St. Nick aka Santa Claus

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I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas… from my own childhood to raising my boys, it was truly the most wonderful time of the year, and still is! We always decorated their little trees together, made cookies, made up dances to Christmas songs, watched Christmas shows and had such fun! We loved decorating the house, going to their Christmas programs, going to grandma’s house… and the joy on Christmas morning of opening presents.

Before we opened gifts, the first thing we always did was sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. And on Christmas Eve, my dad would always read the Christmas story to the grandkids (as did my grandpa to me and my siblings) Because my mom had been a Sunday School teacher for years, she had some child costumes and we let our kids act out the story as grandpa read it. It was truly memorable.

However, there is a way to have Santa Claus and Jesus and not betray the true meaning of Christmas!

Read the following excerpt from an article by Dr. Stephen L. Swisher on the real Nicholas (who later was named Saint Nicholas):

“Because of his gentleness, compas­sion and love, and the fact that he always carried a bag filled with candy and gifts whenever he ventured out in public, scores of children followed him around. Due to Nicholas’ status with local citizens, Roman officials often sought his advice in matters of state. The influence he gained allowed him to work for the underprivileged and powerless, and in so doing he rose to the position of cardinal.

Yet what ultimately made him a legend was his love of children. As he grew older, he used more and more of his funds to purchase gifts for children. Giving toys or candy to little ones, Nicholas told stories of Jesus and the gift He had given through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Then Nicholas would add, “Jesus loves little children, and He loves you.” Through these gifts, many began to understand the full measure of their salvation. Nicholas’ acts of service were so great that when he died, others picked up where he left off. Over time, the legend of Nicholas of Myra grew, and hundreds of churches were named after him.

…Nicholas’ parents were committed to their faith in deeds, not just words. They gave to missionary work and helped feed the poor. They also took Nicholas to church and enrolled him in theology and history classes where he learned to fully embrace the two greatest commandments in the Bible: to love God with all your heart (Matthew 22:37) and to love your neighbor as yourself (verse 39). These verses had a profound impact on Nicholas. But the act that truly distinguished him began with the failure of a family friend’s business. The man and his three daughters had lost everything. In desperation, the man negotiated with local brothel owners to sell his oldest daughter into slavery to provide for the younger two.

When Nicholas learned of this, he sprang into action. The night before the girl was to be sold; Nicholas went to their home, waited for the lights to go out and tossed a bag of gold through an open window, vanishing before he could be seen. This random act of kindness was not to be a one-time act of charity.

The money lasted the family a year. When it ran out Nicholas returned with another bag of gold, but this time the father caught him. Wiping away tears the man asked Nicholas, “Why did you give us these gifts?”

“Because you needed them.”

“But why didn’t you let us know who you were?”

“Because it’s good to give when only God knows about it.”

That answer would become the foundation for the legend still celebrated today.”

(Read the entire article here :
In Search of the Real Santa Claus)

I learned of the REAL St. Nicholas when my boys were about 4 and 7 years old. I was thrilled! Thrilled that I could incorporate the REAL meaning of Christmas, yet let them have fun with Santa! Here is what I did: We sat down and I told them I wanted to tell them about the REAL Santa Claus. I shared how he was born to missionary parents and that he loved Jesus with all his heart. How he saved a young woman from being sold into slavery for her father’s debts by “waiting until night and throwing a bag of gold into an open window,” which actually enabled the family to live for an entire year. I shared hat to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, since we couldn’t give a gift to Jesus, we would give gifts to each other because Jesus loved us that much. I also said that after the first and real Santa – Nicholas, died, others took up his cause to be a blessing and to honor Jesus’ birthday like he did. I went on to say that when we see Santa Claus at the mall, it is a reminder of the man who loved Jesus, and children and wants us to celebrate His birthday by giving gifts to each other. After all, the greatest gift was Jesus Himself.

Then we talked about cartoons and Christmas fun like for Rudolph and the North Pole and elves, etc., that we can play and have fun with that like we do with toys! They loved it! This way, I kept the meaning of Christmas true in their hearts and didn’t have to fabricate a thing. (Bonus idea – when we watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas, when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes because the “true meaning of Christmas came through” – I would say – watch! WATCH – Jesus is going to come into his heart! It was great!!)

We still went to the mall and sat on Santa’s lap and watched Rudolph and all the fun stuff kids like to do – but we walked in truth. We would see a Santa at the mall and I would remind them that Santa symbolizes Jesus’ great love for all of us. And because it is HIS birthday, and He is no longer on earth, we give gifts to each other in His name! He gave us the greatest gift! You can incorporate this into all kinds of activities. We also did shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and gifts from the Salvation Army tree. But, in teaching my boys about the REAL Santa, they knew WHY he did what he did and I was never worried that “commercial Santa” would overtake our Christmas celebrations because we walked in truth.

Isn’t it like the enemy, to take the real St. Nicholas, and pervert the story, water it down, and shove it into history books until “men” attribute the miracles he performed in Jesus’ Name to mere myths? The man who gave his life, to serve others in Jesus’ name, even raising the dead, has been watered down to a fat jolly man who flies through the air – something that when a child is older, will never believe and may wonder – “what else did my parents tell me that wasn’t true?…..I’ve never seen Jesus either and He’s going to come back in the sky one day? Sure mom.”

Truth… truth brings peace. Truth brings understanding. I love Christmas and I love very reason we have Christmas – to celebrate the birth of our Savior. At our home, Santa bows his knee to Jesus – it was the way he lived his life, and it is how he would want his memory to be honored.

So, Merry Christmas! Enjoy your children! Take them to see Santa Claus and tell them what Santa represents to us – a reminder that it is Jesus’ Birthday and we give gifts to each other in HIS honor. What a mighty God we serve! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men!

Expected End

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Let us not grow weary in doing well, for if we faint not, we shall reap a harvest. Galatians 6:7

In the Greek, the word weary means be utterly spiritless; exhausted

The word faint means to have one’s strength relaxed, to be enfeebled through exhaustion, to grow weak, grow weary, be tired out, to loose or set free.

This is going to be a bit transparent, but it is my hope that my raw honesty will help someone else.

About five years ago, I went through a dark, desert season, and I wrote about it. It lasted for about eighteen months. In that time, the Lord completely dismantled who I thought I was supposed to be. It was very difficult, but very freeing and worth it. Then I had a short reprieve.

