Monday Morning Memo: Persistent Prayers

Thanksgiving is over and I enjoyed every minute.  Two of our children and their families joined us for the day and the only thing that could have made it more perfect would have been if our oldest daughter and her family could have been here too.  We ate, laughed and just enjoyed being together and I felt so very blessed.

 

With six of our grandchildren here (ranging from 11 months - 8 years old)…this grandma’s heart was bursting.  To hear them giggling…running through the house…and telling me story after story with eyes just a-dancin’…was such a blessing.  I soaked in every moment and so enjoyed just loving on them.  More than once I heard, “Grandma, I want to sit with you” and as a result, my lap was full with two and sometimes three young ones at the same time.  It was wonderful.

 

Since that day, I’ve realized I have neglected to do something for them that is really important.  Although I pray for them, I haven’t been praying for their future spouses on a regular basis.  I know that may sound rather crazy…praying for the person who will someday marry James (11 months old), Charlotte (3), Ezra (4), Emma (6), Ezekiel (6), Elias (8) and Kayden (17)…but that’s exactly what I did with my own children and it is important I also do it for my grandchildren.   I know that besides asking Jesus into their heart…choosing a life partner will be one of the most important decisions they will ever make.  So, if it is that crucial, I know that praying not only for them, but for their future spouse…needs to be a priority in my life.

I can’t put into words how amazing it was to watch Christ answer those prayers for each of our children.  We are blessed to have a Christian daughter-in-law and two Christian sons-in-law as a part of our family.  With each wedding, I thanked my Jesus over and over again for hearing my prayers and answering them in such a powerful way.  

 

Could He have worked all of this out without my years of praying?  Of course He could have.  But, I would have missed out on having a part in the entire process.   Oh, I learned so much over those years.  You see with each prayer…I fell just a little more in love with the future family member whom I didn’t even know.  I cared more and more for them as I prayed for their health, their protection, and above all, their relationship with Jesus.  I not only prayed for our child to become the Christ follower that he or she should be…but I lifted up their future mate…asking Jesus to draw them near to Him.  Then, as each spouse entered our family, I already loved them and felt like I had had a part in their lives…even if I hadn’t known who they were for many years.

 

If you are a parent or grandparent and aren’t praying for your children’s and grandchildren’s future mate…I want to urge you to begin doing so today.  Whether they are newborns or adults…praying for them and their future mate is one of the greatest gifts you will ever give them.  You may never know what your prayers have shielded them from or how they have been blessed by them…but I can attest to the fact that Christ will hear your prayers and will bless you for your persistent prayers.

 

“Never stop praying.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Monday Morning Memo: Button Pushers

Well, ready or not…here it comes!  This week begins the holiday madness of cooking, cleaning, shopping…so that you can spend love-filled, heartwarming, Hallmark-like time at various family gatherings.  Right?  OK…maybe that’s not what will take place for you between now and the end of the year.  I hope it is a fair description…but unfortunately, I know for some…the days ahead hold everything but a loving family scene.

 

We may (hopefully) get along great with our spouse, but please don’t make us be in the same room with certain family members.  Or, maybe we get along fine with our family, but please God, don’t make us sit in the same pew at church with that hypocrite who only shows up at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

 

Most people have someone in their life that really irritates them.  This may be someone with whom they have a strained relationship or someone who just knows how to push their buttons.  And while it is often fairly easy to avoid these difficult people during the rest of the year…it sometimes is impossible to do so at holidays or special events…causing more stress than most are willing to endure.

 

Maybe the questions we need to ask ourselves when we are faced with these types of circumstances are, What can I do to change this situation?  Can I make this person change?  The answer is no.  If I nag and nag and nag will the situation get better?  The answer is no.  If I whine, complain and grumble about it to everyone I meet will it make the holidays bearable?  The answer is probably no. 

 

If I pray for this person and our relationship…will God hear my prayers?  The answer is yes.  If I pray for this person and our relationship…can God begin to change the other person and me?  The answer is yes.  If I pray for this person and our relationship…will my heart begin to soften and will I begin to see this person through God’s eyes instead of mine?  The answer is probably yes.

 

I Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the love chapter and I really like how some of the verses are written in the version The Message. They say:

 

“So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first”,
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.” 

