As a parent I fail all the time... I fail as a daughter, wife, sister in law, friend... etc. We are not perfect people and we don't make perfect decisions all of the time. Reading this mornings devotional I was reminded of this AND the depth of forgiveness God gives us that we should return to others. While the devotional was centered around sin, I don't always just ask for God's forgiveness when I sin... I ask it daily for mistakes I feel I've made.
Where is another God like you, who pardons the sins of survivors among his people? You cannot stay angry with your people forever, because you delight showing mercy. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised with an oath to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.
Micah 7:18-20
Karol Ladd brings up the infamous Titanic scene when Rose gently parts with her diamond necklace. To us, it seemed like a really expensive waste, but to her, it was a symbolic experience of being freed from the past. In the scripture above, we are reminded that God tosses our sin into the deepest depths of the ocean - freeing us from the guilt that sin can carry.
As moms, we carry a lot of guilt. For me, its often times guilt I bring upon myself (did I play with Pax enough this morning? am I working with him enough on his talking? did I raise my voice to loud when I was angry with him?) Are these sins... heck no. They are my own self judgments that cause me to carry unnecessary guilt. Don't we all do this to some degree? The amazing thing is though, we have a God who once we confess and ask for forgiveness... grants it to us and forgets about it. I want to be able to do the same. I want to treat others with that same compassion and understanding and most certainly want to teach Paxton that if he can be honest with himself and others he WILL be forgiven. I want to give mercy to others, not judgment and be the example for him, show him that we have a God who loves us and forgives us for things we cannot forgive ourselves for.
I am so thankful for a God who doesn't judge me... there is enough of that in the world right now, and I am so full of peace knowing that He takes my sin (no matter how tiny or big, shortcomings and all of the above) and tosses them into the depths of the ocean!
Choices to make this week:
-This week I will choose to receive God's mercy, I will show mercy towards others, I will walk humbly with God, knowing that he has pardoned me and loves me with unfailing love.
Prayer from Karol Ladd:
"Wonderful, loving and forgiving God, I praise you for your faithfulness and unfailing love. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins through Jesus. Thank you for throwing those sins into the depths of the ocean. Help me not to fish them out again! I want to live in the freedom you desire for me. Guide me to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you everyday of my life. In Jesus's name I pray, amen!"
Monday, July 22, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
God's Plumb Line (a weird title... I know)
I have been MIA for a month (actually a month and 2 weeks I think). While I have still read each devotional the past few Mondays I didn't do as much self reflection and application as I had been and I've missed it. I also failed to communicate them to you and I'm sorry about that. You can read all about our busy month and my excuses for not blogging here. It is a time commitment that I obligated to many weeks ago and we are a little over halfway to our year. I am committed to keeping this up for my own accountability and to encourage others along the way. So, here is to finishing out the year!
A Plumb line ( I had no idea what it was until I googled it AND my husbands a builder, oops!) is a tool that someone would use when building a wall to make sure it's straight. It's a cord suspending a lead weight that is used to show a builder if the wall is vertically straight. If a wall isn't straight, overtime, it will collapse. It is not sturdy and does not stand strong. Without the plumb line, the wall would lose its structural integrity.
From the book of Amos:
"Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was checking it with a plumb line to see if it was straight. And the Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?"
I answered. "A plumb line".
And the Lord replied, "I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins. The pagan shrines of your ancestors and the temples of Israel will be destroyed, and I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to a sudden end."
Amos 7:7-9
Now knowing what a plumb line is I hope that scripture was a little easier to understand, it was for me. The Lord was using the plumb line as an analogy to how he was going to "check" or hold his people "accountable" and "measure" their sin. God wants us to be strong and structurally sound and knows that sin causes us to go down crooked paths and ultimately leads to our destruction.
