I'm Free!

Isn’t it amazing how children are punished, sulk for a moment, and bounce right back as if nothing has happened? Unfortunately, we don’t always exemplify this child-like demeanor in our lives and we sometimes demand respect and fair treatment when wronged or taken advantage of. Thank God for children being an example of Christ-like behavior!

It’s easy to be a scorned woman giving free reign to bitter feelings of past and present hurts. Bitterness sets anchor in our hearts and an unnecessary weight is added to our lives - no wonder we feel burdened! There are many bitter, yet saved women living for the Lord and I was one of them for many years. I harbored unhealthy feelings in my heart and carried them into a marriage and in the lives of my innocent children. I thank God for the Holy Spirit allowing me to realize I was loving my family and friends with half of my heart. I wasn't allowing God's love to flow freely through me with others I crossed paths with. Being saved doesn’t allow time to dwell on resentful emotions. Being saved doesn’t allow my bitterness to be buried - the bitterness is washed away! Being saved doesn’t allow me to nurture angry thoughts, which turn into strongholds. Being saved has set me free! If we could bottle up the time we’ve already spent with unclean thoughts of people and situations we can't seem to shake, the accumulated time would probably startle us. I choose to direct my thoughts to the joy of my salvation, my blessings, victory, deliverance, and Jesus! I’m free! Yes, those simple thoughts try to creep up in my mind and set up camp, yet they must be held captive by God’s Word, which is our weapon. I choose to be FREE!

John 8:36 (NKJV)
Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed!

A Bigger Picture

It took me years to truly give my children back to the Lord and feel comfortable saying the prayer, "Have your way, Lord." Knowing God loves the children in my care more than I ever could, gives me a peace I can’t explain. Yes, God is in control of every aspect of our children’s lives and there is nothing we can do to alter His perfect plan for them - God is God.

My older sister is being tested in this area with her first-born. He was recently admitted into John Hopkins Hospital with a rare disease. What is a mother to do? What can a mother do? What should a mother do? Pray for healing? Pray for strength to endure? Trust God and allow Him to have His way? I’m reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus, having to watch her son live a life full of pain and rejection. Mary knew there was a bigger picture. Another story is of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, wanting Jesus to come immediately to heal her brother. Because Jesus didn’t come quickly, she became angry, yet Jesus wanted to do more through the situation than wave His magic wand and heal Lazarus - the situation wasn’t about Lazarus' illness after all...there was a bigger picture. A mother’s love for her child is one of the strongest bonds on Earth - God created this mother/child love, yet His love exceeds ours.

To my dear sister and creator of The MOMSWEB Mother/Child Images, just as others stand and admire your paintings and creations, it's your turn to stand back and admire the painting God has created for your son, my nephew - there is a bigger picture than what we see. This message is a reminder to all mothers and myself - the children in our care belong to God. He is in control...there is a bigger picture.

Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways," says the LORD.

Joy on the Job!

I usually cook breakfast for my husband before he leaves for work, yet this morning his alarm went off and I pulled the covers over my head. I didn’t feel like getting up and I sure didn’t feel like cracking an egg before 6 a.m. After my dear husband left, I got up, looked in the mirror and my hair was standing on top of my head. As bad as I wanted to go back to bed, I couldn’t. Another week was upon me, which meant another week of laundry, schoolwork, meals to plan and prepare, baseball games, errands to run, and every unexpected happening the Lord plans to throw in my mix. I began to feel exhausted at the thought of beginning my day, so I dropped to my knees to pray. A wife and mother is called in so many directions for so many things, it’s a must to begin the day with our Power Source and ask for His filling of strength, energy, and power to get us through the week - one day at a time. Just getting through the day is not good enough for me; I want a joyful attitude also, so I have to immediately shake those dreary feelings that try to consume my mind. I desire to allow the joy of the Lord to have power over me. There is nothing worse than doing a job you don’t enjoy, whether it’s inside or outside the home, so we can’t afford to allow self to get in the way of our work - a joyful, willing attitude is what God expects from us. This is the day the Lord has made and we shall rejoice and be glad in it. Yes, there is joy in the midst of laundry, preparing meals, typing, filing, teaching, or whatever our job requires of us. Thank God we are alive and blessed with the ability to do our job! To all mothers working inside or outside the home - have a JOYFUL day on the job!

Ecclesiastes 3:22 (NIV)
So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
perfect peace,

Get Me Through The Day

My husband just returned from a week long trip and gave me a wonderful gift - a huge bag of dirty laundry! I feel so special (smile). I was already behind on my laundry because I've been playing nurse with my oldest son who fractured his left arm this weekend. I just can't seem to get it going this morning. It's that special time of the month and I'm TIRED! Who am I going to call? My helper, my energy, my strength, my chaos buster....Jesus!

Dear Lord,

Help me! I'm tired and I know You are my strength, energy, and power! Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do the things I need to do today. Help me to be a loving wife and mother and have patience and understanding with my children. Give me the perfect peace you promised and help me to keep my mind on You and not all I have to do. Help me to focus on my blessings and the joy of being a mother to the children you've put in my care. Thank you for my husband and help me to be a loving helper. Thank you for this day, which reminds me once again that I can do nothing without you! You are my power source and I MUST stay connected to You. Thank you for meeting my every need! Help me to take one day at a time and one task at a time and be Christ-controlled in all I do and say this day. Have your way, Lord - have your way. In Jesus name, Amen

Celebrating Life!

