Encouragement for Moms

May 5, 2023Leave a comment

Ever felt a out of your comfort zone? As moms and grandmoms, there are times when we can feel a little overwhelmed. For the next few weeks I want to provide a few inspiring devotionals for moms, as you serve in the hardest job you ever loved. Here’s a Mother’s Day devotional from the book of Esther.

“Appearances can be deceptive. The fact that we cannot see what God is doing does not mean that he is doing nothing.”

Sinclair Ferguson

Key Scripture Esther 4:13 – 16: ‘Don’t think for a moment that you will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed.

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?”

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “God and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then though it is against the law; I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I am willing to die.”

Devotional: God placed Esther in a place of honor; a long way from her humble beginnings as a young Jewish girl. She held the title of queen, living in a Persian palace. Little did she know that God had an even bigger plan for her life. After a decree to destroy the Jews was unwittingly signed by the king, she had to step out of her comfort zone and into unknown territory. One thing was for sure, she knew she must depend on God. As she began her walk of faith, she asked for her people to fast and pray. She didn’t rely on the comfort of her position, but rather the comfort of God’s sovereignty.

It would be nice if we could live in a comfy, safe situation with all of our ducks neatly in a row. Unfortunately that’s not always how life plays out. It may be a stretching experience like being asked to serve in a leadership capacity or it could be a stretching experience due to injury or tragedy. Whatever takes us out of our comfort zone, takes us to the throne of grace. We can learn a lesson from Esther: Trust in God’s sovereignty, pray for His help, and make a wise plan of action.

Prayer for Moms:

Sovereign Lord, praise you that you have plans that are far bigger than I can see. I trust you and know that you are working in ways that are beyond me. Thank you that no matter what I go through, you are with me. No matter where I am, you are there. In the nice, comfy times and in the stretching, scary times I know you will never leave me. Please grant me strength and wisdom for the path you want me to take. In Jesus Name, Amen.

“God’s ways are behind the scenes, but he moves all the scenes which he is behind.” – John Nelson Darby

This devotional is from my book, “The Power of a Positive Mom Devotional and Journal.”

Blessings with a Purpose

October 2, 2021Leave a comment

I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you. Genesis 12:2

God not only blesses us, but he blesses us for a purpose. He blesses us so we will be a blessing. The word bless means, “to benefit.” It implies abundantly or greatly. In the Bible we are reminded that God blessed Abraham abundantly by building a great nation through his seed. He made Abraham’s name great.

God’s blessings are different toward each one of us. Sometimes our blessings may come through the most difficult of trials. The purest gold comes through the most intense heat, and the most beautiful gems are formed through immense pressure. Other blessings may be in the rich joy of family members or friends in our lives.

Everyone can look at unique ways God has blessed their lives. The question is, “Are we focusing on the blessings God has given us or on the frustrations?” Let’s thank God each day for the wonderful ways He blesses us, and then let’s be diligent to use our blessings to bless the world around us.

How does God want to use your gifts and talents to benefit others today?

Calming Ideas for Frazzled Moms

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020Leave a comment

Will school start in person or online? Will you be homeschooling or going back to work or juggling the two? As a mom, you may feel at wit’s end right now with so many unanswered questions. Today’s blog offers you a few points of encouragement as you juggle your continually shifting responsibilities.

When you feel overwhelmed, remember the Stop Method

Step away from the source of frustration

Take several deep, relaxing breaths

Objectively think about how to wisely handle the situation (reengage your brain)

Pray for God’s help, strength & direction

Creating a Peace-filled Environment

Develop simple daily routines (Example: breakfast, reading time, play time, lunch, naptime, craft time, tv time, dinner, Bible stories, bath bed)
Start each day with Gratitude (thank the Lord for 3 things)
Play with your kids instead of working against them – laugh, enjoy, create, sing, color, build a fort, have fun!
Watch shows and movies together
Play peaceful music – having the tv on all the time creates stress
Limit screen time for you and your kids –studies show frustration/anger is elevated when parents are focused on their phone more than their kids.
Get outdoors into God’s wonderful creation, go for family walks
Have naptime every day for you and your kids – we all need a break
Read books, pray and sing silly songs together

Take care of yourself personally – Set aside a little time now and then to stay connected with positive friends through calls or texts. Again, guard against constantly being on your phones as it will only add more stress to your life. If you need a break, see if a family member can help watch the kids while you take a break.

My Hope

July 13, 2020Leave a comment

It’s easy to talk about the problems in our society, but it’s not as easy to discover positive solutions. When I think about journeying down the road to recovery, here are a few things for which I pray:

Love, instead of hatred
Conversations, instead of angry discourse
Listening, instead of demanding
Prayer, instead of ignoring God
Humility, instead of pride
Hope, instead of fear
Nuclear families strengthened, instead of dismantled
Wisdom, instead of foolishness
Biblical values, instead of cultural ideologies
Loving God, instead loving the world
Compassion, instead of self-centeredness

What would you add to the list? It may seem like pie-in-the-sky thinking, but I believe we can each take steps toward healing and hope. Will you join with me in praying for our nation? And as we pray, let’s seek God’s heart on what we can do to make a positive difference in our own communities.

If you are looking for a way to be proactive, I invite you to join the volunteer team with Engage Positive Parenting Initiative. Our desire is to strengthen and restore families through parenting discussion groups. The Engage program not only encourages fruitful conversation and stimulating ideas, but it also builds relationships across the racial divide.

Currently we are holding classes online. Our next Volunteer Training will be Wednesday, August 12, 10:00 – 1:00 CT via zoom. You can find out more information about Engage and sign up for training at www.EngageParenting.com

You Can Do Something Positive

April 6, 2020Leave a comment

Young african woman smiling at sunset

Perhaps you are feeling a little antsy right now. Perhaps that’s an understatement. You’ve watched all your favorite movies, cleaned out every junk drawer and taken your dog on three walks a day. Maybe you are wishing that you could do something – anything – meaningful. The good news is, each of us can find one positive thing to do to help others.

Selfless acts lift our spirits and help us fell as sense of purposefulness. We may not be able to solve all the world’s problems, but we can do small acts of kindness in our own sphere of influence. Here are some creative ideas gleaned from people around me that may spur you on to love and good deeds:

Several friends are using their sewing abilities to make face masks for health care workers and individuals.
Others are gathering groceries and leaving them on the doorstep of those who need help or have lost their jobs.
Some are making a deliberate effort to write at least one note a day to uplift the heart of another.
In my world, I help direct an organization calledEngage Positive Parenting Initiative. Since we serve parents in under-resourced areas, my team has joined together to assemble family fun packs filled with snacks and activities to encourage and help homebound parents.
One thing that all of us can and should do each day is fall to our knees and pray. There is a true sense of peace we experience when we sincerely go to the Lord on behalf of others. Ask God to comfort the hurting and bring hope to those in despair. Pray for our leaders and the healthcare workers and first responders. Pray for an effective vaccine to be developed quickly. Pray for those who are sick and dying here and around the world. Ask God to show you what you can do and who you should reach out to using the gifts He has given you.

Yes, everyone can do something positive! When we do these simple acts of love, we bring joy into our own environment as well as the world around us. Stay Calm. Stay Kind. Stay Strong.