The Ten Truths {to Tell Yourself when you are a Mama who wonders how to get through Today}

Some days you get stuck in the muck. Some days you need to remind yourself over and over that you are not alone. Some days you need to re-read a letter you wrote for someone else . . . 

Dear Mama,

I know how you feel.  You're tired, you ache, you want to made well, but this is it. This is the life that has been determined for you. 

God knows how difficult it is at times, but you wonder if anyone else can relate.

Is there another Mama who always wanted to never be the Mama who wasn't well? 

I begged for healing and I begged for babies.

Is there anyone else who has a twelve year old who takes the weight of it all on her own shoulders even though you've never asked her to and really she doesn't have to? But, she's the first-born and is intuitive and senses there are days that are a little rough. 

Anyone else with a seven year old boy who talks one day about inventing a lung so that other kids, who would have to go through what his Mama did when she was a little girl, will still be able to run a marathon one day? 

Any other Mama out there who can hardly keep up to her three year old because you live life now with 30% lung capacity?

I hoped to have stamina that would show up the Energizer bunny.

What about another woman who wondered why the months and then years would pass before two lines on a pregnancy test would appear? And then wondered how you are going to have the strength some days to raise and disciple these little ones entrusted to you? 

A Mama out there who fights to be free from fears of receiving a secondary diagnosis now that you actually are a Mama? And what do you do to keep on 'toughing it out' with severe aortic stenosis now as a mother, as well as the lung damage all because of a dreadful disease from when you were three years old?

I know it could be a lot worse, but your own reality is all you will ever know. 

I desperately prayed for healing, but for so long I failed to see how God has already healed me:

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.

I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

And, Mama, you know what I've been learning as I live this life I never would have chosen for myself? 

I am never alone. Ever.

God will strengthen me and use me for His glory.

The One who has healed my heart is the One who I cry out to. 

He is my refuge. 

He is my shelter.

He is my strength.

When you wonder how you will get through these days, know that you are not doing this on your own.


Your story has its own challenges, but our solution is the same. 

Grace. Amazing, astounding, cascading, pouring down grace.

And like anything, perspective is half the battle. If I wallow in my woes I end up defeated. 

Like Paul, I need to learn to be content in whatever circumstance I'm in. 

So,  I have to keep preaching to myself on a daily basis.

• Learn my own limitations and don't think I have to do everything.  

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." (Phil 2:13)

• Know that Christ's strength is made perfect in my weakness. And His amazing grace is all I ever need. The joy of the Lord is my strength and in Him will I boast.

"Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." (Cor 2:9)

• Accept the willingness of others to help me when I need it even though I may not want to admit it. We need one another and let it be a blessing for them and to you.

• Cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 

• Trust in the Lord. He will guide me in all I do.

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence." (Jeremiah 17:7)

• Believe that His goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life. He really has chased me down His unfailing love, wooed me with His eternal love, and proved to me that His mercies are new every morning. He is always good and does good.

• Be assured that the antidote to fear is the assurance of God's presence and protection.

• Use my health for the praise of His glory. I am here to manifest His glory.

• Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Especially for  the thing in my life that forces me to lean into Him.

• Pray. Without ceasing. Because you must move forward even though you may not know how.

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" (Eph 3:20)

*Edited from a guest post written for Jessica for her 31Days series.

***

Hunting for more of God's Grace,Steadfast love and His Mercies that are new every morning in 'Morevember'.

I invite you to hunt along with me for more of His mercy and grace in #Morevember on Facebook and Twitter.

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Nine Things I Learned {from #31Days} in October 2013

I breathed a small sigh of relief when I hit publish on the last post for 31 Days for October 2013. I thought I would take a break. But apparently it was a fleeting thought.


For when I thought about all that I had learned from posting {almost} every day {all but the Sundays} for the month of October, I realized how it has blessed my life in many ways.

It required dedication to the commitment and revealed a number of lessons I wasn't necessarily expecting.

Discipline. I need more of that in my life. I don't just whip up a post and some days I wanted to ignore the fact that I had indeed challenged myself to writing for 31 days, but it was beneficial to require something of myself that I don't 'have to do'.

Time. Which is a precious commodity for anyone, but for the most part we choose how we will spend our time. I spent more of my time {especially on-line} more intentionally and less time mindlessly wandering in cyberspace. Also, finding balance with the time I spend writing and blogging is definitely something I still need to work on.

