I know my husband loves me, because he bought me boots!

Do you ever wonder why Ephesians 5:25 tells Husbands to "love" their wives, instead of "provide for your wives"?  I did, and then I understood that God provides through the husband.  God also allowed me to see that a wife needs stability and wants to know that her husband truly cares for her.  

When I read the verse, I wanted to know the meaning behind the word LOVE.  It's a word that is used so loosely these days and even though it's an absolute...it's also an abstract.  We build up with love by affirming in love, but we also tear down when we "speak the truth in love".  

ἀγαπάω - agapaō (Key) Pronunciation ag-ap-ah'-o  The Greek translation of LOVE in the verse is "to have a preference for, wish well to, regard the welfare of"

As women, we often feel that if we don't fold that last load of laundry or cook the perfect meal or be all things for all people, the world is going to come to an end.  Guess what...WRONG ANSWER!!!  That's why God told husbands to love their wives because all too often, we neglect to love ourselves.  Something as simple as taking care of our needs and a few wants.  

I had the darnedest revelation today, while walking in the snow.  My husband LOVES me!  I've known it for some time now (we've been married for 19 years) and no, it hasn't been perfect.  But today, while walking in the snow, over the ice, in the boots he bought me...it was very clear how much this man LOVES ME.  He wishes me well and has regard for my welfare.  He doesn't want any harm to come to me and he's careful to see that I feel secure in our home.  The boots are not heels or red bottoms, but they have a good grip and they're warm and comfortable.  Now, I could've had the sexy boots with the high heel and pointed toe...but I could also bust my butt trying to walk in snow and ice.  Yes, my husband loves me because he bought me boots and it means the world to me!  He's looking out for me, just like God.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for making Your love evident to me, in such a practical way.  I know that my husband's love for me is a manifestation of Your love for me.  I am grateful for the provision, protection and peace You provide through my husband.  Help me to see me through Your eyes.  Help me to see him through your eyes, so that I always appreciate the blessing I have in this man.  In Jesus name, amen!

PRAYING FOR MY SPOUSE TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF OUR RESOURCES

"What if we as couples were to live as if we truly recognized that God owns everything (Psalm 24:1), and our job is simply to manage and invest His resources for His purposes? How would that change our mind-set toward our bills, what we buy, where we eat, and what we do? How would we use our time differently? And how much joy and freedom would we experience if we remembered that our legacy in life and our reward in eternity depend not on our bank accounts but on the lives God touches through us?" Evan, T. (2016). Chapter 10, Resources. In 1042110467, 797252129 T. Evans (Author), Kingdom marriage: Connecting god's purpose with your pleasure (p. 123). Coral stream, IL, IL: Tyndale House.

Me and my husband are in a Couple's Sunday school class and we're currently reading "Kingdom Marriage" by Tony Evans. The quote above comes from the book. While posing the questions to myself are easy because I know the reason behind my answers, posing them to my spouse and having a discussion may not be so smooth. Why, you ask...because humans are selfish and stingy! Yep, I said it.

The very fact that Mr. Evans had to remind us that we really don't own anything and everything we have belongs to God, proves that point.  Our flesh nature is to hold onto things and not share.  To claim ownership and consequently, become slave to the things we "own" (house, car, credit card, etc.).  

The great "love" chapter in the bible (1 Corinthians 13) talks about what love is and what love means.  The New International Version (NIV) uses the word 'love', but the King James Version (KJV) uses 'charity'.  It's been said that you can't love and not give.  Giving shows love!

Dear Lord, I lift up my spouses heart and head to Your will concerning our resources.  We know that You are the source of all our resources.  We know that You are our true provider and everything that we have is because You have provided.  Great is Thy Faithfulness unto us!  I lift up every concern that my spouse may have about our resources.  Where they see lack, I ask that You give him/her peace in Your word that says, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25).  Thank you for giving him/her a cheerful heart, so that he/she can give according to the riches You have bestowed on us.  In Jesus name, amen!

