Suppose with Rose

In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (NKJV)

Early morning conversation with Haley who is four…
“Mom, you member when I slept with Kayla for Christmas?”
“Yes,” I said.
“When Santa brought me presents.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know I liked that?” she asked.
“I’m sure you did. But can I tell you who brings you the biggest present?”
“Did you bring me the biggest present?”

“No, Jesus did.”

“Really Mom, Jesus brought me my castle?!?!”

I paused for just a moment for reflection… She had received a large Little People Castle because she wanted to be a princess…

“Yes child in so very many ways Jesus brought you your castle.”

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5: 1-5

If it isn’t obvious God knows that He can reach me through children both mine and others.

My eldest takes horse riding lessons. This is her choosing and it is something she works hard for. She pays for one lesson we pay for one lesson. In order to make her money she is given $20 a week and must pick out and pay for dinner. Then cook and clean up. She gets to keep her change. At least this is how it was originally set up.

Now she has had her first fall. It wasn’t little. And she is frightened to get back on.

God calls us to persevere through tribulation. Thus I too must persevere for mine. The do as I say style doesn’t yield good results.

Over the past few days I’ve stood in awe and wonder of His saving grace for our little girls and have fallen on my knees praising and thanking Him for giving me this day with each of them.

I am glad to state that she decided when the doctor says its safe she will return to the saddle.

Caution: Character Development In Progress.

Prayer:

Tribulation abounds Lord. But I choose to rejoice. Thank you for grace as I persevere through faith.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20 

Both times we’ve been pregnant we were trying and a positive test was the indicator. For a brief moment only God and I knew of my condition. I’d been told conception was close to impossible.

That being said, the first time our joy was uncontainable. Everyone that we wanted to know knew.

The second time was different. I was spotting with the positive test. The doctor conducted a very early sonogram.

“Cyst, cyst, cyst. Cyst, cyst, baby, maybe baby,” he could tell the difference. Despite an evident, steady, flicker the doctor offered no hope. No due date. And no bed rest could help this condition.

We didn’t broadcast our expecting. We didn’t want to let anyone down.

I compare this to my journey as a believer.

There was a time when only God and I knew of my salvation, and the world told  me salvation was impossible. At first my joy was uncontainable, yet surrounded by little hope I hid my faith. In part, afraid of letting anyone down.

The third trimester there was no denying my expecting and on the arrival of our child there was no denying our blessing. Our condition showed.

Prayer:

Lord, may there be no denying my identity as Your child.

…Mary said, “how can this be since I do not know a man?” the angel answered…”The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you…” Luke 1:34-35

I completed the Passion Pursuit by Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery. Topic: marital intimacy. Any lady who is married, or hopes to be, could glean much.

One principle introduced was intimate knowing. The same Greek word, “yada”, expresses the way a husband knows a wife AND the way God knows us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Once we accept that God’s love for us came first, there is marriage. A public announcement of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We poured two different colored sands into a glass at our wedding. This symbolized the difficulty of separation. It’d be like separating each grain of colored sand from the other.

We came together beautifully; children have come into the picture. That day of matrimony created a different color in each of our children.

The sands are together in my marriage physical and spiritual.

There’s beautiful colors. There’s ugly colors. Sometimes I pour from the wrong container or paint with the wrong brush.

Prayer:

I praise You for this new creation Father and the work you’ve done in my life. Oh Lord how I long to empty the ugly.

… You shall love your neighbor as yourself… Matthew 22:39

My daughter is beginning to experience the taunting of the world. “They are saying he loves me, Mom, I don’t like that.” I told her that she should love her neighbor and that treating a person nice shows love. If you love him as your neighbor your being obedient to God.

“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage!” And you know the more I think of this the more I realize how true this taunting is for our Christian walk.

“First comes love,” John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

“Then comes marriage,” Luke 1:34-35 … Mary said, “how can this be, since I  not know a man?” the angel answered…,”The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

“Then comes the baby in the baby carriage,” Matthew 28: 19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Prayer:

Lord, may she be reminded that this worlds taunting falls around your protection and may she train her ears to hear you in all she says and that you would have her do.

… “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:8 (NKJV)

There is a red suited cheerful man that adorns the world at Christmas time. And he often states “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!” I know you’ve seen him.

There are many times I’ve considered this an empty greeting.