 

WOW.  I know if I am honest, I fall way short in living out these verses on a daily basis.  I’m guessing if I really took these words seriously…using them as my guide for how to pray for those who push my buttons…I just might see God work in a mighty way.  What could God accomplish if each day I prayed,

 

“God, help me to never give up loving _________ (insert name).  Help me to care more for him/her than myself.  Lord, help me not to think that I am better than him/her and help me to not fly off the handle when I am irritated.  Help me to not rank sins…pointing out his/her indiscretions and neglecting to ask for forgiveness for mine.  Father, help me to trust you with _________ (insert name) and our relationship…knowing that you are able to do far more than I can even imagine.  Help me Lord to always be the person who you want me to be…until the day when you call me home.  Amen.” 

 

If you are looking for something to give Jesus this year for His birthday…I have a feeling He would love for you and me to commit to praying this prayer every day.  Who knows…maybe in doing this our holidays will end up being what they were intended to be…a time of praise and a time of celebrating Jesus’ birth…instead of a stressful time of button pushing J

Monday Morning Memo: "Just"

We were blessed recently to have three of our grandsons, ages 4, 6 & 8 come for a sleepover.  My oh my…do those boys have energy!  They came running in the house…eyes just dancing…all excited for the hours ahead.

 

Their personalities are so different.  Elias, 8, came in and immediately sat down at our kitchen island and began drawing us new pictures to display on our refrigerator.  Ezekiel, 6, sat down on a kitchen stool next to his brother…but all that was on his mind was what we were going to eat at our meals.  His first question is always the same, “Can we have pancakes?”  Trust me, saying no to that boy is next to impossible.  And then there is Ezra, 4, who is a combination of his brothers.  He came in and flashed me one of his huge smiles…and I knew we were in for some fun 😊

 

Oh, how wonderful it was to spend those hours with them.  They rode on our tractors, played outside, ate, watched some TV (so Grandma could rest!), asked me to read to them, slept a little and did I say they ate?  It is fun to cook for them because they love to eat!

 

We really didn’t do anything during those hours that was newsworthy.  We didn’t travel anywhere or shower them with expensive gifts.  We “just” spent time together playing…eating…talking…laughing…listening…and of course there were a few tears.  But I wouldn’t trade those moments with them for anything in the world.  There was no other place I wanted to be than “just” being with them…investing in their precious young lives and learning all I can about them.

 

As we sat down for one of our meals together, one of the boys spoke up and said he wanted to pray for our meal.  He bowed his head and said, “Dear Jesus, thank you that we get to be with grandpa and grandma”.  Melt.my.heart.  

 

I wonder if there are times when my Jesus wishes I would spend more time with Him.  Not time which includes going to church or helping in an area ministry or even doing good things for my community.  No, “just” time with Him and me…talking…laughing…sharing…listening…and of course maybe even shedding a few tears.  Time when I am content to “just” be with Him…not telling Him to do what I think He should do…but time when He can speak and I can listen so I can learn more and more about Him.  Time when I bow my head and thank Him for the privilege of spending time with Him.

 

We are living in crazy times when we can get so wrapped up with our hectic schedules that we fail to spend time just being with our family talking…laughing…sharing and listening.  And most importantly, times when we fail to just be with our Jesus, one on one, so we can learn more about Him and hear His voice.  

 

How can we expect to have strong family relationships and a vibrant, Spirit-filling walk with Jesus…if we don’t prioritize our time with them?  This week let’s make sure that “just” being present, even if it includes shedding some tears, will be just what we need to strengthen our relationships and fill our souls. 

 

“Look at how good and pleasing it is
    when families live together as one!” 

Psalm 133:1 (CEB)

Monday Morning Memo: The Winning Side

If you watch TV or are on any other social media venue, I’m sure you have noticed that many people seem to have an opinion to share on the midterm election tomorrow and on politics in general.  I get it…I have opinions and beliefs too and I am more than willing to share with you why I believe what I believe.  But,  I’m actually amazed at times of what some people share and the anger which seems to fuel them.  There isn’t anything wrong with voicing your thoughts on a candidate or a political issue, but I am saddened with the way some decide to use the opportunity to attack others.  We all have the right to our own opinions, but why is it so difficult to share them without assaulting others with our words?

 

Unfortunately, we seem to almost relish stepping all over others while we loudly tell our political views.  Why is it then, when it comes to our religious beliefs, we are often silent and use the excuse that we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes?  When we have the opportunity to speak up and share what Christ has done for us, we chicken out because we might be rejected or looked down on.  Instead of telling others, in love, that we have the answer to their searching, we just hope and pray that an ordained minister comes along to tell them the Good News.