Just when you think you’ve arrived at your destination, you realize, that life is a continual journey. We are to continually grow and mature in the things of God as He takes us from glory to glory! (2 Cor 3:18)

2017 was a tough year! There were many battles and much warfare. I was so happy to see 2018 come! Even though I didn’t know anything about 2018, there is something about finishing a year and beginning a new one. It always releases hope for me. The Lord told me in 2017 to increase thankfulness in my life and I did. Increasing thankfulness CHANGED MY LIFE!

(Thankfulness Changed My Life!)

So in 2018, when He told me to increase honor in my life, I was on it! He will only always give us good things to do. Increasing honor has brought change to not only me, but others. It has taught me lessons and caused me to remember and to value things that often get put in the background.

However, 2018 has been tough! Even tougher than 2017! It’s like the book we read in high school that said – It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….. this describes 2018 perfectly!

Early in January, a friend who lives in another state called me and said she had a word from the Lord for me. She said – “The Lord is going to show you the extent of His faithfulness to you this year.”

I was like YES! She said to remember that and I have. Then one day a couple months ago, I was declaring that and it dawned on me….the extent of His faithfulness……that means there needs to be an extent – or a reason! Uh oh! And while my relationship with the Lord has grown and increased, so has the warfare. I have learned things this year that make me wonder why I couldn’t see them before! And I have fallen deeper in love with Jesus. The best of times, the worst of times.

One example is in January the Lord impressed upon us to sell our home. So we immediately went about getting our house ready to sell in the spring and in early May I put it for sale online. Two months later I was frustrated and shared that with a gal at my church. I said – “the Lord told us to sell, so what is the deal?”

She said, “Did He say it was time?”

I said “He told me to sell!”

She said, “Yes, but is it time?” And actually, it made me a bit angry. (first clue!)

Here we are over five months later, and my house still has not sold.  I have come to understand, that it is truly about HIS timing and I did, in fact, neglect to ask His timing. I heard sell and hopped right on it instead of seeking out His timing. (lesson learned!)

This is just ONE of the many battles I have faced this year. We’ve had health issues, that have also added to financial issues, car issues and wrecks. And then there are always relationship dynamics in life. People come and people go, people hurt you and people forget you. People take you wrong and misunderstand you, or take another person’s perspective and fail to get yours, and then it’s just a cycle of nonsense. People can be hurtful. UGH!  There are a myriad of feelings, issues, and perspectives we all deal with on a daily basis.  Oh if we could extend more grace to each other! But, that’s a whole other subject!

So, the other day I heard something in my thoughts and I arrested it almost immediately. It was this: “Every time I get to the end, someone moves the finish line.” Now, let me tell you, that is enough to make anyone grow weary! How will you ever take ground like that? But, I said – NO, I refuse this! And then Jeremiah 29:11 came to me – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. And I literally said out loud “I submit myself to Jeremiah 29:11 – there will be an expected end and I resist the devil and the lies of moving the finish line!” (According to James, 4:7)

There is an EXPECTED END. As long as I am following God, there is an expected end to this that I am walking through. And as I looked up the word expected in the Greek – I was pleasantly surprised as it means “things hoped for” or “expectation”. Plans to give me what I am hoping for at the end – a definite place, finish!  There is a definite finish line to each situation!!!!

So, now what? Battle after battle can become wearisome! Or battles fighting several battles all at once! Right? We must find joy. Nehemiah 8:10 says the joy of the Lord is our strength. It literally means “the gladness of Jehovah is your protection, safety, refuge and stronghold.”

What exactly is the joy of the Lord? The Bible says that Jesus endured the cross for the “joy that was set before Him” – what was that joy? The reconciliation to us. He endured the process, the cross, the battle because He knew that His Father would give Him His expected end. The joy of the Lord is simply believing He is going to do what He said He would do. If we truly believe that, we will and can endure whatever life throws our way.

In a nutshell – keep your eyes on Jesus. Focus on His word. Live according to His ways. When you do this, you will have joy, which will produce strength. Strength will keep you from growing weary, strength will get you to your expected end!

God is showing the extent of His faithfulness to me – and He will do the same for you. We will endure our cross for the joy set before us….. which is our EXPECTED end. Our job is to simply trust Him and endure for the joy of the Lord – the fact that Our God will do what He said He would do, is our joy, and that joy is our strength!  

See you at the finish line!  

Thankfulness Changed My Life

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Thankful- to be pleased, relieved, expressing gratitude. Grateful – feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness

A few months ago, being thankful kept coming into my thought process. And as I purposed to be thankful more often, it turned to being thankful daily and it has honestly changed my life. By making the choice, daily, to be thankful, my entire life has changed – and it all boils down to a choice.

Proverbs 23:7 says – as we think in our hearts, so are we. This is so true! I have learned a few things in purposing to be thankful and I must say, it has made me even more thankful for my life! It has changed my thinking! It has given me a new outlook! I am amazed at what being thankful daily has done for me. Here are a few things I have learned:

You can’t be thankful and angry at the same time. It will not work. So, what if anger comes? It’s a choice you have to make. You have to stop, reset your thought process and focus on what you are thankful for. The Bible says 2 Corinthians 10:5TV (VOICE) 5 We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One.

It’s amazing what happens when we actually do what the Bible says! What if the next time anger came, we took it captive? I will challenge you with something that works for me – say out loud – “Anger – I am marching you to the cross of Christ right now and I give you no place. I release this situation to YOU Father and I choose instead to be thankful for_______ (this way of escape, thankful for anything actually! ) Confess being thankful and watch the anger dissipate then and there! James says to submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee – submit to God and resist anger and it will flee as well!

Being thankful has given my faith a new freedom! I read recently that one of the hindrances to our faith is when we are facing an impossible situation and we go over in our minds how we think the Lord might work it out. Doing this just rehearses all that we CANNOT do. And, because it is an impossible situation to us, it only serves to remind us of how helpless we really are. By keeping our focus on all of this it weakens our faith and causes doubt to creep in or even fear. I am guilty! So, what I have started to do when I am reminded of all that is wrong in my life – all that I need answers for and do not have? I have started saying – out loud so the enemy and my own heart can hear – “Father – I don’t know how You are going to work this out, but I know You are. Thank You for doing it! In the meantime, I am going to be thankful for all that You have already done for me!” And then I begin to name things out loud. When you begin rehearsing the blessings of the Lord out loud, it will change your atmosphere! Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” The word thanksgiving, in the Greek means – actively grateful – language as an act of worship to God!” When anxiety comes- actively thank the Lord as an act of worship! It will bring peace!