I am reminded of John 8:7 and Jesus’ words, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Jesus is the reason for the season I have no choice but to agree. Christmas is when I celebrate the word becoming flesh because of love for you and me.

Those empty greetings have a way of bringing me to my knees. So when the world proclaims HO, HO, HO, I’ll think He’s Omnipotent, He’s Omnipresent, He’s Omniscient.

Though He is supreme He Omnipotent-ly Loves You.

Though He is and always has been with you. He Omnipresent-ly Loves You. Though He knows every thought in your mind, heart, and soul He Omnisciently Loves You.

Prayer:

I thank you Lord that HO HO HO has taken on a new meaning.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

I was four. In route down the bank between the ponds, I had a message to tell Dad. My pink bicycle with training wheels was my ride. This was a new identity. A new freedom.

Then the training wheels sent me off course. I hit a rock and went pond pedaling. I was not afraid. My Daddy was on his way. Meanwhile I held my breath and bike and floated across the pond.

I’m alive and well today. My Daddy saved me.

But that wasn’t the lesson of my submarine adventure. Sometimes that which is
“supposed” to help throws me.

Dad carried me in one arm. My bike in the other. Smiling teeth held the cigar. I told him just how I felt about those training wheels. They came off.

I learned to balance myself. I fell. But learned each fall. They were my falls. Part of my new identity and freedom.

So too is this the case as a child of God. We must seek the Holy Spirit ourselves for what message we are to glean then fearlessly trust Father.

Prayer:

Thank You that I can call you Abba. And while in the midst of the falling it is hard to accept. Thank you that I am free to fall. I will seek Your lesson with each experience.

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said,[e] ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.  John 14:25-28

“Mom, I have a question.” Anytime my darling seven year old makes this announcement I consider myself warned.

“An angel appeared to Mary. An angel appeared to Joseph. An angel appeared to the sheperds. How come I have never seen a real angel? Are they even real?”

She has entered the age of reasoning. Earlier this year she began questioning the reality of everything. Including God.

“What does the bible say?” I ask.

“Then why don’t I get to see them?”

“You have something they didn’t have, do you know what it is? ”

Together we seek scripture and she makes the reality. “I have the Holy Spirit.”

“That’s my girl!” My excitement overflowed!

She was disappointed, “But I can’t hear him.” She was afraid.

We read John 14: 25-28.

She he began piecing together songs and activities.

“Would you say your remembering things he taught you?”

A big smile.

“Then you hear Him just fine. Your just learning to listen.”

Prayer:

Thank you that she is Yours Father! May more and more brothers and sisters in Christ learn to listen to The Helper.

And he (the son) arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father say him and had compassion, and ran fell on his neck and kissed him.   Luke 15:20 (NKJV)

I will admit it. Today, rather than opening the word of God, or even being still before the Lord, I failed. I woke at4:00 in the morning. It is 10:30 at night. What happened?

My still ailing husband returned home from a long days work. A sleepy potty trained child, wanted her tummy rubbed to fall back to sleep. A big sister anxious for sisters response to the holiday festivity of the home.

One off to school. Another to the doctor. Electric man came security light repair. Aunts/ mom game day, laundry, pharmacy run, store run, water run, feed the pasture animals, feed the pinned cattle, feed the children and me at some point, see the hubby off to work. Get the girls ready for the program. Go to the program.

87 preschool children dressed in their best singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS !

God found the way to still my heart today. Thank You Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord of all creation I thank You. You call me Your child. And You call me to You. And Father thank You for coming to me when I am a bit of a way from You.

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:33 (NKJV)

I put the baby potty chairs away today. One would never assume that would be an emotional activity. But I’m sure some mother’s can relate.

Unlike Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) We are not. Neither so are our children. And sometimes that reality hurts. Especially if I remain in the focus of these girls being “my'” babies.

At times like this I cherish the little moments when my children are just that, children. Be it a four year old anxiously awaiting the arrival of St. Nicholas and in full belief of the “magic” or the seven year old who realized the truth yet yearns so to help her sister believe longer.

I read 2 Corinthians 5:17 to focus on today and that I am made new and read Matthew 6:34 when my mind jumps to tomorrow with less than hopeful anticipation.

Prayer:

Lord I thank you that yesterday is indeed yesterday. I praise you for today and embrace what it holds. And as for tomorrows Lord… when eternity is with you I do indeed look forward to tomorrow.