Devotion: A Purpose For Every Season

Comparisons, comparisons... While shopping, they are fine to make; searching for flowers, food, that perfect dress, baby blanket, baby clothes ortote bag . However, how many of us know it isn't so good if they are targeted at others: moms, friends, family, kids... the list goes on. We are all made in a unique and marvelous way by God and He has a purpose for each of us; one that only we could manage and fulfill. How awesome is that? We can get weighed down trying to fit a certain stereotype or mold set by society or our peers... so let's focus on God's standards and plans for us and our family. He will give us the peace we need to get by daily and the courage to face even the craziest of times. So why get distracted and set off track by comparing yourself to others? It isn't worth it.

While praying and asking God to reveal some things to me, I was pleasantly surprised by this comparison notion. Because I have a heart for the hurting, kids, babies, youth, homeless, and mom's...(to name a few) I have at times felt as if I am not doing enough now that I have my children as top priorities and can't minister to everyone as often as I'd like to. You mean, it's okay that I didn't start a Dream Center or Lord's Gym that my child isn't potty trained, baby isn't sleeping through the night... (Not yet anyway). God in His oh so wonderful and loving ways has let me know that my mission field to mommies, young children and teens isn't "less than" and that they can be great compliments to each other. Thank you Lord for understanding my heart to share your joy and love in the practical everyday matters of life.

Reflection: This is my season with my babies and I am thankful for it. I am also encouraged by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which tells us that; "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." Well, that pretty much covers it all for me. God is great like that.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be satisfied and not covetous of anyone or caught in comparison mode. Help us to know your love and to accept ourselves for who you have made us to be and for the "season of life" that we're in. Allow us to excel where you have us and to seek you for our future. Let us bless you in our comings and goings. Help us to pray for and encourage one another, knowing that we are all special to you and deeply loved. Help us to rest and trust in you through this current "time and season."

Mommy & Baby Devotion-White As Snow, Better Than Grass Stains

Psalm 51:7: "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

How often do you find those lovely baby food, spit up, grape juice and grass stained clothes while sorting through your piles of laundry? If you are like me, this happens almost daily; if I can get to the piles that is. Those grass stains remind me of the fun my children must have had while playing... but that doesn't make my laundress job any easier unfortunately. At least I can sort with a smile though, especially since most stains can be removed with a good scrub and soak; time and effort. Still, there are the stubborn stains that will never come out and can never be removed; causing you to think, "Why didn't I do my sorting earlier and soaking and scrubbing too, so this fabric wouldn't be ruined?"

Can you see how those stains are like our sin? The longer they set (and we don't let go of them) the harder it is to repent. Have you also heard that the "secrecy of sin" leads to more sin? The idea that the more we hold onto our sin, the more secrecy that is created and the more secrecy leads to more sin...a crazy cycle and pattern when we don't just let it go. The best thing to do is to repent, giving it to God to soak and scrub away so that we can be free of it and not held back. God's given us forgiveness, grace and mercy and yet, we still hold onto our sinful ways. Let this not be so.

Reflection: God's refreshing, perfect and permanent stain removal process is available for us all. Psalm 103:12 tells us that "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." Thank you Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this day and all that you have in store for us. Please help us to be diligent and act in urgency regarding our sin issues, not just our children's laundry-stain issues. Thank you so much for your forgiveness, help us to also forgive ourselves and others too. Let your love and forgiveness be evident in us.

Mommy & Baby Devotion-No Accidents, Really!

It seems as if daily there are accidents happening with a baby and toddler in tow. From the falls and spills to the tossed and thrown toys and other items... painting, food and potty training accidents... you get my drift. It is so refreshing to know that in the midst of it all there are no accidents with our Father God, even if we may feel otherwise.

Have you ever been told you were an accident? Have you often felt like one? Rest assured, in God's eyes you most certainly aren't. It is great to think of how we can bless our children with our love, prayers, example and tongue (our words). It is even more amazing that we can tell them how important they are often and in many different ways.

God wants us to know that He has a plan for us, that He is love (1John 4:8), and that He will fulfill His purpose for us (Psalm 138:8). "God who made you has something to say to you; the God who formed you in the womb wants to help you. Don't be afraid"... Isaiah 44:2 The Message.

