June 3, 2015
Talks with Naomi- This Sunday Naomi started new curriculum in her Sunday School class- looking at the big story of the Bible and how every smaller story ties into God's big story. As we were talking about what she learned in class, we talked about a couple of the smaller stories, which led us to decide to begin to read through one of their Bible storybooks at nap and bedtimes. Both girls have enjoyed the stories, and Naomi's interest and ability to discuss the details of the story and the lessons we can learn from the stories has vastly improved since we last did this. I have so enjoyed the discussions, her interest and questions. I love watching as her thirst for more understanding and knowledge of the Bible and its meanings grow. Beyond that, I am ever so grateful for the children's team (staff and volunteers) at our church who have helped to encourage and inspire this learning all the more.
“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 11:18-19
June 4, 2015
Lord,
I have struggled with putting a prayer down "on paper" this day. Not because I cannot think of anything to talk with You about, but because my brain just does not want to cooperate. Daily storm fronts often means daily migraines for me and I just haven't been functioning well today because of one. My words are not coming together, but that is the great thing about talking with You. You know my thoughts before I do and even when I cannot put the words together in a cohesive or intelligent stream of thought, You still understand. You are not looking for eloquence and perfect delivery; honesty and regular communication are far more important.
Thank you Lord for listening to me even when it seems like I am only getting out half of a thought. Thank you for knowing my thoughts, concerns, fears, and joys, yet still wanting to hear from me.
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
June 5, 2015
Fewer Headaches- For years and years, I didn't know and couldn't even imagine going through a day without a severe headache or migraine. Severe pain in my head was a constant and became my norm. It wasn't fun; it wasn't pleasant and it definitely affected my relationships, activities, functionality and productivity.
Moving to Colorado changed that for me. For the first time in well over a decade, I went days, even weeks without a migraine. Headaches and migraines, while still a regular part of my life, no longer held such sway on my days. Then this May happened. May was a wet month. Colorado Springs set an all time record high for precipitation in the month of May- at nearly four times the average monthly rainfall, but more significantly for me is not how much rain fell, but how often we had rainy days. This May, we had storm clouds and often some amount of rain almost every single day and with the constant fluctuation that comes with storm fronts, my migraines returned with a vengeance.
With the entrance of June, we saw some respite from the storms and I noticed that I had this sudden amount of energy. I felt so productive each day. I was doing special things with the girls (gardening, swimming ect), making good meals, running errands and had almost the entire house cleaned from top to bottom- all in a matter of just a few days. I was loving it.
The last few days though, the storms have returned and with them, my migraines. I was frustrated by the sudden limitations I felt, but today as I found myself doing little besides keeping the girls alive and making certain we all ate something thanks to a migraine which plagued me, I realized that I am feeling that frustration because migraines are no longer my norm, and that is one incredible praise!
"Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
June 6, 2015
Lord,
I do not like feeling limited or restricted by physical ailments, circumstances or anything else. The struggle with migraines has frustrated me over the years but they have been an amazing "teacher" as well.
Migraines have led to many doubts about my abilities as a wife and mother, a feeling of neediness and extreme dependence on others, and an inability to continue in aeas of service I have enjoyed over the years. Yet migraines have also led to discoveries of new areas of service, the ability to say "no", freedom from concerns on what others might think, moments of rest and silence, and a deep and abiding reliance on You.
Thank you for the migraines. I never thought I would say that, but I know that they slowed me down, highlighted my inability and need, and guided me to Your loving arms and competent hands. Thank you for Your constancy and faithfulness and the comfort found in knowing the Great Physician. May I never take for granted the "good days," the days without pain and on those days, may I never forget the lessons I have and continue to learn in my weakness.
"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Our Sweet Heart
June 1, 2015
Compassion- Over the last year, Naomi has had a couple of major struggles- consideration of and sharing with her little sister and a troubling- sometimes mean spirited- attitude. The strength and persistence of these issues has caused me many moments of worry and stress, but through all of those times, there is one attribute of Naomi that always reminds me of what I know is buried deep in her heart. Naomi's compassion for those who are in need is undeniable. When she hears of an opportunity for her or our family to help someone in need- people on street corners, kids in other countries, young families and babies in our community- her first thought is- "Let's help." So often she says what my heart is telling me but my mind is debating and she reminds me to think less and trust God more. Naomi is a sensitive, tender-hearted little girl who wants to help others- period, and it would take something earth-shattering to take that from her.
