Ladies of Hope

Philippians 4:8-9 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I had someone tell me years ago that when my mind starts to swerve left of center and the yellow line on the road ahead starts to blend in with my surroundings – that I should begin at the top of this list and move along until I come to one that I can not apply to what I’m thinking. I don’t remember ever making it past the first item. I ask myself if what I’m thinking is true. Well. In the case of my anxious musings, they are never true. And just how much time and energy do I really want, or even have, to spend on a lie? If I also apply the fact that my anxiety is saying to God, “I don’t really think you ca...

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Here are 4 imperatives. Trust. Do Good. Dwell. Befriend. All require action. All require cooperation. Settled at the beginning of the testimony of Psalm 37 are my marching orders. And God will provide everything I need for the journey. When the world outside my window looks frightening and unfair and cold and desolate and flowerless and loveless and hopeless – I need to trust in who You are. I need to stare straight in Your face and take courage. When through the media I see lonely and hungry and lost people hurting and being hurt – I need show them the love of Jesus Your Son. I need to live out the Gospel of love. When from the crowd I hear of unrest and dissatisfaction and anger and persecution – I need to dwell under the protection of Your roof, safe in Your hand. Unafraid. And flourish! When I feel inside the fear and insecurity and confusion of this life we live out of th...

Years ago, I was swimming with my three little girls.    We were at a kiddy swimming pool that was only about a foot deep.  Everyone was playing and having fun.  Capri my 18mth old is jumping off the edge into my arms in the water and loving it.  At one point during our time there, I was watching Karis our eldest do something out in the middle of the pool, Lanie my three year old is standing beside me right by the edge and Capri is out of the pool.  Capri decides to jump into Lanie’s arms.  It didn’t go to well.  First, Lanie is not capable of catching her sister in the water well. Secondly, Lanie was turned to the side and not even aware of Capri’s presence.   Thankfully I had turned just in time to see this event and was able to fish Capri out of the water.  I know Capri is just a baby, but did she really think her sister would be able to catch her while looking the other way?   How could she put her faith and trust in a...

  Numbers 11:6  “But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”  Am I living in a blessing as if it were a curse? Like the Israelites, who wandered through the  dessert, complained about their Manna.   This was God’s provision, but they turned it into a curse.  Because it was familiar.  Because it was predictable.   Because it had to be managed every day.   Because at heart they were short sighted and disappointed and tired and far from home. They longed for their captivity.  Because it was familiar.  Because it was predictable.  Because it could be managed every day.  Because at heart they were short sighted and disappointed and tired and longing for home. And I too can complain for a better house or a better job or a better paycheck or a better life.  Because this is all too familiar.  Because this is all too predictable.  Because this all must be m...

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  I woke up one morning to a child’s scream.  My husband who was already up, ran into the bedroom our two older girls share, in time to see my middle child, Lanie, vomit all over herself and bed.  My eldest daughter, Karis, who was right next to her in the bed went running grabbing all her possessions to avoid the mess, while Lanie was crying hysterically because she was all yucky.   This scene is not unfamiliar to many of you.  We all experience our kids being sick at times.   And I have a secret.  I must confess that sometimes I actually enjoyed my kids being sick.    I have three active girls.  And I imagine that perhaps like your child or children, they were always on the go.  Once they learn how to crawl, they are out exploring the surroundings and getting into things.  I sit down to cuddle with them and they give t...