Training the future wall builders

Nehemiah 8:1-2 NKJV — Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.

The people and the leaders knew they needed to be instructed by God’s Word.

To all come together to listen to the book of the law, to understand what God’s commandments are, was the priority.

Nehemiah 8:8 NKJV — So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

Through the teaching of God’s Law people’s hearts were changed.

Nehemiah 8:9 NKJV — And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

Chapter 9 of Nehemiah is recounting the history of their people and the faithfulness of God.

It was vital that the people who lived within the protection of the wall understand that it was by God, not the wall that they were kept from their enemies.

It was also vital that they realize why the wall had been broken down in the past, the hearts of their forefathers had grown hard.

As followers of Christ, we too must realize that our salvation is through Christ alone.

Our spiritual protection is due to Him, not how long we pray or what fancy words might be said.

Building a spiritual wall is an out pouring of understanding that we are frail, our nature is to sin, and we have an adversary who wants to destroy us.

Time in prayer is only part of it.

We must also be in God’s Word, learning His ways, His truth.

But it doesn’t end there.

We need to be educating those who will come after us.

It’s not enough to just pray for our children and grandchildren, we need to teach them why we pray.

We need to live lives which reflect the nature of our Lord Jesus.

We need to be sure we are training the future wall builders.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Nehemiah and this book we can learn so much from. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your guidance and teaching. Lord, please help me to not only follow You in all things, but to train others, to be a light of encouragement. Lord, please help me to speak words of truth and instruction to my children and grandchildren. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for the lessons You have taught me. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Bubba and Faye

Being a Grammy has been more fun than I could ever have imagined.

My husband can tell you I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.

As a teen I used to say, “I can’t wait to be that sweet grey-haired old lady who gives out cookies to kids.”

I’ve learned a great deal since my teen years about being an adult and dealing with children.

Parenthood taught me a lot and I’m still learning daily.

Now as a Grammy I’m learning more.

Proper boundaries are super important.

My husband and I value our daughter and son-in-law too much to purposely ignore their “do”s and”don’t”s.

We have enjoyed getting to watch them teach Faye things.

I’ve also enjoyed sharing moments with her as a Grammy.

Something we’ve done, since the weather has allowed, is go outside and pet the plants.

It might sound strange, but I wanted her to be safe.

Before she was old enough to understand this lesson, she got a handful of my potted indoor plant and jerked out a large section.

I didn’t mind the damage to the plant, but it brought to my attention the need for her to learn what is okay and not.

Since both her parents had taught her the word gentle and it’s meaning, I thought she’d be able to put it into practice in the garden.

After all, little people often put what is in their hands in their mouths and many plants are not for eating.

So, she went on many garden walks with me and knows how to handle the plants.

She gently touches them, sometimes over and over with her little fingers very carefully.

She has pulled a few blooms off now and again, but each time is another opportunity to instill in her how to touch without harm.

So, I was extra blessed when we got to see her with Bubba.

Her little hand reached out to explore this new sibling and her momma cautioned, “Gentle.”

Softly, like on a rose petal her hand touched her brother.

Then she let go.

All of us made all kinds of happy noise as her little pink lips placed a gentle kiss on him.

It was adorable!

I’m already praying for their relationship as brother and sister.

I pray they will love and support each other.

That they will look out for the other’s best interest.

That they will grow to be great friends.

Most importantly, that they will know Jesus and put their trust in Him.

That they will encourage one another in righteousness.

What a wonderful gift God gives when He blesses a family with a child!

Truly they are precious in the eyes of the Lord.

Psalm 127:3 KJV — Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Matthew 18:10 KJV — Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for children. What an incredible blessing it is to be with them. Lord, often it can be difficult to know what to teach and what to let go of. Sometimes our own desires get in the way of hearing from You as to what is best. Please help our children be wonderful godly parents. Please help us to be parents of integrity, truth, and love. Lord, help us know how to support our children as they support the little ones. Please help us to not grow weary in doing good as we have fewer children at home. Please help us to finish well. Thank You so much for these blessings. May we honor You in all we do. Amen.

Always with grace

One misspoken word can cause an avalanche of emotion.

Always speaking with grace sounds simple.

But…

Sometimes, I just don’t know what to say.

Other times, I really wish I’d remained silent.

Once spoken, one can’t retrieve those words.

Since childhood, I’ve found my mouth getting me into trouble.

Talking comes so much more naturally than being silent.

To make matters worse, if I’m nervous I normally talk more.

Not a positive trait.

Because more words means more opportunities to say something I shouldn’t.

As with all things, scripture is my go to for this area of struggle.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6 NKJV

Always speak words of grace, seasoned with salt.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

Nothing which is spoken should poison or harm, instead words should be healing truth filled with love and grace.

Psalm 19:14 KJV — Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The words spoken and the thoughts focused on are directly linked and need to be under the Lordship of Christ.

I have prayed these verses in my desire to speak only uplifting and encouraging words.

For wrestling with my untamable tongue continues.

It’s also a lesson I’m trying to teach.

I’ve asked more than once, “Was that kind?”

Colossians 3:12 NKJV — Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

How we speak, act, think, and respond should all be within the boundaries of protection the Lord set up in His Word.

If I’m allowing unkind speech out of my mouth, what are the thoughts of my heart?

Matthew 12:34 KJV — O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (emphasis mine)

Therefore my speech is a mirror of my heart’s condition.

Of course, I’m powerless to train myself at all, only through the Lord Jesus and His guidance can my actions and attitudes change.

How encouraging to look backwards and see He has brought me so far from where I used to be.

