us our children and it is foolish of us to take that trust lightly.
Let's determine that no matter what we've done in the past, we are going to be committed to raising our children the way that God wants and expects us to raise our children. We only get one chance!
"Americans are so shaped and stamped by their legacy of individualism that the concepts of community virtue and moral obligation have been discredited. In our popular culture, adulthood is too often defined as doing what you want to do, not what you are supposed to do. Making a baby is a sign of status, while caring for one is not. Right and wrong are old-fashioned, politically incorrect concepts. And sin? Forget it...Half of all Americans who marry and have children eventually divorce. For many, marriage is more like a hobby than a commitment, a phase instead of a trust. We are becoming a country of deadbeat dads who don't pay their bills and dead-tired moms who work two jobs to pick up the slack. Even many parents who pay for their children don't pay attention to their children. In so doing, they miss out on some of life's greatest joys: hearing a small giggle or holding a small hand. Probably the best thing that society can do for its toddlers is to make 'parent' an honorable title again. No job is more important, yet no job is more often taken for granted. We teach work skills but not life skills, how to change a carburetor but not a diaper, how to treat a customer but not a kid. Becoming a parent should be...a sign of a lasting relationship, not just a passing infatuation; a source of pride, and not remorse. Only then will our children be safe."
Although the article wasn't written from a Christ-centered viewpoint, it points out many flaws in our views of parenting. In order to raise Godly children, we must first be committed.
We have to be commitment to parenting. When we become a parent, we realize the extra work required to train a child. Our responsibility moves past changing diapers and providing food, but also includes teaching our children Godly principles and values, correcting them when they disobey and helping them see God's plan for their lives.
As single parents, we ought to thank God that He has blessed us with our children. We should never take for granted the lives he has allowed us to shape. Our responsibility as single parents is more difficult than others, but with God's help we can be just as successful as any parent at seeing our children grow to love God and serve Him.
Are you committed to raising godly children? Being committed to raising Godly children takes work, but God trusted us when He gave us our children and it is foolish of us to take that trust lightly.
Let's determine that no matter what we've done in the past, we are going to be committed to raising our children the way that God wants and expects us to raise our children. We only get one chance!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Why worry?
Worry is the act of distrusting God and trusting self.
How much time a day do you spend worrying? Have you ever stopped to think about how much you worry? Consider these statistics from a recent study on the focus of people's worries:
40% - things that will never happen
30% - things about the past that can't be changed
12% - things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% - about health, which gets worse with stress
8% - about real problems that will be faced
Most of the time spent worrying is spent on things that will never happen. Have you ever worried about a potential problem at work, a possible catastrophic event, or a supposed circumstance only to have it not come true?
Single parents unfortunately worry a lot because a lot of times we feel like we are in it by ourselves but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Everything that we go through, God is right there with us and He longs to take our burdens, if we will only given them to Him. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Our job isn't to worry about what will happen to us, but to trust that God has everything under control.
God loves us and doesn't want anything to harm us, yet many of us believe we need to look out for ourselves. As is the mindset in our world, looking out for yourself and preparing for the worst is the only way to assure you're taken care of. Yet God teaches that because He knows the future, we should trust Him to care for us.
Let's determine to turn over our worries and cares to God and let Him provide and take care of us.
How much time a day do you spend worrying? Have you ever stopped to think about how much you worry? Consider these statistics from a recent study on the focus of people's worries:
40% - things that will never happen
30% - things about the past that can't be changed
12% - things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% - about health, which gets worse with stress
8% - about real problems that will be faced
Most of the time spent worrying is spent on things that will never happen. Have you ever worried about a potential problem at work, a possible catastrophic event, or a supposed circumstance only to have it not come true?
Single parents unfortunately worry a lot because a lot of times we feel like we are in it by ourselves but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Everything that we go through, God is right there with us and He longs to take our burdens, if we will only given them to Him. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Our job isn't to worry about what will happen to us, but to trust that God has everything under control.
God loves us and doesn't want anything to harm us, yet many of us believe we need to look out for ourselves. As is the mindset in our world, looking out for yourself and preparing for the worst is the only way to assure you're taken care of. Yet God teaches that because He knows the future, we should trust Him to care for us.
Let's determine to turn over our worries and cares to God and let Him provide and take care of us.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Even in our weakness, God's power is strong!
A missionary was once guest lecturing in a college classroom of future church planters. Among other topics, he was to speak on the subject of God's power. To illustrate this truth, he told a story from when he first arrived on the mission field. A missionary with little money but great zeal, he realized his need for transportation around the country. After a few weeks, a new convert of his learned of his predicament and offered to give him an old car. The only problem with the car was that it wouldn't start without some manual help. Not deterred, the missionary figured out a plan to get his car going. He would ask strangers on the street outside his home for help pushing his car every morning, then he'd either park on a hill or leave the engine running as he visited homes. His plan worked well, and the car was of great use to him over the next two years.
