Sunday, April 22
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| Credit: Amazon.com |
She also included a note of encouragement with words that flowed straight out of the heart of God through her pen to me. I had been struggling with my parenting. Even though I know God's ways are good, pleasing, and perfect and that He never makes a mistake, I had felt wholly inadequate to parent one of our kids and wondered why God entrusted that child into my imperfect care. I realized that I was experiencing a crisis of belief. On Saturday, I had acknowledged to my husband that I could not be the mother God intended for these children until I fully believe and accept that I am God's perfect choice for them. In His strength and wisdom alone can I parent them effectively. When we rely only on our own efforts, none of us will parent well...but through Him, I can be a great mom to these kids. This friend had no idea that I was struggling, yet her words gave me just the encouragement I needed. My kids often tell me I'm a great mom, but I always dismiss these words as vain flattery to make up for their latest behavioral offense. This note, however, was clearly from the Lord Himself, and gave me the encouragement I could finally receive.
Lessons/Reminders:
- The Lord is ever patient with His stubborn people whom He fittingly refers to as "sheep".
- He is awesome and mighty, yet He tenderly cares for His people. "His eye is on the sparrow, and he watches over me."
- He will equip those He calls.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Monday, April 23
I experienced a bit of a panic attack when I saw how much was on our calendar this week, so I attempted to complete several days worth of homeschooling and household chores in one day to make up for all that we would surely miss in the days to follow. I went to bed very late that night feeling frustrated and exhausted.
The kids and I began a new Bible study together which devoted special attention to moral training and has helped ignite a desire in them to develop Godly character. Nothing delights me more than teaching our children God's word.
Lessons/Reminders:
- Always leave buffer time in the calendar, and do not try to do more than a day's work each day.
- Training a child's heart is always more important than academics.
Matthew 6:34Tuesday, April 24
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This day was the last regular day of LAMBS (Ladies A.M. Bible study with a phenomenal program for kids) until next season starts back in the fall. The small group Bible study was excellent as always, and the large group speaker really needs to publish some best sellers with all her wisdom. We concluded the book of Acts, and I guess my biggest impression from the book is Paul's example of a purpose driven life. Paul faced more persecution, hardships, suffering, and obstacles than any of us can possibly imagine. Yet, his heart and mind were always fixed on Christ. He always kept a clear conscience before God as he fulfilled his calling by God to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. "He was more aware of God's power and word in him than his circumstances." (Beth Evans)
Before the lecture time, the kids sang some songs for us with cute hand motions.
Lessons/Reminders:
- To live a life of purpose with a clear conscience, focus on Christ, not on circumstances.
- At any time and in any of life's trials, come to Him like little children and make a joyful noise.
Acts 23:1
[ Paul before the Council ] Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “ Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”
1 Chronicles 16:23Wednesday, April 25
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Wednesdays are always my busiest days with at least a dozen errands to run. Some highlights from this particular Wednesday included:
- My son received a certificate of achievement from his piano teacher for playing a duet with me so well. The teacher likes to reward students who practice diligently.
- I took the kids on a date to Pizza Hut.
- We attended AWANA family night where the kids had a blast on the inflatables and at the dunking booth. Many of the adults stood in line as often as the kids did at the dunking booth where, unlike with the inflatables, there were no participant size restrictions.
- I finally got to hold a close friend's 3-months-old baby boy whom I had not yet seen in person. His parents have faced medical issues before with another child, so they have dutifully kept this kid in a bubble. It was a pleasure to hold him, but he eyes remained completely transfixed on his mama.
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| Another friend holds baby while baby's eyes stay locked on his mother. |
- The kids are more diligent in doing their chores or practicing piano when their parents do those chores with them. Duets and "family band" times are a blessing to our family.
Family band - Even the simplest efforts to spend special time with our kids, like taking the kids out for pizza, goes a long way in filling their love tanks.
- Even adults never outgrow the desire to throw a ball and dunk fun-loving adults. Unfortunately, some of these adults also learned that falling inside a dunking tank can cause serious back pain as one grows older.
- May we look to God, our Protector, Provider, and Sustainer, with at least as much love, admiration, and fixed gaze as an infant has for his mother.
One highlight from Thursday was watching my 5-year old charmer participant in an 85 minute gymnastics class in which he was the only boy. These girls had been taking all season while this class was our boy's first since he took a few classes at age 3. He did great, though, and kept up as well as any of the girls, I am told.
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| My girl at the play |
Lessons/Reminders:
- When someone repeatedly hurts you and speaks evil against you, instead of seeking revenge or harboring bitterness, pray for him or her.