How thankful I am for His patient instruction.

Conviction really is a blessing.

Thus, I’m praising God for His Word, His patient correction, and His love.

I’m also continuing to lift up my struggles in prayer.

Psalm 141:3 NKJV — Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and Your guidance. I desperately want to sow good things in life and I know this area of words is a vital part. Please Lord, set a guard over my mouth, and a door upon my lips that I might not sin. Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart and renew my mind, that I might be able to walk in Your ways, being led by Your Spirit. Lord Jesus, I want to live in such a way as to redeem the time, please teach me daily how to do so. Thank You. I love You, Jesus.

It’s about to begin!

She’s going to compete in her first college track meet!

I’m so excited.

And a tiny bit nervous.

To realize how God has walked her through everything to reach this moment.

My mind sifts through the past and my heart is filled with wonder.

When she was 13 months old, she stopped growing.

Babies are not supposed to do that.

So, we embarked on a scary journey of blood tests.

13 month old babies don’t like getting their blood drawn.

Everything came back normal and we discovered the issue was teeth.

She broke eight teeth, four molars and four eye teeth.

Then she went back to growing.

I think of the waiting room at the E.R..

We were waiting to find out if she had burst her spleen in a basketball game.

Then later that same season she busted her knee open, requiring stitches.

The final injury of that traumatic season was a concussion.

The moment in the doctor’s office when I realized I hadn’t handled her injury correctly.

I’d actually placed her in danger.

But, praise God, He held her and she recovered.

There are so many more memories.

One of my favorite is when she was seven.

We were working at the church and she’d noticed the sink full of dishes awaiting a washing.

Without comment, she found a stool.

My husband had walked past on his way to retrieve a needed item and found her busily washing dishes.

It wasn’t a one time thing either.

Sometimes after church service, we’d find her with the sweet lady who tidied up, busily washing dishes.

That same year, I was having a terrible day.

Nothing, was going right.

The house was a wreck, my homeschooling wasn’t a success, and it seems like we were expecting company.

That part of the memory is fuzzy.

What I remember clearly is my emotions, I was on the verge of bursting into tears.

She looked at me for a second or two.

Her dark eyes just reading mine.

Then she went to the hall, grabbed out the broom and went to work on the floors.

She never said a thing.

But I’ve never forgotten what her actions spoke so clearly.

Infact, spoken words have never been her thing.

It’s little wonder God is using her actions (she’s attending school on a track scholarship) to propel her into the future.

I’m so amazed at how God is working in her life today.

He’s brought up this beautiful young woman and is giving her a future and a hope.

I have no idea what to expect from the circumstances.

But I do know what to expect from the Lord.

Whatever His plans are for her,

it will be good!

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV — For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Times and seasons

There was a time when I couldn’t imagine the season I find myself in now.

Here sit our daughters, beautiful and far from the tiny stage.

Pigtails, ponies, and footed pjs are all memories.

Instead we have driver’s licenses, school schedules, job opportunities, and adulthood.

(I know only one is an adult but the other 2 are so close behind her!)

I was telling my husband recently how much I still want to teach them.

There’s so many things I want to be sure I’ve shared with them.

There’s so much for them to still learn.

But in this striving I feel the Lord speak.

Rest in My arms as I teach you how to teach them. Let your life be an example instead of your words be overwhelming.

“Yes, Lord.”

Then fear robs my peace with, “You’re not doing it right. You’ve messed it up too many times. They will sin no matter what you say.”

Grrr…

That’s when I return to the Lord and His Word.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

I have tried since our oldest daughter was in the womb to figure out how to train our children.

And I can say, I’ve made millions of mistakes.

Yet, the Lord has been so faithful to guide me, even in the moments when I realized I’d failed again.

I’m far from perfect, but I’m so thankful He is.

Jesus has our daughters and our son in His hands.

God has been working from the beginning.

And I can trust Him to continue to work in every aspect each moment.

“Dear Jesus,

Please walk with our children in a personal way. Help them to hear Your voice and to know You personally. Let Your Word reside in their hearts and minds. I’m trusting You to continue to help me train them and for their lives to bring glory to Your name. Thank You so much for our children, how blessed we are to be a part of their lives.”

Impact

These are our kids.

I love them deeply.

I pray for them continually.

I thank God for them daily.

And yet even though our oldest is grown and married I still feel a huge responsibility to train, teach, hone, and encourage.

I’m always looking for ways to improve or add or teach.

As an example I’ve been inspired to write Scripture and encouraging quotes on our chalkboard.

As I was searching for quotes I found these:

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”
George Washington

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

“All that I am,  or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
Abraham Lincoln

There were many more which reflected each man’s personal walk with God.

It was obvious they each were men of extreme faith.

The combination of their comments on God and their mothers impacted me.

They inspired me.

Two monumental men who shaped history by their lives were not quiet about their faith or their upbringing.

How seldom do I stop and get even a glimmer of what my efforts in bringing up our children are worth.

Yet, I am so grateful to my own mother and father for raising me.

I needed an extra charge of encouragement as a mom.

Like all mothers I get bogged down with all I don’t do correctly or the things I want to teach but haven’t yet.

These quotes from men of history helped me reflect on the positive impact of a parent.

I want to be that positive person and so does my husband.

So today I’m praising God for 2 mothers I’ve never met.

Two women who raised sons.

I’m certain they had no idea what those boys would grow into.

And I’m following Mrs. Lincoln’s example.

I’m praying for our children everyday,  each one.

I’m leaving the results up to Jesus.

After all it is through the impact He has made that I’m able to impact my children.

Praise God for impact.