Being thankful has made me happier and changed my outlook! I used to worry about things all the time – although I didn’t call it that, to me, I was just trying to figure out solutions to problems. And, there is nothing wrong with trying to find a solution – we should do that. However, when trying to find the solution becomes your overwhelming thoughts it is WORRY! Now, I simply give these problems to the Lord. I still look for solutions, but when they don’t come, I release these problems to my Father – with thanksgiving, knowing He cares for me and that He will work them out…some way, somehow. There is no sense in ruining my day fretting over that which I can’t do anything about! Colossians 3:15-17 TV- “Let your hearts fall under the rule of the Anointed’s peace (the peace you were called to as one body), and be thankful.16 Let the word of the Anointed One richly inhabit your lives. With all wisdom teach, counsel, and instruct one another. Sing the psalms, compose hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit, and keep on singing—sing to God from hearts full and spilling over with thankfulness. 17 Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father.” When you allow His peace to come and are thankful, when you let the Word of God inhabit your life, when you encourage each other with songs and sing to the Lord from your heart with thankfulness – I promise you it will change your horizon! We always have something to be thankful for. If you woke up this morning you can be thankful!

Being thankful keeps my heart light and my thinking clear! Romans 1:21 says “For although they knew God, they did not honor (praise) him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Futile means incapable of producing any useful result; pointless. This scripture is talking about believers! Although they KNEW God they did not honor him as God OR GIVE THANKS TO HIM they became futile in their thinking – incapable of producing any useful result, pointless! And their foolish hearts were darkened….. darkened there means to be deprived of light – in your mind – deprived of understanding. Have you ever been in a situation and said “I just can’t understand??????” Have you ever been incapable of producing any useful result? Hit the reset button and begin to honor and praise God and give Him thanks! If not honoring, praising and thanking Him causes us to be futile in our thinking then honoring, praising and thanking Him will produce the opposite effect! WOW!

Being thankful gives me hope! One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:8 (TV) “Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy.” Folks, when you meditate on the goodness of God, when you think on lovely things, you can’t help but be hopeful for the future! Joshua 1:8 TV “Let the words from the book of the law be always on your lips. Meditate on them day and night so that you may be careful to live by all that is written in it. If you do, as you make your way through this world, you will prosper and always find success.” I have found since I have made an effort to be more thankful daily, that my hope and outlook has improved greatly!

I know these things sound too easy to be true…. I mean, could it be as easy as saying thank you? Could it be as easy as changing our thoughts to meditate on His goodness? On the gloomiest of days, I try to find even the smallest things to be thankful for. A good parking spot, a hot cup of tea, a smile from a stranger, sunshine…… I remind myself to be thankful for things that become easy to take for granted…. My job, my health, my home, my car, a warm bed at night, an awesome Bible believing, God fearing church, my health, friends, family, etc. Once I get started, it is amazing just how much I find that I have to be thankful for!

I am dumbfounded at the change in my atmosphere and daily life that being thankful has had on me. However, the Bible says in Isaiah 55 that our ways are not His ways and our thoughts His thoughts – that His thoughts are higher. Sometimes I think we make things too hard. Jesus said His yoke was easy and His burden was light. (Mark 11:28-30) Jesus took the chastisement of our peace so we could have peace. He did it all for us on the cross. All we have to do is accept Him, His ways and plans. His word tells us how.

So, I challenge you to purpose to live a more thankful life. Get your Bible and look up the word thankful and just meditate on His goodness. It really is as easy as making a choice. Once you get past the fact that it is really up to you, and it is truly a CHOICE – the rest will fall into line. I wish I could have gotten this principle years ago. I would have been much happier a lot sooner!

Psalm 9:1-2 “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

Balance

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Be the mom. Be the dad. Balance your life. Let me talk to you today about something I wish I would have done differently…..

When my boys were growing up, we did very little outside the church or church activities. Doing this caused them to crave outside activities and regret or resent not doing more as kids. Now, it wasn’t all church, but mostly. My boys played baseball and basketball at the YMCA and did band and things like that, but I am talking more FAMILY time that was just FAMILY.

My point is, if you are raising your children to know truth, taking them to church, teaching them at home as well, it is important to have some family time that is simply FUN. This is one thing I would go back and change if I could – in a heart beat! I would have done MORE family time in our home.

We have lots of traditions and nostalgic things and great memories. Don’t get me wrong. But, just as we had set times to go to church, I would schedule set times for the family. One night a week – and each family member would have had the chance to choose the activity and even food. It doesn’t have to be expensive – it can be as simple as monopoly and homemade pizza. The main thing is – DO SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT IS FUN AND ENTAILS LAUGHTER! It might be going to the park, ice skating, cooking or just board games, but anything together is the key. (And I highly suggest NO electronic devices!)

For those of you with grown children who are out of your home and not walking on the path with the Lord as you raised them to…..do yourself a favor and get the book “Joyful Parent = Happy Home”. This book changed my life. Sometimes, we get so worried about what our kids are doing wrong, that we forget, we are not God! Listen, our Father has no grand kids…….our kids are His. He loves them more than we do. He will correct! Especially if your children are not living with you, it is important to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work. The problem is, most parents don’t trust God enough with their kids, so they try to be God and man is there a clash!

When you raise your children in church and they don’t stick to that path once they leave, it can break your heart. I get it. But you always telling them what they are doing wrong isn’t going to help them. It just reinforces in their minds why they should get out of all that “bondage”. The Bible says its the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. Now, I am not talking about allowing disrespect to you or to the Lord around you, and I am definitely NOT condoning sin. But, your kids know where you stand. So, STAND. Be the example, stand on the word, be at peace and trust God for the turnaround. Love your children. After all, when they do come back to God, they want to feel free to run to you, not dread it because they know they will get a lecture.

Love your children, trust the Lord, stand on His word and be at peace. It’s not easy, but it IS possible, and will be so worth it!

Until next time –
K

Therapy for the Empty Nest

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“Therapy for the Empty Nest”  that is the tagline for this blog.  Originally, I thought I would write things about my boys and it would help me with becoming an empty nester – and it did.  But, I have come to realize that it is really the writing that is the therapy, not just the subject matter.

That being said, I have decided to write a little more often and on some different subjects that are important to me.  Things that will be “therapeutic” for me!  Besides, I have lots of ideas and things I did as a mom that worked and would like to share them.  I also have things that did not work so well, and I want to share them as well.  If young parents can learn from my mistakes and successes, then I want to be of help.