At 3 a.m. Sunday morning, I found myself walking the floors of the Labor and Delivery Ward in a local hospital. My oldest son was admitted the previous evening for a fractured bone and for whatever reason we were placed on the L&D Floor; I was celebrating life! As I made my way back to our room, I noticed an engraved plate on the door, giving honor to a baby born on the same day as my mother, June 17th. At that moment, I thought about the significance of God using women to give birth to life, visions, ministries, and every other creation. The Lord gave me the vision of MOMSWEB, yet it was my mother that carried it and went through the labor and delivery of the vision. I then considered Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the life and vision she carried and delivered - now it’s time to celebrate life!! Mary was an ordinary woman used to birth an extraordinary life. Every idea and vision, even if planted in the mind of a male, came through a woman’s birth canal - no wonder we’re always under attack from the enemy - a woman represents LIFE! Even after giving birth to children, women are always pregnant with an idea, creation, vision, or a way to improve something.

Because of this unusual sequence of events beginning with my son’s fractured bone, I see my children in another light - I’m not only nurturing a child, yet a vision they may hold within them planted by God. I’m nurturing a life, which may impact the lives of many or just one! The enemy would love to use the mother to kill a child’s dreams, ideas, and spirits with ungodly actions, words, and lack of compassion. Our children need our patience, longsuffering, forgiveness, prayers, and most of all…to see and feel the love of Jesus through us. Our love will assure them of their value and God’s purpose and divine plan for their life.

Job 10:12 (NKJV)
You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit.

A New Appreciation

Just when I thought I fully understood the value of Motherhood and how necessary it is to show Mothers appreciation, I receive another awakening. My nine-year old niece, from Alabama, spent her Spring Break with me and I tip my hat to Mothers of daughters while I salute the Mother with three or more children. We all have various degrees of tolerance and I ‘m convinced I have a low degree of tolerance with a score of two (two children). Having to divide myself three ways and meet the desires of three individual wants and needs took much creativity. When my sister came to rescue her daughter, she said to me, "You always look like you have it all together." I quickly corrected her and shared how dysfunctional I felt with three children. I was exhausted by the end of the week and I truly have a greater appreciation for Mothers. I also know why I see so many little girls with messy hair - how many times a day are you supposed to comb it?

There are so many things required of a mother and it’s so important that we are accepting and understanding of one another. We're not perfect, yet strive to do the best we can. I thank God he created us with the ability to multi-task! It’s amazing to look back over our days and see what God allows us to accomplish. I think of a tree with many branches - it must have strong roots to stand strong. I needed more than a week to get use to my play daughter and having three children in the home, yet a week was enough for me! I’m not afraid to admit my limitations and the Lord knew to bless me with two boys (with hair to cut off). Mothers, as we pray for the power of God to work through us each day, throughout the day, let us not forget how valuable we are in our child’s life. Our children need us, desire us, and sometimes act like they can’t live without us - that’s okay because we can’t live without our Heavenly Father.

Take Care of U

The one thing women are good for is taking care of others and barely taking care of ourselves. I use to think I was being selfish when I considered myself before my husband and children and now I KNOW I'm being selfish! Yes, it's selfish of me to NOT take care of myself first because I am no good to anyone else when I don't. Some days I forget to eat because I've been so busy meeting everyone else's needs! I realized fast that something was definitely wrong with this picture. I always look for a solution for my situations, so now when I awake in the morning before anyone else (this is a must), I meet MY needs - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I am the most valuable person in my home because God chose me to care and nurture everyone else! You are the Mother - Take Care of U!

A Dramatization

At 2 a.m. Saturday morning, I found myself sitting up in bed reflecting on my role in the home. A woman’s job is truly never done and I wanted wisdom not only for myself, yet to pass on to the many women who deal with "having to do it all." I wanted a deeper understanding of my being from my Creator. I have always believed and boldly share how the woman represents Jesus in the home. In my reflection, the Lord revealed to me of a Godly woman’s desire to be like Jesus, yet not wanting to feel what He feels. Day after day, Jesus carries the weight of the world - our pains, hurts, struggles, concerns, and frustrations are cast on Him throughout the day. He daily meets our needs, comforts us, loves us unconditionally, and keeps us. Although we take His love and grace for granted, He continually blesses us. Our disobedience and sin is always forgiven and He willingly answers each time we call. We too, meet the daily needs and concerns of our family, yet we feel taken for granted and unacknowledged. We give, give, and give, yet wonder why we have to do it all - our giving can’t compare to His giving.

My requested wisdom came in a way I was not ready to receive, yet had to accept - A Godly wife and mother’s life is a dramatization of who Jesus is. We’ve been chosen to be His eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, and His LOVE in our home, so it is imperative that our dependence on Him remains constant. Our life is not our own and we’re called to be a living sacrifice for Him. Needless to say, I drifted asleep as I prayed to keep my mind on Jesus, stay focused on my calling, and to stay Christ-controlled as I prepared for yet another day of showing my husband and children the dramatization of the life of Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1 (NKJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.