Daddy's Little Girl

This Week's Quote:

"The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love."
Henry Scougal (The Life of God in the Soul of Man ), quoted by John Piper in The Pleasures of God

All too often I get caught up in the things of this world and I forget the true gift of my Creator. I long to serve Him, walk with Him, talk with Him and just BE with Him! I recently felt an amazing warmth and comfort as a vivid picture came to my mind of a little girl walking along the beach with her hand in her Daddy's, or sitting in his lap stroking His whiskers and giving Him butterfly kisses. My soul longs to be with my Creator constantly!

I like this quote because it reminds me of the true value that He sees in me. Worth and Excellency aren't words that you hear every day, but they are amazing words . . . positive words! The best part though is that the object of my love is my Heavenly Father and if he is the one measuring my worth . . . wow!

Do I walk by His side as often as I want to or should? Sadly, no! I do have to say that my mind is on prayer and seeking him often throughout each day right now and I am trying to learn more and more about this. You see, although I grew up in a Christian home, I never made it a habit to pray. I have many areas in my life that need His divine touch (parenting, emotions, everyday decisions, etc) and I am just now learning how to give these to him and become a woman of prayer! Becoming Daddy's Little Girl . . .

A Woman of Honor

"The jews had light and gladness, joy and honor" (Esther 8:16)
"Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet and implored him with tears . . . and the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther." (Esther 8:3&4)

So many thoughts . . . where to begin?

~First, Esther risked her life - not once, but twice! TWICE!!! Going before the king was NO small thing. If you weren't invited and decided to appear before him and he didn't want to see you - you were dead! Yup, it was simple - never appear before the kind unnanounced. Here Esther was going before him a second time, this time to plead for an entire nation of people - her people!

~Second, I love vs.16! I want that statement for my day . . . for my LIFE! Light and gladness, joy and honor! Need I say more?


Lord, help me not to shrink from daily challenges, but to realize how miniscule my problems are in the greater picutre and to find joy and gladness in my day, my experiences. Light when things seem dark - honor when I feel like losing it. Thank you for your blessings and your acceptance!

Blessed Be Your Name!

"Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name..."
~ Matt Redman ~
Lyrics from "Blessed be Your Name"

How do I respond to the deserts and wildernesses in my life? That is a question I often ask myself when challenges come my way. Sure there's all the little cliches that I try to remind myself in accordance to the Word, but my behavior, attitude and reactions to the situations around me are what really count!

I have to admit that many of my deserts are self-inflicted! Ugh, that's hard to admit! But it is true and I must face reality! I do not always make sure that I have reserved time to spend with my Lord! I all too often let other things consume my time each day instead of starting it off by giving it to Him. That begins a long list of problems that begin to steer me the wrong way.

I struggle with anger. Plain and simple laid out before my God ~ I daily face the challenge of keeping anger in check and under control. Another example of a self-inflicted wilderness and I am not always very happy with myself at the end of the day. I have learned the value of humbling myself before my children and asking for their forgiveness when I have been wrong! But the thing about anger is that it's simply a symptom of a greater problem. Not spending time with my Savior.

Admittedly I have not faced nearly the deserts and wildernesses that many of those around me have! I have been greatly blessed in mind, body and spirit. The gift of health and my beautiful children is enormous!

Blessed be your name! I need to praise him often! Blessed be your name! Regardless of my circumstances! Blessed be your name! What would happen if I remembered to do this throughout my day? Blessed be Your name! As I do the laundry . . . Blessed be Your name! As I do the dishes . . . Blessed be Your name! As I instruct the children . . . Blessed be Your name! As I make dinner . . . Blessed be Your name!

Would I feel like losing my cool nearly as often? I don't think so!!!! It is an attitude, a habit, a lifestyle of giving praise and glory and . . . my life daily, even hourly to Him! This attitude can change a life and definitely would change my perspective throughout each day as I encounter challenges, wildernesses, frustrations, deserts and more. I'm going to give it a try!

Blessed Be Your Name!

Divine Purpose

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Children are asked this often as they grow and just as often it usually changes. The big question for me though is ~ What is God's purpose for each of my sons? I ask God this often.

But here's a funny thought ~ when is the last time I asked my sons, "What do you think God has planned for your future?" Interesting twist isn't it? So many things are accomplished if I ask them this question. Most importantly though it turns their eyes outward and upward to God!

Teaching them to first seek Him and His will and purpose for their lives; instead of looking to themselves or the world for answers. After all He created each of them with a specific purpose and only He can direct them down the correct path for their lives.

Giving our children and their futures to God os not a one-time act of dedication. It is a daily process that we have to remember to do! Trusting that He knows our children better than we do and even as a child can daily direct their lives.

The Prayer: Lord Help me to remember that only You truly know the purpose for each child. You knew their future before they were even formed in the womb and have called each of them to a specific purpose. Guide me as their mother in the instruction you would have me give each of them for your purpose! Thank you for giving me these beautiful boys and help me to give them back to you daily.

The Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5~8 " 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.' Then said I: 'Ah, Lord God! Behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth.' But the Lord said to me: 'Do not say, "I am a youth," for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces for I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord."

Intimacy with Jesus - In Other Words

A thought provoking idea as a mom since intimacy in general can be a challenge! I'll start with the facts: I have 6 children, the twins are 17 mos and still don't alway sleep well, I attempt to read the Bible daily. Ok, now how does that relate? In every way!

Past: When I became a mom for the first time intimacy in friendships, marriage and my relationship with Jesus seemed pretty much the same. As I had more and more children however most of those relationships cooled off considerably (well, not the marriage one). Then the twins . . . we all adore them and they were truly a gift from God, but they intensified every part of life.

Now: I want to be walking closely by His side each and every day, and that passion has recently been renewed in me (the birth of this blog as a result) - despite or maybe because of my 6 sons. I am finding that the reality is a little more inconsistent than I'd like - though it is much better than it was for many years. I am plodding through many days each week without spending time with my Savior - getting the life-giving Water of truth and renewal of my soul! How will I fulfil his desire and plan for my life - for my sons if I don't have that direct line of communication open to him? This is what I remind myself of each day.

The Nitty Gritty: To me intimacy with Jesus is as simple as seeking Him and His will each and every day for my life! Allowing Him to speak to me in a real and tangible way by stopping long enough to listen and learning more about Him through His word. So often I try to complicate this with all of the other things that supposedly "make" you closer to God - reality check - they do not create intimacy with the Savior! There is no one set plan, no one right way - there is a relationship between you and Jesus (your Creator and Savior) and that is a very unique and Personal relationship!

How Great Is Our God

I hope that this blesses you today! Rest, praise and be refreshed!

Anxiety

All too often I find myself with a telltale knot in my stomach. Sometimes I know exactly what brought it on and need to give it up to God, but then there are the times that I have no idea and suddenly I simply realize that it is there. This is definitely a part of life I could do without. We all internalize stress one way or another, and this knot accompanied often by a little bit of anxiousness is how I react.

I realize too that in my humanness I am too slow to go to God and give it to him! Or if I do I often try to take it back unneccesarily - after all, He is already in control, He has the perfect solution and is already at work for me! Why do I try to mess it all up by taking it back into my own hands? Why don't I simply accept His Grace and Peace and rest in His Love?

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

That is what I need to remember, so simple, yet so profoundly complete. Providing everything I need - comfort, strength, compassion, peace and safety! To rest in the arms of my Savior and know that he has it handled! That is enough for me!