"'For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’
And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’" Matthew 25:35-40
June 2, 2015
Lord,
Having just written about Naomi, it seems only natural to spend some time in prayer for her as well. The more I get to know her, the more I love her. The more I know and love her, the more amazed I am that You would entrust her to someone like me. She is a precious child. Those moments when I get to glimpse her innermost heart, I am in awe of Your design and eager to see who she will become and how she will use it. She is also a challenging child. Most of the attributes that make her challenging now are things that in time and under control can become some of her greatest assets. Guiding her towards that point IS the challenge.
Deep down though, I know that it all comes down to her heart. A heart which I believe has so much good and kindness in it but which can often be overridden by compulsion and instinct. And so Lord, above all, I want to pray for Naomi's heart. There are so many things that this world can do to taint and misguide her heart. I pray that her heart will withstand all of the barbs thrown at it by Satan and will lead her towards You. Thus when things get rough and she cannot feel Your protection, she will know You are still there because You are true and You are good.
In the days ahead Lord, I pray that Naomi will not be swayed by the approval of man (or friends) but would above all seek to honor and please You. I pray that her steps and words would be Your truth salted with Your love. I pray that she would maintain her self-assurance temepered with humility and that in everything, her compassion would continue to keep her actively helping those in need. Help us to see how and where we can encourage and support her along this path as she becomes the young lady You created her to be and may love for You be the motivating force in the actions of each and every one of us.
Thank you Lord for being our heavenly Father, providing us with the perfect example of a loving parent.
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4
Compassion- Over the last year, Naomi has had a couple of major struggles- consideration of and sharing with her little sister and a troubling- sometimes mean spirited- attitude. The strength and persistence of these issues has caused me many moments of worry and stress, but through all of those times, there is one attribute of Naomi that always reminds me of what I know is buried deep in her heart. Naomi's compassion for those who are in need is undeniable. When she hears of an opportunity for her or our family to help someone in need- people on street corners, kids in other countries, young families and babies in our community- her first thought is- "Let's help." So often she says what my heart is telling me but my mind is debating and she reminds me to think less and trust God more. Naomi is a sensitive, tender-hearted little girl who wants to help others- period, and it would take something earth-shattering to take that from her.
"'For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’
And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’" Matthew 25:35-40
June 2, 2015
Lord,
Having just written about Naomi, it seems only natural to spend some time in prayer for her as well. The more I get to know her, the more I love her. The more I know and love her, the more amazed I am that You would entrust her to someone like me. She is a precious child. Those moments when I get to glimpse her innermost heart, I am in awe of Your design and eager to see who she will become and how she will use it. She is also a challenging child. Most of the attributes that make her challenging now are things that in time and under control can become some of her greatest assets. Guiding her towards that point IS the challenge.
Deep down though, I know that it all comes down to her heart. A heart which I believe has so much good and kindness in it but which can often be overridden by compulsion and instinct. And so Lord, above all, I want to pray for Naomi's heart. There are so many things that this world can do to taint and misguide her heart. I pray that her heart will withstand all of the barbs thrown at it by Satan and will lead her towards You. Thus when things get rough and she cannot feel Your protection, she will know You are still there because You are true and You are good.
In the days ahead Lord, I pray that Naomi will not be swayed by the approval of man (or friends) but would above all seek to honor and please You. I pray that her steps and words would be Your truth salted with Your love. I pray that she would maintain her self-assurance temepered with humility and that in everything, her compassion would continue to keep her actively helping those in need. Help us to see how and where we can encourage and support her along this path as she becomes the young lady You created her to be and may love for You be the motivating force in the actions of each and every one of us.
Thank you Lord for being our heavenly Father, providing us with the perfect example of a loving parent.
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4
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