What are things that are important to me?  Besides my family, God and my relationship with Jesus.  I love serving in the local church.  I love to sing.  I love to write.  I passionately love decorating and organizing homes.  I like solving problems.  I love to pray and dig into the Word of God.

Right now, part of my therapy is losing some extra weight.  I have coupled this with walking and praying and I love it.  It has changed my life!  I am also looking forward to the holidays with my boys.  I miss them a lot and can’t wait to see their faces.

So, if you subscribe to my blog – thank you!  And I hope to “chat” with you a little more often starting today.  I am working on a post currently about the importance of following through in prayer until we get results. But if I write any more about this, I will end up giving too much away.   So, until next time!

Time flies…….

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I got an email from my brother today out of the blue asking if I remember sending him something I was writing for my blog several years ago. I did remember it vaguely, but not entirely. Then I read it and talk about a flood of memories! Walk back in time with me a few years and you will see what I am talking about…..

July 2009

Today is just an ordinary Monday. I am at work and life is moving right along. My heart is nostalgic today as I just went to my niece Stephanie’s wedding. What a beautiful wedding it was. Stephanie and Michael are so in love and so excited to begin their life together, yet it makes me very sad….

I saw the look on my brother’s face as he watched the dance of the bride and groom. I saw the pain in a father’s heart that says I have just lost my little girl. They announce the father/daughter dance and he takes a deep breath and puts on a smile and walks forward and takes his little girl by the hand. He then proceeds to hold her close, his heart bursting inside. He remembers the little girl in pigtails looking up at him with bright blue eyes. At that age, your daddy is your hero, your protector and can fix anything and any situation. Today, he has given her hand in marriage to a wonderful young man and along with that went the right to be her protector. Gosh! How does this happen? Never, ever in a million years did I ever realize the pain would be so deep. It’s not a sadness for their future, but rather a mourning over time long gone. No longer can you solve their problems with a new toy or an ice cream cone. No longer can you choose what people come in and out of their lives. In a sense you are helpless and must rely on God and what you instilled in your child growing up.

I remember one summer day in 2004. My son Eric was 15 and I woke myself up from a dream and I was in tears. I dreamed I got up on a Sunday morning and went down to wake him up and it was time to take him to college. Oh, how my heart ached and how I cried. I went to my pastor that day and told him of my dream and he replied – “Don’t worry, you still have three years”. That was five years ago now. In 2005, I went to my niece Allison’s high school graduation. As I was sitting there, three hours away from my home, I saw on the big screen pictures of the 2005 graduates when they were small toddlers. I could hardly contain myself knowing that in two very short years I would be sitting in an auditorium as my son graduated and left for college. Later that night, I was at my brother’s home and he asked me to come upstairs as he wanted me to listen to something. He played me a song that he used to play for Allie when she was little. She would be in her car seat and he would play it and they would sing together. It was about a little girl growing up and finding a husband. We both cried and cried that night. A year later, Allie got married and moved five hours away. At her wedding, again, I cried and cried at the father/daughter dance and the look on my brother’s face.

Then came fall of 2006 and Eric’s senior year. My heart was so full that entire year! A brilliant student, Eric has always succeeded at all he has attempted. From the lawn service he began as an early teen to running for student government in junior high, high school and college. Majoring in two subjects, in the Honors Program, an accomplished pianist, traveling abroad and traveling to DC for various political functions, Eric S. Deems is not afraid to go after anything. I remember the first year he went to the prom. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo. I pulled him into my room and said – “Wait – I get the first dance”. I then played Have I told You Lately That I Love You by Rod Stewart and we danced til we both had tears in our eyes. I was so proud of him. From the girl he had chosen to date, to his work ethic, to his sense of humor and logic, to his worshipers heart, it was clear I was totally head over heels in love with my son.

I miss the days when he was little and I would rock him to sleep every day for his nap. All the goofy things we did. How he loved tape and stickers and dinosaurs and cars. The day he got his first bike, then the day he got a bike that had never had training wheels. He always had a drive to succeed and be around important people. Always ahead of his time and always looking to the future. On the day of his graduation – wow! He was the most decorated senior of his class and was voted by the class to give a speech. He also won the most scholarship money in his class. We were so proud. On the day we left our hotel in Nashville, Tennessee and followed his Ford Taurus to the college to move him into the dorm, I thought I was going lose my mind! But I “gutted” it up and went with a smile on my face and moved my baby 7 hours away. To me, I still remember the little boy who loved Ricky Skaggs and played a make believe fiddle, tried to smoke “green beans” and acted a fool in the grocery store. The handsome little lad that always was dressed in different suit and tie each week for church. The child that liked playing baseball but loved playing the piano. The times I would go into his room to try to help him clean it and he would hop on the piano and play while I cleaned. The twelve year old boy who became my pianist and played for me three days a week at our church for the next 6 years. My Psalmist, my buddy, my prayer partner, my child and my friend. We wrote songs together, sang together, worshiped together and had a great time. I remember when he was 16, he and I were going to the Smoot Theater to see a Hometown Christmas and went to dinner first. I was mistaken for his girlfriend! We laughed, Eric was sure he had been mistaken for being older, while I was sure I was mistaken for being younger. The following Christmas he and I sang a duet at the Hometown Christmas program. The day before we had been in Cincinnati Ohio to see the Transiberian Orchestra. In the elevator going to our room, we were once again mistaken for each other’s date! We laughed and went inside to order room service. We had a great time.

I was so happy to have him come home that first holiday after going to college. But, by March, I couldn’t stand it and I flew to Nashville for my birthday to see my baby. We had such a terrific time! He took me to Sambuca and the band was terrific and I loved listening to all of his hopes and dreams and encouraging him to never, ever give up! The following summer, 2008, he surprised me by coming home a couple of days early and we were looking forward to a great summer. Then my son Brent was hit by a semi truck. – more on that in Brent’s chapter. But as I loaded up his car and drove with him back to school, I was sad, once again to know that he was going to be so far away. Christmas 2008, he went to London for a study abroad program and we saw very little of him. He came home again in March, but only for three short days. How my heart sank when I learned he would not be coming home this summer but staying in Nashville to take summer school. I had seen him less than 30 days this entire school year and this was not improving. He came home to get the rest of his things and I went back with him to help him move into his apartment. I was thrilled to help him do this and so proud of him and his choices. Today, I am looking forward to the three days in August that I will see him and then I will fly to Nashville in September for parents weekend. Oh, how I miss that child.