Creativity. Writing and shooting and editing photos was beneficial for me as a creative outlet.

Truth. Digging a bit further into truths that I have taken for granted for so long was such a blessing. Some posts I had to wrestle out and made me further examine what I have been taught for many years.

Vulnerability. Some posts I shared deep from my heart and it was hard to expose myself in such a raw way not knowing who would read it and what they would think. But my desire was to encourage others as I more fully claimed who and whose I am.

Humility. Although my desire was to encourage others, what was revealed to me about my own heart was humbling. As I painstakingly poured out there was an honest desire that others read what I vulnerably share that it might be 'worthwhile my time'. In a way, I had hoped that this month would find more readers connecting to what I wrote and I found that my motives where not always pure and had to examine and repent and keep in check my heart's desire. The more we grow in our relationship with Christ, the more, I believe, our sin will be exposed and this was made evident to me this month. I give thanks that God does indeed continue to create in me a clean heart, completely by His grace alone.

Passion. From writing these posts and sharing at two women's events I realized God has given me a passion to communicate His love to other women and how He woos us and desire that we live more fully and free from condemnation. To see how he takes beauty from ashes and makes all things beautiful in His time. I look forward to see how He may continue to use me and make me fit to be used.

Practice. Improving in anything comes with practice. I learned that I need to keep practicing writing and communicating. I hope you, my dear reader, may not mind that I 'practice' on you.


Grace. It flooded into my life all month. From my husband and children as they knew I was challenging myself and preparing to pour out my heart for the women at the two events I shared at. From the God of all grace that continuously and graciously give us all things. He gave me the strength to carry on this month when some days I wondered if I should throw in the towel.

I was blessed as I pursued the aspects of who I am in Christ and pray that this quiet little place on the web may have been a blessing to another.


Care to join me for the mercies of God that new every morning for the month of November? 

Find more on 'Hunting for God's Grace, Steadfast Love, and Mercies that are New Every Morning in November' here!

Who Am I? {Victorious} In Christ {Day 31} #31Days

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, 

for those who are called according to his purpose. 

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, 

in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 

And those whom he predestined he also called, 

and those whom he called he also justified, 

and those whom he justified he also glorified." 

(Romans 8:28-30)

 

Home.

There is nothing like coming home.

Before we find our way home we run through an old covered kissing bridge, attempt to shoot a family photo on the timer setting, and finally fill our tummies at the old Cracker Barrel in Amish country.

And he's licking the last of the sweet syrup off his plate (I know, I should be horrified that he's licking his plate! and in public!!), but I'm stopped short at what he says as he puts his plate back down where it belongs. All day, he's been counting down the hours to his birthday (who am I kidding? he's been counting for months). 

He turns 8 on the 31st of October. He's been trying to convince us that he'll be king soon, just like the boy he was named after in the Bible became king when he was 8 years old.

He tells us that he knows that there are great battles and on the day that he celebrates his birthday, he knows that there are some who celebrate evil. But he says he will put on the full armour of God because God always wins his battles. And he doesn't need to be afraid of the evil because the Lord is with him.

I really can't stand that he was born on the 31st of October. I cringe at the thought of it every year. It was the only day during the whole pregnancy that I really hoped would not be the day of his birth. But when I woke up just after midnight on the 31st, two full weeks before his due date, I knew that he would be born on the very day I was hoping I could avoid. 

On the eve of his eighth birthday, we drive 9 hours, 750 km(460 miles) home. Through and around villages, up and down peaks and valleys in the Appalachian Mountains, through the States and further up and further in a few hours north into Canada.

We pack in like sardines among the suitcases, pillows, parcels, perplexus balls and other activities for the journey. We listen to 'Charlie's Choice', skip through 'Secret Garden', watching only the parts that don't scare the three year old, endure battles of she's too close--he's bugging me--and she smiled at me, make a couple quick pit stops and try to make all cozy as the dark settles and the wheels roll on and the minutes fade and we gain ground on our way home.

We cross the border just before midnight and when we roll into the driveway a couple of hours later we say a quiet Happy Birthday to the birthday boy. Then we all fall into our beds that we had crawled out of four days earlier in the wee hours of the morning to take a small holiday to see 'Noah' at the Sight and Sound Theatre, where the 'Bible comes to life'.

