girlymama

inspiration - 1.31

I will give you the treasures of darkness,
   riches stored in secret places,
   so that you may know that I am the LORD,
   the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Isaiah 45:3

faithfulness

"It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us." Oswald Chambers

I've been challenged to ask myself whether I taking to heart Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Is my focus directed towards gaining the approval of my Heavenly Father - and not my peers? Am I willing to do little jobs that no one will notice?   Am I serving my family and friends with a joyful heart? Am I truly thankful and content?

I don't think that I always see my 'everyday life' as something that brings glory to God. After all, I'm fairly sure that none of my personal 'mountaintop' experiences with God have involved laundry.  Every so often, caring for my family melts into a never ending list chores: cleaning up mess after mess, changing diaper after diaper, doing load after load after load (after load) of laundry...

My attitude about these responsibilities, glamorous or not, is important. I am doing what God has called me to do at this time in my life - caring for my young family. It may not seem important to many people. It may be considered "not working." (Ha!) But this is where I am. And I have been given a big responsibility that involves thousands of little responsibilities. I am building our home and our family, shaping the lives of my children by my attitudes, by my words and by my example. My faithfulness to my family and God is crucial. To my children. To their faith.  Because my faithfulness brings Him glory. And that is all I am called to do.

"It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us." Oswald Chambers

I've been challenged to ask myself whether I taking to heart Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Is my focus directed towards gaining the approval of my Heavenly Father - and not my peers? Am I willing to do little jobs that no one will notice?   Am I serving my family and friends with a joyful heart? Am I truly thankful and content?

I don't think that I always see my 'everyday life' as something that brings glory to God. After all, I'm fairly sure that none of my personal 'mountaintop' experiences with God have involved laundry.  Every so often, caring for my family melts into a never ending list chores: cleaning up mess after mess, changing diaper after diaper, doing load after load after load (after load) of laundry...

My attitude about these responsibilities, glamorous or not, is important. I am doing what God has called me to do at this time in my life - caring for my young family. It may not seem important to many people. It may be considered "not working." (Ha!) But this is where I am. And I have been given a big responsibility that involves thousands of little responsibilities. I am building our home and our family, shaping the lives of my children by my attitudes, by my words and by my example. My faithfulness to my family and God is crucial. To my children. To their faith.  Because my faithfulness brings Him glory. And that is all I am called to do.

inspiration - 2.24

Our children, Lord, in faith and pray'r, we now devote to thee;
let them thy cov'nant mercies share, and thy salvation see.

Such helpless babes thou didst embrace, while dwelling here below;
to us and ours, O God of grace, the same compassion show.

In earthly days their hearts secure from worldly snares, we pray;
O let them to the end endure in every righteous way.

Hymn, entitled Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer

Our children, Lord, in faith and pray'r, we now devote to thee;
let them thy cov'nant mercies share, and thy salvation see.

Such helpless babes thou didst embrace, while dwelling here below;
to us and ours, O God of grace, the same compassion show.

In earthly days their hearts secure from worldly snares, we pray;
O let them to the end endure in every righteous way.

Hymn, entitled Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer

inspiration - 1.17

"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness."
— Elisabeth Elliot

inspiration - 1.10

"God never witholds from His child that which His love and wisdom call good. God's refusals are always merciful- "severe mercies" at times but mercies all the same. God never denies us our hearts desire except to give us something better."
— Elisabeth Elliot

inspiration - 12.27

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

--How Deep the Father's Love for Us, Stuart Townend

peace on earth, good will to men

I can't stop listening to this song today.  It was written during the Civil War and is amazingly relevant today. Its a free download on Amazon.

I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth

I thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth
Peace on earth"

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth, good will to men

inspiration - 11.29

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us;
we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."

-- C.S. Lewis

happy thanksgiving

 

faith like a child

Tonight before dinner, we jokingly asked Colin if he wanted to pray for us.

Colin immediately grinned, folded his hands, bowed his head and said, "Tan-too." 

It may have been a much shorter blessing than usual... but it was one of the sweetest ones I've ever heard.