Suffering from sickness, the missionary was forced to return home for some time, but before he left, he met with the missionary who was to take his place. He explained to him the workings of his ministry, then showed him the car and proudly described the routine used to get the car going. As the older missionary explained his "plan," the younger one looked under the hood of the car at the engine. After a few minutes the younger missionary said, "It looks like the only problem with this car is a loose cable." After connecting some wires, the car started automatically. The older missionary stood in astonishment. He had been needlessly struggling with the car for two years when the power was there all along. All he had to do was connect the cables!
I've learned this lesson many times before, and am currently learning it again. Last week I fell on our concrete back porch and severely pulled the muscles in the back of my leg and suffered from severe muscle spasms for many days, also had a hard time sitting and standing. The day after I feel, I went to work only to find out a few hours later that I was laid off. All that went through my mind was how was I going to pay all my bills? How was I going to provide, buy food, pay the electric bill? How was I going to pay for my health insurance that I HAD to keep because if I lost it I would never be covered for my back injury again? All these things went through my mind as the tears rolled down my face. For days I felt like a failure. I felt as if everyone had a job except me. When I went to the grocery store I felt as if everyone had plenty of money to pay for their food except me. I know I was having a pity party, but in all my years I had NEVER lost a job or been laid off. I was and am in a position I have never been in before, a position in which I must rely completely upon God and God alone. I still don't know what I am going to do, it's been a week and still no job, but I keep reminding myself every day that God is in control, He knows what is best and He has the best job for me. Sure, I still find myself wanting to creep back into my self pity stage because I am human, but I just remind myself that God loves me and He is watching over me. Try as I may, this is a problem that I cannot solve myself.
Sometimes we can become like the older missionary. When faced with a problem, we seek our own solution and struggle needlessly. However, God wants us to realize that even when we can't solve a problem, He can.
No matter what struggle we have in our lives today, let's determine to trust God and let Him provide.
Suffering from sickness, the missionary was forced to return home for some time, but before he left, he met with the missionary who was to take his place. He explained to him the workings of his ministry, then showed him the car and proudly described the routine used to get the car going. As the older missionary explained his "plan," the younger one looked under the hood of the car at the engine. After a few minutes the younger missionary said, "It looks like the only problem with this car is a loose cable." After connecting some wires, the car started automatically. The older missionary stood in astonishment. He had been needlessly struggling with the car for two years when the power was there all along. All he had to do was connect the cables!
I've learned this lesson many times before, and am currently learning it again. Last week I fell on our concrete back porch and severely pulled the muscles in the back of my leg and suffered from severe muscle spasms for many days, also had a hard time sitting and standing. The day after I feel, I went to work only to find out a few hours later that I was laid off. All that went through my mind was how was I going to pay all my bills? How was I going to provide, buy food, pay the electric bill? How was I going to pay for my health insurance that I HAD to keep because if I lost it I would never be covered for my back injury again? All these things went through my mind as the tears rolled down my face. For days I felt like a failure. I felt as if everyone had a job except me. When I went to the grocery store I felt as if everyone had plenty of money to pay for their food except me. I know I was having a pity party, but in all my years I had NEVER lost a job or been laid off. I was and am in a position I have never been in before, a position in which I must rely completely upon God and God alone. I still don't know what I am going to do, it's been a week and still no job, but I keep reminding myself every day that God is in control, He knows what is best and He has the best job for me. Sure, I still find myself wanting to creep back into my self pity stage because I am human, but I just remind myself that God loves me and He is watching over me. Try as I may, this is a problem that I cannot solve myself.
Sometimes we can become like the older missionary. When faced with a problem, we seek our own solution and struggle needlessly. However, God wants us to realize that even when we can't solve a problem, He can.
No matter what struggle we have in our lives today, let's determine to trust God and let Him provide.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Pressures of Life
The story of a parakeet named Chippie reminds me of the pressures and unexpected circumstances we can face in life. Chippie never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problem began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with her vacuum cleaner. It was when she turned to answer the phone that Chippie accidentally got sucked in.
The owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie-still alive, but stunned. She grabbed him and raced to the bathroom to wash him off. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
A few days after the trauma, a reporter contacted Chippie's owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn't sing much anymore-he just sits and stares."
Sometimes we may face days like that. We may start off the day singing on our perches, but wind up stunned and staring into space. It may be a stalled car, a sick child, or problems at work. Sometimes what we think is a calm day can turn into a day filled with unexpected heartache.
We all have those days and as a single parent it can seem very overwhelming because the weight of the world seems to be all on our shoulders. Many times we get out of bed singing but only a short time later we want to just want to go back to bed and skip the day. Or perhaps it's a day when we just do not have the strength or want to get out of bed at all.
God knows what we are feeling and what we are going through and He cares. When things go wrong in our lives, He is right there with us and longs to help us through situations if we just turn to Him and ask Him for help. God doesn't promise to help us out of the problem, He promises to help us through the problem if we only ask.
Are you going through a trial today? Are the pressures in your life mounting? First Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Christ cares for you and wants to help you. Let's determine to take time today to cast your cares upon the Lord. He knows what you are going through, and He wants to help you today.
The owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie-still alive, but stunned. She grabbed him and raced to the bathroom to wash him off. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
A few days after the trauma, a reporter contacted Chippie's owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn't sing much anymore-he just sits and stares."