PRAYING FOR A PURPOSE DRIVEN MATE

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.  For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.  Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord:  and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  (Psalm 37:1-5)

When your spouse is following God's purpose for his/her life, the lord can and will open doors to abundant blessings.  The natural thought would have one thinking of monetary blessings, but following God's purpose yields an abundance that we won't have room to receive.  The things that are priceless, like the fruit of the spirit.  The scripture goes on to say, of those that operate in God's purpose, that they "shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." There's a saying that if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life.  When your spouse seeks to do what God wants him/her to do; it takes away a lot of the stress and strife sometimes connected to a paycheck.  

Lord, we pray that You will reveal Your purpose for our spouse so that he/she will bring glory to Your kingdom.  We thank You for the gifts that have been imparted to our spouse.  We thank You for leading, guiding and directing the path of our spouse and we also declare that he/she will follow, trust and obey Your will for them.  If there is any doubt or uncertainty about what You would have them do or where You would have them go, we pray that You make it clear and plain to them.  Thank You God, for knowing what's best for our mate.  Amen!

 

PRAYING FOR GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

Sometimes in our life, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.  But, if we are wise, we know that there's always tomorrow...LEAN ON ME!!

In these unprecedented times of uncertainty, it is more and more important that we have godly relationships to help us maintain.  We need those people in our lives that we can be vulnerable with and to whom we can vent.  The people that will not only hold you when you're going through, but will also hold you accountable when you're trying to run away.  It's important to pray that your spouse has those same relationships!  Not just good, healthy relationships, but godly relationships. 

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the godly relationships in my life and in my spouse's life.  When the world has tossed us to and fro, we're grateful for those that avail themselves to us for prayer, comfort and counsel.  We thank you for the prayer warriors that intercede on our behalf, for the disciples that challenge us in our deeds, for those that offer godly counsel and covering.  Help us to always seek the relationships You have purposed for our lives, that will glorify Your and Your kingdom.  In Jesus name, Amen!

PRAYING FOR A WHOLE SPOUSE!!

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."  1 Peter 3:7 (KJV)

A lot of women want to point out the last part of the above scripture, citing that the husband's prayers will be hindered when/if he's not giving honour to the wife.  But why is the wife worthy of honour?  The scripture also says that the husband and wife are "heirs TOGETHER of the grace of life", so in order to be an heir, the wife also has some requirements.  Verse 6 says that "Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord..." I know I probably lost a lot of you right there!  If we go back to the start of the chapter...to verse 1 of 1 Peter, chapter 3; it's spelled out.  When wives submit to their husbands, with a pure heart and out of reverence (first to God), then to the husband; the bible says that the husband may "be won over without words by the behavior of their wives".  All the wife has to do, is seek God, pray, keep her peace and let God do the rest.

And while you're at it ladies, pray that your husband grows spiritually.  Not that he becomes a preacher or starts hosting bible study every week (and there's nothing wrong with that either), but you want his spiritual growth to be authentic and genuine.  You want his spiritual growth to be based on application of God's word in his life and a real relationship with God.  This spiritual growth may be hindered, if your husband's emotional growth is stunted.  

A lot of men, especially African American men, are emotionally immature.  I'm not saying that in a judgmental way, but moreso because men were boys that were taught to stifle their emotions or let them rage.  Most men were never taught to process or even better explore their emotions.  As a result, their emotions are cocooned until a trauma rips them from incubation prematurely, struggling to recover.  When they show up again, it's usually in a relationship with a woman who is expecting more than he has the capacity to give.  This is why praying for your husband's emotional growth is important.  You want his emotional growth to begin with healing the hurt and trauma of the past.  You want his emotional growth to be healthy and thrive, so that you can grow emotionally together and enjoy one another physically.  

Lord, we lift up our husbands to You and ask that You draw them nearer.  We pray that they desire a closer walk with thee.  Help us to be sensitive to the hurt in their past that is manipulating their interactions with us now.  We pray for a renewing of their minds with regard to their physical health and that they present their bodies as a living sacrifice to You.  In Jesus name, Amen!

PRAYING FOR REPAIR!!

In every relationship there are at least two people.  That means there will always be two sides to everything.  Before you constantly point the finger at the other person and determine that he/she is the one that's wrong, you must examine yourself, your role in every issue and most importantly, your brokenness.  If you truly want to mend the broken pieces, start with you and your part!  Today's prayer, though six (6) years old, is right on time.  FIX IT JESUS!!!

