Perspective, Long Days, Busy Weekends & Quiet Time

I have been reduced to random, non personal posts lately. Or so it seems. Mostly because the summer is crazy and I have been having a difficult time with, well, time.

My hope is I will be able to pick up my blogging after the summer events have died down and life returns to (semi) normal.

I just wanted to share a unique prayer from an unknown author. It was part of a devotional and it really reminded me that I am not the only one in this world who has difficult times. Also, to treat others as I would want to be treated in a moment of frustration or stupidity.

A Different Type of Prayer
(author unknown):

"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking fellow, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together."

When you think you know...

Have you ever had that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you know something to be true you just don't have "proof"? You just have that intuition...that instinct. I've felt that one too many times. It's not really a relief when you find out, but it's just confirmation of what you already knew.

I must admit I haven't handled "the truth" too well in the past, but I've really been praying for a peace and an understanding in those types of situations. God has been faithful and He prepares my heart by giving me that intuition.

I know that the reason I didn't handle it well was because I was trying to be the one in control. Instead of letting God do the work I was trying to make sure everything was "right". I was the one in the way of what God was trying to do. That is a hard thing to realize, but once I did I was able to take myself out of the pilot's seat and let God do His job. It had to start with me giving up my will and trusting in His perfect plan.

How many times do we try to control a situation so the outcome is one we desire? How many times do we plan things so perfectly for us that we forget it isn't about us? We could be hindering God's work in our lives or someone else's life because we want the control that belongs to God.

I've realized that I cannot control a situation or a person. My responsibility is to trust that God has a plan in every situation and PRAY! I have learned (and am still learning!) to go to God with my feelings of frustration, anger, disappointment, fear, hurt, and betrayal. Who better to turn to than the One who has been through it all and has felt every emotion I will ever feel?

So, today, if you're struggling with control or the feeling of being let down by those you love the most I urge you to get on your knees and seek God's will in this situation. Pray for wisdom, peace and understanding. Ask Him to help you let it go and relax.

Philipians 4: 6 & 7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

I can honestly say that I've never felt so at peace after finding something out that I "knew". However, just be careful not to believe everything you hear unless it comes from that person or you have spoken with them directly.

Those are my words of wisdom for today. Born from personal experience & jotted down really quickly because it was heavy on my heart and felt God was leading me to share it with you.

A good reminder for me today

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Also, don't forget to lift your children up in prayer, daily!
To help me with this I printed up a guide as a visual reminder. You can pray for one each
day of the month or pray for all of them on one day. Either way, it
is a great way to keep our children covered in prayer.

Protecting your parenting rights

This is something that caught my attention today.

First, watch the short video with the father of this 7 year old boy.



Now watch the video from a headline news show...



It seems that our parental rights are slowly being stripped from us. We don't seem to know how to teach our own children, so they say. The government is putting their hands into family lives that they have no business being part of. The government thinks they know what our small children should be learning (see this article for proof of that. Hit "next program" to read the next part of the interview).

It is so important for us, as parents, to be so involved in our children's lives that we know what they are being taught in every situation. Another area we need to be careful of is making sure we have open lines of communication with our children. Making sure we speak with them openly about how God wants us to live or lives. As parents, we have a God given responsibility to teach and train our children the difference between right and wrong. Not the way the world sees it, but the way God sees it. We need to be their primary teacher and example on how to live their life!

This doesn't mean we shun people because of their background, lifestyle or past/present choices. It does mean that we are to be a light, a witness to these people. Praying for them constantly in hopes they will give their lives to Christ and turn from their sinful lifestyle. This doesn't mean we condone their behavior at all. This just means that we are a witness for Christ. Lovingly and gently counseling them and teaching them the correct way to live.

This is just one of the things I've been thinking about today. I wrote it how I thought it. Definitely not "perfect" in anyway...just from the prayerful heart of a mom!

Praise

This is my prayer this morning. Music can be a powerful outlet, but the words are the most important. This prayer was prompted by the song at the end. Please close your eyes while you listen to the words that are sung.

Father in Heaven,

Thank you for sending your Son to die for our sins, so that we may have eternal life through Him. It's only through His sacrifice that we are able to be called your sons and daughters. Only through Jesus' blood being shed that we, in our sinful state, are able to be washed clean. Only through that selfless act can we call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. All we have to do is turn from sin and turn to you and live our lives for you every day. What a small request for so great a sacrifice.

Thank you, Jesus, for rising from the grave and conquering death! Death could not hold you, it has no power over you!

In my imperfection I strive to honor you in all I do and say, every day. I am so thankful that my salvation can never be lost. So many times a day I find myself failing to be the woman or the mother You want me to be. So many times I cry out to you for help, for wisdom, for guidance. You are so faithful! You "never leave me nor forsake me!

Thank you for continuing to show your faithfulness and mercy. For proving, even though you don't need to prove anything, that Your plan is perfect and we just need to trust you. Thank you for sustaining us, you are our all in all. I promise to continue to trust in the plan You have for us even though we don't know what the future holds.

Psalm 138:8 "The Lord will work out his plans for my life, for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

As David prayed this prayer, so do I.