Sometimes we may face days like that. We may start off the day singing on our perches, but wind up stunned and staring into space. It may be a stalled car, a sick child, or problems at work. Sometimes what we think is a calm day can turn into a day filled with unexpected heartache.
We all have those days and as a single parent it can seem very overwhelming because the weight of the world seems to be all on our shoulders. Many times we get out of bed singing but only a short time later we want to just want to go back to bed and skip the day. Or perhaps it's a day when we just do not have the strength or want to get out of bed at all.
God knows what we are feeling and what we are going through and He cares. When things go wrong in our lives, He is right there with us and longs to help us through situations if we just turn to Him and ask Him for help. God doesn't promise to help us out of the problem, He promises to help us through the problem if we only ask.
Are you going through a trial today? Are the pressures in your life mounting? First Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Christ cares for you and wants to help you. Let's determine to take time today to cast your cares upon the Lord. He knows what you are going through, and He wants to help you today.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
What do you do when a hurricane hits your life?
What I will be sharing with you the next few blogs is very personal, but I feel that it can be of help because I know I am not the only one that has gone through things like this and I want to be an encouragement.
I get very nervous when hurricane season comes because of the two hurricane that we had one right after another just a few years ago. I do NOT like hurricane season. But just recently, I found my life in hurricane season and it felt like a category 5. My daughter and son sat me down one night and started telling me of things that had happened to them when they were smaller, things that I had no idea about. They relayed to me that my father had done terrible, wicked things to them when they were younger. At first it seemed as if I were in a dream, but it wasn't a dream, it was true. As everything unfolded and time went on, my father was arrested and put in jail. Shortly after being put in jail, he passed away. At that time, I lost not only my father, but also my whole family because my mother, brother, his family, my aunt and uncles all stopped talking to me.
I felt as if I was standing outside during a hurricane and all the force of the wind and rain was blowing against me. I felt as if I just wanted to surrender and let the wind and rain take me anywhere but here. My heart broke because of what my children had endured when they were younger and were still enduring, and because I had lost the rest of my family. I've endured heart-ache before, but I had my family to help me through it and show support. This time I had no one to turn to, no one but God and He was enough! God knew my heart, He knew exactly what I was feeling. Many times when I prayed I did not even say anything, I could not, my heart was breaking too much. But I did not have to say anything, God knew exactly how I felt and what I needed.
I also had to remember that my children were watching me. I wanted to set the right example for them as to how they should respond when bad things happen to them, as it did. I wanted them to learn to turn to God and rely on His strength and comfort. I spent much time in prayer for them and encouraged them to spend much time in prayer talking to God.
Have you been through something similar in your life? Have you given up or have you turned it over to God knowing that He works everything to good? We must remember that our children learn how to respond to the problems of life by how we respond. Let's determine to set the right example for our children and when the hurricanes of life come our way, let's show our children that God is our refuge and strength in the time of trouble. Let's show them that God is our fortress and no one can get to us without going through God. It is not an easy task, but it must be done for the sake of our children and ourselves.
If you've been through a hurricane in your life, you just can't seem to get through it and you need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email address is sandra.davis123@yahoo.com and my phone number is (772) 359-9688. I care and I want to help!
I get very nervous when hurricane season comes because of the two hurricane that we had one right after another just a few years ago. I do NOT like hurricane season. But just recently, I found my life in hurricane season and it felt like a category 5. My daughter and son sat me down one night and started telling me of things that had happened to them when they were smaller, things that I had no idea about. They relayed to me that my father had done terrible, wicked things to them when they were younger. At first it seemed as if I were in a dream, but it wasn't a dream, it was true. As everything unfolded and time went on, my father was arrested and put in jail. Shortly after being put in jail, he passed away. At that time, I lost not only my father, but also my whole family because my mother, brother, his family, my aunt and uncles all stopped talking to me.
I felt as if I was standing outside during a hurricane and all the force of the wind and rain was blowing against me. I felt as if I just wanted to surrender and let the wind and rain take me anywhere but here. My heart broke because of what my children had endured when they were younger and were still enduring, and because I had lost the rest of my family. I've endured heart-ache before, but I had my family to help me through it and show support. This time I had no one to turn to, no one but God and He was enough! God knew my heart, He knew exactly what I was feeling. Many times when I prayed I did not even say anything, I could not, my heart was breaking too much. But I did not have to say anything, God knew exactly how I felt and what I needed.
I also had to remember that my children were watching me. I wanted to set the right example for them as to how they should respond when bad things happen to them, as it did. I wanted them to learn to turn to God and rely on His strength and comfort. I spent much time in prayer for them and encouraged them to spend much time in prayer talking to God.
Have you been through something similar in your life? Have you given up or have you turned it over to God knowing that He works everything to good? We must remember that our children learn how to respond to the problems of life by how we respond. Let's determine to set the right example for our children and when the hurricanes of life come our way, let's show our children that God is our refuge and strength in the time of trouble. Let's show them that God is our fortress and no one can get to us without going through God. It is not an easy task, but it must be done for the sake of our children and ourselves.