Reflection: Readjust your thinking if you are in accident mode and know that you "mommy," are no accident, nor are your children. God thankfully doesn't see us as accidents and I am so thrilled by that. He is the ultimate in all things and great at forgiving, loving, providing, protecting, caring and seeing us through. Let us take hope in Him and give such hope to our children and others too. Let's thank Him for making even accidents good in time. I mean, a potty training child isn't always going to have accidents, and neither are we. Rest assured that even before you were born and breathing, God saw you and scheduled each day of your life. He even says it was all "recorded in your Book!" (Psalm 139:16).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this day, accidents and all. Help us to live in your truth and see ourselves through your eyes. Especially because we act out in the ways we see ourselves and how we think. Help those areas of our life be submitted to you and all areas under your guidance and mercy, grace, love... We need you in the everyday hiccups and falls of life and we need your perspective. Help us to not get discouraged when we deal with such times. Please remove and sooth those areas of hurt, pain and discouragement. Allow us not to listen to lies, but to lean on your truth for all things, daily. I love you. Help me know what I can do for you this day and be glorified.

Devotion: Blessing or Cursing

James 3:10 says, "And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"

So, how many of us know the tongue can produce some wicked things? "I'm not going to say it again, shut up." "Children are to be seen not heard." "Yeah, she's a great baby... but only when asleep." "My kid is a terror." "Are you stupid?" "You're clumsy." "You never listen." "Are you retarded?" These saying make me think of a child's crushed heart, as he listens to this constant belittling, frustration and anger. Studies have shown that it takes at least 10 positive comments to negate the bad. It is scary to think that there are many children being cursed daily and constantly. I pray that God helps me use my words wisely to not discourage my daughters, but to uplift and bless them. Even in our tone of voice their little hearts are aware of our thoughts. In our body language and facial expressions too. So, no rolling the eyes moms unless you too want to see them mirror it back some day (sooner than later). We reap what we sow and when we show our children disrespect, anger and belittling, they are not only cursed from it, but learn that same behavior. How much more important then is it to make it a priority to bless daily and encourage our babies with kind words, a gentle touch and/or hug and kiss.

Reflection: Let's choose to speak blessings over our children with the mouth God has given us. I don't know anyone of us who would admit intentional cursing over our kids or ill intent. However, each time we speak in a belittling tone, demean or correct them out of frustration and anger rather than love, we curse them. So, what does God say about us as His children? He loves us, came to save us and give us a future and hope. We are chosen to glorify Him in all that we do. Be encouraged that we can bless our children, as we are blessed by God. We can pray with them, patiently correct them, while using words of blessing rather than cursing.

Prayer: Dear God please guard our hearts and mouths that we may please you and bless our children. Let us speak a blessing over them daily and constantly. Let them not see in us rebellion so that they cannot mimic it in us. Let us instead mimic you and give them a blessed legacy to follow. Fill our hearts with your mercy, peace and understanding that we may give that to our children too. Stop us before we react negatively and help us to choose your words for the situation, seeing our babies with your eyes, rather than our own.

Devotion: It's All Good Part II

So, what great God moments did you have yesterday? Please share in comments to encourage us all. Remembering the lemons and trials, and focusing on the negative only brings frustration or disappointment. Let us instead, focus on the fact that there are better things to come with the Lord and that we won't be left in our situation to dangle on a threadbare string. As stated in Psalm 30:5: "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning."

So, let's take a deep breath and forget about those missed chores so we can take in the joy that God brings and cherish the added moments we have with our children. Those needy baby times of clinging to us will also soon pass, so why not just smile and endure knowing that we will soon miss such moments as they go by too quickly. When we move out of one season, we tend to miss the others after awhile, so just hold them babies close and smile; laugh together and don't take yourself too seriously. Thank God He doesn't take us too seriously, right? He accepts us as we are and where we are. What a refreshment that is. Let's try also accepting ourselves and living in that so we can bless and love others in complete joy and abandon. Let's show them that lemons aren't all that bad or sour with God in the mix.

Action: Think about some of your "oh shucks" (lemon) moments where you felt you were missing out and God showed you otherwise. Take the time to rest in His word and pray today giving special thanks for those times and for your future. Ask God to show you the plans that He has for you and the direction He has for your family. Ask Him to move through you especially if you are exhausted and hanging by a thread. Make some lemonade or wait for God's special lemon caramelos.

Prayer: Thank you dear God that you know and love us. It amazes me that you love us too much to meet us where we are and then just leave us there, as is. Give us wisdom and grace to follow you and to notice your times of blessing, speaking and intervention for us. Thank you for joy and peace let your joy be our strength so that our children will grow up knowing your joy too and seeing you daily in and through us. Help us when we do feel like we're missing out, to know that you are with us and that you make even the bad things good, in time. Thank you that when we feel as if we are hanging by a thread, you make it a rope and provide us with a foundation below to stand on.

