God's Tea Party

My niece was at my mom's one day last week. She is the only little girl in our family and I absolutely adore her. I adore all the boys too, but there is something magical about a little girl's imagination.

She prepared a tea party for my boys expecting them to come and dine with her. My mom said she waited and waited and asked over and over when they would be there. She had their chairs arranged, their tea cups in place, and even goldfish on the plates waiting for their arrival. She did all of this first thing in the morning and we didn't drop by until later that afternoon. She was not angry or upset with us, but so excited to finally show them to their seats. She was ready to serve them goldfish and tea and talk with them.

The next day, I was thinking about this wonderful tea party hosted by a sweet 3 year old. I couldn't help but think how this was so like our God. Every morning, He arranges a magnificent feast and beckons us to come and sit with Him and enjoy His presence. There are only two chairs at His table, one for Him and one for us.

How often we make Him wait and wait. We may even busily walk by Him never showing up to this sacred meal. He longs to meet with us in the secret place and listen to us and speak with us.

I see Him with His elbow on the table and His hand upon His cheek listening to His child tell Him everything He already knows, but He still listens ever so intently. Then as we run out of words, He begins to share His dreams and plans for us. He guides us through His word to comfort and teach us. Then when the "tea party" that He prepared with great detail is over, He sends us out to be His light to this world. He encourages us that we can do that because He is with us.

If it's been a while since you've attended one of our Master's tea parties, take heart! Like my gracious niece, He is not angry or upset. He is excited to see you walk through those doors no matter how long He has waited. He will meet you with a smile and an embrace and pull out your chair for you to sit with Him. Even if it's been weeks or years, Jesus patiently waits for you to respond to His invitation to sit and dine with Him.

Oh what a magnificent, merciful, and personal God we serve.

Ponder

Ponder...I simply love the sound of that word. It means to consider something deeply and thoroughly; to meditate.

I've always loved Luke 2:19 which says "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." 

We read in Luke 2:51 that once again Mary "kept all these things in her heart." This was after she and Joseph anxiously searched for Jesus and found Him in the temple and He asked them "Why do you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

We had our Christmas play at church recently. It was a walk through journey of Bethlehem with all the stops along the way you might expect to see in those days. There were the women talking by the well, the money changer, the Roman soldiers keeping the streets clear, the Bethlehem Inn, and of course the stable with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Our walk through didn't stop at the manger though. There was a gentleman at the end dressed in royal apparel speaking as the ascended Jesus. He told us about his life and how he grew up and experienced joy and laughter but also pain and suffering. There was a cross beside him and he spoke of his death but proclaimed that his story did not end there because he rose from the grave and is alive today.

After this gentleman shared the salvation message, one of the shepherds said " now go and tell the good news! And be like Mary and ponder these things in your heart!"

As I sat in my tent as the Innkeepers wife, I heard him say this over and over with each group. Everytime I would think "yes we need to ponder these things more!"

Mary could have joined in with the shepherds and told of her own encounter with an angel and proclaim that she knew who her Son was, but instead she was quiet and still. She quietly kept all these things, storing them as magnificent treasure and pondering them in her heart.

Mary's gentle and quiet spirit reveals that she trusted the Holy Spirit to sort these things out. There was no need to try and figure things out or to lean on her own understanding. In her wisdom, Mary knew how to shift her focus off of her own fears and uncertainties and look to her God instead. She fully trusted God and His plan for her and her Child and she rested in that by taking time to ponder.

I don't think we ponder enough. In this fast paced world that we live in, we must be intentional about making time to quiet ourselves before the Lord. Even when our bodies are still, its hard for our thoughts to be still so we can hear His thoughts.

I dont think we ponder on Jesus' birth enough, the birth that followed him leaving His throne in heaven. The birth of the King of the world in a lowly stable. The birth that explains why He is named Immanuel "God with us."

We don't ponder enough on His death. He died as a criminal among criminals yet was completely without sin. It was our sin that He chose to bear so we could be free. He is the Lamb of God who laid down His life for us.

We don't ponder on His ressurection enough. It's become ordinary  and something we talk about at Easter when it is absolutely extraordinary and should be celebrated everyday! The grave could not hold Him! He defeated death and sin!

I desire to be filled with passion and wonder everytime I hear or read about the life of Jesus. Never to become numb to it as if I know it already. Truth be told we'll never know these things fully. When we see our Master's face in all His glory and look upon His nail scarred hands and feet, then we may understand a tiny bit more of what His love for us cost Him.

This Christmas may be a joyous time or a time of sorrow for you. Whatever pain or joy we may be experiencing, may we remember and take comfort in the fact that Jesus walked this life before us and He knows exactly how we feel. May we take time to be still, quiet ourselves and ponder. Ponder on God's faithfulness and everlasting truth. Ponder on His promises.

As we celebrate our Immanuel, our Mighty God, our Prince of Peace, our Savior, let us ponder on who He is. Let us quiet ourselves as Mary and ponder on these things in our hearts.

The Two Fires

 Lately we have heard how fire has devastated certain areas of our state. It appears fire can be a dreadful thing to fight against.

Last year the boys and I were on a field trip and got to speak with a Forest Ranger. He went over the different ways they fight fire. We were surprised when he said one of those ways was to fight fire with fire. My oldest instantly looked at me and smiled. I knew he was thinking of the Andy Griffith episode where Barney proclaims the only way to fight fire is with fire!

Spiritually, there are two fires. They are both consuming and unquenchable but the goal of one is to destroy and torment while the other is to rescue and save.

What am I trying to say? Lately, the Lord has set a fire in my soul, in my bones! I want to share Him with everyone! I want to fulfill the purpose He had in mind when He formed me. This is a fire I cannot contain nor control. This fire is of the Holy Spirit!

Jeremiah spoke of this fire "Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name. But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not."

You see like Jeremiah I think we as Christians experience this fire at some point but we allow others or ourselves to quench it in some way. His word should be in our hearts like a fire. People need the word and it's within us! What an honor!