Every once in awhile, I will get a call and hear the song “Have I told You…” playing on the other end. Funny, the last time I pulled away from meeting him halfway between here and Nashville, it wasn’t fifteen minutes and the song was on the radio. Thanks, I had made it without crying up until then.

My heart swells with pride when I think of that little baby I brought home from the hospital almost 21 years ago, his silly little words like (kupie, bangdy bangdy, and huck boo), his goodnight hugs and his love for music. I miss that kid so much…..I miss the summer days when he was out riding his bike, being a kid. I long for those days that are never more to be……….

I am now beginning the senior year of my youngest Brent. What a joy and a delight this child has been. When he was little, we always enjoyed cooking together and baking. I would sit him on the counter and we would make cookies, (both boys actually), especially at Christmastime. Because Eric would accompany his dad to basketball games frequently, Brent and I were together a lot. We would say – it’s just you and me again. I remember the night I took him home from the hospital after having his tonsils removed at five years old. I strapped him in the seatbelt and he looked at me and in a raspy voice said – “It’s just you and me again, mom”. When he was four, he was my “date” for a valentine’s dinner at church. From that day on, he has always been my valentine. This past year, it was his first prom and what did I do? Snatched him away and we danced the first dance to My Funny Valentine. For Mother’s Day, I came home to a drawn bubble bath, a beautiful flower and a video collage of me and him to the tune of My Funny Valentine……my boys will make great husbands one day.

Another thing we did when he was little – we had a game that we played. One day I said to him, Brent – you are the apple of my eye and the puddin’ in my pie! He thought that was so funny! So we started thinking of ways to say that to each other. One day he was the chocolate in my chips and then I was the mayonnaise on his bread! Love it, miss it. So so cute. You should write a book someday with all your ways of saying ‘you’re the apple of my eye’. He loved riding his little 3 wheel power wheels motorcycle and would always pretend that he was going to church or Donalds. (McDonald’s). So imaginative – he had a little doll named Bonda and a make believe boy named Michael that he played with. I used to ask him as a toddler how much do you love mommy and he would spread his arms out wide and say this much! During potty training one day, I said – Brent Matthew you are cute! He replied – I know! I laughed and laughed. Whenever we went to the grocery store, he would sit in the buggy and we would tell each other knock knock jokes. Frank? Frank who? Frank you very much! No matter how often he heard it he always laughed.

Brent loves music as well and he has chosen drums as his instrument of passion. After a couple of years on an acoustic set, we bought him an electric set. I loved seeing him play drums with his brother on the piano and thoroughly enjoyed doing worship with my two boys, the loves of my life. Last year, when I returned to work from lunch and got the call from the State Police and was told my son had been in a bad accident, my heart sank. A mother’s worst nightmare come true. I never want to go through that again. The pain, suffering and humiliation that child went through was something I would not wish on my worst enemy! But he made it and he is fabulous today.

Earlier this year, he had his heart broken and my heart was broken too! How do you fix that? As a mom, I felt so helpless! I wanted to see him smile and be happy again. I am so proud of Brent and his passion for music and God. I love watching him in the marching band and play drumset. I am looking forward for a great year for him this year, not looking forward to him leaving in just about twelve months from now……

He is a terrific young man who loves God, has a passion for life, for music, for excellence. I could not be any more proud than I am right now. Thank you Jesus for two awesome blessings!

Nine months from now, I will be sitting in an auditorium, watching pics of the 2010 graduates as toddlers and seeing my “valentine” graduate. Then it will be off to Nashville once again…….this time, I may have to stay! 


(this picture was about 12 months from the original writing 9/2010)

Fast forward EIGHT YEARS! YIKES!

Now that we are back to the future – 2017 – I can hardly believe eight years have passed since I wrote this originally. So many things have happened. Brent went onto graduate high school and was inducted into the National Honor Society, won the highest leadership award in Marching Band, took his drumline to a state championship and went off to college just like that. Since then, he has graduated college, and is still in Nashville pursuing a great career in sales, about to move into a new place and living his life. Eric graduated college six years ago and is doing great in commercial real estate and is pursuing a master’s degree in business.

I had no idea ten years ago, when my empty nest journey began, that I would go through all that I have with and without my boys. The emotions of not being a hands on mom any longer, not being needed on a daily basis – that was a tough one! There was actually a season I called the “mourning of motherhood.” When you are a mom daily for 21+ years and all of a sudden you’re not – it’s tough. I was not prepared for that!

Today, I am happy to say that there has been adjustment and the mourning period is gone. Oh, trust me, there are days that I would give anything for my kids to be little again! There are days I remember something that I would like to go back and change! There are days when I miss their faces and hugs. There are days…… However, I am so thankful for the relationship I have with my boys. We communicate often and visit when we can. Just two weeks ago we met Brent half way from here to Nashville so we could just hang for a few, and thankfully Eric came home earlier this month to visit for a couple days with his wonderful girlfriend Amy.

Life goes fast. One day you are going to little league games and the next a graduation. I have had two college graduations and the last one was three years ago. Time flies! And although my boys will always be my “boys” they have now become men and I have had to take yet another step back and give them space. Mommas, take heart, it does get easier with time. And let me say that while it is hard to let go, the rewards of letting go far outweigh trying to hold on. We must always be willing to grow and change and adapt to life. Always be willing to self-reflect! And as you respect the maturing of your children, hopefully, they will continue to respect you. Regardless, as parents we never stop teaching our children. It just takes a different form. How you live your life and how you treat your children even as adults will shape your relationship with them in the coming years. This is important to remember.

I look to the future with great hope in my heart and wonderful expectation of awesome things for both of them. I look forward to many more visits and perhaps we will even live closer one day! But until then, I trust the Lord. I gave them to Him when they were babies, there is no reason to take them back now.

kd

 

(this song encapsulates my heart for my boys so well…..)

In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle…..

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About a week ago, I felt like I was to describe the season of my life that I find myself in.  This was written down just for me to meditate and ponder and share with folks as it came to me.  But recently, I have felt like I need to make it a blog post.  This is a different posting from others and I don’t know who this is for, but I believe it is for someone.  ~Kelita

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“Sometimes I feel like I am in a jungle where it is dark most of the time. I hear spooky sounds, frightening calls and there is death, poisonous plants and snakes all around me. I feel like I am walking this narrow path and I am all alone; yet, I can hear my Father and I know if I follow the sound of His voice, He will lead me to safety.