A MOMENT OF PRAYER - written by The Honorable Kimberly Cocroft, October 28, 2014

Good morning, Father! Thank you for this opportunity and privilege of prayer and for allowing us to see another day!

This morning, we come before you lifting fractured and broken relationships. Some of us went into situations with the best of intentions and, for whatever reason, things fell apart. We said the wrong thing, we did the wrong thing, we talked too much, we didn't talk enough, we were selfish, we took people for granted, we weren't honest, we were disrespectful, we weren't ready to be or do what we said we could be or do - there is so much that went haywire. And now, many of us are left hurting, resentful, confused, disappointed, disenchanted, disengaged and unable to press past the pain. But your Word says that you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Your Word declares that you are the Repairer of the Breach.

So today, God, we call on you to be the mender of shattered things. Work on us as we work on our relationships. Give us the courage and compassion to fix what we've messed up. Give us the humility to make things right, even if we've done nothing wrong. Give us the strength to move forward with a spirit of restoration and understanding. Make all things and situations new, in the name of The Lord.

Please continue to keep us and our babies safe from all hurt, harm and danger. We thank you for hearing this prayer and count all of these things as done in your Son's name - Amen! God is good! And don't forget - take the time to show love to someone on today. Life is short and time is precious!

#corporateprayer

#prayerchangesthingsandpeople

#gobackandmakethingsright

PRAYING GOD'S WILL FOR MY SPOUSE

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

When things are not going my way, I wish that I could say, I recite this verse.  I wish that I could say my first response is to sing, "whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say; it is well..", but the reality is--that's not true.  My initial reaction is resistance.  I wonder 'why me', 'why this', 'why now'.  I have not yet attained the maturity level required to offer the prayer of "Thy will",  because frankly, I don't want to submit my will to God's will.

The word WILL in context means "of what God wishes to be done by us".  It is His determination for us, His thoughts towards us.  Now imagine that in your prayers.  God's determination (versus our determination) in everything we commit to prayer...especially our spouse!  Mmm hmm...It's hard to pray the retaliation prayer, when you start off with God's will as the qualifier for the prayer.  Don't act like you don't know about the retaliation pray. 😊

Lord, I want Your will to be manifested in my spouse's life.  I pray that every desire and wish You have for my spouse be manifested in their life.  When my spouse is unsure of their purpose; I pray and agree with Your wishes for their life.  I agree that my spouse will delight in You.  I agree that my spouse will commit their way to You; trust in You and You shall bring all things to pass according to Your will.  I agree that you will bring forth righteousness in their life.  Thank you for the manifestation of love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.  I agree with health, prosperity, wisdom and wealth for my spouse because I want Your will for them.  If my spouse is operating in Your will, my spouse will be blessed, I will be blessed, our family will be blessed.  It is so.  Amen!

PRAYING SO I DON'T SLIP!!

"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.   Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?   And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."  Pslams 73:21-28 (NIV)

The hardest thing to do, in my opinion, is to pray for someone that you feel has hurt you or betrayed you.  In our human/flesh state, we don't feel that the person deserves our prayers and if we're honest, oftentimes we want the total opposite of blessings for someone that has caused us pain.  The pain is deeper, the closer that person is to you or the more value put on the relationship.  There are many relationships that can cause pain in our lives, familial, friendships, even work relationships; but the one that can hurt the most is the marriage relationship.  Why?  It's because our spouse is the one person to whom we're most vulnerable.  Accordingly, our spouse is one person that can hurt us like no other.  So when that happens, our natural inclination is not to pray for them.  However, if you don't want to find your foot slipping and yourself headed for a fall; you must pray for them!  When we do good, despite the wrongs done to us; "...the Lord shall reward thee" (Proverbs 25:22).  Now when you read that scripture, it's talking about an enemy and I'm not saying your spouse is your enemy.  I AM saying that satan will have you believe your spouse is the enemy and that's why it's even more important that we combat the REAL ENEMY with the proper weapon.