Then there's the other fire. The fire that is death, torment, and destruction that awaits those who reject Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You see this place was created for Satan and his devils. God's desire is that no one should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). There was a woman in the 1800s who had visions of people walking into a hole of fire oblivious to what was happening. That vision struck a fire from God inside of her to preach and share the gospel. When we are filled with His truth and the fire of the Spirit we can understand Acts 4:20. Peter and John were threatened and told to never speak or teach in the name of Jesus. They responded "for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."  They couldn't help themselves! They had to share the One who had set them free and has the power to set others free!

Whether we like to think about it or not, hell is a very real place. We are the redeemed of the Lord. The passionate fire in our souls can rescue those who are on their way to the fire of destruction! Corrie Ten Boom said in one of her books that most believers are like firemen in a burning house who are busy straightening pictures instead of rescuing those who are persishing. We too can be complacent and more concerned about trivial things rather than precious souls all around us.

Jude verse 23 says "but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by flesh."

Last year my husband came across an awful wreck and the vehicle was on fire. He could hear the man screaming for help. My husband and his coworker ran to the vehicle though it was on fire, they cut the seat belt and pulled this man through the car window to safety. As he told me this story I was so proud of how brave he had been and I also thought of Jude 23.

There are people all around us locked in chains enclosed in darkness who are crying for help like this man. Their cry may sound different. Their cry may be seen in their actions. There are many walking this path of destruction. When will we arise and be the sons and daughters with fire in our bones? The fire of the Holy Spirit inside of us can rescue those who are deceived and headed to the fire of torment and destruction.

Would that God would make hell so real to us that we cannot rest; heaven so real that we must have men there, Christ so real that our supreme motive and aim shall be to make the Man of Sorrows the Man of Joy by the conversion to him of many. — Hudson Taylor

On my 33rd year of life

This started as a journal entry and ended up as a blog post.....

I turn 33 today. On my 33rd birthday I received such sweet messages from so many people wishing me a Happy Birthday. I feel so blessed and so loved.

When I woke up, it hit me how I am now the same age as Jesus when He died for the salvation of the world.

33 is such a young age for someone to die. I can't help but wonder how 33 years seemed to our Savior though. 33 years on this sin infested, harsh earth. He chose to leave His throne and glory because He loves us so much and He knew we needed a Savior, but I have to remember He left His Father as well as His throne and crown.

Scripture says that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. Oh how He must have longed to be in the presence of His Father as He was in heaven. We as Christians have that awesome privilege to enter into God's presence because of Jesus' death and resurrection.


On my 33rd year of life I have too many blessings to count yet my Jesus had no place to lay his head at night. He came and gave up His life so I would have abundant life in Him.

On my 33rd year of life I don't desire any material gifts. Jesus is my gift and my treasure and HE is more than enough.

On my 33rd year of life, this is my prayer, this is what I desire...

Lord, may You increase and I decrease. May I be filled to overflowing with Your joy. May I learn to stay at Your feet in full trust and obedience. May I grow in Your grace and Your wisdom. May I be the godly wife and mother You had in mind when You created me. May I learn to overlook offenses. May pride, unbelief, and fear be utterly destroyed and have no place in me. May I die also, die to my flesh so Your spirit can fully live and reign in me. May I be a living sacrifice unto You my Lord, a maid servant ready and always available to my Master. May I truly hunger and thirst for You more than my next breath. May I treasure my husband and love him selflessly the way you do. May I know You and love You more and more every moment that passes by. May I learn to always look for the good You are doing even in tough circumstances. May I make more time to sit under Your shadow listening to Your voice. May I speak life in faith over my children and in every situation. May I reach out and touch the untouchables as You did. May my faith move mountains. May my words, thoughts, motives, and actions be pleasing to You, my Father. May I be content with who You made me to be. May I seek Your face all the days of my life knowing I shall look upon Your face very soon for this life is so short. May I be busy about building up Your name and Your kingdom instead of my own. May I share You, Jesus and the gospel message every opportunity You give me. Make me like You, Jesus.

Prisoners of HOPE

She is a former captive.

She has been set free by the King of kings.

She has been set free, yet remains a prisoner.

Not a prisoner of sin or bitterness or addiction or shame.

She is a prisoner of HOPE.

She refuses to see any situation as hopeless.

She has locked herself behind the bars of HOPE.

She has slammed her cell door shut and thrown away the key of doubt.

You see, she is a prisoner of HOPE.

The world may look at her in pity and see her unwavering HOPE as foolishness.

Those voices won't shake her for she is bound in HIS promises.

She changed her vision to see as her Lord sees.

She knows HIS plans to give her HOPE and a future.

The world may see tragedy, hardship, and hopelessness but she considers it all joy.

She will not give up. She will not lose HOPE.

You see, she is a prisoner of HOPE.

This HOPE is an anchor for her soul.

You come into contact with these prisoners everyday.

Who are these prisoners of HOPE?


The woman who is weary and struggling with depression but continues to get up each day depending on HIS strength. She is a prisoner of HOPE.

The woman whose child is sick and the doctors only have so many answers, yet she perseveres trusting the One who knit her child together inside her womb. She knows HE will not leave her nor forsake her. She is a prisoner of HOPE.

The woman who has experienced a broken relationship and a broken heart but presses on through the tears because she refuses to believe the lie that she is alone. She is depending on God to heal her heart and bind her wounds. She has placed her future in HIS hands. She is a prisoner of HOPE.

The woman who is in as much physical pain as emotional pain yet she smiles. Her joy is from HIM and she believes HE is her HEALER. She is a prisoner of HOPE.

The woman who has been waiting so long for her hearts desire. She dreams of the day that she will finally hold her child. She knows God is not the author of confusion but of peace. So in faith and HOPE she will wait and trust her God who loves her so. She knows HIS timing and HIS ways are perfect. She is a prisoner of HOPE.

The woman who has faithfully prayed for her husband or children for years. She sees no change yet she keeps praying because she has chosen to walk by faith not by sight. She keeps praying and believing on the only One who can help her loved ones. She knows her Father hears her and that HE is working even though she can't see. She is a prisoner of HOPE.

