Lately, I have been reading the minor prophets like nobody's business. I don't know what it is... I just can't get enough of these short little books of the Bible that are chocked full of some of the absolute worst things you would ever want anyone to say to or about you (ie. you are all going to die. Your descendants will be captured as slaves and dispersed among the nations. If you bowed to a false god, you will die. And the list goes on.).
But there, in the midst of those little books, are some of the sweetest and most poignant revelations of who God is.
And so, I am reminded... On day 3 of sick kid patrol, as I think I am nearing the end. Even as I hear the dreaded, "miss Beff..." Followed by a precious boy puking all over his bed and pillow and freshly bathed body. In the midst of the craziness of life... I have a Father who loves me. Loves me like no other. So, I smile. And we hit the bathtub yet again.
The Lord roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel. (Joel 3:16 ESV)
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. (Haggai 2:4, 5 ESV)
yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:18, 19 ESV)
and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:13 ESV)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Faith like a child
My 6yo got in the car this morning proudly showing me his short sleeved shirt underneath his jacket. He exclaimed, "I prayed and asked God to let it be sunny today, and I think he said maybe. So, I've got my short sleeves on!"
Oh, man. How many times have I prayed about something and doubted God's goodness. How many times have my prayers been many but my faith was few...
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. (Matthew 18:1-5 MSG)
Dude. I'm praying about a lot of stuff right now. Big, weighty, life changing stuff. Jesus, help remember to put on my short sleeves under my jacket and start trusting in you and your plans like my precious 6yo child!
Oh, man. How many times have I prayed about something and doubted God's goodness. How many times have my prayers been many but my faith was few...
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. (Matthew 18:1-5 MSG)
Dude. I'm praying about a lot of stuff right now. Big, weighty, life changing stuff. Jesus, help remember to put on my short sleeves under my jacket and start trusting in you and your plans like my precious 6yo child!
Friday, March 1, 2013
And you thought you have a hard time in the grocery store...
I'm a mom. A mom to a few children. Some were given to me at conception, others are placed in my care by the sovereign hand of God and the watchful eye of the Department of Human Resources. My kids are amazing, unpredictable, impulsive, active little people. They make every day an adventure. Some days feel like an adventure on the road to crazy town, and others... Well, lets be honest. Most days are the crazy town days!
But, you know what? I think the road to crazy town is a pretty awesome place to be. Maybe not for everyone, but it seems to suit us just fine. (And, I think that if we are honest with ourselves, a lot of us are on that same road!) There are definitely some things we can improve upon. Always. But, in the end, God knew what he was doing when He set the lonely in our family!
I have some amazingly wise friends who love Jesus - like a lot. For real. I am so thankful God has shared His beautiful daughters with me. I learn from them. I grown with them. I pray with them and for them. It is just amazing to have people in my life who love Jesus so much that I don't have to fear being judged or looked down on for any reason. They are amazing reflections of God's love for me.
And this has become my soapbox lately. (At least, the soapbox in my mind.) Why must we constantly fear the judgement of others? I guess that statement could be reworded a few different ways, but you get the point.
I go to the grocery store with all 5 kids. I do it a lot, actually. (Even though, each time I swear I will never do it again) I have a few children with a great love for alcoholic beverages. So much so, that they scream in excitement Everytime they see beer. And they are NOT screaming "yay!" They are screaming, "beer! I want some beer!" Over and over and over and over. I try to avoid the aisle, but the frozen pizzas are directly across from it, and what mom of 5 kids do you know that does not keep frozen pizza on hand? ..... Exactly.
Who wants to guess what the grocery store shopper and employees look like when they see my kids screaming for beer? Anyone? ...Bueller? ...Bueller? Right... That's because we all KNOW it is not a pretty sight.
Or how about when we are having screaming tantrums, or when I sanitize my baby's hands after someone has touched her. Or, when my big kids haul off and shove each other down, or when I look as scraggly as I feel inside. And let's not forget to mention Mount Foldmore - the 4-6 loads of clean laundry that grace my couch pretty much all the time.
I told a friend of mine, "I think God is just trying to make me humble." And she responds, "Maybe He chose you for the job because He knows you are the one who can do it. That He has given you everything you need to be successful."
Praise God for speaking through that friend, and for reaffirming that very thing to me in His Word! I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with friends who encourage me and love me. I'm so thankful for a God who loves me and allows me to live in the freedom of what He can do through me.
