Dusting off my bible

After my quick run this morning, I realized I still had time to do my bible study before both kids woke up and I would get distracted. So, to make it a COMPLETE distraction free study, I would use my bible (yes that tangible book you can actually hold and flip through the pages with).  You see, all too often, I set out on a study with God using my phone or tablet, only to get distracted by the constant beeps, rings, or alerts of Facebook, gmail, etc. and miss out on what God really wants to share with me.

Well, when I retrieved my bible from it's bookshelf, I admit I had to wipe off the dust and shamefully remove a couple cobwebs. It was there that I realized, I too needed to be dusted.  I can use the distractions of life as an excuse as long as I'm willing to hinder my walk with God. He is not going to fight for my attention, why should He?  He's always there if I will just take time to listen beyond the loudness of life, beyond the distractions, to the "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:11-13)

How many of us need to dust off cobwebs from our hearts and "strengthen our tired arms and weak knees" (Hebrews 12;12) by lifting them heavenward while in prayer. I pray that you too "do not ignore the One who is speaking" but remove the distractions of life to hear and spend time with Him.

 Hebrews 12:25-29

Where's Baby Jesus?

 

While driving around looking at Christmas lights with my children, I often get to enjoy the many "oohs" and "awes" flooding my ears from the back seat.  My son is immensely into Christmas lights and appreciates all the colors and decorations people share with us on our drive home. 

However, on this one particular night, my son was not his normal enthusiastic self. When I asked what was wrong, he simply stated that the houses were all “decorated wrong”!  Not understanding his observation, I quickly looked for strands of lights misplaced, helium decorations that had collapsed, or wreaths that might have fallen off doors only to see nothing “wrong”.  When I asked him what was wrong, he simply stated “Well…There’s no baby Jesus mommy!!”  This immediately brought tears to my eyes as I realized my little three year old son just noticed the most important thing missing from Christmas!

I think sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everything we forget what Christmas truly is about.  Guilty of this myself, it is important that I notice how “wrong” I am to leave baby Jesus out J   What an amazing and perfect gift God shared with us so many years ago.  Let us not forget that God gave His son, and His son gave His life, that each of us might have the true gift this Christmas season, the gift of eternal life.  Let us not forget our “baby Jesus” this Christmas! 

 

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, Which is Christ the Lord.”

LEARNING TO LIVE YOUR WORDS

Jesus encourages us to live our lives with such integrity that people would simply believe what we say.

Our actions should speak louder than our words. But too often, the opposite is true. When we say we will give consequences for disobedience and then fail to follow through, our kids may doubt the reliability of our words. As a result, we may use threats to convince our children that this time we really mean what we say. "This is your last warning" or, "Next time, you'll get a spanking." I, myself, have been guilty of this very thing. Unfortunately, my threats are often perceived as just more meaningless words.

I need to provide my children with the sense of security that comes when my actions are consistent with my words.

Matthew 5:37

Yes Landon Mommy Makes Mistakes Too

As a mom I have to remind myself that I'm not perfect and it's okay to make mistakes. In fact,  here are a few that I've made just this week.

1. After telling my child to be careful with their drink and keep them in the kitchen, I spill my drink all over the living room floor.
2. I want my child to get ready for daycare in a timely manner, but I cannot seem to get them to daycare on time, even if he dressed himself just like I asked.
3. I raise my voice when I know I shouldn't.
4. I tell him I will do this or that "later." Later comes, but "this or that" doesn't.
5. I set a limit on how much TV he can watch, but I'm tired because I stayed up too late watching my favorite show.
6. I realize my son was telling the truth after I disciplined him.

Over the past three years of being a mom, I have had to humble myself many times before my children. At first, I would wallow in my mistakes (which is what Satan wants us to do.) It is difficult to admit to anyone, especially your children, that Mommy makes mistakes too. Thank goodness, I have come to realize that I have a great opportunity to teach my children through my mistakes.   For example: how to admit their mistakes, the importance of asking forgiveness, to do their best to correct it, and try not to repeat it. Although I am not proud of my mistakes, I want my children to realize they are not alone in their struggles to do what is right. Mommy understands what they are going through. I want them to come to me and know that I will always love them.