A prisoner of HOPE is not simply a positive person. A prisoner of HOPE has a confident expectation, not in herself but in her God.

As long as Jesus Christ is alive there is HOPE!
HE lives and reigns forever so there is always HOPE!


"Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." Zechariah 9:12

Voice of Truth

I still see her tears in my mind. Those tears have made an impact on me. A little girl that I recently met came up to me with tears streaming down her cheeks. Another child had just said some mean and hurtful things to her about her appearance. With each tear I could see that she was starting to believe those lies. Each tear held the pain of rejection and the fear of never being good enough. I told her she was very beautiful and so special and it only matters what God says about her. I told her there was no one in the entire world just like her and she was perfect the way she was. She smiled and nodded her head, but sometimes it takes more than one dose of truth to finally wipe out just a few lies.

Proverbs 12:18 says....
"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Proverbs 18:21 says...
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Hurtful words stick, they pierce like a sword. I'm an adult and can still remember painful words that were spoken to me as a child by other children. I want so badly for this precious little girl to see that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. That God sings and rejoices over her. That she is the apple of her Heavenly Father's eye. I want her to understand that our God keeps a record of every one of her tears. She. Is. Beautiful. And chosen and created for a wonderful and mighty purpose.I want her to be able to brush off all those ugly comments and smile knowing how Jesus sees her....knowing the truth of who she is in His sight.

There is a book by Max Lucado that I like to read to our boys and it's a perfect example of this. I recommend it to all parents. The title is "You are Special." Punchinello is the main character and he lives in a world of wooden people. Each wooden person receives either gray dots or gold stars. Punchinello always received gray dots (hurtful things others said about him) until he meets his Creator who tells him those gray dots don't have to stick. Punchinello soon realizes as long as he only cares what his Maker thinks neither the dots nor the stars stick to him because his worth is not found in the voice or opinions of others.

We have to choose to tune out all the other voices and listen to the only voice of truth. While others may be putting us down or saying not so nice things about us, we can keep our eyes on Jesus knowing that His voice and His thoughts towards us  is all that matters.

"Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of Truth."

Not in Vain

The Lord has been steadily teaching me lately to see Him and His purposes in everything. When we live our lives unto the Lord, nothing is in vain. It all matters.

As believers, Jesus lives within us, so that means we carry Him wherever we go. When we look at the gospels, there was never a dull moment in Jesus' everyday life. He always ran into people who needed His touch or His word.

 We are to live that same life, that same adventure. Our christian walk was never meant to be dull. When we truly give Jesus full reign by surrendering to Him, it's an exciting ride and nothing is wasted!

Yesterday I had jury duty. You know you're a stay at home mom when you are excited about jury duty haha. Anyway, I got there and was glad to see that I knew a few people. We had to do a lot of waiting and I got to spend a couple hours with a former youth student from church. It was so nice to see him and catch up with everything going on in his life. I knew something good would come out of a day of jury duty and waiting.

Months ago, I took our youngest to the doctor thinking he had an ear infection. Our doctor is over an hour away. His ears looked fine so as I waited for the nurse to come back in, the thought crossed my mind "well, I guess this was a waste of time." The nurse came in and I caught a glimpse of her bracelet. I immediately knew it was Psalm 91 because I had just read that Psalm that morning, so I asked her about it. She told me that a friend had given it to her and that she had recently been diagnosed with cancer. So Micah and I prayed for this sweet woman in the doctors office that day. A couple of weeks ago, I took Daylen to the doctor for an earache and this same nurse came up to us to tell us thank you for praying and that all her scans are now clear!! Praise God!!

Then while on vacation this summer, our boys wanted to go to the local gift shop. It was just an ordinary gift shop and the cashier was nice but not overly talkative. We checked out and were heading out the door when the cashier said "ma'am." I turned around expecting to see that I had left something on the counter and instead saw her crying. She looked into my eyes and told me she needed prayer. I grabbed her hands and we prayed right there. She had so much going on in her life and needed some encouragement and someone to pray with her.

I'm sharing all this only to say that I used to view everyday life as just life and my happiness depended on my daily circumstances. Jesus has taught me to wake up everyday asking Him "Lord, what are we going to get into today?" He is patiently teaching me that this life is not all about me and to take my focus off of myself and observe what He desires to do all around me. Even days that seem completely ordinary can be extraordinary when we look from His perspective. It's a beautiful thing to know nothing is really a waste of time. Open my eyes Lord to see You in the midst of waiting, life's interruptions, and just ordinary everyday life. With You, it's an adventure and absolutely nothing is in vain.


"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Of Course

I was asked to do something out of my comfort zone recently and I prayed and prayed for God to help me. Afterwards, as I was driving away, I thanked Him for always taking care of me. HIS most precious reply was "of course, you're My daughter."

I cried and thought about my own children and how they never thank me for simply taking care of them. Sure, they say thank you for different things I do for them but never for simply taking care of them. Why not? Because they know it's a given, I'm their mom and that's what I do. They don't live in fear wondering if I'm going to love them today. They don't go days without talking to me because they think I'm disappointed in them. They don't have to wonder if I'm going to feed them or spend time with them. I never get asked "do you love me, or do you still love me?" They know I will always love them and take care of them. 

We are God's children and if we love our kids unconditionally, how much more so our Heavenly Father loves us! I'm His daughter! I don't have to question if He's for me or if He still loves me even when I make a mess of things. It's a given, I'm His daughter and He's my Father. He never changes and neither does His love for us.

What about you? How do you view God? He is not just waiting on you to fail so He can point His finger at you in condemnation. People may do that at times but not our God. He loves you, He pursues you, He gave His very best for you; His very own Son. If you ever doubt His great love for you just look to the cross and look in His word. The truth of His love is on the cross and written in His word.


"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

TRUTH

Truth. In this day and time, in this deceptive world, absolute truth is foreign to many.

Before Jesus was crucified, Pilate asked Him  "what is truth?" Many are still asking that same question. Pilate didn't realize that he was looking into the very eyes of TRUTH.