Lord, I know that Your love is for everyone.  I know that even when/if I don't feel like loving my spouse; You still love them!  In my bitter and broken state, it is easy for me to yield to my flesh and not Your spirit.  If I'm honest Lord, I'm tired of going through the motions, but You have not given up on me, so I won't give up either.  You continue to hold me close, so I will continue to hold on.  I give You all my hurts and fear.  If pain is weakness leaving the body, as I am weak in your presence; I now know that You are taking the pain away and strengthening me.  Your word says, "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).  Thank You Lord for never letting me go...never letting us go.  Amen!

March 9, 2019

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

Although we are "accounted as sheep for the slaughter", even in that, we are "MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US." God loved us so much that He gave His only son for us! Jesus not only came, bled and died; but Jesus continues to intercede for us. For these reasons, we are more than conquerors...we are ANNIHILATORS! When you annihilate something, you defeat it completely; utterly destroy it! This is the mindset we have to adopt when dealing with sin and the enemy. Trust me, satan is not going to have sympathy or take it easy on you! We have to stop being punks when it comes to some things, especially those things that God has given us (spouse, children, ministry).

Father, your word says that NOTHING shall separate us from Your love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It's because of that love, You sent Jesus, it's because of that love that Jesus paid it all, it's because of that love, THE BLOOD STILL WORKS! In this we are confident and we will annihilate anything that trys to come against what You have given us! Amen!

#NOFEAR #KNOW_THAT_YOU_KNOW #AUTHORITY

March 8 - I'm convinced it's never too soon to start praying for a child to feel loved and accepted--first by God, then by family, then by peers and others.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, "BEFORE I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I SANCTIFIED thee, and ordained the a prophet unto the nations." The word SANCTIFIED means " to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate". So before our children were formed/conceived God set them apart, consecrated and dedicated them. WE MUST PRAY OVER THAT!!! I have not always prayed over my children from the womb, BUT I have always made sure that they knew about God and WE went to church...I didn't send them to church. And let me add this; just as it's never too soon...it's never too late to pray either!

Father, thank You for Your Word and for Your promises! We are just vessels by which our children are delivered to this world, but they belong to You. Before our children were formed You knew them, now that they're here You see all that they encounter, You know how much they can endure and You care for them...we ask that You keep being God in their lives, no matter what! In Jesus name, Amen!

March 1

March 1 - He delivers me from my enemies.  You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.  Psalm 18:48  (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

Verse 47 says that "He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me,..."  Growing up in a household with domestic violence, I sometimes wanted to take matters into my own hands.  I sometimes thought that I could/should try to kill my step-father for hurting my mother.  Then it seemed like something that was justified, but now I know better.  Had I taken his life, it would've affected me (jail) and my family (loss of my step-father, loss of a sibling/child).  The casualties would not end with the 'offender', but there would be a ripple effect because I decided to get revenge!

"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:  "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord."  Romans 12:19 (NIV).  As we're praying for our children, let us not 'take matters into our own hands'.  Let us trust God to deal with anyone and anything that is hurting them...even if they are hurting themselves.  WOE!!  I believe that the battle for our children is spiritual and our greatest ally is our Father.  We have our armour and we must stand.  God has the best strategy and He will avenge us.  Don't get in His way and become a casualty!  Amen!

February 26 - NO DEFEAT

February 26 - Lord, thank You that I can partner with You in raising my child and that I don't have to do it alone.  I'm grateful that I can have clear directions from Your Word and wisdom as I pray to You for answers.  (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

"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.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."  James 1:2-8

Don't you dare consider "throwing in the towel"; that's just what the enemy wants.  Praying for someone, especially when you can't see a change, is exhausting, frustrating and seemingly unyielding.  But Wisdom means, "the spiritual capacity to see and evaluate life and conduct from God's point of view."  Whatever you're praying in faith for your child(ren), deliverance, healing, salvation, deliverance, deliverance, deliverance...TRUST AND BELIEVE that it shall be done!  Ask for wisdom and ordered steps then STAND FIRM on the promise.  In Jesus name, Amen!
#stablemind #standing #wisecounsel

February 24

February 24 - We can't be everywhere. But God can. We can't see everything. But God can. We can't know everything. But God can. No matter what age our children are, releasing them into God's hands is a sign of our faith and trust in Him and is the first step toward making a difference in their lives. Prayer for our children begins there. (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

Thank you Father for being omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), for being omniscient (having complete and unlimited knowledge), for being our Overseer and the One in control. Thank you for giving us the peace in knowing that even though we don't know all, can't see all or be everywhere...You can! Thank you for showing us that at the point of release, where our prayer begins; You have already got our children...there is no gap in their protection. They are always covered (even when they're going through), your covering is filtering what they're receiving and it's part of the process to grow them in You. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the process. What we can't do...God can!!! Amen!