If you've been through a hurricane in your life, you just can't seem to get through it and you need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email address is sandra.davis123@yahoo.com and my phone number is (772) 359-9688. I care and I want to help!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
In God we trust
A woman was once driving through Oregon over the Cascade Range and ran into a snowstorm. She had never driven in snow before and became very frightened. She could either continue on in the storm, stop to buy snow chains, or spend the night in a nearby town. As she pondered her options, she peered ahead and saw a snowplow. She could follow the plow and miss the worst of the driving conditions! Rejoicing in her fortune, she kept as close to the truck as she could while it removed snow from the road. At times the heavy snowfall almost cut off her view, but her faithful guide kept on leading the way. After some time, the plow stopped and its driver got out and walked over to her car. "Lady, where are you going?" he asked. "I'm on my way to Central Oregon," she replied. "Well," he said, "you'll never get there following me! I'm plowing this parking lot!"
Do you ever feel like you're trying to plow through life's storms only to find out you're going in circles? The storms of life have a way of confusing us and leading us down the wrong path. Yet there is one certain way we can find the right path even during difficulties and that's by following God's direction.
D.L. Moody once said, "Trust in yourself, and you are doomed to disappointment; trust in your friends, and they will die and leave you; trust in reputation, and some slanderous tongue may blast it; but trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity."
God is faithful and always comes through on His promises. As D.L. Moody said, placing faith in other people, no matter how much they love you or how good their intentions are, will ultimately lead to disappointment. Even good people fail. Yet when you place your faith in God and claim the promises of His Word each day, you will never be disappointed.
It is important that we teach this lesson to our children this as well. Children are very impressionable and they often look up to people and try to pattern their lives them. Many young people have fallen and given up hope because their "idol" gave into temptation and fell, like humans do every day. You can never start too early teaching your children that God is the one who will never fail them, He is the constant in every situation and if they set their focus solely on God, He will never direct them down the right path.
Let's determine to not let the failures of others stop us from focusing on God. Let's set our sights on God and allow Him to direct our paths continually. Determine to spend time in God's Word, find His promises and claim them today. God will never fail us and always He keeps His promises!
Do you ever feel like you're trying to plow through life's storms only to find out you're going in circles? The storms of life have a way of confusing us and leading us down the wrong path. Yet there is one certain way we can find the right path even during difficulties and that's by following God's direction.
D.L. Moody once said, "Trust in yourself, and you are doomed to disappointment; trust in your friends, and they will die and leave you; trust in reputation, and some slanderous tongue may blast it; but trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity."
God is faithful and always comes through on His promises. As D.L. Moody said, placing faith in other people, no matter how much they love you or how good their intentions are, will ultimately lead to disappointment. Even good people fail. Yet when you place your faith in God and claim the promises of His Word each day, you will never be disappointed.
It is important that we teach this lesson to our children this as well. Children are very impressionable and they often look up to people and try to pattern their lives them. Many young people have fallen and given up hope because their "idol" gave into temptation and fell, like humans do every day. You can never start too early teaching your children that God is the one who will never fail them, He is the constant in every situation and if they set their focus solely on God, He will never direct them down the right path.
Let's determine to not let the failures of others stop us from focusing on God. Let's set our sights on God and allow Him to direct our paths continually. Determine to spend time in God's Word, find His promises and claim them today. God will never fail us and always He keeps His promises!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Don't shirk your responsibility
A patient in a Georgia hospital once knocked over a cup of water onto the floor next to his bed. Fearing he would slip on the spill, he called the nurse's aide to clean up the mess. What he didn't realize is that hospital policy stated that if a spill was small, the nurse's aide had the job of cleaning it up. However, if the spill was large, hospital housekeeping would need to take care of the problem. Upon arriving at the patient's bed, the nurse's aide determined that the spill was too large for her to clean and called housekeeping. When someone from housekeeping arrived, they deemed the mess too small for them to clean. A large debate ensued between housekeeping and the nurse's aide over the size of the mess. Exasperated, the patient grabbed a pitcher of water on his night stand, poured it on the floor, and asked, "Is that puddle big enough for you two to figure this out?"
The two hospital workers were so busy debating the details of their duties that they forgot their main purpose for work-to meet the needs of the patient. Did it matter who cleaned up the mess? Would either one have gotten more or less pay for their duties? Not at all. Yet both shirked their responsibility to the patient by focusing on a petty discussion.
We as parents have a great responsibility toward their children and too many are shirking that responsibility. We have the responsibility of training our children, being the right kind of example by attending church, working diligently at our jobs, etc. Sometimes we are so focused on our jobs at work, that we forget that our most important job of raising our children is lacking. Many times when parents send their children to school, they turn the responsibility over to the schools to raise their children. It is not the school's job to raise our children, it is ours. Many times children are dropped off at malls, parks and theaters and parents do this to get a "break" from their responsibility. There is no such things as a break from the responsibility of our children as long as they are our children! Our children are OUR responsibility and our responsibility alone.
Let's determine to stop expecting the government, schools and places of recreation to raise our children. We need to take a stand and own up to the responsibility of raising our children. If we raise our children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, God promises to bless us for it. No, it is not easy, I know that all too well, but it is something that has to be done no matter how hard it may become.
Our children are depending on us and so is God. Our children are our future.... how is your future looking?