Let us know what you think about God's special mommy moments and if you have any great recipes for lemons out there (besides my favorite of just adding salt).

I hope you are blessed and encouraged. If you happen to be in need of a cute baby shower gift and personalized handmade baby blanket I would be happy to customize one especially for you. You can email me or comment here. Email blankets4u@gmail.com.

Devotion: It's All Good

I am just amazed by God and His provision and care for us. Have you noticed when God brings something better your way, when you may have been thinking you were going to miss out on what you planned? Well, that happened at Six Flags yesterday when we missed the whale and dolphin show with our friends. Instead we decided to go to the shark area where we were surprised by the feeding frenzy that was soon to take place. We were front row for the sting rays, shark, saw-fish and other beautiful and unusual fish that seemed to just love coming over and showing us their bellies and all. We soon realized we were in for a treat when the dead fish started to be lowered directly in front of us. It was a real site and treat as the kids really loved it too. So, we didn't miss out after all.

I think God does this for us in life more often than we realize. He brings something to bless us even when we think we may have missed out. So, when life may seem to give you lemons, (which I happen to love by the way-especially with salt), you've heard the saying... make lemonade. Maybe our God may have some lemon pops in store for us, sorbet or gelato, those refreshing frozen treats that are so good on these hot summer days... instead of just lemonade. Be encouraged that God is in the midst of your every situation if you just take the time to look for Him there. He is the one who makes all things new and He wants to bless us abundantly. 2 Corinthians 5:17 also tells us, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." It also says in Revelation 21:15 "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new..."

Reflection: So, if you find yourself missing the laundry, dishes, yard work, time out with a friends, and stuck with the babies all day, this too shall pass. I believe God will bring sweet mommy and baby moments for us in the midst of our busy days, where we are missing out on getting other things done. Instead of the dishes, we are able to hold our babies and toddler close, sharing story times or playing outside, going for a walk, rocking them when their sick or just wanting to cuddle. The list goes on here. I just want to encourage you mommies out there that He has amazing plans for you, your life, your family, that He is in control and that He will give you better things than you can imagine. When we just trust in Him, He helps us take the time to see.

Prayer: Thank you God for giving us great things when we think we are bound for bad. Thank you for our children. Thank you that you help us in our daily trials, to get by and to have joy in the lemonade times, knowing you have our sorbet or gelato instead-waiting for us. Let us also be okay with the so called "lemonade moments" trusting you for what's to come. Give us time to share special moments with our children, friends and family and help us to not take ourselves too seriously and to hang on to you so that we can live in freedom. Please open our eyes to see the good you bring daily. Let us give that hope to our children and others. Help us trust in you that "it's all good."

Devotion: Praise With Freedom

Psalm 150:4: "Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs."

In her princess dress, my toddler is quite the site twirling around arms held high singing with abandon. What a smile and joy it brings to my face and heart. She just loves to dance and sing and it doesn't seem to matter where we are; she will just go for it. For example, she didn't seem to care that a little boy next to her was seemingly annoyed, looking at her as if she was silly, asking her to stop.

She was being anything but silly with her joy filled heart and natural happiness, innocence and energy all wound up in a bundle of dance twirls and moves. To her, quenching such an urge to dip, twirl and spin..., was not improper, so she gladly did it with complete freedom, praising the Lord in the process.

How wonderful to see little children praise the Lord so freely. What an example to us to just go for it. Even the animals seem to have a natural way about praising God. I am reminded of this every time I watch an eagle soar through the sky, a fish swimming freely in the ocean, a hummingbird swishing from feeder to feeder looking for nectar and well, all of God's creation really.

Reflection: Many times as women, we get too busy while trying to take care of ourselves and others that we can forget to praise the Lord with freedom and great abandon. I challenge us to do just that as we wake each day. Let's take note from a child's heart and example and just go for it. Don't hold back worrying about what others will think. I love to sing "Rise and shine and give God the Glory Glory"... as my children awaken in the morning and after naps. It always seems to get them smiling or laughing. Probably because I can be pretty silly and energetic. I love that it makes them happy and I love it when my toddler often joins in the worship. They just bless my heart.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you do inhabit the praises of your people. I love you. Allow my praise to be honest, freeing and pleasing to you. I pray you would continue to nurture the heart of worship in me and my children and that you would receive all the glory.