My heart broke afresh when we saw the ark door slam shut and heard the wails of those who were outside of the ark. Only Noah and his wife and three sons and their wives were saved on the ark when God sent a flood to destroy all living things on the earth because the wickedness of man was so great that God was grieved in His heart that he ever made man.

My heart burst with gratitude for the grace shown to those inside the ark.

My heart pondered how those inside of Christ have been redeemed at the foot of the cross and we stand sure in the ark of Christ. Where evil does not triumph and the purpose of Satan to steal, kill, and destroy cannot harm us for Christ's purpose was to give life in all its fulness.

And the journey home, may be long and tedious and even dark at times, but in Christ we stand victorious. 

Christ adorns us with His righteousness and we put on the full armour of God and fight battles in this life, endure pain and suffering, enter His presence with thanksgiving, till one day He will take us home to be with him for all eternity and be glorified in Him.

We don't know the hour when we will be called home to glory, but we do know that this is the day that the Lord has made and what He has promised is true. Each and every day, from the rising of the sun to the setting of the same, the name of the Lord will be praised.

The battle belongs to the Lord. Until we become fully like Christ, we will walk this narrow road, letting the light of Christ shine in this darkness, claiming who we are in Christ, all to the praise of His glory.

So my boy-king, will put on the his armour--his belt of truth, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, shield of faith, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, breastplate of righteousness--and rub shoulders with his neighbours in our community on the night of his birthday and boldly claim that he is a soldier of the King of Kings.

And although I wish we could ignore this day altogether, where some elevate darkness and worship death, we will proclaim and celebrate life, rejoice that God's sovereignty reigns and His providence prevails and the whole earth and all that is in it belongs to Him, and marvel that by His grace we are safe in the ark of Jesus Christ.

As we journey, "we must trust in His love, rely on His grace, we must learn how to rest in His loving embrace"* and long for the day when He will take us to be with Him and we will behold His face and know that we are forever home.

"Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; 

but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, 

because we shall see him as he is."

(1 John 3:2)

*lyrics from song in 'Noah'

***

This is Day 31 and concludes the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

You will find the complete series here. 

I invite you to follow on  Facebook and Twitter.


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Who Am I? In Christ ~Word-Art Printable~ {Day 30} #31Days

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. 

That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ . . ."

(2 Corinthians 1:20-22, ESV)

To print word-art, click here.

One more day to complete #31Days for 2013: Who Am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM.

Before we wrap up this series, I'm recapping with some word-art, including the aspects of which we barely began to scratch the surface and so many more that we could have dug into a wee bit, but the month ran out of days.

What a glorious position to be in: In Christ. May we utter our Amen to God for His glory.

***

This is Day 30 for the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

Day 29{Servant}

You will find the complete series here. 

I invite you to follow on  Facebook and Twitter.


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Who Am I? {Servant} In Christ {Day 29} #31Days

" . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, 

and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

(Matthew 20:28)

"You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had . . . " 

(Phil 2:5)

" . . . but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, 

being born in the likeness of men. 

And being found in human form, 

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, 

even death on a cross.

 (Phil 2:7, 8)

In this me-generation, with far too many seeking approval of men, demanding to be served, climbing ladders of success and fame, submersed in social media, with much focus on followers, likes on Facebook, tweets, Tumbler, selfies, and tribes, how on earth do we have this same attitude as Christ Jesus?

In our insecurities we feel we have to make something of ourselves.

In our pride we think we deserve everything.

But Christ, made himself nothing, took the form a servant.

He girded himself with grace, clothed himself with compassion, with love was born in the likeness of men.

Lowered himself and with humility, hung naked on a cross, with no regard for his reputation.

Demonstrated his love while we were undeserving and still sinners.

In Christ, this is to be our attitude. 

To follow him, not to be concerned with followers.

To love, not to care about likes.

To lower ourselves, not proudly elevate our position.

To extend grace, not consumed with what we get.

To proclaim the gospel of grace and mercy, not just please with flattering words.

To serve, not to perform.

To wash the feet of others. The stinky, dirty, calloused, warty feet of those who cross our path.

To give our lives for them.

To the praise of His glory.

It's not the comfortable place to be.

But it's where we trade our insecurities for In Christ-security.