The two hospital workers were so busy debating the details of their duties that they forgot their main purpose for work-to meet the needs of the patient. Did it matter who cleaned up the mess? Would either one have gotten more or less pay for their duties? Not at all. Yet both shirked their responsibility to the patient by focusing on a petty discussion.
We as parents have a great responsibility toward their children and too many are shirking that responsibility. We have the responsibility of training our children, being the right kind of example by attending church, working diligently at our jobs, etc. Sometimes we are so focused on our jobs at work, that we forget that our most important job of raising our children is lacking. Many times when parents send their children to school, they turn the responsibility over to the schools to raise their children. It is not the school's job to raise our children, it is ours. Many times children are dropped off at malls, parks and theaters and parents do this to get a "break" from their responsibility. There is no such things as a break from the responsibility of our children as long as they are our children! Our children are OUR responsibility and our responsibility alone.
Let's determine to stop expecting the government, schools and places of recreation to raise our children. We need to take a stand and own up to the responsibility of raising our children. If we raise our children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, God promises to bless us for it. No, it is not easy, I know that all too well, but it is something that has to be done no matter how hard it may become.
Our children are depending on us and so is God. Our children are our future.... how is your future looking?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Don't forget God's blessings
He remembered where he was, how he felt, and the bleak outlook of the future. He remembered being able to taste death, being days, hours, even moments from it. He also remembered the feelings of relief and rescue when he caught the bird......
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was a soldier during the second world war. One night he was on a mission to deliver a message to General Douglas MacArthur in New Guinea. Somewhere over the South Pacific his aircraft lost radio signal, leaving him unable to radio for help once his fuel ran low. Having no other option, Captain Rickenbacker ordered his men to bail as he ditched the plane moments before his engines shut off.
For nearly a month, Rickenbacker and his men floated in the Pacific Ocean, fighting thirst, hunger, and the sun to survive. Sharks circled the crew and rammed the men's rafts at night. Despite the many factors they fought, one seemed to doom them all-starvation. After eight days into the ordeal, rations ran out. The men realized a miracle was needed to survive on the rafts, and that's just what they got.
Rickenbacker tells the story this way:
Eddie Rickenbacker never forgot that miracle. In fact, every Friday night, he would walk to the dock near his home in Florida with a bucket of fish and he would feed the seagulls to always remember the second chance he had been given.
Don't allow God's blessings to become distant memories. Remind yourself of the "bird(s)" that came just in time in your life. I am reminded of the times when I barely had enough money to buy food for my children and someone lovingly placed money in my hand, or I received an anonymous envelope with just enough money to buy groceries. I am also reminded of times that I did not know how I would be able to put Christmas presents under the tree for my children and a caring person provided a wealth of toys and other items to more than make their little eyes twinkle on Christmas day.
Sometimes when we get past the days of very little, we forget how God worked in our lives and provided when we thought all was lost. Perhaps you are currently in those times of very little. Don't despair! God knows where you live and He will provide the "birds" that you need. But don't take God's blessings for granted and don't be too discouraged to see the blessings of God.
Let's determine today to remember the blessings of God and to share them with our children so that they can learn of God's blessings. When God provides a "bird" in your life, point it out to your children and let them know who provided that blessing.
Look up and remember your blessings!
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was a soldier during the second world war. One night he was on a mission to deliver a message to General Douglas MacArthur in New Guinea. Somewhere over the South Pacific his aircraft lost radio signal, leaving him unable to radio for help once his fuel ran low. Having no other option, Captain Rickenbacker ordered his men to bail as he ditched the plane moments before his engines shut off.
For nearly a month, Rickenbacker and his men floated in the Pacific Ocean, fighting thirst, hunger, and the sun to survive. Sharks circled the crew and rammed the men's rafts at night. Despite the many factors they fought, one seemed to doom them all-starvation. After eight days into the ordeal, rations ran out. The men realized a miracle was needed to survive on the rafts, and that's just what they got.
Rickenbacker tells the story this way:
"Something landed on my head. I knew that it was a sea gull. I don't know how I knew, I just knew. Everyone else knew too. No one said a word, but peering out from under my hat brim without moving my head, I could see the expression on their faces. They were staring at that gull. The gull meant food...if I could catch it."And Eddie did catch the bird which helped sustain the survivors until help came. But why was a seagull so far from land? It was uncharacteristic for a gull to be so far out at sea, yet the miracle they needed came just in time.
Eddie Rickenbacker never forgot that miracle. In fact, every Friday night, he would walk to the dock near his home in Florida with a bucket of fish and he would feed the seagulls to always remember the second chance he had been given.
Don't allow God's blessings to become distant memories. Remind yourself of the "bird(s)" that came just in time in your life. I am reminded of the times when I barely had enough money to buy food for my children and someone lovingly placed money in my hand, or I received an anonymous envelope with just enough money to buy groceries. I am also reminded of times that I did not know how I would be able to put Christmas presents under the tree for my children and a caring person provided a wealth of toys and other items to more than make their little eyes twinkle on Christmas day.
