Devotions For Mom: Hungry?

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

"Mommy I am hungry and it is summer outside, it's not dark anymore. Can we go down stairs?" My daughter then asks for dinner as she pulls on the cozyblanket I had wrapped around me. Oh my, what time is it I think to myself. It was actually 8am and it felt more like 3am. My other daughter was surprisingly awake and playing ever so quietly in her crib. Could it really be morning already? Yikes. So not ready to wake up.

Okay, so we didn't have dinner, but breakfast instead. My oldest daughter seems to call most food dinner. As if I only feed her once a day. She's so cute. All the other times for lunch and snacks she'll usually call snack time or "time to eat." So, we had a good morning together as we ate our yummy eggs and toast and watched her favorite Little Bear show with her sister crawling all over everything.

Reflection: I kept thinking, Lord help me rest in you today and be "filled". Another filling that I seemed to also need was a mass dose of caffeine. I realized that my nights had been pretty restless since returning home from vacation; with my baby and toddler waking through the night. I am a light sleeper unfortunately and adjusting hasn't been easy. If I could only sleep as sound as my husband. I don't know about you, but my mind is pretty slow to turn off or rest. It keeps me up at times, praying, rejoicing and crying, you name it... I've been there. Whether it is fear, the unknown, joy or praise, I am so thankful that our Lord's table is always open for us when we wake up and call upon Him in our hunger for His replenishing and word (food). It is just amazing to me that when we seek for righteousness and the things of God, He fills us and our needs.

Prayer: Thank you that when I come hungry, you are always ready to fill me with your love and kindness, wisdom and grace dear Lord. I am so thankful for your provision and protection, your love and grace. Thank you for blessing us as we seek to be righteous Lord. Help me to always hunger for righteousness. Let there be less of me and more of you.

Devotions For Mom: He Gives And Takes Away!

Job 1: 20-21 "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

News: God is so good. It's official, we are pregnant with #3, still waiting for our appointment; excited and very thankful. Although a bit surprised, we know God has a plan and thankfully He gives and takes away. So, we can rest assured this life is too in His hands and of His doing. What a blessing and joy. I only wish I didn't feel as nauseated and drained. Honestly I've been a bit zonked with this one so far though. I guess that happens rather easily when you have two other little one's running and crawling around... :) This too shall pass though (nausea). Only another 3 weeks and we are finished with the first trimester and will be 3 months pregnant. Now we just have to make sure we are not having twins. Just kidding, let your will be done Lord.

So, we found out this spectacular news while on vacation recently. I hadn't been feeling quite myself and was tired which is usually not the case for me. I also didn't start "my-monthly- friend" on time. Don't ask why I call it that, but hey I am silly at times. It isn't really my friend but rather a pain, literally. Even still, it does allow us the great opportunity of having children. Needless to say, I won't be getting rid of mydiaper bags, baby slings and other baby clothes as soon as I thought.

Sharing: So, moving on. Me and hubby were on our way with our oldest daughter to celebrate her special day and we decided to get a pregnancy test before eating lunch at a little restaurant in Stanley Idaho. I was anxious to find out the news especially since the test I took before vacation said not pregnant-negative. So, I went into the bathroom, took the test and put it in my pocket to share with daddy. It was kind of a given, looked like a plus sign but a bit faded on the horizontal line. We figured maybe we're not so when we got back from our special day with our daughter who enjoyed her lunch, hail storm experience, the paddle boat and lake, ice cream and cupcake, we decided to take another one (pregnancy test) at the cabin. The answer again was the same which on the box said pregnant for sure-positive. So, we shared the news; delighted and yes a bit nervous too.

Prayer: Thank you that every perfect gift is from you Lord. I am amazed and grateful for the gifts of my children, the miracles that they are and that you would bless me with each of them. Have your way in me and let your will be done. Help me to serve you daily and hear from you. Please bless and protect this pregnancy and baby and give him or her a heart of worship and a love for you. I love you and worship you.

Devotions For Mom: Kids Say The Darndest

Wow, talk about embarrassing. My oldest daughter just spilled the beans on me and daddy while we were on vacation. I don't know about you, but when nature calls out in the wilderness, I just embrace it and go (find a potty). This was especially true since we were out in the middle of the lake and nowhere near a bathroom. We had to paddle to a cove and find some cover... Of course my very observant daughter, as she's waiting with daddy on the paddle boat, sees mommy go off into the woods to go "potty". Little did I know this story would come up at dinner with all the family present as we were reminiscing about our day. She says, mommy goes potty in the bushes and daddy too, but I use the toilet." She hadn't said that to us all day so we didn't notice that she, well noticed. No secrets here folks. Yep, my cheeks were bright red and so were lots of others as they smiled and laughed too. Yikes, I hope I am not alone here or offending anyone. That would really be awkward.

