Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

Usually, at bedtime, I hold a chubby hand in mine, close my eyes and hear: "Dear Jesus, Thank you for this day. Have a good day. Thank you for Mom. I'm just going to pray for you Mom, ok ? Amen." The girls' prayers are only slightly more sophisticated, including concerns for "no bad dreams," and prayers lifted up for missionaries, family members and hurting families in our church. But, one night, it was getting late and I suggested that the girls pray on their own. Later, they told me that they got out the children's Bible and found the Lord's prayer. How in the world did they find the Lord's prayer? Ok, the oldest "knows" the books of the Bible and John 3:16, but I don't think she knows WHERE to find specific verses! On Sunday morning I have to help her find the passage in the index and then she can look up the chapter and verse and I seriously do NOT remember ever talking about the Lord's prayer with her. So, you tell me, h...

One Sunday morning we heard a heartbreaking story of a little boy whose body would no longer support his soul. As a group, we went to the Lord in prayer for this young soul. Some prayed for his parents to have strength for this trial while others prayed for the little boy to be relieved of pain. Suddenly, a pastor began to add his prayers: prayers for deliverance, for complete healing, for a miracle . I don't know why we were shocked by his prayer. But, for some reason, we had all accepted the inevitable and had abandoned hope of complete recovery for this child. Did we no longer believe that God performs miracles? Yes, of course, He DID many miracles in the past, but miracles seem so rare these days that I'm afraid we've stopped believing in His power. God has made it clear in His word and by His actions that miracles are not always the way He answers prayers. How He decides when to suspend the course of nature is beyond our comprehension. I'd rather pray for somethin...

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. What a joy, what a privilege to come to God with our every concern! Father, today I thank You for Your open arms, reaching out to embrace me through my time in prayer. Thank You for the free access I have to Your throne room. Through Christ I have a key to enter the holy of holies. Thank You for providing an Intercessor for me and for Speaking Your words into my mumbled confusion. Thank You for asking me (me?) to partner with You in changing the world, one prayer at a time . Thank You for having open ears and an open heart to my every plea. Thank You for the community praye...

For nine months she imagined the little life growing inside of her. Would his hair be black like his daddy's? Would she have ten fingers and toes? Would his smile light up the room? Would her eyes twinkle with joy? For nine months, mama prayed over that little life, prayed prayers of hope and vision. For five tender years, mama prayed over a tumbling child. Mama prayed for healthy limbs, for fevered brows, for owies real and imagined. She prayed for physical health, for potty training, for discipline, for temper tantrums, for spiritual awareness and for herself most of all. Mama prayed for the strength to be a righteous woman watching over her little chicks. For five happy years, mama prayed over a growing bright eyed child. Mama prayed for protection from worldly ways, for happy friendships, for encouragement instead of discouragement, for a strong personality, for a love of learning, for eyes to see God all around. Mama prayed that her offspring would become children of her Heave...

The king perused the valley far below and saw a multitude of white canvas tents. From his perch on the mountainside, it looked like daisies littering the green valley. He estimated the troops below and took stock of his army. Too many against too few. What should he do? How would he face this formidable force of three kings joined together to defeat him? Immediately, he knew the answer. The wise young king gathered together all the people of his kingdom and told them the battle was more than they could handle alone. He commanded them to begin fighting this battle before they went down into the valley by fasting and praying. And so, they waged war on their knees. They disciplined themselves to abstain from the pleasure of eating until they knew this battle was won. They prayed and they sought the favor of the Lord; they brought their pleas before the the ruler over all kingdoms and the One who holds power and might in His hand. They implored Him for victory over this evil because they h...

Duet 28:1-6 "If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God: God's blessing inside the city, God's blessing in the country; God's blessing on your children, the crops of your land, the young of your livestock, the calves of your herds, the lambs of your flocks. God's blessing on your basket and bread bowl; God's blessing in your coming in, God's blessing in your going out. 7 God will defeat your enemies who attack you. They'll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads. 8 God will order a blessing on your barns and workplaces; he'll bless you in the land that God, your God, is giving you." I was reading my giveaway book and this quote popped out at me: “A piou...

Shannon, at Rocks in my Dryer , is hosting a huge giveaway! Isn't that exciting! I love to give something meaningful to my friends - as I shop, I always look for just the right item that fits our relationship and the individual's personality. So, if you stop by this little blog of mine, I think you might like this gift I've picked out. This fall, I have been nourished by the wisdom of Phillip Yancey in his recent book on prayer. Our Bible study has plumbed the depths of prayer with Yancey's help in this amazing book. My personal prayer life has been challenged and I have probed the deeper questions surrounding prayer with a beloved mentor. I would love for you to enjoy this book too. I'll be giving the book away to one blessed commenter. So, leave a comment here and I'll be drawing a name next week to give away this treasure box full of well-mined jewels from God's Word and life's experiences. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the draw...

She was once a sweet sleeping peaceful baby swaddled in the soft comfort of home-stitched blankets. Peace enveloped her as her mother cooed over her cradle and sang sweet songs of love to her. But, now. Now, life is so much more complicated. Sin has entered in and the once peaceful baby is a woman tormented by bad decisions and an unseen enemy. The mother looks at the hurting woman and wishes for peace… Prayers are offered daily for babies grown up and for mothers whose hearts are broken. The pain is great, the burden is heavy and despair lurks around the corner. So, we persist in seeking our God, banging on His door, begging Him for answers and seeking peace. “I do not see how you could bear so much sorrow.” Hannah responded, “I did not bear it. The Lord bore it for me.” The lady agreed, “We must take our troubles to the Lord.” “Yes, but we must do more than that: we must leave them there. Most people take their burdens to Him, but they bring them away with them again, and...