Sometimes when we get past the days of very little, we forget how God worked in our lives and provided when we thought all was lost. Perhaps you are currently in those times of very little. Don't despair! God knows where you live and He will provide the "birds" that you need. But don't take God's blessings for granted and don't be too discouraged to see the blessings of God.
Let's determine today to remember the blessings of God and to share them with our children so that they can learn of God's blessings. When God provides a "bird" in your life, point it out to your children and let them know who provided that blessing.
Look up and remember your blessings!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Does anyone care?
A family of four moved across country one summer and settled in a smaller town in which everyone was very close-knit. Feeling like outsiders, the family went about moving in without much outside help until one day their neighbor's small daughter came over and introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Mary. What are you guys doing?" The family's young daughter of about the same age came over and began talking with Mary. The two became friends and as a result, the family was introduced to the community. They became part of the "family" of neighbors and enjoyed the friendship of many others on their block.
One day the sad news came that Mary had been hit by a car while playing in the street. After doctors did all they could to fix her injuries, she passed away. The neighborhood was in a state of shock. Their perfect community was rocked by the news. Everyone knew and loved Mary. While families scrambled for ways to sympathize with Mary's family, one single act comforted Mary's mother most. The little girl Mary had first befriended walked over to Mary's house, knocked on her door, and when she was ushered in, she walked over to where Mary's mother was sitting on the couch, climbed into her lap, and laid her head on the mother's chest while the little girl cried.
We all know what it feels like to experience grief, perhaps you are grieving right now. The loneliest feeling is grieving alone, experiencing the loss, pain and emotional toil without anyone to comfort you. Single parents know that feeling all too well.
Knowing how it feels to go through grief and loss by ourselves should encourage us to show compassion when we see others that are grieving. Sometimes we don't even have to say a word but simply be there for the person, even a simple hug can "say" so much! If you aren't the hugging kind of person then send a card, bake a cake, offer to watch their children for a couple of hours so that they can have some time to themselves, anything to let them know that you care and they are not alone.
Let's not forget that our children watch how we respond to others that are hurting. When we encourage others, we teach our children how to respond when someone is grieving and we teach them the art of compassion which our Heavenly Father showed to us so many times in scripture.
Do you know someone that is hurting? Let's determine to show our them we care by taking a few minutes of our busy day and expressing our love and compassion. Someone really needs to know we care... let's show them we do!
One day the sad news came that Mary had been hit by a car while playing in the street. After doctors did all they could to fix her injuries, she passed away. The neighborhood was in a state of shock. Their perfect community was rocked by the news. Everyone knew and loved Mary. While families scrambled for ways to sympathize with Mary's family, one single act comforted Mary's mother most. The little girl Mary had first befriended walked over to Mary's house, knocked on her door, and when she was ushered in, she walked over to where Mary's mother was sitting on the couch, climbed into her lap, and laid her head on the mother's chest while the little girl cried.
We all know what it feels like to experience grief, perhaps you are grieving right now. The loneliest feeling is grieving alone, experiencing the loss, pain and emotional toil without anyone to comfort you. Single parents know that feeling all too well.
Knowing how it feels to go through grief and loss by ourselves should encourage us to show compassion when we see others that are grieving. Sometimes we don't even have to say a word but simply be there for the person, even a simple hug can "say" so much! If you aren't the hugging kind of person then send a card, bake a cake, offer to watch their children for a couple of hours so that they can have some time to themselves, anything to let them know that you care and they are not alone.
Let's not forget that our children watch how we respond to others that are hurting. When we encourage others, we teach our children how to respond when someone is grieving and we teach them the art of compassion which our Heavenly Father showed to us so many times in scripture.
Do you know someone that is hurting? Let's determine to show our them we care by taking a few minutes of our busy day and expressing our love and compassion. Someone really needs to know we care... let's show them we do!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Don't give up!
General William Booth is most often recognized as the tireless founder of the Salvation Army, an organization that sought to spread the Gospel through meetings and community outreaches in years past. He worked many years to establish a network of Salvation Army meeting places across the country and did much to spread God's love to the less fortunate. As he grew older, his eyesight began failing. One day doctors approached his son Bramwell and informed him that his father's eyesight would not be regained and nothing more could be done. Tasked with informing his father of the sober news, Bramwell told William that there would be no recovery. Booth replied, "Do you mean that I am blind?" His son informed him, "I hear we must contemplate that." William Booth thought then responded, "I shall never see your face again?" Bramwell choked back emotion as he replied, "No, probably not in this world." Booth reflected on the news then replied with determination, "Bramwell, I have done what I could for God and for His people with my eyes. Now I shall do what I can for God without my eyes."
I can only imagine how I would react given the news that General Booth was given. Perhaps despair would have set in knowing I would never be able to see the faces of my children again, see my grandchildren, or even witness another sunrise or sunset. But responding that way would not lead me to God's blessings. God can't bless those that have given up and no longer serve Him.
Are you on the brink of giving up today? Is there a problem and you just can't figure out how you are going to deal with it? Does the future seem bleak and the present day even darker? Take courage my friend and know that God loves you and wants the very best for your life. The devil may throw obstacles into our lives, but learning to over come those obstacles makes us a stronger person and allows us to witness God's blessings. A single parent's life is a very hard life, I know that all too well, but if we keep on for no other reason, we must keep on for the simple fact that our children are watching us. They learn how to deal with the twists and turns in life by how we respond to the twists and turns in life. Let's determine to teach our children to depend on God in their darkest days by us depending on God in our darkest days. DON'T GIVE UP!!!