So, Karol Ladd tells us that our plumb line is God's Word. What I love about that is yesterday in church, Pastor Randy said something that really stuck with me, "Do you acknowledge your sin or only justify it? To live by and justify the word of God is to KNOW the word of God". I was convicted. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says. "All scripture is inspired by God and Is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." I feel like so many people "nowadays" constantly justify their sins. There is a "reason" for everything. We all sin, duh, daily I sin... but it doesn't make it right if I make up a really good excuse or I can justify it in my own head. Acknowledging it and admitting I messed up, then going to God's word on what is right and good is the only way to learn from that sin instead of justifying it in my own mind. Pastor Randy's sermon was related to America's sin at the moment, more specifically the politics surrounding abortion and Gay rights. I am not going to talk about my specific point of view on this blog other than sharing his sermon message in that Americans are justifying their point of view and they are breaking God's heart. They are not acknowledging what the bible says, what it means and how it applies to these issues and more importantly peoples lives. America needs God's plumb line and that's all I am going to say.
"To build strong lives, we need to measure ourselves against the plumb line of God's Word." (Ladd) What is our role as mommas to little ones growing up in a society of people who don't measure their lives against God's word? Well, we need to reach our children with God's word. We need to learn and lead by example for our children. Who else can we count on to do it?
I need to read my bible more, I need to know and understand God's word better so that I continue to be built into a strong, sturdy woman and momma of God so I can raise my kiddos to be the same. My sin is not forgiven because I, capital I, can justify it. It is forgiven by the Grace of God when I can so humbly acknowledge and admit my sin to him. I pray I can raise my Pax and Brinlee to do the same - growing as a momma is the first step right?
Choices to make this week:
- I will choose to begin systematically reading God's word, ask the Lord to reveal any sin that lurks in my heart, teach my children the importance of knowing, loving, and obeying God's word.
Prayer from Karol Ladd for us:
"Powerful Lord and gracious Father, I praise you for the wonderful blessing of your Word. Thank you for giving me a plumb line by which I can measure my life. Help me to honor you in the way that I live. Thank you for wanting the best for me and my family. Help us to be "structurally sound" as we study your Word together and learn to walk in your ways. In Jesus's name I pray, amen."
Monday, May 20, 2013
God's Perfect Plan
Okay so I read the title of this devotional this morning and already started to tear up. Pregnancy hormones topped with life right now, whew. Its as if the Lord KNEW (which I know he does) exactly what I needed to hear this morning. A little background... we have had our house on the market a week and this past Saturday, (not even a full week after listing it) we received and accepted an offer on it. Woo hoo! We are ecstatic and are beyond grateful about that BUT, now have to come up with a plan for our life (ahem, pray about a plan) for the next 6-8 months while our new house is built while also taking care of both my babies (the one already here and the one cooking who will probably make her debut before the new house is finished :)). We wanted to take advantage of the booming sellers market but honestly did not anticipate the house selling this quick.
You know what though? Our life is God's perfect plan. Not ours, but his! I can stress about it but ultimately I have faith that it WILL all work out :). So... what DID today's devotional have to say about all of this?
You know what though? Our life is God's perfect plan. Not ours, but his! I can stress about it but ultimately I have faith that it WILL all work out :). So... what DID today's devotional have to say about all of this?
"The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in the earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land."
Jeremiah 29:10-14
The Lord reassured his people that he heard their prayers and despite difficult circumstances he still had a great plan for their lives. You know, we all have times when we need reassurance that God has a plan. I remember the first few weeks after bringing Paxton home from the hospital asking God, "really? I love this baby - but am I really cut out for this? Is this what I am supposed to be doing?" I can laugh now - of course He knew EXACTLY what he was doing but in those moments you do wonder. Whether we go through a short-term frustration or we're battling a long term challenge, there IS tremendous comfort in knowing God has a bigger plan for us and our families.
I'm sure the Israelites in the scripture were thinking 70 years was not a good plan, but God reassured them that he would bring them back to their land and give them a future and hope. Okay, so in our situation I know we have a future and I have not lost all hope. We will have a place to live and all of our needs met. Its just the "not knowing" that is difficult. Its trusting that it will all work out! Was this my plan to sell our house in a week and be looking at rental homes to settle into for the next 6 months, hm, no. But thats ok, because it was God's and I have faith it will all work out. We can all have assurance that God has a good plan for us and our families! Thank Goodness!