 

I have to wonder what would happen if we were as willing to share our faith as we are to share our politics.  Would it make a difference in eternity?  I believe it would.  Time is of the essence and we need to be willing to speak boldly about our Jesus to a lost world.  

Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, I’m sure you want to be on the winning side.  Well with Jesus, we can be confident that we are…and always will be…the winners! 

 

“Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.”

Psalm 96:3

Monday Morning Memo: In His Family Together

If you have been in my home, you know that I really don’t have a theme as far as my decorating.  I pretty much have things on the walls and sitting around that I like…regardless of whether they all flow together or not.  I’ve heard people say their style of decorating is country, or modern, or eclectic, or traditional or mid-century modern…my style is just me.  I really don’t care if it is the latest fashion or not…I just want to feel comfortable with it and I want my home to feel comfortable to those who visit.

 

My decorating includes several scenery pictures on my wall which I really like, but there is one that has a very special meaning to us.  A dear friend of ours painted this picture that I’m sharing with you today.  While I’m sure we would love it if we just saw it in a store, it has a much deeper meaning to us because the artist is someone we know.  We have spent time with him, and we know him fairly well, so when he gave it to us it immediately became a prized possession of ours. 

 

The photographs I have in my home of my family also mean the world to me.  Looking at them brings me comfort, happiness and a feeling of contentment.  Why?  Because I know those in the photos well and oh, I love them so.  I have spent hours and hours with them and have desired to know everything about them.  I could put pictures of your family throughout my home and while I would think they were nice…I wouldn’t have the same feelings when I looked at them as I do with my own family.  I know my family intimately because I have spent time with them and of course, we are related.  If I ever feel distant from them, it is usually because I haven’t spent quality time with them recently. 

 

The same is true with my relationship to my Jesus.  Those times when I feel alone and I become discouraged, He can feel distant to me.  Is that because He has left me, or is it maybe because I haven’t spent quality time with Him for a while?  Have I been reading His Word because I truly want to know Him intimately, or am I just skimming the words to be able to mark it off my to-do list? 

 

I am the daughter of the author of this precious book and so it should be my desire to know everything about Him.  I should know Him so well that I ought to feel comfortable in His presence as I share with Him and He shares with me.  Being with my Jesus should bring me comfort, happiness and a feeling of contentment; but none of that will happen unless I desire to know everything about Him and want to live my life according to His instructions.

 

When you enter my home, I’m guessing it won’t take you long to know how much I love my family because of everything I have displayed.  But since I know I must love my Jesus even more, you should also realize my love for Him.  I want you to sense that the Holy Spirit lives in me and through me.  If you don’t…then I have failed.

 

I have a long way to go to be the follower of Jesus He wants me to be.  I know I need to spend more time in His Word…devouring His truths so they become my truths.  Since He is my Father, I want to learn everything He wants to teach me and I hope you want to also.  I think we all need to support each other and encourage each other on our journey because we are all in His family together.  And I just can’t help but think that maybe when we get to heaven and see the home He has prepared for us…there might be pictures of us displayed for all to see.  Why?  Because we are His children and oh, He loves us so!

 

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. 

In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself 

but only by being joined to the vine, 

you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

I am the Vine, you are the branches. 

When you’re joined with me and I with you, 

the relation intimate and organic,

 the harvest is sure to be abundant.”

John 15:4-8 (The Message)

Monday Morning Memo: Selective Hearing...ME?

Last week I shared about our children having selective hearing.  They seem to be able to hear us when we ask them if they want some ice cream…but are suddenly deaf if we ask them to do a task around the house.  It’s not that they don’t hear us…they just sometimes choose not to listen.

 

While I was putting that particular post together…I kept sensing God asking me if I was good at listening.  Do I hear Him when He speaks to me and immediately obey…or do I often pretend not to hear and continue to do my own thing?  Yes, many children today need to learn to do as they’re told…but if I’m honest…I have some work to do in this area also.

 

As I have shared…the past several months have been difficult for me and I have struggled to see God’s plan for my life.  I have prayed over and over again for Him to reveal what He wants me to do…since several of the things I have felt called to do in the past…just aren’t possible at this point due to my health.  I have become frustrated, discouraged and if I’m honest, probably a little cranky.

 

But I realized a couple weeks ago that it wasn’t that God wasn’t hearing my prayers…it was that I wasn’t listening to His answers.  Because you see…I didn’t want to accept the answers He was giving me…so I conveniently chose not to listen. 