Anyhow, it's refreshing how innocent our daughter is and how she didn't see anything wrong with sharing such details. During other times I've noticed that in her simplicity she's often been wise. I will say "oh no" when a glass or drink is spilled or something is dropped or has fallen down and she will ever so calmly tell me "it's okay" in her very reassuring way. Then off to get a wipey she goes to help me out. The pleasures of parenting are sure to be found in those moments as well as many others... Even still, I guess I should start the lessons on manners and potty training talk and privacy; what and when to share and how since she's approaching age three in a few short months.

Reflection: It amazes me that out of those same mouths Jesus says..."Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise" (Matthew 21: 16). What a true miracle to behold. In Psalm 8: 1-2"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." In this KJV the "ordained strength" is in reference to issuing strong words against such enemies, and even from "the mouth of babes and sucklings." In the Revised Standard Version and translation, "the little ones chant the glory and majesty of the Lord." God sees the beauty in our little kids even amidst their humorous stories I am sure. It is great when we can too. Even more marvelous (I can't wrap my mind around it fully) is the truth that we can rejoice knowing that through them He has ordained strength and perfected praise. They are His vessels.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you are worthy of our praise and that you use our babies to glorify you even as sucklings. This is beyond me here. You are so wonderful and I thank you for the many funny memories and stories from my daughters and the many more to come as my kids grow up. Give them a heart of worship and a joy for you; help them to trust you always and learn from your word and prayer. Through my example and my husbands, let us show them your love continually. Help them to use their words wisely and obediently dear God. Let them be uplifters lacking nothing.

Devotions For Moms: Never Failing Compassion

Lamentations 3:21-23
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." How refreshing!

It seems as if there isn't much compassion these days from my kiddos (a bit of sarcasm here). I mean they keep getting up in the middle of the night, teething, wanting a back rub, crying, wanting to talk or be changed... the list goes on. Really, I know this is part of parenting; it just helps me to know that I can be refreshed in hope daily with the Lord, especially when things have been exhausting around the home-front. I guess nobody said it would be easy and at least we can be comforted knowing we are never alone in any of our matters or late nights when we know and trust in Jesus.

Reflection: It's all in our perspective too; how we will react. Thankfully I caught myself laughing at my daughters during their late night waking time because my oldest just says the funniest and sweetest things. She said, mom... and I replied yes my pumpkin pie and she said I love you; as her sister was making the silliest noises in her crib (trying to fill her diaper no doubt). Just melts my heart, my kids and their unique and beautiful blossoming personalities.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for my kids and their sweet personalities. Thank you for your love and compassion, hope and mercy. Help us to be uplifted and close to you daily in our prayers and in your word. Give us compassion for others and especially our children. You are truly amazing and I praise you.

Devotions For Mom: Your Time Matters

In the midst of our kids and their busy schedules, as well as our own, we may feel as if we aren't possibly doing enough or that our time somehow doesn't matter. I am here to tell you ladies, your time is of ultimate importance to your little angels. Whether you have lots of time or a little to spend and enjoy with your kids, I want to encourage you to make the best of it.

Recently while my youngest daughter was very ill I felt so helpless. There wasn't much I could really do except keep the pediatric electrolytes coming by the tablespoon every 5 to 10 minutes, hold and rock her, love and comfort her and pray for her. Thankfully the medication for her temperature helped too, but ultimately it was the Lord's hand upon her that sustained us. Seeing her so ill was just horrible. However, she always had a smile on her face and never got dehydrated while facing her 10 day flu virus. Bless her little heart, she was quite the trooper. In those times of despair though and exhaustion I had to rely upon God for my strength and hers. Our little ones rely upon that same strength from us ladies; the super moms, super heroes and mommies of today. We are doing it all at times and as long as we make time to share and spend with them they won't feel lost in the shuffle of our daily schedules.

