Soon Mother’s everywhere will be receiving candies, flowers, and cards to let them know how special they are. In honor of my own mom, I would like to share some of the lessons I learned from her growing up. 1 . Always ask the sales person if there is a coupon. I don't know how she does it, but when we were checking out, she would always ask the sales person for a coupon, and they would almost always have one! It is a biblical principle at work. You have not because you ask not. 2 . Shopping with a teenage girl takes a lot of time and patience. Now that I am entering that phase of life, I think I am getting pay- back for all the years I spent shopping ALL DAY LONG for the "perfect" ... read more
A Job To Do
The other day two of my children were begging for a job around the house to make extra money. Normally I don't mind finding jobs that need to be done, however I reminded these two they had non-paying chores that they had neglected. Why would I give them a job that earns money when they were not faithful with their own chores? The next day I remembered what my children had asked, and I began to think about my own life. Many times the task at hand for the day isn't very exciting. Cooking, cleaning, teaching little ones, cleaning (again), and cooking (again) never make people's " bucket list." I can often daydream of things that seem more adventurous and fun, yet those aren't what the Lord has ... read more
My Way or His
This morning I was reflecting on the day that was ahead of me. I prayed "Dear Lord, I give you today, help me to hear your voice, go where you want me to go, and do what you want me to do." I thought about the verse from Matthew 11:30 which says, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." One yoke requires me to come up with a plan and work hard. I then worry about the results, fret over the details, and am disappointed when things don't go as I have planned. His yoke requires a different type of work. Under His yoke He is the authority, not me. I must listen and obey Him. I go where He wants me to go with the promise that He will never leave me. I do what He wants me to do with the ... read more
Encouragement – Apples of Gold for the Hungry Soul
During the 1980's Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy Faye were televangelists who built an empire known as the PTL (Praise the Lord) Club. The PTL Club aired widely across the United States and in many countries abroad. Bakker and his wife also built a Christian theme park called Heritage USA. In the height of its existence, Heritage USA was the third most visited park, only behind Disney World and Disneyland. Unfortunately, Bakker got caught up in the love of money among other things and began using the money donated to his ministry for things other than its intended use. In 1989 he was charged with fraud and sentenced to 45 years in prison. During my college years, I had the opportunity to ... read more
How Do I Describe Him?
As I reflect on this week, I have just one question. How do I describe with words the One who paid the price I could never pay? The One who endured ridicule, mockery, suffering, and shame, yet chose to forgive the ones who committed those acts against Him. The Innocent One who died a cruel and horrible death on the cross and in return gives me forgiveness and love. His love for me doesn’t stop at the cross. Daily He invites me to follow Him where He leads and tells me not to worry about tomorrow. He provides all I need. If I need wisdom, He gives abundantly. If I need help, all I have to do is ask. When I am in need of peace, He is the Prince of Peace who has an infinite supply. How do I ... read more
Say “Thank You”
With much anticipation and excitement my youngest daughter opened her birthday presents. Once the boxes were open and the cards all read, she couldn't wait to begin playing with her new toys. Before she began to play, I stopped her and asked, "What do you say to everyone?" "Thank you," she replied to her grandparents and siblings. Then off she ran to play without a second thought. As I reflected on that moment, I realized something. I have taught my daughter to say the words "thank you," but have I taught her to live with a thankful heart? Has the word "thank you" just become a password that a polite child must say every time they get a gift, with little thought to what they are saying or ... read more
The Thief Named Worry
While sitting in the lobby of our church, a friend asked, "How old is he?" "Four months," I proudly answered with a smile. She reminisced, "I love that age; that is when they start looking at you and smiling. It is such a precious milestone." I smiled on the outside, but on the inside her words suddenly brought an avalanche of fear and worry. Since his birth we had noticed my son was delayed in his developmental milestones, but we had attributed everything to his prematurity. However, during that conversation with my friend, I finally allowed myself to realize something might be seriously wrong with my son. Not only could he barely move, but I also realized that he could not see. In that ... read more
Don’t Walk Like an Egyptian
The backyard soccer game had just begun. In the excitement of the moment, one of my children kicked the soccer ball too hard and it went sailing over the neighbor’s fence. As the game came to a dramatic halt, I heard one of my children say, "I can't stand this new yard. It is just too small for us.” Giving up on their soccer game, they decided to swing. The swing set began to rock back and forth, bringing one of the legs off the ground. For fear of breaking the swing set, I told the older children they would have to stop. My words were met with the same sense of frustration that had shortened the soccer game as one of them said, "There is nothing here for us to do. Our old house was better." ... read more
Shepherding Your Child’s Gifts
"Mom, I want to be the best violinist, and I want a teacher to really push me to help me get there." These were the words of my little blonde-haired, blue-eyed 8 year old daughter during dinner one night. Wondering if she was really serious, I explained how much work it would take and what she would need to give up to obtain this goal. Yet at the end of the conversation she was still convinced. She didn't know I already had a nudge in my spirit that we needed to seriously pursue her violin playing. Earlier that week I felt the Holy Spirit give me a warning unlike any other I have ever had. He told me "I have given her (my daughter) a gift, and it is your job to shepherd it until she is old ... read more
Don’t Believe the Lie
She walked nervously onto the brightly lit stage with instrument in hand ready to perform. There she stood, a beautiful girl with long thick hair in the prime of her youth. She announced the title of her song so quickly that I didn't understand what she had said. Apprehensively sitting down she began to strum her mandolin. She played the piece well looking the whole time like she didn't want to be there. When the song was over she bowed looking relieved that it was done. She anxiously waited to hear comments from the masterclass, a class where people perform and then have their performance evaluated by a master in that field. She never once smiled, her dark eyes barely peeking from ... read more