 

This realization came to me as I was talking to a friend whom I deeply respect.  He was asking me how my health was at this point and then asked how I was handling it mentally.  I shared with him my discouragement and frustration in not knowing what God’s plan was for my life right now and he calmly said, “Sure you do.  You know what His plan is for you…you are living it right now.  What you are going through is God’s plan for you at this time.  You may not like it and it may not be easy…but this is His plan for you.”  His statement hit me like a ton of bricks…because I’ve heard God telling me that…but I haven’t wanted to accept it.  What He’s been telling me hasn’t been what I wanted to hear…so I figured if I just kept acting like I wasn’t hearing Him…He might change His mind 😊

 

Then this past week, my devotions took me to Isaiah 43:18-19, which reads,

 

18) “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
19) See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

 

Verse 19 means so much to our family because God has used it to do great things for us…but I’m not sure I ever paid attention to verse 18.  I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that as I read that verse, God was reaffirming that I am not to dwell in the past.  I’m not to hold onto whatever His prior will was for me.  He is now doing something new and He WILL make a way in the wilderness of my life and bring the most needed water in my wasteland.  My past was because of Him…now I need to trust Him with my present and my future because it is all for His glory.

 

What about you?  Are you listening for God’s voice and immediately obeying Him…or are you like I was and choosing to have selective hearing?  I can attest to the fact that you will have a lot more peace if you decide to accept His plan and be obedient to His directives.  After all, He knows your yesterday, today and tomorrow…so who could be better at giving you directions than Him!

Monday Morning Memo: Selective Hearing

If you still have children at home…do they always obey you the first time you tell them to do something?  Are they always perfect angels who stand at attention when you enter the room?  If you answered “Yes” to both questions…then you need to be the one writing this post today!  I’ve talked to a lot of parents over the years and many of them say they usually have to repeat themselves over and over again before their children do what they are told to do.  They often hope the situation will improve as their children get older…but that is rarely the case.

 

I realized when our children were growing up that they could easily have selective hearing…hearing only what they wanted to hear.  One way to test this was to say to them, “Hey, who wants ice cream?”  If they immediately said, “I DO!”, I could be pretty sure that they were probably making the choice not to hear me when I told them to do something that they didn’t want to do.  Very few children need to be asked over and over again if they want something that is a delectable delight or is a fun adventure.

 

We came to the realization with our children that they usually did hear us the first time and so we decided there would be a consequence if they didn’t obey the first time.  We had to figure out what the one thing was that each child really didn’t want to lose and then if they chose not to obey, that one privilege was taken away.  For example, if one of our children loved electronics and made the decision not to obey us, those electronics were taken away from them for an undisclosed length of time.

 

The reason we didn’t tell them how long they would be without their “privilege” was because we realized that if we told them a week, that child would behave beautifully for a week until they got their privilege returned to them and then their bad habit would return.  So, we told them that when we saw a consistent change in their behavior, they would regain their privilege.  I can remember being asked, “How much longer?” several times because it really was hard on them to not know when their privilege would be returned.

 

Do you know what?  All three of our children survived and soon learned to listen the first time they were told to do something.  We didn’t even have to count…which is a huge pet peeve of mine.  I will probably get flack for this, but it really bothers me when I hear a parent tell their child to do something and when they choose not to listen, the adult starts counting.  “One…two…three…four…five…and I’ve heard some go up as far as ten and many times nothing happens at that point.  The adult stops counting and the child still chooses not to listen.  Why?  Because that little darling is smarter than you think and they know you will tire of counting!  

 

Parenting is hard…really hard…and you will face many challenges along the way.  I know it isn’t always easy being the “bad guy” to your children because we all want our kids to be our friend and think we are the greatest.  But we need to remember that children are actually happier when they have boundaries and limits and that one of our jobs as a parent is to make sure they learn to respect and honor those who have authority over them.

 

Ephesians 6:2-3 tells us, “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  Most children are not going to automatically learn to honor their parents and those in authority without our guidance.  We must be consistent and loving in our discipline because we know that this is what God wants for them.  Learning this will become a life skill that will go with them the rest of their lives.  If we can keep that in mind now when they are young, there is a higher probability that as adults they will have a positive influence on our world in the years to come.   And that will make these trying days oh so worth it!

^“No discipline is enjoyable while it is 

happening—it’s painful! 

But afterward there will be a peaceful 

harvest of right living 

for those who are trained in this way.”

Hebrews 12:11