On one side there is quicksand – it is full of doubt –  voices screaming to look at reality and doom and gloom. I know if I let myself become distracted by it for even a minute, I may be swallowed up. I could sink into the muck mire! It is so tempting to look because I want to be realistic, but I can only afford to give a glance that way – just enough to know that there is a line and I cannot cross it. I must shut out the doubt and the gossip and lies that scream for my attention!  It will take me off course and if I veer off course, those who are attached to me will veer with me! I will stay strong! I will not look to the left or the right!

Then on the other side I also hear noises… sense danger, see snakes, lions, preying creatures –things that remind me that the only way to rise above this noise is to use my voice and pray in the Spirit! For if I give in to the fear, I will be paralyzed and no good to anyone. There are moments of light, but it is only when I look up – and get past the tall trees of this jungle forest. I listen for my Father, and I step loudly – sure footed – and confident in the Word of my God. I feel vibrations from the earth and I can “hear” victory in the distance. But how far in the distance? I cannot tell!!!! When the natives in the shadows beat their drums I lift my voice to God and sing! If I do not, I will not be able to rise above their noise!

So I will take the nonsense they intend for evil and use it as a weapon against them! I will not look to the left or to the right! I will keep my eyes fixed on Him. I will feel the rhythm of Heaven through my steps and I will make it through! I do not see light yet…… even though I can tell the difference between night and day, but only if I look up. Looking straight ahead tells me nothing – I see no way out, no escape at this time. I only know that I am to keep moving one step at a time.   I take a step, declare the word, and then He lights the next step. I truly know the meaning of “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  (Psalm 119:105)  I know, if I keep moving I will make it to the end of the jungle – to my next level of faith and strength.  I will conquer this season!  I must keep walking!  I cannot turn around even if I want to because I would never find my way back.  The path has been marred and it would only take me deeper and deeper into the jungle and not where I want to go!  I have no choice!  I must go through!  The sounds that I hear are the most fearful I have ever heard, yet, when I look up, I see the most beautiful sky and my fear fades. I know my God is with me and I know I will make it through.

Sometimes, it is tempting to sit down and just rest – and wait because I get tired – but the surroundings are not going anywhere! I have no peace if I sit down!  I have no peace if I stop!  I am compelled by the destination ahead to keep moving.  I hear my destiny calling, although faint and in the distance, it is calling me!  I have to keep moving!  Time is always moving!  I have wasted enough time in my life! Fear has held me back long enough.  The safety of the world around me was easy, but I would never learn the faithfulness of my God had I not taken this way.  I would never have learned to battle nor sharpened my battle skills had I taken the easy way.  And, there would be people in difficult situations, perhaps people that I love, that I would not be able to help because I would not be able to withstand the pressure and attacks that come with the territory the enemy has dragged them off to.  My Father is faithful and He is teaching me.   I cannot stop,  I cannot miss my appointed time and destination!  I will arrive right when I am supposed to and intersect with the situation ahead in His timing and then I will be prosperous and have great success!  For I am not allowing the Word of God to depart from my mouth, but I meditate on it day and night! (Joshua 1:8) It is my hope!  My only hope!

This is truly a test for me – a test to know that I know that I hear God’s still small voice. His voice has gotten quieter and quieter as the jungle has gotten deeper and deeper. I am learning to hear and obey sooner rather than later. I am learning to quiet my emotions and my surroundings and listen to Him. It’s amazing how well you can listen, when you know your next step and the answers to prayers you have been praying for, standing for and believing for depends on your it. It’s amazing the noise you can drown out if you know your life (and possibly the lives of others) depends on it.  When it is life and death –  clarity will come if you will remove the distractions of the jungle you live in!  Shut it down!  Close your eyes!  Tune your spirit to your God!

“Father! May I know You! May I know Your ways! May I hear Your voice!”

See, I have dreams, I have goals and I have family that depend on me! Oh, I have not taken on false responsibilities, but, because I cannot fix their problems, my focus MUST be on the ONE who can! Some people who depend on me are not hearing God clearly right now. Some have had their ears plugged and eyes blinded by our enemy!  To know that if I stay on this path and hear the voice of my God…. to know that in doing this I will be able to hear strategies, plans and purposes from the very Throne of Heaven – it is worth it! The journey is rough but worth it!  It can be scary but I am not in fear -regardless –  it is worth it.  Every step, every long night, every time I am out of breath, tired, frustrated, emotional, every time I stumble, every time I have a sleepless night, it matters not because it is worth it.  The days are long and the nights are longer, but it is worth it!  The endurance is tough and the terrain uneven, but –

IT IS AND WILL BE WORTH IT!!!

There are others assigned to me! People I may have never even met yet! The Lord knows who they are and if I can be a light to someone else, if I can take the weapons that were formed against me and use them against our common enemy, then I will be brave and fight on! I carry the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith!  I declare His word from my mouth!   Eternity is forever and I intend to intervene in as many lives as I can for the good of the Kingdom and to ensure heaven is theirs!  This season is different from the desert season three years ago….the desert season was a purging, a dismantling of everything I thought I was and all that I had become based on false responsibilities and lies of man.  It was full of soul surgery and tears.  No, this season is one of high stakes, yet there is laughter.  It is one of great turmoil, yet I have peace.  It is one that requires great skill, yet I make mistakes and I keep moving.   It is a dichotomy to say the least.  But, like King David said isn’t He sets a table before me in the presence of my enemies?  What an awesome God we serve!

Therefore, I will continue to walk, one step at a time, sure footed and looking up! I will trust His still small voice even when the voices and cries of the wilderness jungle seek to drown it out! I will NOT fear!  I will not be intimidated.  I will not back up nor will I back down. No! I will move fearlessly in the strength of My God and when I reach the end of this path (season) to the clearing at the end of the jungle, what a victory I will enjoy and what a delight it will be!” I will emerge stronger and louder and full of faith and joy.”

In the words of the Apostle Paul :  I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us in the future. Romans 8:18 TCJB

The Seed of the Righteous Shall be Delivered!

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oak-acorns Proverbs 11:21 Though they join hand in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.  *

This is one of my favorite scriptures!  The seed of the righteous shall be delivered!  Hallelujah!  And all the mom’s say – AMEN!  For those of you who are not parents – this is a good one to commit to memory for future use OR if you are not having children –the word SEED there in the Strong’s concordance means – your offspring and it also means “time of sowing” – So – whatever you are sowing in the Lord – that will be delivered too!  God has not lost one seed and He keeps very good records.  However, for today’s devotion, I am focusing on our offspring.