Reflection: Simple steps to having significant encounters with our kids can have a lot to do with how much time we take for them. They can also be affected greatly by our body language and tone of voice. Kids seem to pick up on our vibes whether good or bad and they can be prone to personalize those feelings of stress and tension. Equally amazing, they can take on the same feelings of love, care, joy and peace too. Which would we rather give? I'll mention just a few fun and easy ways to get to your kids' hearts. Looking at them in the eyes is huge and can make them feel special rather easily as you listen to their stories, hear about their day or just share a game of patty-cake or peek-a-boo... The list goes on here. When we get down to their level physically by looking them eye to eye, they feel more connected and understood. So, go for it and have a great gaze into your children's eyes as you enjoy all the funny, unusual and memorable things that will come out of their mouths.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for my children. Whether we have the full day, half day or only hours with our kids, Lord make them meaningful and bless them. I pray that our children would sense your Spirit and love and that you would guide us both into a deeper relationship with you and each other. Help us to be sensitive to our body language and tone around our kids so that they don't have to take on unnecessary stress upon themselves and so that we may fully bless them and be a joyous example showing you as our strength and source. Provide those special times for us moms and our kids so even in the busy times of life, we can have that true heart connection with each other. Encourage us mother's to seize every opportunity to bless our kids and take time for them to make them feel special and know who you are God. Thank you also Lord that you promise us your wisdom even in child-rearing and in our daily lives.

James 1:2-5 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Devotion: Are We There Yet?

Although vacation was certainly no failure (rather the opposite), it reminded us that in those times of the unknown it is truly God's love and grace and His perspective that can get us through to the other side unscathed if you will... ready to move on and enjoy another journey... strong enough to face the future even if we may not know what it holds. Boy, am I happy to be able to trust and hold onto God in all times. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Let's continue in the encouragement for those of us who may feel as if we've been dealt a wild card this time around. If you have ever been on vacation with kids you have probably heard "are we there yet?" quite often. It was pretty funny when our oldest daughter asked this as we were just 15 miles into our journey. Yikes I thought to myself. We have at least 11 or more hours to go.

Reflection: This reminds me of God's people and how they too were prone to ask their questions from the back seat. They seemed to question and ask "how long?" since their trip out of Egypt. Let's just trust in God's plans because we are uplifted when we know that His hands are firmly placed on the steering wheel and that He will reach His intended destination and achieve His goal and see His kingdom come. This will allow us to rest assured that we are in the best hands ever, no matter what. So, if you are out of a job, your health is in question, your spouse is leaving, you don't know what to do... instead of thinking your victory is delayed and that the Kingdom of God is far off, remember that the things ordained by God, He will see through to the end.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that we don't need all the answers when we give you the steering wheel. Thank you for taking our burdens and sharing also in our joys. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we may live in relationship with you and know your love and mercy.

Devotions: Ahoy Captain!

Wow, how I have missed these daily devotions and time with you ladies. Vacation was, well a blessing and of course trying with two little ones. My husband says that with the kids vacation can be more like a trip... and so it was until Mimi and Papa showed up to help out a bit more so mommy and daddy could also have some time for sleep and fun get-a ways.

Speaking of get-a ways; we took our oldest to the lake for a special day and she just couldn't get enough of this green paddle boat. Usually timid, we thought surely she would change her mind once we got her close to entering the boat, but no way, her mind was set and so the green boat it was. She was our captain and she wanted to go way out in the deep waters of the lake, which kind of surprised us. She kept singing ahoy captain... (From her favorite Little Bear show) while smiling; it was so adorable. So of course we joined in the fun and sang along with her. She just loved it and even sat in the back at one point all by herself, enjoying the scenery and telling us where to go next. The only thing is that our boat wouldn't seem to go the right direction while turning or steering, so hubby kind of ran into a few things on our journey. If we were planning on going left, it would kind of go right, or stay straight and take us to the unknown... Even still, we really enjoyed the adventure and the new fun memories we were creating.

Reflection: Anyhow, the steering problem got my hubby and I thinking about how life just throws us twists, turns and flops sometimes and how just when we think we're in for a real flop, God brings us something beautiful on the other side, literally. So, I thought I would share to encourage us all to hang on when the going gets tough and when things don't seem as they ought. When we trust in a God bigger than all and ourselves, we can truly get through anything. When we can accept His grace for our so called failures and stumbles, enough to let go and leave things at the so called "altar" of life if you will; we can be truly free to live and yep even fail again. I mean, if our boat didn't have such steering issues, we wouldn't have been all over that lake like we were enjoying every part of it. Thankfully God knows our full lake's view (our story) and has a way to get us to where we need to go even if we may not know just where that is yet or how to get there. As my husband would say, God sees the end of our story, not just the beginning and He's there rooting us on to get through another page and chapter, all be it tough at times... He's there to get us to the place of His rest and glory, as we just hold on to Him. Oh, and thank God He never fails.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Be encouraged that His grace is sufficient. 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you are unfailing and constant; that you are our hope, grace, love and future. Allow us to see your perspective in the midst of our unknowing times and struggles, help us to rely upon and accept your grace and hope, setting us free from our own baggage of life. Let us call you the captain of our lives and rely on you for our every need. I thank you for giving us safe travels and healing our baby. You alone are worthy to be praised.