This week I will choose to rejoice in the fact that God has a plan for my life, that He has a plan for my children's lives and His plan is a good one!
Prayer from Karol Ladd:
"Powerful God, I praise you, because you have a good plan for my life. I praise you, because you are able to carry out that plan in your time and in your way. I trust your love for me. Thank you for hearing my prayers. Thank you for the way you work in my life far beyond what I can see. Help me to continue seek you all the days of my life. Amen."
Monday, May 13, 2013
His Glorious Strength
Raise your hand if at one time or another you have felt worn out? Exhausted? Stretched too thin? Join the club right!?! We've all felt like this at one time or another. I personally, am feeling this way more than ever recently. On top of being pregnant and chasing a toddler all day, we are in the process of trying to see our house (which means show ready with 2 dogs, a cat and toddler at all times), preparing for a baby girl and designing and building our new home. I feel sometimes there are not enough hours in the day and other times I feel like there just isn't enough of me to go around. This is a busy season for all of us and even when we feel "alone",the Lord sees and understands all of our situations!
"O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:27-31
God never grows tired and weary- we do, but he doesn't. Oh thank goodness for this right? This means we can lean on him for strength any time. In the above scripture the people of Israel are told that those that wait on the Lord gain new strength. But if we're so busy how do we possibly sit back and wait when we have so much that needs to be done? Well, it doesn't mean we get to sit back, twiddling our thumbs and give up our responsibilities. It means we have faith and trust God in the midst of our responsibilities knowing He will help us. When we keep our eyes on him and his plan, that is where we get our strength. We must always remember that we are not alone and that God is on our side.
I've also learned that alot of the time, we are in control of the way we react to situations. We are in "control" of how we feel. That is relative... but, when I feel overwhelmed, stressed, worried, etc. I usually (admittedly not always) pray about it first and then do something to take my mind off what is stressing me out. As moms, our attitudes directly effect our kiddos. Being home with Pax everyday my emotions are exposed to him all day. We had a showing this morning and so our morning routine was out of whack. I made it a point this afternoon to do a one on one activity with Pax outside in the sunshine and it completely changed both of our attitudes for the better!
I pray that all of us can get the strength we need when we need it - for our sake and our little ones! :)
Monday, May 6, 2013
Beautiful Passion
I am blushing before I even begin this post. This is the first devotional from Karol Ladd that I was apprehensive about blogging. Its about sex, passion and love! I am super private and conservative when talking about this subject but hey, if you've had a child or been pregnant the secrets out... you've had sex. There is way more to us as women than just being a mom. When I set out to get through this entire devotional and blog about it, the goal was to be a stronger woman and to be a stronger wife and mom. This is one aspect to that... so, brace yourself...
Young man: "How beautiful you are, my beloved, how beautiful! Your eyes are soft like doves."
Young woman: "What a lovely, pleasant sight you are, my love, as we lie here on the grass, shaded by cedar trees and spreading firs."
Song of Songs 1:15-17
Lucky for us, God designed sex to be more than a physical connection but also an intimate connection taking place only between a husband and wife. It's so sad to me how the media portrays sex as a casual, no strings attached "act" that often times for others leads to heartache not happiness. As wives (setting mommy-hood aside) and women, Karol Ladd encourages us to enjoy sex as God truly meant it, a beautiful bonding, both physically and emotionally between a man and a woman who have committed themselves to one another for life through marriage. We're encouraged to not just see ourselves as moms but as the passionate, 'ahem' sexy women and wives we are :)
Choices to make this week:
- This week I will choose to let my husband know how much I love and admire him, enjoy my husband physically, encourage greater intimacy with my husband.
Prayer from Karol Ladd:
"Most Holy God, I praise you for your pure and holy love toward me! Thank you for showing me what true love looks like. Thank you for creating sex to be a beautiful connection between my husband and me. Show me how to bring delight and pleasure to my husband. Help me to express my respect and admiration for him. May we grow closer to one another as, together, we grow closer to you. In Jesus's name I pray, amen."