You know, I was raised in church all of my life, and therefore, I have done the same for my boys.  I have always stood on Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.  What a promise!   But kids will be kids and we all make choices that do not line up with the Word of God at some point in our lives.  We know that raising our children in church – in the fear and admonition of the Lord, will give us a promise that even if they stray, they will return! What a comfort!

Now, let me take a side journey… – I was talking to someone once, who was raised to know Jesus, but was currently out of fellowship with Him, trying to interpret the scriptures according to the way “they” wanted to live, etc. Then they quoted Proverbs 22:6 to me – saying their mom had raised them right, and she had a promise, so no matter what, they were “safe.” HMMMMM – let me say this – I stand with their mom and believe for the return of this child – but if YOU are that child – Galatians 6:7 says “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap.” So, while I stand with your mother, that before you die, you will return to the Lord, IF she continues to declare and fight for you according to the Word. However, knowingly committing sin in this arrogant, deceptive manner will cause you to reap the fruit of that labor….so I implore you to come to your senses, repent, and return to the Lord. There are people assigned to you, and rewards the Father has for you, that you will not get, unless you are living for Him!

However, I used to feel sorry for the people I met who couldn’t use that scripture, people who they themselves, did not get saved until they were adults, therefore, they didn’t raise their children to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  But, not anymore…  This scripture covers everyone and is solid to stand upon! How faithful is our God!

THE SEED OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE DELIVERED!  SO! If you did not get saved until you were an adult, and have children who  do not know God – I’d declare this, pray this, sing this, memorize this, 24/7.  God has not left anyone out!  Not to mention throw in Acts 16:31 – and all thy household shall be saved! – Household means your family!!!!!  Yea Jesus!  Do you not see?

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE!  IT’S THEIR TOUGH LUCK YOU ARE THEIR MOTHER/GRANDMOTHER!!!!!  IF YOU EMPLOY THESE SCRIPTURES SOONER OR LATER THEY MUST COME IN! Work the Word and the Word will work!Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
Blacksmith hammering red hot steel on a wooden surface that is catching on fire. Focus is on the hammer and glove.

You begin to quote the Word of God over your kids and watch it break the rock of stubborn will and rebellion into smithereens!  Let’s go one step further…..Let’s say your kids are saved, but bound by fear, bitterness, anger, hurt, pride, rejection, etc.

THE SEED OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE DELIVERED!!!!!!!

The word delivered in the Strong’s means to escape  – be delivered.  It is used many times as the word escape when it says things like David escaped from Saul or when the Israelites were delivered from the hand of the Philistines.  Delivered/Escaped is the same word in Hebrew!  Your daughter battling unforgiveness?  She shall escape!  She shall be delivered!  Your son battling addiction?  He shall be delivered!!!  Oh and before condemnation comes and tells you that you are not righteous – let me give you that definition to – it means “as justified and vindicated by God”.  If you are born again, YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS!  GOD SAYS SO!

Perhaps you have a righteous mother or grandmother, and your siblings are out in sin, so therefore, their children are “uncovered” and have no one praying for them – Hey – the righteousness of your mother/father can cover their grandchildren! God is a generational God. Get your parents declaring this! Declare it over your nieces and nephews! And again, do not forget Acts 16:31!

Do you understand the power of what I have just told you?

Your child shall be delivered, shall escape from whatever has them bound IF you will stand on this word and confess it over them, pray over them and be determined not to give up no matter what you see, hear or feel. 

Here is some ammunition to use against our foe:

Jeremiah 31:16 – This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy.

Isaiah 59:21
21 “This is my promise[a] to them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I put in your mouth will not leave you. They will be with your children and your grandchildren permanently,” says the LORD.

Isaiah 44:3
3 For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.

Isaiah 49:25
25 But the Lord says, “Even the captives of the most mighty and most terrible shall all be freed; for I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.

Isaiah 49:25
25 Surely, thus says the LORD, “Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away,
And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued;
For I will contend with the one who contends with you,
And I will save your sons.

Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to everyone; he is merciful to all he has made.

Isaiah 28:17-18
And hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And [insert your child’s name] covenant with death shall be disannulled, and [their] agreement with hell shall not stand.

Mommas – we have authority in the spirit! Even if your child is grown and of age – it matters not! God has stacked the deck in our favor! In their favor! They know not what they do! He loves our kids even more than we do! Always declare the word and pray for them according to the will of the Father – never our own will – and it will always work out. (I caution this because it is easy to think we know what they need – we know that they need to return and serve this way or that way and be a worship leader or minister, etc. No – we must pray His will and I also encourage you to pray in the Spirit as it is the perfect will!

One last thing – a great resource for parents is the book Joyful Parent = Happy Home by Mary Hudson. This book changed my life and released me from a huge false burden I was carrying! I highly recommend it! You can get it on Amazon.

So, join me in prayer…family-tree

Father, we thank You right now that You are delivering our children and our times of sowing.  I know that You have not lost one seed and our harvest will come!  I thank You right now, that You are bringing people across our kids’ paths to deliver them and set them free!  We release angels to minister to them and declare that no devil in hell will be able to keep them bound with chains of anything contrary to Your word. We ask You to surround them with Your goodness for it is the goodness of God that brings repentance! We confess this Word over them and as we do, we thank You that it is shattering the obstacles in their lives into pieces! We give You praise that You are delivering them from deception and delivering them to TRUTH! From sin and to life everlasting!  We will be joyful! They will sense the peace on our lives and it will bring restoration! We have peace because we have this promise that will not be shaken. Hallelujah!  We believe that we receive and therefore, we shall HAVE what we have prayed according to Mark 11:24.  We give You praise and Glory in Jesus’ Name!  Amen!

*updated August 2016

Mommas Take Heart!

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I don’t even have to explain how scary the world can be today. At times, we all just want to turn off the news, lock our doors and hold our families tight! And, we should! However, day breaks and morning comes and the demands of a busy family life begins again. Most parents have to go to work, children go to daycare and we have to trust God to bring us all to safety again.

As a mom, I know the worries that cross our minds. When my boys were little, the big dark cloud on the horizon was Y2k. Oh, we can all laugh about it now, but in 1998-1999 it was real.

You could not turn on the TV or read Y2K-resizethe paper without some sort of doomsday preparation gimmick or prognostication shouting FEAR! FEAR! And, I almost bought into it!

