Monthly Archives: March 2014

You are browsing the site archives by month.

TRUSTING IN THE INFINITELY MIGHTY GOD

Mighty Power of God

I can’t remember the precise moment when I realized what a mighty God our Jesus is. Maybe it was the time that our car was stolen and we didn’t have full insurance coverage and we were desperate to see His power. Or maybe it was the time we were behind on our bills, barely scraping by and our only option was to trust God’s infinite power to rescue us. Or maybe it was the time my marriage was in such a mess that my husband and I needed to live separately and wait on God to reveal His mighty love to us.

Jesus rescued us over and over again in the midst of our mistakes and failures. In my stubborn determination to try to handle life on my own, I finally handed over the reins to Him permanently. Still, it took time after time of seeing Christ rescue me and my family from difficult circumstances to know without a shadow of doubt that He can be trusted. He is who He says He is. He is mighty and powerful and his love never fails us.

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5 (New International Version)

I’m linking up for Five Minute Friday where Lisa Jo Baker and other awesome people write for five minutes flat with no self critiquing or no striving for perfection. This week’s prompt is: “Mighty.”  If you haven’t heard about Lisa Jo’s new book, you don’t want to miss out! Surprised by Motherhood can be purchased at amazon.com. I think you’ll love it!

Five Minute Friday

SAVORING THE GIFT OF MOTHERHOOD

Amy's Pictures 1435

As I was on my way home, the words of my father-in-law echoed in my mind: “Enjoy the years of raising your children because in the blink of an eye, they’ll be grown.” I thought intently about the words my father-in-law had spoken decades before, as I drove away from the college campus where my youngest child will be taking part in the Duel Enrollment program for high school seniors. Thoughts of my little boy running around with his action figures were colliding with thoughts of the young man who signed up for college Algebra and English 1101. How can he possibly be starting college? It seems like yesterday that Thomas was a wee little guy testing my patience as I chased him around the library while he was screaming, “Nooooo, I don’t want to leave!” I will always remember the tantrum in the library, but what stands out most in my mind are the sounds of laughter and squealing of excitement over the joys of life through a child’s eyes.

The older my children get, the more the words in Psalm 127:3 resonate in my heart: Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing. My youngest will be seventeen soon and my oldest is twenty-four. They are truly the most treasured gifts God has given me along with the gift of marriage. One of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made in life was quitting my merchandising/sales job with Procter and Gamble which enabled me to focus on being a mommy while I worked as a nanny and several other part-time jobs along the way.  Trying to be a good career woman and a good mother at the same time was just not for me. I couldn’t do both well.

Motherhood is the job that is shaping the future of our world like no other job. Mothering is by far one of the hardest jobs. There are no accolades during the formative years of our children’s lives. The rewards come later when we see our adult children making a difference in their communities. With the day-to-day stresses of being an active-duty mom, the difficulties of parenting can begin to override the immense joys that come from motherhood. I refuse to let that happen in my life.

I am savoring all that comes with being a mother. I am savoring the never-a-dull-moment-teen-years along with the piles of sweaty work-out clothes from daily football training and practices. I am savoring the orthodontist appointments and school meetings to attend. I am savoring the hours of volunteer duties that come with being a football mom. I am savoring every single moment of motherhood because I know that the duty of raising little ones into loving, generous people is truly an honor that is to be cherished now amidst these significant fleeting moments.

 “Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.” — James 1:17 (God’s Word Translation)

The photo of my son and daughter was taken in January in Tampa, Florida.

MARRIAGE IS FULFILLING WHEN WE’RE WILLING TO LOVE SACRIFICIALLY

Vow Renewal 1

That’s not what I am saying…I passionately defend myself to my husband as we try to hear each others’ hearts. We’ve been married for decades, yet we still have trouble communicating at times. I believe God created men and women with opposite natures just so we would have to rely on Him in our commitment to each other. There is no other relationship that tests our ability to love unconditionally more than the marriage.

Real love is when we are willing to sacrifice our own needs in order to see that our spouse’s needs are met first. My need as a woman to be heard and understood should be much less important to me than it is for me to respect my husband’s desires.

I am challenged daily to love purely with no selfish motives, but with the help of Christ and through His strength I know that I can press on in loving my husband sacrificially.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

— 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (New International Version)

I’m linking up for Five Minute Friday where Lisa Jo Baker and other awesome people write for five minutes flat with no self critiquing or no striving for perfection. This week’s prompt is: “Willing.”

The photo was taken the day my husband and I renewed our wedding vows.

Five Minute Friday