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
A Time and a Season
There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Such a simple concept - "A time for everything" but much harder to swallow and follow. Its a good reminder to focus on the now and the season of life we are currently in. What we have to be thankful for now! A good reminder to change the pace of life from doing everything or wanting to do everything all at once to doing the right things at the right time. Live in the moment instead of trying to always plan ahead and miss the current day you were given. This doesn't mean we aren't allowed to dream, or want things or desire more. The point is that there is a time and season for everything. Each person's or family's season is different and goes all to fast. Matthew and I are entering a new season as we prepare to grow our family and welcome a little girl into our everyday. I know for me, I am going to embrace this season of being a family of 3, our time together with just Pax, pregnancy, planning and building our new house and the one on one time I have with Pax all day :). Embrace the season of life you are living, embrace your kiddos and babies, the life you have now. This season will pass all too quickly!
Monday, April 22, 2013
The Power of Our Words
You know that moment when you have said something and you instantly regret it, or want to crawl in a hole and cover yourself up, or you have to turn away from your child because of the shame on your face and the disbelief on theirs? We've all been there at one time or another. Whether we say something we regret on the computer or our phone, and want to delete the post or email upon re-reading what was sent, or we say something to someone we love - its a horrible feeling.
Today's devotional revolves around the power of our words and the scripture comes from Proverbs.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
The wise person makes learning a joy, fools spout only foolishness.
The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit...
A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook...
Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction.
Proverbs 15:1-4; 18:4, 20
Harsh words stir up anger (aka speak gently), the wise person makes learning a joy (aka be smart in how you "teach" your children- they are learning from YOU), the Lord is watching (truth- pretend he is standing next to you), a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (have you ever seen this happen to a child? it is heartbreaking to see the spirit of a child squashed because of an adults words), words can be life-giving water (oh how I hope mine can be someday), words satisfy the soul (both hearing them and giving them satisfy my soul).
Something I have learned about life so far - its not always WHAT is said that is the hurtful part - but HOW. Words are powerful. Having taught in a classroom setting I saw this happen so many times. The right words in the right tone could change a situation in an instant. "I'm so proud of..." (instant warm fuzzy), "Hmmm I wonder..." (instant curiosity and determination), A whisper in an ear of "I saw what you did, lets talk about it later" (instant self reflection and remorse), the dreaded teacher eye where a look can say a thousand words. I had 22 little eyes on me constantly - talk about pressure. You know what though - it prepared me for motherhood. I once had a major problem of saying things without fully thinking. I don't know why. I was raised to be a confident, proud woman and I took this a little to the extreme. I did alot of self reflection, prayed alot, held myself accountable daily and over the years have gotten so much better. I am still a work in progress, aren't we all?, but have learned that sometimes saying nothing at all is better than saying anything.
As a mom, I am learning that Paxton watches EVERYTHING I do and hears everything I say. How I talk to the checkout lady at Target. How I talk on the phone, how I treat strangers. He is learning from me. You cannot take words back. You can apologize but cannot take them back once they are out. The damage has been done. We all have those moments as a mom where we loose our cool. But, the important thing is not to forget it and move on, but to go to our children, or walk back to the target cashier or sit next to our spouse and acknowledge we made a mistake and ask for forgiveness. We are not perfect and we wont always have the perfect words to say and we wont always say them in the perfect tone. But, we do have the ability to be aware and strive daily to be conscious of our words, how we use them, what we say and most importantly how they impact our children.
From Karol Ladd, "[Children] need to hear what strong but gentle words sound like...the most effective discipline is not delivered through shouts and screams, but rather through caring, guarded and thoughtful instruction...as we teach, train and discipline our children, let's never underestimate the power of wise, kind and well-chosen words."
Choices to make this week:
- This week I will choose to use only life-giving words with my family and friends, discipline my children with strong but gentle instruction, allow the law of kindness to rule my tongue.
Prayer:
"Loving and kind heavenly Father, I praise you for your wisdom and power. You alone are the Lord. Thank you for your kindness and gentleness toward me. Lead me to speak kind and gentle words to my children in a spirit of calm. Give me self-control when I'm angry, so that I do not hurt myself or others with my words. Help me to use only life-giving words when I speak to my family and friends. In Jesus's name I pray, amen."
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