May He grant us the power do make ourselves nothing and we will see that He has already given us everything.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? 

Or am I trying to please man? 

If I were still trying to please man, 

I would not be a servant of Christ.

(Galatians 1:10)

***

This is Day 29 for the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

Day 28 {Sealed}

You will find the complete series here. 

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Who Am I? {Sealed} In Christ {Day 28} #31 Days

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation,

and believed in him,

were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,

to the praise of his glory."

(Ephesians 1:13-14)

In Christ.

Sealed.

Stamped.

Secure.

Guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.

For all eternity.

To the Glory of God.

***

This is Day 28 for the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

Day 26 {Heard}

You will find the complete series here. 

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Who Am I? {Heard} In Christ {Day 26} #31Days ~ Words of Wisdom for the Weekend

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened 

with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, 

being rooted and grounded in love, 

may have strength to comprehend with all the saints 

what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, 

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 

according to the power at work within us, 

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 

forever and ever. Amen. 

(Ephesians 3:14-21, ESV)

"For  those who are in Christ, he serves as a mediator, bringing our prayers to God. And since God the Holy Spirit dwells in those who are in Christ, our prayers are by the Spirit, through the Son, to the Father. He hears your spoken words, unspoken thoughts, and unclear longings. This one fact is utterly astonishing. God's heart is always inclined towards you, his face set towards you, and his ear open for you. This explains why the Bible invites us to 'pray without ceasing' about anything, anytime, anywhere.    The Christian life can become very overly complicated, and we can overlook the majesty of simplicity. As a reminder that God is our friend, to whom we should talk to regularly, not because we have to but because we get to, the Bible includes prayers. One example is Paul's prayer is Ephesians 3:14-21, of which one theologian has said, 'No prayer that has ever been framed has uttered a bolder request.'   Imagine sitting with Paul in his jail cell. Picture him rubbing his aching joints and scarred body as he gets down on his knees in a wet, cold filthy hole in the ground, and raises his voice in prayer. To listen in on Paul's prayer life as he speaks from his heart amid great suffering and prays for Christians, including you, to understand the depths of God's love and be filled the fullness of God, reveals to us who he truly was. ~ Mark Driscoll, "Who Do You Think You Are? [emphasis added]

***

This is Day 26 for the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

Day 25 {Together} ~ Day 28 {Sealed}

You will find the complete series as it updated here. 

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***

{Words for Wisdom for the Weekend: These are words that I have been challenged or encouraged by that I have read throughout my week that I kept pondering; words that I couldn't get off my mind and heart throughout my week. 

For other Words of Wisdom for the Weekend posts see here.}

Who Am I? {Together} In Christ {Day 25} #31Days

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, 

glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth . . . 

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."

(John 1:14, 16)

This world can be a lonely place.

Ideals and illusions of perfection drive us further apart.

Fears force wedges between us.

Masks conceal and get in the way of true community.

Not willing to be vulnerable, we neglect the fact that we need each other.

*


I gather with women and am grateful to share my story and who we are in Christ.

I am given strength to be vulnerable as prayers are presented at the throne of a gracious God.

Wet eyes around the room tell me I am not alone. As we tear down our fences, Christ in His love will build us up together.

In Christ, we are being built together.

Christ came in sinful flesh. Light shone in the darkness, that sinners could, by the Spirit, become children of God and shine as lights in the world.

We have been called Saints that have been set apart for God ~ together with God.

Dwelling in His very presence and His very presence dwelling in us.

We have seen the glory of the only Son, the One who became flesh and dwelt among us that we might together be a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Christ Jesus being our foundation and support. The One who holds all things together.

In Christ, we all, the beautiful body of Christ, His Bride, His Church, receive, grace upon grace.

Together, we lay ourselves down, to be built up together in Him.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, 

but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 

Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, 

being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 

(Ephesians 2:19-22)

Email subscribers can listen to this song, 'In Christ', by following the link here.
***

This is Day 25 for the series: 31 Days: Who am I? {In Christ} Who is the I AM. 

Day 24 {Perfect} ~ Day 26 {Heard}

You will find the complete series as it updated here. 

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***

Also linking with Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo's place. This week the prompt is: Together

Officially, the rules are:

1. Write for 5 minutes  {Full disclosure: I spent more time on this post}

2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's  and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...