One morning, I was in my prayer room feeling overwhelmed by everything that was going on in our world and in my own life. I have scripture written all over the walls and I just started reading because prayer wasn't coming too easy. As I read, I realized that often I don't equate Scripture with Truth. Hold on just a second and let me explain .....I believe that God's Word is completely and absolutely true, every bit of it, but I don't always live like I believe it. I know these verses on my wall and have many of them memorized but do I really live like I believe they are total and complete truth?

What if we lived like scripture is what it really is.....TRUTH.

HE is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble .....TRUTH

HE has not given us a spirit of fear,  but of power and love and a sound mind. .....TRUTH

HIS name is a strong tower and we are safe when we run to it.......TRUTH

By HIS stripes we are healed.......TRUTH

This world is not our home..........TRUTH

HE will never leave me nor forsake me....TRUTH

The righteous are as bold as a lion......TRUTH

There is no need to worry or be anxious about anything....TRUTH

HE Himself is our peace.....TRUTH

The kings heart (or president) is in the hand of the Lord.....TRUTH

If we draw near to HIM then HE will draw near to us....TRUTH

HE is mighty to save.......TRUTH

Nothing can separate me from HIS love......TRUTH

Salvation is found only in Jesus......TRUTH

If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.....TRUTH

No good thing will HE withhold from those who walk uprightly.......TRUTH

HIS truth sets us free........TRUTH


Dear friends, these are only a few of His promises. We need truth and His Word is Truth. Jesus is Truth. If we're not seeking Him and looking into His Word, no doubt about it we will be deceived. After all, another truth is that satan is the father of all lies and he desires to steal, kill and destroy. After reading all the scripture I was surrounded by in my prayer room, fear left and worry departed leaving room for joy and peace and truth to enter into my being. I got up feeling renewed and filled with His Truth. Dig into His Word and read His Truth and listen to His voice.

And if we must speak, may we speak the Word. The eternal, infallible Word.

Beautiful Encounter

It's known as a special meeting, an unexpected experience. It's an ENCOUNTER.

I'm sure there are many who have met some famous singer or actor and they leave that person excited about their encounter. You know what I mean, when someone famous signs a book or someone is so excited because they shook the hand of their favorite actor and now they're never going to wash their hand again. I dare say that none of those encounters ever really changed anyone though. Those encounters don't last forever, we can't live off of those encounters for the rest of our lives.

There is one lady though, who did have an ENCOUNTER that changed her life forever. To her, it was an ordinary day and I'm sure she didn't expect anything extraordinary to happen. She was taking on a familiar chore at an unusual time of day. She chose this time of day so she could be alone. No one there to whisper or point fingers. It was most likely the hottest part of the day, but she didn't mind because she would be alone. And when you're an outcast you find a false sense of peace in being alone.

She soon realized she was not going to be alone, but at least it was a Jewish man who wouldn't dare speak to her anyway. But....then.... HE did. Surely, she misunderstood or imagined that He asked her for a drink. Her, a Samaritan woman? Nope, she had not imagined it, He was speaking directly to her.

Then the conversation continues....

"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,   but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” John 4:9-15

"The woman said to Him, I know that the Messiah is coming (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things." "Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." John 4:25-26

Jesus, the Savior of the world declares who He is to a Samaritan woman first. He went through Samaria solely to pursue this woman. He saw her. He loved her. He knew her worth when she did not.

I gave my mother pottery for Christmas last year. It caught my eye because it's a water pot that is turned over with water spilling out. It reminded me of my favorite verses in John 4. Verses 28-30.......

"The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ? Then they went out of the city and came to Him."

She left her water pot and ran to tell everyone about Jesus. She was no longer afraid or concerned what others thought of her. She had an ENCOUNTER with Jesus and she could not keep it to herself. She left the water which she came for and took hold of the Living Water and could not keep quiet about her encounter.

Oh I long to be like this woman, to drop whatever seems important to me to declare to the world who Jesus is. I have encountered Him and He completely changed my life, in fact He is still changing me. That is the beautiful part, we can encounter Him every day. This woman was no longer concerned about the opinions of others, she now knew her worth.  She just had to share Jesus because she was compelled by His love to do so.

In Acts 4, Peter and John are told to stop preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus and in verse 20 they exclaim  " As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 Yes! Lets be a people who just can't help ourselves!  I heard someone say once "if you knew Jesus like I know Him, you couldn't shut up about Him either." We must proclaim Jesus no matter if its politically incorrect, no matter if we are mocked, no matter if we are persecuted. This. world. needs. Jesus! Lets drop our water pots and proclaim Him to everyone!

If you have not encountered Jesus, will you seek Him? Don't put it off, you can encounter Him today! I know He is in pursuit of you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He loves you and wants an intimate relationship with you.  He promises in Jeremiah 29:13 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

"Jesus changes everything
There is no greater mystery
That God would come to rescue me
From who I was

The kindness of my Savior calls
Me to the wonder of His love
Jesus changes everything
And He is changing me"

Abide

I've been watching this one branch on a tree in our yard for weeks now. We call this tree our third base tree because we have three maple trees in our yard that are in perfect positions for first, second, and third bases for our baseball and kickball games.

The leaves on this branch looked just like the other leaves on the tree, but the branch itself was hanging low. Upon closer inspection, the branch was actually barely hanging on. I wondered how long it would thrive as it was halfway detached. Day after day it looked completely normal except from being lower than the other branches.

But gradually, we began to notice it's leaves were slowly fading and deteriorating. Now the leaves are dead and the branch will have to be cut away from the tree.

That branch reminded me of myself at times in the past. Maybe you can relate also? You know those times when I thought I could do life on my own and neglected my relationship with Jesus. At first everything seems fine but over time, like these leaves we begin to fade away and deteriorate. Why? Because Jesus is the true Vine and we are the branches. Without Him we can do nothing! In the passage about the Vine and branches in John 15, Jesus says the word "Abide" 10 times.

