Mother of Seven + 2

"What does it take to get on your church's prayer list?  Do you have to have a heart attack?" These words grabbed me this morning as I was listening to an interview with Alistair Begg. I'd been awake since 3:45 this morning.  My heart was heavy with concern for the spiritual lives of several of our boys.  I'd been laying it before God, but I was also hurting and feeling alone.  I was questioning my parenting and wondering where I had gone wrong.  Part of me feared judgment if I reached out and asked for prayers for some of the struggles.   I was fighting my own spiritual battle of feeling like giving up.  There was the temptation to wash my hands of it all and walk away.  I felt drained. My husband, understanding my need to rest and refuel, sent me to my room today and ordered our younger two "to leave mom alone."  After listening to a couple sermons, I read the book of Colossians.  At the close of the book, Paul instructs the beli...

I looked across the table at my oldest three children still at home, and concern filled my heart. Each morning at breakfast we read a short Bible passage together, discuss it, and pray.  It only takes fifteen minutes.  One child drifts off to sleep, another stares at the clock as if waiting for it to be over, and another is petting the dog.  They are not engaged.  It's the daily morning routine.  It's the waiting for Dad to quit rambling so we can get on with the day. I desperately long for them to begin finding delight in His Word.  I want them to look forward to our family worship time together.  However, I remember growing up and family devotions with my dad.  I can't say my attitude was much different then theirs.  Fortunately, I was blessed with a dad who persisted despite my attitude.  It taught me what was most important.  It taught me how to prioritize time with God.  It showed me the way. I sat there praying for ...

Thinking back as I sit in my quiet spot with my cup of coffee warming my hands....realizing how I have sometimes offered up prayers not understanding the full meaning of the words I spoke. "Lord, I want a life in which I can't live or breathe without you." Bold words.  I said them with noble intent.  I truly wanted every breath that I took to be with Jesus by my side. However, when I am honest I have to admit I wanted Him to be by my side as I lived my chosen life the way I desired.  I wanted to see the way where I was going.  I wanted a storybook life where everything turned out right. As my world spun out of control last year, I came face to face with the reality of the words I had spoken.  There were days I literally could not take the next breath without him.  The life I was so sure God had chosen for us seemed bleak and desperate.  I could not understand. All looked dark.  "Lord, how do I live when I can't see where I am going?" ...

A heart  A gift from God Photo from freedigitalphotos.net I hold it in my arms Pulsing neath my fingertips Beating next to mine It holds my hand Walks by my side Keeping step with me I see it through their eyes Hear it in their voices Feel it amongst the hugs Alive and warm A steady beat Part of you, yet mine As I hold your heart this Mother's Day God help me treasure every heartbeat Always loving you through them Happy Mother's Day!  

Walking this afternoon Thinking about our country Wondering about the future Praying for our land Heading out of town Fields lie barren after harvest Signs of autumn surround me The beauty of spring long since faded Here and there a few fall flowers bloom A blossom of yellow A patch of gold Brighten the browns and oranges Photo from www.freedigitalphotos.net   Those flowers remind me of our children Seeds growing in a dying world Bringing beauty and life As they blossom in the midst of the weeds Oh, Lord, what a difficult life they face This country turning from its Christian foundation Giving away the religious freedom it once cherished Taking away the heritage the founders planned for them Pain grips my heart I close my eyes Then I hear it The sound of wind blowing through the native grasses Reminded me of the Holy Spirit Alive and well Changing lives Accomplishing God's work The Spirit is moving Blo...