My hope and prayer is that we - the church - God's own beloved - would STOP the judging and start the loving. There is so much freedom and power when we spend our time loving others and encouraging them. It's kind of a big deal. So, to all you out there who love and encourage me, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. And, to those of you in the grocery store - the next time you hear kids yelling for beer, feel free to come say hello! :)
But, you know what? I think the road to crazy town is a pretty awesome place to be. Maybe not for everyone, but it seems to suit us just fine. (And, I think that if we are honest with ourselves, a lot of us are on that same road!) There are definitely some things we can improve upon. Always. But, in the end, God knew what he was doing when He set the lonely in our family!
I have some amazingly wise friends who love Jesus - like a lot. For real. I am so thankful God has shared His beautiful daughters with me. I learn from them. I grown with them. I pray with them and for them. It is just amazing to have people in my life who love Jesus so much that I don't have to fear being judged or looked down on for any reason. They are amazing reflections of God's love for me.
And this has become my soapbox lately. (At least, the soapbox in my mind.) Why must we constantly fear the judgement of others? I guess that statement could be reworded a few different ways, but you get the point.
I go to the grocery store with all 5 kids. I do it a lot, actually. (Even though, each time I swear I will never do it again) I have a few children with a great love for alcoholic beverages. So much so, that they scream in excitement Everytime they see beer. And they are NOT screaming "yay!" They are screaming, "beer! I want some beer!" Over and over and over and over. I try to avoid the aisle, but the frozen pizzas are directly across from it, and what mom of 5 kids do you know that does not keep frozen pizza on hand? ..... Exactly.
Who wants to guess what the grocery store shopper and employees look like when they see my kids screaming for beer? Anyone? ...Bueller? ...Bueller? Right... That's because we all KNOW it is not a pretty sight.
Or how about when we are having screaming tantrums, or when I sanitize my baby's hands after someone has touched her. Or, when my big kids haul off and shove each other down, or when I look as scraggly as I feel inside. And let's not forget to mention Mount Foldmore - the 4-6 loads of clean laundry that grace my couch pretty much all the time.
I told a friend of mine, "I think God is just trying to make me humble." And she responds, "Maybe He chose you for the job because He knows you are the one who can do it. That He has given you everything you need to be successful."
Praise God for speaking through that friend, and for reaffirming that very thing to me in His Word! I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with friends who encourage me and love me. I'm so thankful for a God who loves me and allows me to live in the freedom of what He can do through me.
My hope and prayer is that we - the church - God's own beloved - would STOP the judging and start the loving. There is so much freedom and power when we spend our time loving others and encouraging them. It's kind of a big deal. So, to all you out there who love and encourage me, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. And, to those of you in the grocery store - the next time you hear kids yelling for beer, feel free to come say hello! :)
Friday, February 22, 2013
Moms... Read this!
One of the most amazing women I know said to me last night, "I burst into tears on the phone with her. It was just like a burden had been lifted - to know there are neurological reasons for these problems and that I'm not just a bad mom." My heart hit the floor. Like this woman is the real deal. Loves Jesus. Has been serving His vulnerable abused and neglected children for years. Selfless. Gentle. Kind. Honest. Has persevered through difficulties like you could never imagine. Does things for others that no one else would do. Giving. Loving. You can see Jesus in her. For real.
And yet, the same question that plagues the rest of us plagues her too... "Am I a good mom? An I good enough? Am I messing up my kids?" We all think it. If we are honest with ourselves, every single one of us questions it at some point. "Am I good? Am I enough? Can I do this without needing to set aside money in a therapy fund for my kids later in life?" I mean, my goodness, I go (when I can get there) to a book club meeting with other moms to discuss the book, "am I messing up my kids"!
Do we want to hear the truth? Do we want to live in the truth? Some days, I do. And others, I choose to wallow in the self doubt and self pity of my flesh. This is too hard. I can't do this. I'm messing my kids up. They are too messed up already. I can't keep a clean house. There is not enough time in the day. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!
At the end of the day, we have to recognize the negative self talk for exactly what it is. Lies. Lies meant to steal our joy and cause us to doubt the very responsibility that God himself endowed upon us. (After all, He is the giver of life. And He is the sovereign God of all creation.). His plans are best and He knows what He is doing. And He says that children are a reward.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord , the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalms 127:3 ESV)
We were chosen by God to love these children. We were chosen as their moms. But, we will never be enough, in our own strength. Our own efforts will fail us and our children. Every time. But there is one who is greater than I. He is enough. He is all they need. His love never fails.