Anything Jesus says is important, but if He says something 10 times in the same passage I believe we better take notice! Many accept Him, that part doesn't require much effort but it takes self discipline and laying ourselves down to ABIDE in Him.

Abide means to remain, obey, follow. How do we abide? I heard a preacher on the radio recently say "we must guard against the drift, the drift is slow and subtle." When we neglect our time in the presence of the Lord and prayer and time in His Word we are not guarding against the drift. We set ourselves up to be an open target for the enemy.

Recently I was in a situation that caused fear to rise up in me. Immediately the Holy Spirit dropped a verse in my spirit "what time I am afraid,  I will trust in thee." Psalm 56:3. That fear would have consumed me if He had not comforted me with His Word.  If we are not abiding in Him and hiding His Word in our hearts, we are opening the door for fear, doubts and worry. Abiding in Him brings about the abundant life that Jesus came to give.

That branch looked like it was doing well for a time but in truth it was barely surviving. There are many believers who may look like they have it all together but feel like they are barely surviving. Becoming detached from the Vine is a slow and subtle process. The schemes and distractions of the enemy make it easy to become attached to the things of this world instead of remaining in Jesus, our true Vine. Casting Crowns has a song called "slow fade" that describes how a believer drifts off course. It doesn't happen over night, it's a slow fade. We must guard against the "drift" the "slow fade."

This branch is without hope but we are most certainly not! I'm so thankful God's mercies are new every morning and His Word promises that if we draw near to Him that He will draw near to us. He is faithful to us even when we aren't faithful to Him. He is so good and when we truly encounter Him and experience His presence, we want nothing more than to ABIDE in Him. Have you distanced yourself from Jesus, your very source of life? If you have, will you draw near to Him? He has not left you, He loves you and has been pursuing you. He desires a beautiful and intimate relationship with you. His promises are true. Why would we not remain in, obey, follow, abide in such a beautiful Savior and Creator.

Stuck in the Middle

To my middle son, bless your heart you will always be stuck in the middle, younger to one brother and older to the other. Learning from one and teaching the other. You are exactly where you are supposed to be because God placed you there! I want you to know there is no one just like you, you are irreplaceable!

I love your "what if" questions that are always followed by giggles.

I love that you would wear your pajamas all the time if I would let you.

I love your giving heart and how you always think of others above yourself.

I love building legos with you even though you totally don't need my help anymore.

I love how you tilt your head down and make your eyes look pitiful when I tell you "no" about something and it always makes me laugh.

I love that your favorite Bible story is David and Goliath for you too have fought your own battles with God by your side.

I love your curly red hair that makes you, you!

I love the freckles on your face and how you laugh when we try to count them all.

I love that long scar down your chest for it tells your story of God's faithfulness. Son, your life is a testimony to God's power and might!

I love how you say "I know, you've told me like a hundred times" when I tell you how special and loved you are. I will keep on telling you hundreds and thousands more times!

I love your love for Jesus and your faith in Him. Seek Him, Know Him, Know that He is your Shepherd and you are His sheep. Listen for His voice in every area of your life and then obey His voice.

You were made for greatness!! I'm thrilled and honored to get a front row seat at watching God's plans for you unfold!!

I love you sweet Daylen!

Even Though

Have you ever prayed and asked, "Lord, why did You create me?" We know that we were all created for a purpose that only we can fulfill, but we also were created for one overall purpose. Isaiah 43:7 says that HE created us for HIS glory. I was put on this earth to glorify and magnify my Creator.

A few years ago, we were surprised to find out that we were expecting our third child. I was excited until the ultrasound proved something was wrong. I was disappointed and in denial. I prayed and truly believed that my next ultrasound would be perfect and that the doctor had made a mistake...but it wasn't...and she hadn't. It was obvious that I would soon have a miscarriage, I was heartbroken and confused. This is something that many women experience, but we rarely talk about it. It pierces a woman's heart to know that the life within her will not survive. It is so incredibly painful because we quickly become attached to him or her.

In my time of pain and weakness, God faithfully spoke truth to my spirit... "Nothing is impossible for Me, I can fix and change anything, but when I do not, please know there is a divine purpose and I am still God."

From that point on, I was determined to glorify Him, even in my pain and heartache and even though my emotions were up and down. He gave me strength to channel all those emotions and heartache towards one single purpose alone.....to glorify God.

During this time, the Lord also gave me a heart for women who have experienced this loss. We can try to sympathize with the pain of others, but until we truly experience that pain, we can never process what they have endured. One sweet woman of God was there to comfort me proving 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 to be true "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

On the day of my surgery....the day I would walk away with an emptiness I've never known, I had a choice. I could become bitter towards the Creator of life or I could choose to glorify Him even though my heart was torn.

When I woke up from surgery, the nurse was telling me how sorry she was and that she too had experienced the loss of a baby. The Lord gave me strength to share with her the word He placed in my heart. I shared with her that she was not alone and how much Jesus loves her.  He was glorified even though in that moment it would have been easy to fall into a pit of sorrow. He gave me strength to share Him with someone who needed to know Him and His love for her.

I have seen God give others the supernatural power and strength to lay aside their own emotions and desires to glorify Him even though their hearts were breaking. In our weakness, His strength is truly made perfect. He gives hope to the hopeless, freedom to the prisoner, strength to the weak, joy to the sorrowful, and comfort to those who mourn.

I love the beautiful words of Habakkuk in chapter 3:17-19

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights."

"Yet"...such a small word, but what a big difference it makes.
Through all of the "Even thoughs" of this life may we say......"YET I will rejoice in the Lord!"

There is a song that says "Through fire and rain, this one thing remains, I can say God is good, even when He's not understood. If He gives or He takes, His love will never change, He's given me the proof." The link to this truth filled song is below.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e3MtuB7HRD0

a walk through the cemetery

My boys and I often take walks through the cemetery that's close to our home. I know that may sound strange but it's always an awakening for my soul. It puts a lot of things in the right perspective. The cemetery is where pettiness falls to the ground and the luxuries of this world take a backseat to reality. It's a reminder of how truly short these lives we've been given are and that we are not promised tomorrow.