February 11

February 11 - A child is a gift to us from God and He cares even more about our child than we do.

Cast...all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
(Power of a Praying Parent daily)

The very next verse in 1 Peter 5, says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour".

Make no mistake, the adversary is ALWAYS on his job, going to and fro trying to devour our children BUT once we do what we can as far as giving them the foundation of scripture, making sure they know who the savior is and living our lives according to God's word...the rest is up to God!

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in him will I trust. He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." This is the security we have in our Heavenly Father. Amen!

#peace

February 6

February 9 - In Jesus' name I ask that You will increase my faith to believe for all the things You've put on my heart to pray for concerning this child. (Power of a Praying Parent)

Today it's personal!!! The enemy is trying to attack on of my biological children. I'm not surprised because I knew that if I was obedient; satan would try to distract me. I'm not surprised because it's not the first time the enemy has attacked this child, I'm not surprised because of the greatness that lies within this child. So to that I say; I wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness in this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. I'm not confused about where my fight lies, for though I walk in the flesh, I do not war in the flesh. For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

Every plot, scheme and attempt you try is canceled in Jesus name! Although you have powers, you have no authority! Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith! Because I do not war in the flesh, but through God with spiritual weapons; you satan are already defeated! My praise is my weapon, because God inhabits the praises of His people and where He is, you must submit to Him. My faith is my shield which I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. The word of God is my weapon because the word is truth and you satan are a liar and deceiver. You have no place here. Get thee behind me!!!

#WARRIOR_AWAKENED

Promise Kept - August 13, 2018

Monday, August 7, 2017, I came home from work, trekked upstairs and stretched out on my bed.  It was about 4:30 and I was getting ready to watch the evening news.  As I'm laying there, Isaac (my 12yr old son) walks into the room.  He places his arms across his chest, Wakanda style, and says "Isaac, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"  I quizzically repeated the question and he responded "Yes!"  I then asked him if he wanted to be baptized, to which he replied, "Yes!"  I said 'ok', not realizing that the upcoming Sunday would be the day.

We went through the week and he continued repeating the question.  He never wavered.  I sure did.  I wasn't sure if he'd go through with it.  I mean, he could very well get to church and completely change his mind.  We hadn't discussed his expression or desire with anyone, so there was the whole 'protocol' of baptism ANNNND, we hadn't had the talk, with him, to explain what baptism meant.  I mean after all, Isaac has autism....how could he possibly know what it meant to be baptized.

Sunday, August 13, 2017 and we're at church.  It's a normal Sunday for us and we're going along with our normal routine.  Isaac doesn't seem anxious or different, so I wonder if he's going to follow through with his plan.  Little did I know, that it was His plan.

As the morning goes on, I ask Isaac if he's ready to be baptized and he replies in the affirmative.  I honestly thought that he would change his mind at any given minute.  I shared with one of Isaac's "aunties" that he was being baptized today and she asked me if I was sure, baptism was still happening?  I was confused.  She then shared that she thought the baptismal pool had been drained and there wouldn't be any candidates baptized.  I was horrified!  After we've come this far.  Oh, God...please don't let this happen.  After a few inquiries, we were assured that everything was a go.

I took Isaac to the dressing room area.  He was completely normal...walking around smiling and hugging me.  He said 'hi' to a few of the Deaconesses.  He was calm.  I, on the other hand, was totally freaking out!  As the moment of truth drew nigh, I was still not sure he was going to go through with it.  Honestly, I thought he would put one foot in that water and say, 'no baptism'!  BUT GOD!!!