The church I attended at the time was talking about it a lot and we were being encouraged to gather supplies, drinking water and food. At that time, I was a stay at home mom and I remember being outside with my boys and being frustrated at the future they faced. It made me angry and sad at the same time. But, one day, I found a scripture that changed everything for me.

Proverbs 23:18: There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

I thought – wait a minute…… God is telling me that there is a future hope for me and my hope will NOT be cut off? Hmmmmmm so I began to ponder this night and day. And the more I did, the more faith arose and I knew my Father was speaking to me.

A few days later, I was reading a Christian magazine while my boys were at swim lessons. And I remember saying to the Lord – “Father, if You can’t find me in all this mess, and if You can’t protect my children in the years to come, then why am I serving You? Do I believe in You, do I trust You or not?” I said – “Lord, I don’t care if all my friends hide in a cave and hoard stuff, I choose to believe You and Your word!” And that settled it for me right then and there.

Now, did I throw everything out and ignore everything I heard? NO. However, I sought the Lord and I only kept and purchased items that I could use regardless. I did it in balance. I no longer did it out of fear – AND I sold the barrels that I had been advised to purchase to hold water to a man who wanted to make a river deck! And, of course we know that Y2k came and went without a hitch. Whew!

Is there trouble in the world? Sadly, yes. It is more dangerous now than ever. But, is our God still able? YES! Are there precautions we must take that we didn’t have to take 20 years or even 10 years ago? Yes! However, we are the children of God! We have promises! His word is full of them! Another scripture I love is 2 Chronicles 16:9a – For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

If you have little ones today, I want to encourage you! John 16:33 says – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In Luke 19 Jesus says we are to “occupy til He comes.” We, as Christians, should be the most peaceful and the most confident people in the world. After all, what is going to distinguish us from the world, if we run around as scared and frantic as they do?

One more thing –  my mentor when my children were growing up, was a dear lady who loved to teach the Word. She made this statement then, and it is all the more true today. She said “Psalm 91 is not an option.” I encourage you, whether you have children or not – to memorize this verse. When trouble comes and bad news abounds – out of your mouth will come “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty….” not fear and fretting! Your “littles” are watching you and watching how you respond to life. When terror lurks do you cry and react? Or do you operate in the peace of God declaring the Word of God, invoking the name of Jesus which has the power unto salvation? How you respond is training them to respond.

Joshua 1:8 tells us to not let the Book of the Law depart from our mouths, but to meditate on it day and night. Pray scriptures over your kids. Let them hear you praying for them. Declare scriptures over your home. Let them declare with you. Kingdom living should be NORMAL in your home, not only on church days. “Train up a child in the way He should go and when he is old he will not depart.” Proverbs 22:6  Train your child to respond in FAITH and not fear. When they hear fearful things, instead of allowing that fear to take root, they will respond with Psalm 91, or Proverbs, or the scriptures God gives you for them. He is faithful! And, He has promised, our hope is NOT cut off and that we have a hope AND A FUTURE!
Thankful-Thursday-The-Nut-House-Backyard-DIY-Custom-Wooden-Play-Set-4
Come on Mommas! – let’s change our thinking and stop reacting and start RESPONDING with words of faith that activate the promises of God and send angels to do His bidding.

Angels? yes! but that’s for another post. :)

“Look for the helpers.” – Fred Rogers

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There is not a day that goes by that the news does not bring a story of loss and devastation. From terrorist attacks to the Texas floods, now WV floods, there is trouble all around. If we constantly feed on the negative news it will bring us down. Should we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear? No. We must be aware of situations around us, however, there is a difference in being aware and being consumed.

In a recent terrorist attack, I read an article that was giving advice on how to help children cope with the evil that lurks in humanity. The advice came from a man I knew well in my childhood as Mr. Rogers. He was a kind, caring, compassionate man who taught children manners and courtesy and how to treat others. It turns out his momma quoted it to him and it went like this:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” © The Fred Rogers Company

Ever since I heard that quote and this week I see the devastation that has hit so many communities, I look for the helpers and I see the neighbors helping neighbors. I see first responders, and people from other parts of the state loading up supplies and equipment to help dig complete strangers out of a horrible nightmare. I see this and it gives me hope – Hope that there is still kindness in the world. A belief that faith exists and love exists, and it lives in our hearts!

Recently I was talking with my oldest son and we were discussing sad situations that happen in life. I recently lost a very dear lady in my life, my Aunt Ervie. She wasn’t old, she was just ill and she died far too early. As we were talking he said “It’s in these times we turn to our faith. We must look for God in these situations. If we truly look for God, we will find Him.” And, so, I have been looking for God. And do you know what? I found Him. He was in the way my aunt was able to tell each of us that she loved us and that she was at peace. He was there in way our family loved each other and sang the hymns that we all had sang with my aunt many times. He was there in every tear, every hug and every cry. He was there in my aunt’s voice when she was able to sing and mouthed the words I love you. He was there in so many ways. And today, He is here in every hug, every hand, in every shovel full of mud and every truck hauling away debris. He has not forgotten WV or Orlando or Turkey – He is here, there and everywhere. Look for the helpers!

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James 1:17 says – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. For see without God, there is no good! He is our Father! He loves us! He inspires the helpers. He is good. So, why the trouble on the earth if He is so good? Great question! In a nutshell:

When Adam and Eve disobeyed in the Garden of Eden, they gave their authority in the earth to the enemy of our souls. When Jesus died and rose again, He took back the authority and gave it to us once again. (Matthew 28) We now must choose to exercise our authority for the good! There are people all over the world who have chosen evil and choose to carry our terrorist and violent acts. We cannot control people. We cannot control their choices. However, we can control our response and how we choose to respond. We not only need to look for the helpers, we need to be the helpers. We need to be the hands and feet of Jesus and serve mankind and help our fellowman.

There will always be news teams reporting on the disasters, the evil, the sad, but as Eric said – let’s look for God in each situation. For when we look for God, we will find Him!

I hope this challenges you to re-think the way you see things and even the way you respond. And you might not be able to physically go and help people dig themselves out of mud, but perhaps you can send a donation, or perhaps you can go to someone in your neighborhood who needs help….. an elderly person who needs yard work, or a ride to the store, etc. Let’s just not look for the helpers, let’s BE the helpers. Let’s be a solution and a peacemaker and help others who are looking for God, whether they know it or not, find Him!