As we walk, we stop at my grandfather's grave to see the new flowers and flag that my mother and grandmother have decorated it with. Recently, we walked to all the graves where a confederate flag had been placed. A lot of these young men died in war, some just in their 20's. We saw many many children who had left this earth before their parents. We saw husbands and wives who had gone on before their spouse.

As we walk, I can't help but wonder what their stories were. They are all so much more than just a birth date and death date. There is a dash between those dates. That dash is what matters the most. Some lives were shorter than others, but they all have a story to tell.  We walked past my great uncle's grave who I never knew because he died at 2 years old. Then I think about his mother and father (my great grandparents) and how they must have grieved and mourned over the loss of their son and how the Lord had to carry them through that tragedy. If each grave had an open book, we would read about heartache and loss, triumphs, joy and laughter, successes and failures, their passions and interests.

The point is that not one of those people just lived and died. They had a story, a life that only they lived. Their stories still live on among their loved ones. We too have a story and we are still on this earth living it out. I don't want to waste time on this earth by building my own kingdom. Oh that our lives would point to the One who rose from the dead, the One the grave could not keep. If our lives tell a story, may we be an open book that tells of Jesus Christ. It would suit me fine if someone walked by my grave in the future and said "I don't know much about that woman except that she made much of Jesus."

If you ever feel too consumed by the world, take a walk through the cemetery. Remember how short this life is and that we only have one to live. Also, death is never final. There is life after death and it's for all eternity. If we have surrendered ourselves to Jesus Christ, we will be with Him face to face when we leave this earth and oh what a day that will be!!! With this life we've been given, let us love, forgive, pursue Jesus with all our might and fulfill His purpose for our lives.  And as the new song says "Tell your story and let your story be of Him."

Do you believe?

I'm not sure why, but a passage of scripture found in Matthew 9 has been on my heart and mind a lot lately. In this passage there are two blind men who cry out to Jesus. They pursued Jesus and pleaded for Him to have mercy on them. Jesus turned to them and asked them a question "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

Jesus could have spoken and instantly healed them, so why did He ask this question? He did not ask if they believed they could be healed, He asked if they believed that He was able to do this. They replied to Him "Yes, Lord." Jesus then touched their eyes and said "According to your faith let it be to you."

That's our Jesus, He never hesitated to reach out and touch those that society labeled untouchable. We know that He could have healed everyone around Him in an instant, but He chose to minister one on one instead.

Back to that question though...Jesus desired more than the physical healing of these blind men. I believe He wanted to open their spiritual eyes as well as their physical eyes. He desired what He still desires today....their hearts....a relationship with them. In order to have a relationship with Him, we must know Him and Believe that He is who He says He is and that He. Is. Able. Any situation, any tragedy, any impossibility.....HE IS ABLE. This is a fact, but do we really believe this? Do we live our lives like we believe this is true?

He asks me and you that same question. When we pour our hearts out to Him with our deepest longings and needs, yes He is able but He is asking if we believe He is able.

When those two men received their sight, they saw their Creator and Savior face to face. They spread the news about HIM in all that country. Again, that's our Jesus, we come to Him asking for a specific need and He not only meets that need but continues to do more than we could ever imagine or even think to ask. Those two men came to Jesus for healing that day, they received new eyesight but also new identities and changed hearts as well. They were no longer the blind beggars, they had encountered Jesus Christ. Their encounter with the Master then compelled them to tell everyone about Him.

The blind men were desperate for Jesus. Are we just as desperate, just as thirsty for Him? What have you been asking of the Master? Do you believe He is able to do this?  He wants to do for you more than you can imagine.

Set Free

I was reading Galatians 5 the other day and never made it past the first verse......

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

I started thinking about what it means to be set free, and then thought about the butterfly. Have you ever thought about the life of a butterfly? We learn about it's life cycle and we know that it starts as a caterpillar and amazingly changes into a butterfly, but do we get how truly amazing that is?! My kids have a book by Max Lucado about a caterpillar named Hermie that gives some insight on this. Hermie thinks he'll never be anything special until the day he wakes up as new creature. I can't imagine what that first day must feel like when it wakes up with beautiful wings and can fly. Before, all it could do was crawl upon the ground slowly, but now it can soar in the breeze. It is truly a new creation.

Would a butterfly ever choose to go back and become a caterpillar again? I highly doubt it. Would a prisoner that has just been released plead and beg the prison to take them back? Of course not! There is something beautiful about being set free. Once you've truly experienced being set free, you never want to go back into bondage again.

I remember the day I surrendered my life to Christ, I felt as if a two ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders, like I could fly! When I understood that I had been set free from not only my sin, but my guilt, shame, fear and everything else Jesus accomplished on the cross, I wept with a thankful heart. He is still breaking chains and setting people free. He breaks chains of sin, anxiety, oppression, addictions, fear, shame, religion, and so much more. No self help book could set me free nor could any of my good works. Jesus Christ alone has the power to set us free. Now that I've been set free, I would never desire to turn back to that old life. Actually, that old me is dead now because I am a new creation in Christ.

I told this scenario to the youth class the other Sunday..... What if you committed a crime and now you are going to be sentenced to the death penalty. You know that you are totally guilty and you are in the court room just waiting for the judge to sentence you, when all of a sudden a man stands up out of his seat and says "WAIT! STOP! Don't sentence her, I will take her place!" The youth in the class agreed that would be crazy for someone who is innocent to take the place of someone who is guilty! Yes that is crazy, it's crazy love! That's our Jesus!! Jesus loves us with an everlasting love that we may never fully understand on this earth. He died so we could live! He died and rose from the grave to set us free! 

How about you? Have you ever experienced the freedom that comes from surrendering everything to Jesus Christ? He wants all of you, no matter your failures, sin, or mistakes, He still loves you and He still wants a relationship with you. What chains have you entangled? Jesus is willing and able to break those chains in pieces, never to entangle you again. He wants to set you free!

To My Oldest....I Want You To Know...

