God is so good...

I know it's been a while since I posted, sorry about that. Life in general has been wild and crazy around here.

This will be a short post, but I wanted to just give God praise and glory! My DH has been out of work since December when his company closed. It has been a LONG five months. But God has been so good and so faithful. We have never done without. Our bills have been paid. We have felt a little "squeeze" but nothing like I had anticipated!

Just when I began to worry... something or someone would come our way... showing God's provision through so many avenues! He is soooo good to us.

Today, DH recieved a job offer. A great offer with lot's of added perks. We are blessed beyond all measure. And relieved! But through all this, I am THANKFUL for this time of testing we have gone through. It has taught me to have MORE faith, and MORE trust, and to pray.... God the Almighty, has taught me a few things and for that I am so thankful!

For those who have prayed! Thank you!

Pray without ceasing...

How do we do that? I mean really, I am a wife, and a mom to seven children. I homeschool, I teach music, I lead praise and worship, I do this and that and then some! How do I pray without ceasing?

For me, (and this is not at all theologically based) it is that I continue to be in an attitude that is open for prayer. That I try to do the best I can to follow the Lord, and focus on Him, and allow myself to be open to His "pricking" of my heart to pray.

I have learned that it is ok to say a one sentence prayer, God is listening. It doesn't have to be formal and perfect and eloquent. I can be washing dishes and think, "Lord, Help my daughter to find friends that serve you." Or maybe I am giving my little kids a bath, and say "Lord, thank you for entrusting me with this child. Help me to be a better parent and for them to know Your love above all." I think we too often allow ourselves to get so busy in our "mind" that there isn't an open port for God to whisper into.

Yes, I am a busy mom. I have a lot of responsibilities... but I try to not let my mind get so cluttered with things that do not really affect me or my life. I want to have an open space, even if it's little bitty, where I can still be sensitive to the voice of God.

Thank you Lord. And by the way, please teach me to see my children more like YOU see my children! Amen

(See that was really easy.)

I have been reading...

The Power of a Praying Parent... and it is sucking the life out of me! Well not really, but the prayers and time I have been pouring out on behalf of my children have. I have a unique situation in that I have four teend 14 and up.... then a 7 year gap and 3 children seven and down. I am thankful that I have rediscovered this book on the behalf of all of my children. I pray it chages the future of my youngest three, and prevents some of what I see happening in my older ones. Why didn't someone tell me, that one they hit 12 or so... the beautiful picture of life changes! Not that I love them any less, but the worries change, the faith must increase with that. Wow.... it is hard to be a christian, praying mom.

As I was waiting on one of my older kiddo's, who had an appointment, I read the chapter on "Releasing My Child into God's Hands". Can I just say.... I don't like this chapter. One, it convicted me...which is never comfortable. But it also hurt my heart as I contemplated "releasing" my child. I mean, isn't it our JOB as a parent to protect, guide, protect, teach, protect... well you get the idea. I know when each of them were babies, we commited them to the Lord. But... now, it's more than that. It is releasing God's power and authority over thier life instead of mine, and TRUSTING Him, to take care of them. That is painful....

One of the lines Stormie Omartian wrote is "If we're not positive that God is in control of our child's lives, we will be ruled by fear." Well that pretty much sums up my life! I guess my one question to her is... what about when your child seems to want to follow everything else "but" God. It is easier to release when you know they have a heart towards God. But, daily, I will trust God with my kids. I realize that I may have to keep giving them back to the Lord.... as I do seem to keep taking them back. I don't know that my heart can hold up to this for SEVEN children. Right now, two of them are killing their mama's heart.

But I do know that I have brought them up in the "right" way... and I will pray that what they "know" will stay planted... even if they are playing in the storms.All for today I guess.

Just checking in...

I've been running every direction the past few days.

God is so good. I have to give testimony to His wonderful presence and His grace. I am so thankful that I have such a Almighty Father to run to when times are distressing. He is is my Comfort, my Strength, my Rock.... there is nothing that is to hard for Him to handle.

I am learning that I must lay everything that I love and adore before the throne of God. For it is only through Him that I can believe that all I have done, and all the prayers that I have prayed, will not be forgotten or cast aside when it comes to my children.

More later, must get ready for church soon! :)