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in HIS wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, by the light of His glory and grace." ~ Helen Limmel ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Kids squealing in the background, cars puttering by, an off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday,” smells of charcoal and squeaky swings cannot crowd out the silent beauty of the lone duck gliding across a kaleidoscope lake of rose and azure hues. The effect of the clouds and sunset reflected there is like tie-die. Is this peace amidst the chaos? No one else seems to notice God’s artwork on display. They are too busy with life. How many times have I passed by God’s majesty in a hurry to keep up the pace of a hectic life? Beauty satisfies and fills me in an unexpected way. Even the little squirrel munching on a dropped cracker captures my attention. As I relax, I hea...

Go visit me at Next-step-of-faith today.

“ My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; and by night, but I have no rest. Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:1-2) There are days when it is difficult to breathe. The world is shrouded in suffocating darkness; the path to heaven is blockaded with boulders, overgrown thistles and howling wolves. Every breath is effort, every movement is painful, and every part of your being is parched. Nothing seems to satisfy and nothing comes easily. Are you in this desert, are you suffering from spiritual pneumonia? St. John of the Cross called this the dark night of the soul. God’s presence feels far away and the world seems empty of solace. During a dark night, the soul is stripped of all imaginary supports – even the experience of God’s presence. Somehow the wind is knocked out of you and your faith begins to crumble. Doubting cre...

Lord of all the earth, Father to the redeemed, Savior of unlimited grace, Pour out your favor and loving-kindness upon my children. Bless them in all their endeavors this year. Be a strong shelter around each child – a champion to defend their cause. Protect them from scars – both physical and emotional. Guard their tender hearts from the cruelty of others. Be their shepherd – guiding them away from wrong choices, gently whispering in each ear when to turn to the left or the right. May each of my children (Darling, Missy and Little Man) live in the shadow of Your wings and never by disobedience leave Your protective hedges. Hem them in behind and before; hold them tight in Your embrace. Reveal Yourself again and again to each one. May they choose each day to follow You. May they be drawn by Your irresistible love. May they rely on You and put all of their trust in You. Shine brightly in their small souls – a light that cannot be extinguished by any power. Wednesday morning is ...

Give me one pure and holy passion Give me on magnificent obsession Give me one glorious ambition for my life To know and follow hard after You To know and follow hard after you To grow as your disciple in your truth This world is empty, pale, and poor Compared to knowing you, my Lord Lead me on and I will run after you Lead me on and I will run after you Give me one pure and holy passion Give me one magnificent obsession Give me one glorious ambition for my life To know and follow hard after you To know and follow hard after you To grow as your disciple in the truth This world is empty, pale, and poor Compared to knowing you my Lord Lead me on and I will run after you Lord to know and follow hard after you And to grow as your disciple in your truth This world is empty, pale, and poor Compared to knowing you my Lord Lead me on and I will run after you Lead me on and I will run after you Lead me on and I will run after you ©1988 PDI Praise\Dayspring Music, Inc. Words and Music by Mark Al...

My hidden self is laid bare before You Lord and I cover my eyes in shame. So much selfishness, so much of me, so little of You, so much taking, so little giving, so much pretending, so little honesty, so much guilt… Your hand gently lifts my chin to look into Your eyes full of compassion and I see a deep well of never-ending forgiveness. You accept me? Even my ugly, filthy hidden parts? All of me? My tense body relaxes into the peace of cleansing, the hope of renewal, the beauty of redemption. Fear dissipates and is replaced by unimaginable joy. I am free from sin than entangles my soul with darkness. I am purified by the simple act of faith. Reproval. Renouncing. Repentance. Restoration. Renewal. Rejoicing!

Psalm 46:10 Be still. Be. Be quiet. Be at rest. Stop. Not just slow down, but STOP. Stop moving. Stop thinking so hard about everything. Stop working. Stop trying to control things beyond your control. Stop worrying. Stop whining. Stop carrying that load. Cease striving. Vacate – take a break. Rest….in Me. Trust. Hope. Believe. Be. No more doing, just being. Be a simple child. Be Mine. Be completely, totally, thoroughly Mine. Be still.

The phone call literally brought me to my knees. Sometimes when devastating events occur outside of my personal world I can easily put them out of my mind. But this was different: the little girl who was deathly ill was the same age as my son (18 months). Although I knew the parents, they were not close friends so I can only explain my heavy heart as a burden from the Holy Spirit. I cried out to God for her deliverance – I pled with Him for her salvation. Tears ran down my face as I sought God’s blessing over this dear child that I didn’t even know. I believe in the power of prayer and I often pray for the needs of my friends and family. My experience with prayer has shown me that God is sovereign and I must trust Him to make the best decision. I sense Him prompting me to pray in a certain direction – for healing as an example, but I don’t always see what the end result will be. Prayer is such a strange thing because I know God will make the right decision with or ...

Mumblings of A “Mommy Monk” I woke up this morning at 5 am to a sweet little boy snuggling under my covers. I used to enjoy my quiet mornings alone with the Lord. My morning would begin with a shower, a cup of coffee and my Bible. Now, I wonder where that quiet has gone and I’m lucky if I get a shower in before lunch. As I fret about the lack of time to read my Bible and I grumble about being awoken so early, I hear a quiet whisper. You seek the scriptures to find Me, but I am much closer than that. Maybe snuggling my two year old is a deeper connection to Jesus than a formal quiet time. I remember that Jesus said we must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven. In some ways, this seems intuitive. Children are naturally more spiritual than adults. They are less burdened with the daily grind of life. They have eyes to see their guardian angels and to experience the hand of God in creation. Unfortunately, I have been indoctrinated with a belief that God mus...