And as a side note, if you ever need someone to talk to, someone that knows what you are going through, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can contact me through my Facebook page or through my email which is sandra.davis123@yahoo.com I truly care and want to be an encouragement!
I can only imagine how I would react given the news that General Booth was given. Perhaps despair would have set in knowing I would never be able to see the faces of my children again, see my grandchildren, or even witness another sunrise or sunset. But responding that way would not lead me to God's blessings. God can't bless those that have given up and no longer serve Him.
Are you on the brink of giving up today? Is there a problem and you just can't figure out how you are going to deal with it? Does the future seem bleak and the present day even darker? Take courage my friend and know that God loves you and wants the very best for your life. The devil may throw obstacles into our lives, but learning to over come those obstacles makes us a stronger person and allows us to witness God's blessings. A single parent's life is a very hard life, I know that all too well, but if we keep on for no other reason, we must keep on for the simple fact that our children are watching us. They learn how to deal with the twists and turns in life by how we respond to the twists and turns in life. Let's determine to teach our children to depend on God in their darkest days by us depending on God in our darkest days. DON'T GIVE UP!!!
And as a side note, if you ever need someone to talk to, someone that knows what you are going through, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can contact me through my Facebook page or through my email which is sandra.davis123@yahoo.com I truly care and want to be an encouragement!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Growing through grief...
I don't know about you, but I've had a lot on my heart and mind lately. The cares of this world are starting to weigh me down. How do you respond when the cares of this life get too much? Sometimes we respond by shutting down, perhaps we take it out on someone else or we throw a pity party for ourselves. Have you ever tried to take that grief, anger, panic or whatever it is that is trying to bring you down and using that to help you grow? I was having my devotions and found this observation of the struggle of trees by Marilyn Abraham interesting:
"We signed up for a hike with a ranger, who told us a remarkable thing: when a tree's life is threatened, stressed by the elements of fire, drought, or other calamity, it twists beneath its bark to reinforce and make itself stronger. On the surface, this new inner strength may not be visible, for the bark often continues to give the same vertical appearance. Only when the exterior is stripped away, or when the tree is felled, are its inner struggles revealed."
We cannot make ourselves stronger, but if we look to God to use us at our weakest moment, we become a stronger Christian. When we allow God to use what we are going through to teach us a lesson so that we will be able to help someone else later on, we will grow spritually. But if we shut down and refuse to take another step, we cannot be used and we cannot learn the lesson we were meant to learn.
Remember that our children see how we respond to the pain, cares and grief of this world and through our response, they learn to respond the same way. Do we want our children responding to pain and grief the way we do? Will they become a stronger person by responding the way we do?
Let's determine today to respond to the cares of this world the way that God would want us to respond. Determine to let God use our grief to help someone else and make us a stronger Christian. Let's determine that we are going to be an example to our children in our grief so they learn the correct way to respond to heart-ache, grief and loss. We can't keep them from going through pain and loss, but we can help them get through it.
Grow stronger today!
"We signed up for a hike with a ranger, who told us a remarkable thing: when a tree's life is threatened, stressed by the elements of fire, drought, or other calamity, it twists beneath its bark to reinforce and make itself stronger. On the surface, this new inner strength may not be visible, for the bark often continues to give the same vertical appearance. Only when the exterior is stripped away, or when the tree is felled, are its inner struggles revealed."
We cannot make ourselves stronger, but if we look to God to use us at our weakest moment, we become a stronger Christian. When we allow God to use what we are going through to teach us a lesson so that we will be able to help someone else later on, we will grow spritually. But if we shut down and refuse to take another step, we cannot be used and we cannot learn the lesson we were meant to learn.
Remember that our children see how we respond to the pain, cares and grief of this world and through our response, they learn to respond the same way. Do we want our children responding to pain and grief the way we do? Will they become a stronger person by responding the way we do?
Let's determine today to respond to the cares of this world the way that God would want us to respond. Determine to let God use our grief to help someone else and make us a stronger Christian. Let's determine that we are going to be an example to our children in our grief so they learn the correct way to respond to heart-ache, grief and loss. We can't keep them from going through pain and loss, but we can help them get through it.
Grow stronger today!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Be still
"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10(a)
God has really laid this Bible verse on my heart for some reason this year. We've all heard this Bible verse at one time or another, but God has been bringing this verse to my mind every day. As a matter of fact, I sang a song in church the other night that talked about being still.
As parents we know the effectiveness of our voice. Many times a child can be "brought back to earth" by our loud, stern voice but many times the quiet, calm voice gets the most attention. Our children hear us fuss and raise our voice all of the time; however, when we get quiet, that is when we really get our child's attention.