To my oldest son,

I know it's not always easy being the oldest. Your younger brothers look up to you and that's a big responsibility, but I want you to know that you're doing a great job!

I want you to know that I love your unique sense of style, please don't ever change to please the world.

I want you to know that I love how inquisitive you are. Keep asking questions, that's how you learn!

I want you to know that I appreciate your adventurous and fast paced personality.

I want you to know that I often learn life lessons from you.

I want you to know that I ask the most of you because I trust you.

I want you to know that it's ok to fail.

I want you to know that your sensitive spirit is a gift from God. As you grow you will become more and more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

I want you to know that I love how you are just like your daddy and how you look up to him and want to be just like him.

I want you to know that I'm amazed at how observant you are. You can tell when a complete stranger is having a bad day when others don't notice and that is a gift also.

I want you to know that I notice every time you hold a door open for others.

I want you to know that I love your sense of humor and that laugh of yours.

I want you to know I think it's awesome that you mastered back flips on the trampoline and didn't give up.

I want you to know all these things but more than anything I want you to know Jesus.

Son, please know that He loves you and laid down His life for you.
I want you to know that you are holy, redeemed, and loved with an everlasting love.
Everyone in this world will fail you at some point but your Savior never will!
Trust Him, learn to depend on Him in every area of your life. Guard your heart and shield your mind so you will remain pure in this impure world.
Be a bold and mighty warrior who fights battles on your knees.

I want you to know that you are His and He gave you to us as a gift and what a special gift you are.
I love you Trent and I love being your mom.

Standing in the Gap

If you have ever witnessed a great play or drama, you realize there is more to it than what you see on the stage. There are many people working behind the curtain whether it's moving props, wardrobe, or lighting. The play would be nothing great without the behind the scenes work. Intercessory prayer could be viewed as behind the scenes work as well. Intercessors enter their prayer closets to pray and plead on the behalf of others. They pray expecting the Lord to do a mighty work, to save, to heal, to deliver because He and only He can do these things.

Sometimes I think we view prayer as if blowing on a dandelion and watching the wind carry it off not sure where all those pieces are going. We pray hoping God will hear us and answer, but we don't necessarily expect to see those answers.

No, no, no, our prayers are much more precious and much more valuable to God than we could ever imagine. Revelation 5:8 says "The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Imagine that! Our prayers in golden bowls! They are tangible and never in vain.  He hears each one and answers each one and keeps them because they are so precious to Him.

I believe God is looking for faithful intercessors. What is an intercessor?
The dictionary says that an intercessor is a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer.

We see many examples of intercessory prayer in the Bible. Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites many times, Esther fasted and interceded on behalf of her people, Daniel interceded in prayer and fasted on behalf of the people. There are many more examples of this. Jesus Christ is our intercessor. (Romans 8:34)

Samuel said in 1 Samuel 12:23
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you."

Ezekiel 22:30 talks about the Lord looking for someone to stand in the gap but could find no one.

I recently had the privilege to stand in the gap for a dear friend who was too weak and too tired to pray for herself. We all know what that's like. There are times we just don't know what or even how to pray. This dear friend was facing a mountain that caused her anxiety and fear. Myself and others fasted, prayed, and stood in the gap for her and let me tell you God performed a miracle. God heard our prayers and intercession and did something beyond what we could ever think or imagine!

Who has the Lord called you to stand in the gap for? Whatever burdens your heart.....PRAY, for your spouse....PRAY, for your children.....PRAY, for the lost....PRAY, for the sick....PRAY, for the drug addict....PRAY, for the abused and neglected children around the world...PRAY, for our nation....PRAY, for the missonaries......PRAY.
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and never give up!
Stand in the gap! Intercede and watch God work!

The picture above is our "Answered Prayer" board that I got for Christmas. Look at everything God has done so far!! These note cards contain miraculous healings, the long awaited birth of a miracle baby, salvations, and plenty more answered prayers! NOTHING is too difficult nor impossible for our God. It's time to seek the Lord, it's time to pray and fast, it's time to intercede!

Hiding Among the Stuff

Most kids love playing hide and seek. I can often hear my boys quietly giggling while I'm searching for them. There is something so exciting about being found while your hiding.

We adults hide too but often we hide so we won't be found. There was a man in scripture who hid hoping he wouldn't be found.

In 1 Samuel 10, Saul hid from the people among the "stuff" or the "baggage". Saul had done nothing wrong so what or who was he hiding from? We know that the great prophet Samuel had anointed him to be king over Israel and he was a new and changed man, yet he hid.

When everyone was anticipating the announcement of their king, their king couldn't be found. They sought the Lord and the Lord revealed that Saul was hiding among the "stuff".

Saul knew the calling on his life. His purpose had been revealed and now it was time to be displayed as king among the people and he hid. He hid from his calling, he hid from his purpose. He hid among "the stuff" or "the baggage."

Did he fear this responsibility was just too much for him to handle?  Did he fear people would boo when his name was announced? Did he feel unworthy? I don't know what caused him to hide, but I know he's not the only adult who has hidden among the stuff.

We too hide from our purpose either by feeling we are unworthy or feeling like there must be something better. We hide in the stuff of fear, past failures, unworthiness etc...

Just like Saul, we cannot hide from the Lord. He has a specific purpose and calling for each of us and He is the one who equips us. So we can step out and step up with confidence knowing that He who began a good work in us will most definitely finish it!

We are to be displays of His splendor. If something is on display it is clearly seen. When we are displays of His splendor, Jesus Christ will be clearly seen. I don't want to see my Savior face to face and Him show me all the things I was "supposed" to do but never did because I was hiding among the stuff. I want Him to show me the things I did out of love and obedience to Him walking in faith not fear.

It was Saul's appointed time for his calling. Is it your appointed time to step into God's perfect will for your life? If so, leave the "stuff" behind and pursue Him and the plans He has specifically for you. Maybe it's not your appointed time yet. Maybe He is preparing you for the work He has for you. Will you step out in confidence when He says "it's time" or will He find you hiding among the stuff?