- Instead of trying desperately (and in vain) to be good so as to impress others, look instead to the goodness of God. Point others to Christ, not yourself.
- Always be hopeful in every circumstance, trusting in God's provision and promise to work all things together for good for those who love Him. When the world gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Numbers 23:19
“ God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Romans 8:28Friday, April 27
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
I cannot even begin to describe all that God taught me at the Joy Prom (a full service prom for teens and adults with special needs) where I served as a hostess. During grade school, my church youth group made yearly trips to a home for those with special learning needs, so I have been around people with various special needs in social settings plenty of times before. Through the training, preparations, and time spent at the Joy Prom, however, God opened my heart and understanding so much further with regard to how He manifests His glory through those with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities.
Aside:
A precious sister in Christ barely escaped death when a drunk driver hit her car during the week before her due date with her second child. By God's grace, her husband and firstborn were in the car behind her, so they were kept safe, and he phoned for help. She was air-lifted to the hospital just in time to save her life and that of the child in her womb. However, my friend suffered great physical injury, requiring surgeries, and her newborn child experienced severe brain injury. She has written of that experience and how she has handled all the "Why, God?" questions that came with such grief on her blog. With so much injury to the brain, her new daughter endured countless hospitalizations and the most rigorous therapy schedule imaginable. Those years were immensely exhausting, but when the Lord took her daughter home at age four, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people who had known her testified of Christ's glory radiating through her. This young child, whose brain was perfect until the injustice of a drunk driver permanently damaged it (during her earthly life, but not her heavenly one), could not walk, talk, or feed herself, yet she inspired so many others as her eyes sparkled with the love of Jesus.
The Joy Prom event is fittingly named "Joy Prom" because the guests express overflowing joy and unconditional love for one another. No one seemed the least bit self-conscious, jealous, gossipy, or insecure. They danced their hearts out while making sure that everyone who wanted to dance had a dance partner. I have never really found myself in social circles where alcohol was deemed necessary to relax and enjoy a party or dance. The joy of the Lord and His Holy Spirit in me is the only "spirit" I need. Yet, these guests seemed more relaxed, more comfortable in their own skin, and more filled with glee than the world's happiest drunk. (I'm trying to paint a visual here with no disrespect intended whatsoever.)
Exhibit A: Chicken Dance
Exhibit B: Dance Off
To learn more about the Joy Prom and to view pictures, click here. To learn more about why special needs ministries are so important to God, click here.
Lessons/Reminders:
- God's glory is manifest in those with special needs. (See John 9)
- We honor the Lord when we willingly and lovingly serve the special needs community.
- Those without special needs can learn a lot about selfless love for one another, true joy, and Godly contentment by observing the special needs community.
Matthew 25:40Saturday, April 28
The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
I was up until 3:30 a.m. after the Joy prom processing and writing about the event. My daughter and I had made plans to attend a ladies' (in)Courage meet-up event an hour away the following day, so I woke up just in time to rush out the door. I thought the mini women's conference would be great mother-daughter bonding opportunity while providing some spiritual refreshment for us both. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, we were not able to stream the conference into the hostesses home, so instead, the other ladies and I spent the day chatting like adolescents and hopefully offering spiritual encouragement to one another. Food, flowers, and canines with funky eyes were also there to strengthen, inspire, and entertain us. At least we each will receive a T-shirt at some point.
Lessons/Reminders:
- Stop using distance as an excuse to postpone visiting precious friends. An afternoon with true friends who love, encourage, and inspire is ALWAYS worth the drive.
- Long drives in the car and ladies' only events provide wonderful mother/daughter bonding moments.
Proverbs 27:17Sunday, May 29, 9:30 a.m.
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
Every Joy Prom guest (approximately 600 guests came) was invited to the Joy Class (a Bible class for those with special learning needs) that meets on Sunday mornings. The class leaders requested additional helpers in case a large number of visitors came that day. So, I volunteered, and once again, it was a blessing to be around such amazing people. I discovered that many of these class members have impressive compensating abilities. One man was especially gifted with Bible knowledge. When each teaching point was presented during class, he would quickly turn to an appropriate Bible passage and begin reading, teaching, and explaining. He explained complex subjects that great theologians have struggled to grasp with a natural affinity and intellect that blew me away. I was later told that he is an expert in eschatology.
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| A few members of the Joy Class (including the theologian) |
Lesson/Reminder:
Never assume that because someone suffers a disability in one area that they struggle in every area. Exceptional ability often accompanies disability. Just as God used Moses, who had a speech impediment of some kind, God's strength is manifest through our weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
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