So, Moms (myself included here), stop worrying. Stop listening to the lies. And start letting Jesus live through you! Quit trying to just do for your kids and do for your family and do for God. Let Him live through you. He will guide you in what to say, which chore to do next, how to handle difficult situations, give you a gladness of heart. He will.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. (Psalms 13:5 ESV
Do you know a Mom who could use some encouragement? Well then, get to it! Shoot her a text or send her a message. PRAY for her! And let her know that she's not alone in this journey.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)
And yet, the same question that plagues the rest of us plagues her too... "Am I a good mom? An I good enough? Am I messing up my kids?" We all think it. If we are honest with ourselves, every single one of us questions it at some point. "Am I good? Am I enough? Can I do this without needing to set aside money in a therapy fund for my kids later in life?" I mean, my goodness, I go (when I can get there) to a book club meeting with other moms to discuss the book, "am I messing up my kids"!
Do we want to hear the truth? Do we want to live in the truth? Some days, I do. And others, I choose to wallow in the self doubt and self pity of my flesh. This is too hard. I can't do this. I'm messing my kids up. They are too messed up already. I can't keep a clean house. There is not enough time in the day. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!
At the end of the day, we have to recognize the negative self talk for exactly what it is. Lies. Lies meant to steal our joy and cause us to doubt the very responsibility that God himself endowed upon us. (After all, He is the giver of life. And He is the sovereign God of all creation.). His plans are best and He knows what He is doing. And He says that children are a reward.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord , the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalms 127:3 ESV)
We were chosen by God to love these children. We were chosen as their moms. But, we will never be enough, in our own strength. Our own efforts will fail us and our children. Every time. But there is one who is greater than I. He is enough. He is all they need. His love never fails.
For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; (Psalms 94:14 ESV)
So, Moms (myself included here), stop worrying. Stop listening to the lies. And start letting Jesus live through you! Quit trying to just do for your kids and do for your family and do for God. Let Him live through you. He will guide you in what to say, which chore to do next, how to handle difficult situations, give you a gladness of heart. He will.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. (Psalms 13:5 ESV
Do you know a Mom who could use some encouragement? Well then, get to it! Shoot her a text or send her a message. PRAY for her! And let her know that she's not alone in this journey.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)
Thursday, February 7, 2013
"Miss Beff, God is just slobbering all over us this morning!"
In His glorious messy way, yes. Yes He is!
Another rainy morning landed all types of conversation. My four-year-old gladly explained, "There goes Jesus slobbering all over us today. God is slobbering on us again!"
My nine-year-old wanted to play with the little boys, telling them that he can make it stop raining. You know, the old drive under a bridge tree and make it stop raining? did anyone else's Dad blow their mind with that trick as a kid?
Well, my six-year-old quickly responded, "No! You have to pray to God! Only He can make it stop raining!" Then he proceeded to pray. And guess what… God made the downpour turn into the slightest drizzle you have ever seen. And of course exclamations arose immediately. "He did it Miss Beth!!!! He answered my prayers! He really hears me!"
Yes! Yes. He. Does. He hears the fervent prayer of a six-year-old praying about rain - who believed in faith that God is the only who can change the rain. And he hears our prayers too! May we pray with the same fervency and faith of the little six-year-old in my backseat this morning.
We praise you Jesus for all you are and all you're doing! Slobber on us all you want!
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2 ESV)
Friday, January 25, 2013
You are LOVED
Sometimes God lays people on my heart, and gives me scripture to share with them. Sometimes, as I read the Word, I just have things to say about how and why it relates to my life. Once I learned that I couldn't really share our daily adventures as foster parents (due to privacy issues) the blog has been kinda dormant. Well, I'm finally gonna put this thing to good use. I pray it would encourage you to spend time in prayer and in the Word as we lives our lives fully surrendered to Jesus.
You are LOVED
So, I was thinking about you this morning. And I was thinking about Romans 5:8. Like, the most extreme example of how much we are loved. All that stuff that has been dragging you down, making you feel unloved, unappreciated, overwhelmed.... Just know this. At your very darkest. Your very lowest point, The worst of the worst time in your life, you were LOVED. Not like we so flippantly view love, but real love. Love that transcends all of that craziness and gives the ultimate sacrifice. You are special and you are loved and no matter what you have found yourself mixed up in in this life, you are loved and cherished and valued by the One who will never let you down, never turn His back on you, never give up on you, and never hurt you. Ever. He works everything for your good! (Romans 8:28). So, have a great day, friend! :)
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