In the life of a single parent, there is not many quiet times. Sometimes the most "quiet time" we get is at work! But we need to set time aside for us to get alone with God. I'm not talking about getting alone with your TV, or getting alone with a child waiting at the door, I mean getting alone with God in a place where no one is going to bother you for a few minutes and just let God talk to you. Sometimes we handle our time alone with God like we handle filling our car up with gas... we zoom into our "devotional space", read our Bible to fill us up, and then zoom right back out into our life. But in that time, we do not allow God to really speak to us.
Let's determine to set aside time to be still and listen to God and let's also determine to teach our children how to have that quiet time with God so that they can begin to learn to listen to God's still, small voice.
BE STILL and have a great day!
God has really laid this Bible verse on my heart for some reason this year. We've all heard this Bible verse at one time or another, but God has been bringing this verse to my mind every day. As a matter of fact, I sang a song in church the other night that talked about being still.
As parents we know the effectiveness of our voice. Many times a child can be "brought back to earth" by our loud, stern voice but many times the quiet, calm voice gets the most attention. Our children hear us fuss and raise our voice all of the time; however, when we get quiet, that is when we really get our child's attention.
In the life of a single parent, there is not many quiet times. Sometimes the most "quiet time" we get is at work! But we need to set time aside for us to get alone with God. I'm not talking about getting alone with your TV, or getting alone with a child waiting at the door, I mean getting alone with God in a place where no one is going to bother you for a few minutes and just let God talk to you. Sometimes we handle our time alone with God like we handle filling our car up with gas... we zoom into our "devotional space", read our Bible to fill us up, and then zoom right back out into our life. But in that time, we do not allow God to really speak to us.
Let's determine to set aside time to be still and listen to God and let's also determine to teach our children how to have that quiet time with God so that they can begin to learn to listen to God's still, small voice.
BE STILL and have a great day!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Waiting on the prodigal son
Let me start off by saying, Happy New Year! I hope this year is everything that you've hoped for and more!!
The story of the prodigal son has been brought to my mind many times this week. I believe that God puts stories in the Bible so that we can learn from them. I've heard the story of the prodigal son many times. I know that the prodigal son went to a far country, lived wild, spent all of his money, lost his friends and ended up in a pig pen because he was so hungry.
The part of the story that never really occured to me until the other day was even though the son was living the wrong life, bringing shame to his father's name and spending all of his inheritance, the father never went to the far country to find his son. Even though the father had servants that he could have used to go to the far country and bring his son back or perhaps just keep and eye on his son, he did not do this. Instead, the Bible tells us that when the son came to his senses and started back home, the father saw him from a distance and ran to him.
As parents, and I think especially mothers, it is so hard for us to sit back and watch our children make mistakes. Parents know the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into raising our children and we want only the best for them. However, sometimes the best and only thing we can do for our children when they go to the "far country" is sit back, pray, watch and wait. But sitting back and watching is not an easy thing for a parent to do, it tears our hearts out and brings us low.
I currently find myself like the father in our story, my child has gone off to the "far country" where he might make mistakes, he might harm his good name, and I want so much to run to the far country, take my child by his hand and lead him back to the safety of home, back to where he cannot get in trouble, back to where he is loved so much. But I just keep reminding myself that the father waited patiently for his son to come home. The father waited and when the son came to his senses, he went back home into the open arms of his father.
Are you going through the pain of your child going into the "far country"? Even though it is easy to do, remind yourself that God is in control. God knew your child was going to do this before it happened and He has a plan for both of your lives. Trust God to do a work through your child, stand back, pray, watch, wait, read Romans 8:28, and remember that God loves you so much!
Let's determine to do what is best for our children no matter how hard it may be.
The story of the prodigal son has been brought to my mind many times this week. I believe that God puts stories in the Bible so that we can learn from them. I've heard the story of the prodigal son many times. I know that the prodigal son went to a far country, lived wild, spent all of his money, lost his friends and ended up in a pig pen because he was so hungry.
The part of the story that never really occured to me until the other day was even though the son was living the wrong life, bringing shame to his father's name and spending all of his inheritance, the father never went to the far country to find his son. Even though the father had servants that he could have used to go to the far country and bring his son back or perhaps just keep and eye on his son, he did not do this. Instead, the Bible tells us that when the son came to his senses and started back home, the father saw him from a distance and ran to him.
As parents, and I think especially mothers, it is so hard for us to sit back and watch our children make mistakes. Parents know the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into raising our children and we want only the best for them. However, sometimes the best and only thing we can do for our children when they go to the "far country" is sit back, pray, watch and wait. But sitting back and watching is not an easy thing for a parent to do, it tears our hearts out and brings us low.
I currently find myself like the father in our story, my child has gone off to the "far country" where he might make mistakes, he might harm his good name, and I want so much to run to the far country, take my child by his hand and lead him back to the safety of home, back to where he cannot get in trouble, back to where he is loved so much. But I just keep reminding myself that the father waited patiently for his son to come home. The father waited and when the son came to his senses, he went back home into the open arms of his father.
Are you going through the pain of your child going into the "far country"? Even though it is easy to do, remind yourself that God is in control. God knew your child was going to do this before it happened and He has a plan for both of your lives. Trust God to do a work through your child, stand back, pray, watch, wait, read Romans 8:28, and remember that God loves you so much!
Let's determine to do what is best for our children no matter how hard it may be.
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