I decided to go out to the sanctuary and make myself visible to Isaac.  I'd stand in the chapel where we sit, so he could see me and hopefully that would help him overcome any 'fear' he may have.  Isaac was looking for me when he finally stepped into the water...but Isaac had no fear.  BUT GOD!!!

You've probably figured out that Isaac was baptized on Sunday, August 13, 2017.  What you need to know, is that he was able to answer the minister when he asked "Isaac Jones, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"  He was able to answer with a resounding "YES!", when the doctor said that he may never speak a work.  BUT GOD!!!

Pastor Troy was supposed to be out of town, but he shared that something wouldn't let him leave town.  He shared that he began feeling this 'tug' early in the week...Monday to be exact.  It was Monday when Isaac initially said that he wanted to be baptized.  BUT GOD!!!

I sat and watched, over and over, boys, young men and men, being baptized.  I wondered when the day would come that Isaac would be in that place.  God assured me that I would see it.  I kept envisioning Isaac in the pool, when each young man went in...I imagined seeing him...I imagined him saying 'YES'...and on that day, it happened.

The ultimate beauty of this promise kept, is that I remembered when I had gone through a trying time in my life and I wanted to recommit my life.  I was baptized...wait for it...on Sunday, August 13, 2006.  BUT GOD!!!

HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER!!!

The effect of Parental Love...or lack thereof

Three years ago, after a series of tragic events; I was led to pray for children for a year.  It was challenging, exhausting and sometimes hard, but God blessed our obedience.  When I read the post from March 17, 2013, it blessed me all over again with a new revelation.

The post talked about what a parent should do when raising children.  Listed in the post was/is content from a wonderful article on Parents and Children in the Full Life Study Bible that say, "In bringing up their children, parents should show no favoritism, encourage as well as correct, punish only intentional wrongdoing, and dedicate their lives in love to their children with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12-14)."  As I reflected on this post, I immediately thought; "what if a parent doesn't possess any of that to give"?  I'm referring to the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Now I'm sure that you're probably saying, 'of course, a parent has that to give to their child, but I'm not talking about your typical parent.  I'm talking about your not-so-good parent.  The drug-addicted parent; The work-a-holic parent; The absent-because-I-missed-my-childhood-parent; The I-never-got-over-the-relationship-so-I'm-going-to-punish-you parent...any of these sound familiar?  Can you see how easy it would be for one of these ill-equipped parents to not have anything to give to their children?  Hence, the challenge we have with so many of our children and youth.  All you have to do is stand outside watching a group of young people playing basketball and there's bound to be cussing or fighting.  Those young people probably didn't receive a lot of kindness or patience.  As I go about my day in the school where I work; I see the children who have not received parental compassion, so it's no wonder they have none to give.  And let us not forget that the lack of kindness and gentleness undoubtedly breeds bullies to keep the cycle going.

We have to pray for those parents that are not equipped, for whatever reason, to raise and love their children.  When a child/young person doesn't receive the parental love that he/she needs, they end up being hurt people--who hurt, people...most likely your child or my child.

Dear Lord, we acknowledge that there are some parents who may not win 'Parent of the Year', but that's why we have You as the ultimate example.  We believe that even now, You can still renew and redeem those parents...show us how to love them and pray for them.  Thank you for Your grace and mercy that says every child, no matter who their parents are, has greatness inside of them.  Help us to see that greatness, pray for that greatness and cultivate that greatness.  In Jesus name, Amen!

My Flower

You're my flower.  I have tenderly watched over you since you were a tiny seed.  I've watered and nourished you.  I've been there through each day of your life, caring for you, providing your needs, and helping you through difficult times when the ground was dry or the sun was hot or those passing by stepped on your delicate petals and leaves.

I love the color of your petals and how they sparkle and shine when the dew of My love settles on them.  It makes My heart glad when you open your blossom to absorb the sunshine of My love and the warmth of My Spirit.  Keep soaking up the water of My Word so your leaves will stay green and healthy.  Keep opening up to the light and warmth of My sunshine, and keep absorbing My rays so your colors and fragrance can cheer others.

If fills Me with joy when I see you giving off that sweet fragrance that makes others happy, encouraging them and lifting their spirits.  You have so much to give, My little flower.