Just as I love my children when they make mistakes, God loves me as well. He will never leave me, He will always help me, and He will always love me. What a great message to share with my kids using my mistakes.

How will you use your past/future mistakes to teach your kids that you and God love them?

What’s the Purpose in This?

Life gets pretty hard and troubling at times but we have hope in our Lord.  You have probably heard the verse out of Romans before, Romans 8:28 to be exact.  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose”.  However, if we aren’t careful, we may be culpable of quoting and remembering only one part of this verse, leaving out some major parts we should be careful not to neglect.  It is easy to declare “all things work together for good,” but we MUST realize that this promise is conditional.  “God gives this promise to those who love Him and to those who are allowing Him to accomplish His purpose in their lives” – T. Palmer

             

The fact of life is, that terrible things in fact, DO happen to superior people, but people are able to see terrible things as good only when they allow God to work out His purpose in their lives.  There is a purpose for and in everything that He allows to enter our lives.   God never makes mistakes!!

            

Recently, my husband and I experienced our second miscarriage.  Through this difficult time I realized, I have been praying the wrong prayer.  I have prayed “Lord, just get me out of this situation” when instead, I should have been praying “Lord, what can I get out of this situation?”  When I pray this way, my focus diverts from the problem to God and what His purpose is for my life.  We usually observe difficult situations from a human viewpoint which makes it hard to see the good.  Nevertheless, “we can see good when, from a divine perspective, we begin to see the good God will bring about” – T. Palmer

             

Within Romans 8:28, we have a message of hope and encouragement to those who experience terrible things in life.  I am reminded, as I give way to God’s purposes, He will make the good He is seeking to produce in my life apparent. 

I choose to trust a God who never makes mistakes.  Will you?

My First Blog

I can't believe I'm saying this but my MOM has gotten me blogging.  You always hear of how your parents or grandparents are "behind times" but in my case, my mother has always been one step ahead of me.  She is a God-fearing, persevering woman who has dealt with many battles in her life but kept going.  She has taught us about God's love, mercy, and grace and for this I am grateful.  I guess you don't really think about all your parents have done for you until you become one yourself.  While raising my son, I have come to realize just how patient my mother had to be with me (along with my three sisters). 

My son is almost two and he has started the endeavors of potty training.  Though this is a tedious task I think of my mom and how hard it was for her to try and potty train three girls (all under the age of 4) by herself after her divorce.  Some say we started the potty training a little early for his age but it was my husband and I's goal to have him out of diapers when the new arrival came in end of April first of May.  Well, God had other plans for our family.     

My husband and I found out the end of October that we had lost our little girl, Lauren Abigail Lintecum.  For whatever reason, God chose to keep her for Himself.  It was in this this time of deep grief, despair, and broken-heartedness that I truly experienced that grace my mother had always talked about.  Yes, I did have a period of anger (I think that is expected within the, however many stages, of grief) but I also experienced the greatest measure of love from my heavenly Father. 

I have peace in knowing that I will meet and see my sweet Lauren one day.  You see, for me, that's the greatest gift of all.  Knowing that she is being taken care of by the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and God of all.  My God and Savior is keeping her safe from the hurt and pain we face in this world daily so that I may see her again one day in heaven.  Yes, I miss her continuously and will never stop but I have that promise and knowledge in my heart that we will someday meet.

You see, as my mother always taught me, God never wastes a hurt.  He can use whatever circumstance you are in to bring you closer to Him.  I think that's why I'm such an avid follower and yearn for His guidance and love in my life.  He will meet YOU right where you are.  No need to change for Him but, instead, let him walk along side you, guide you, teach you about His love, wisdom and grace.

Psalm 10:14
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
   you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
   you are the helper of the fatherless.