We are always going to feel incapable of whatever God call us to do because He doesn't call us to do anything that can be accomplished in our own power.

Instead of making excuses and running from our calling, may we boldly embrace the purpose He created us for. Let's stop hiding and stand up tall out of the stuff and be displays of HIS splendor.

Under the Shadow

My kids have always loved to see their shadows on a sunny day. They love to make different animals with their hands and watch their shadow do whatever they do.

Last summer, Daylen was playing in our yard with some of his toys and I noticed he was getting hot and squinting his eyes. The heat and brightness of the sun were making him uncomfortable. I stepped in front of him so my shadow covered him and he immediately sighed with relief and continued to play.

Psalm 91 is a beautiful Psalm of God's protection and covering for His children. The very first verse says

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

When we remain in the secret place of God's presence we also abide under His shadow. The secret place is where we seek His face and His heart. The secret place is where we worship and adore Him for who He is. The secret place is where we remain still waiting and listening for His voice. The secret place is where we grow in trust and become overwhelmed in His love. We embrace His grace in the secret place and learn who we are in Him. This is why we dwell in the secret place.

I wrote the following in my journal a while back about what this beautiful verse means to me.......
When I dwell in the secret place of the Most High
I shall abide under the shadow for there is no safer place.
Under the shadow is where I find rest.
Under the shadow is where I can sleep in peace.
Under the shadow is where I sing with a thankful heart.
Though terror may surround me; complete joy is all I know for I abide under the shadow.
To simply visit the shadow is not enough, 
I must abide, I must remain, I must fight to stay under the shadow of the Almighty.

He is faithful and He is working on our behalf. We can rest and enjoy His joy under the shadow.
I am praying you feel peace and rest in your spirit as you abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

First Response

This morning started out great; we had our worship music playing and everyone was happy and getting along. Then our one year old took quite a fall and scared his brothers and me.

Years ago, my immediate reaction would have been to panic and maybe even take him to the doctor to get him checked out. This morning was different. I scooped him up and started praising Jesus for taking care of him and thanking Him for surrounding Micah with His angels. I started proclaiming that God is our healer, our protector, and refuge.  We sang praise songs as he calmed down and he is fine now. 

Afterwards, I asked our two older boys "what should be our first response when things like this happen?" At the same time one of them said "panic" and the other said "pray." Yes, we often do panic and yes we often do pray but what about worship? 

There is a man in the Bible that I was drawn to during a very difficult and confusing time in my life. Job is his name and his name actually means persecuted. Job lost everything; his livestock, his servants, and even his own children. He lost everything in one day. How did Job respond to this tremendous loss? I'm sure he mourned and wept and grieved over his children but he also worshiped.

In Job 1:20 it says "Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped."

How did he worship when his heart was completely and utterly broken? What would make a man worship God in the midst of such tragedy? I believe the answer is simple. Job knew God. He knew God's character, he had tasted of God's love and goodness and grace and mercy. His worship was about who God is, not his circumstances. Our circumstances change but our God does not.

So how do we get to the place of worship even in the midst of pain? We don't worship God for what He does for us. We worship Him for who He is. No matter the pain, no matter the circumstance, in our darkest hour He is still God, He is still Love, He is still King of kings, He is still the Resurrection and Life, He is still Immanuel, He is still Prince of peace, and He is still worthy to be praised.

I deeply desire my children to experience the Lord, to taste and see that He is good. And I want them to learn how to respond to life. I want them to depend upon the Lord so much so that they automatically respond to any situation with prayer and worship. For them to depend on Jesus, they must see me and their dad depending on Him first. 

"Worship isn't a feeling you wait for, it's a choice you make." - Chris Tomlin

How God Sees Us

So, I have a question for you, how do you see yourself? Think about it, how do you truly see yourself?

I asked a group of young ladies once to write down honest answers on how they saw themselves.  When I read their answers, I was heartbroken. Their answers were "forgotten, not enough, lonely, not as pretty as everyone else." Of course when I look at them I see beautiful young women of God, smart, funny, and created for a special and divine purpose. But I want them to see that!

Yes their answers upset me, but when I was honest and answered the same question myself, my answers were not positive either. I often see myself as a failure. A failure as a wife, as a mother, as a teacher, as a homemaker. I'm sure you can relate, I mean as women we wear so many different hats. Sometimes it seems there is just not enough time in the day, not enough gold fish in the cabinet or milk in the fridge, and we feel we are not enough either.

Beth Moore said once, that the enemy watches and studies us to learn how we see ourselves and then he does his very best to convince us that we are those things. And ladies, if we are not in Gods word, we will begin to believe those lies that the enemy whispers in our ears. I heard a wise minister once say "the only way to kill a lie is with the Truth!"

I was praying one morning for our children and I looked up and saw The Avengers on a bag they had gotten for Christmas. It was like God was saying "this is how I see all of My children." I don't know if you are familiar with The Avengers, if you are a boy mom I'm sure you are! On this picture, they all look so fearless and confident and ready for battle. We never see Hulk afraid that this bad guy may be too scary or Iron Man worried that his thrusters won't work, or Captain America wondering if his shield is able to protect him. That's silly! And it's also silly when God's children walk around afraid, worried, and defeated in day to day life.

Yes, it's silly because He sees us as more than conquerors and as mighty warriors. After I asked these ladies how they saw themselves, we talked about Gideon. Gideon was from the least of the tribes of Israel and was the least of his family. When the Lord found him, he was hiding in the wine press from his enemies threshing wheat. The Angel of Lord approached him and addressed him as "mighty warrior." Gideon, who was hiding and afraid and from the least of the least...... a mighty warrior?? Yes, God sees us as who He created us to be; not as we see ourselves.

So, no we are not failures, we are not less than, we are certainly not forgotten, we are His masterpiece designed for a specific and beautiful purpose. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in He who made us. When we soak in God's word, the lies of the enemy will disappear and we will believe and know the truth, that in Gods eyes we are mighty warriors. He is our creator, so it's time we start seeing ourselves how He sees us so we can accomplish the work He has called us to do.