From Jesus with Love for Women

My favorite flower is the Lily.  I had them in my wedding bouquet, I love to receive them, I think they're beautiful and love the fact that there are several kinds of lilies.  They come in different shapes, sizes and colors.  "The Lily flower symbolizes purity and refined beauty.  Based on the color or type, the Lily flower can convey different meanings" (theflowerexpert.com).

When I read these words...calling me His flower, initially I didn't get it.  But then I searched for information about my favorite flower and it hit me.  HE CARES FOR ME!!!  If you think about the time, patience, love and effort it takes to grow flowers, you already know.  Not only do you have to make sure the flower has the proper nourishment; you have to protect the flower, you have to remove any weeds from around the flower, you even have to occasionally move the flower to ensure it has the proper climate to thrive.  SPEAK LORD!!!

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me Your flower!  I see that You delight in me and have taken time to fuss over me so that I grow and produce and bring joy to those around me.  You have covered me and made sure that what I thought would kill me...DID NOT!  "When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell."  I've lost a few friends/weeds along the way in the pruning and purging process.  When I thought I knew better, You blocked it for what was best.  I am Your flower and I thank you for helping me see the bloom.  I lift my praise to You...let it be a sweet aroma to You.  Amen!  

My special love for you

I love you, My darling!  I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I will love you always.

How do I love you?--I love you unconditionally.  I love you completely.  I love you eternally.  I love you like a father loves his child.  I love you like a husband loves his wife.  I love you tenderly.  I love you passionately.  I love you perfectly.

Why do I love you?--I love you because you are Mine.  I love you because you love Me.  I love you because you are beautiful in My sight.  I love you because you are a part of Me.

When do I love you?--I love you when you're in ecstasy, and I love you when you're in despair.  I love you when you're successful, and I love you when you feel you've failed.  I love you when you do what's right, and I love you even when you make mistakes.  I love you when you feel like giving up, and I love you when you hold on.

How long will I love you?--I will love you always and forever!

From Jesus With Love for Women


What stands out in this message to me, is the contrast of our love to Jesus' love!  For every way, reason and length of time this message uses to convey the Jesus' love for us (women), we have undoubtedly contradicted that love in some way.  Jesus' love for us is not hard to fathom or conceive, but us loving ourselves...well now the rubber is meeting the road.  Women have been deceived into believing that if/when they love themselves; they are being selfish, thoughtless and inconsiderate.

I will be transparent and say that I did not love myself every day this week.  I have not loved myself unconditionally and completely.  Not having my father around has left that void and I'm often suspicious of my husband's love.  I sometimes feel out of place in this world, so belonging to Jesus and loving Jesus should make sense, but recently I have even questioned that.  Jesus sees my beauty...why can't I?!?  He loves me when I'm up and when I'm down; when things are good and when they're bad, whether I'm happy or I'm sad.  So why can't I?

Dear Lord, open the eyes of my heart so that I may see me, the way that you see me.  Help me to love me for me.  Help me to love me in an unapologetic way.  I thank you for loving me and for all of the others in my life that love me.  I need to love myself...really love myself in order to reciprocate that love.  Just as the father said in Mark 9:24 "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief".  Lord I love You:  help thou my self-love!  Amen.

Praising

March 4, 2014

Today after his session, the speech therapist said that she wanted us to work with Isaac on 'ing' words and getting him to use them correctly in context.  So tonight after his shower, as I was getting him out of the tub; I started jumping up and down.  I prompted him by saying, "what is mommy doing"?  He repeated the question back to me (as he always does) and giving him another prompt, I said, "mommy is..." and left the statement open for him to finish.  His response made me laugh but it also blessed me.  Isaac said "praising". 

I laughed because I was going for and expecting him to say "jumping".  His response blessed me because it allowed me to see that although time is filled with swift transition; when my child sees me, he sees PRAISE! 


God thank you for reminding me that we live and move and have our being because of Your Spirit!  Thank you for reminding me that in ALL THINGS, we should give praise because You are worthy of ALL PRAISE.  We thank you for being a promise keeper and for your faithfulness to us.  I thank you for using my child to remind to praise. 

#Praising