This Is The Day

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24


I am not a big fan of Daylight Savings Time. It's probably because I am not exactly what you would call "a morning person". Somehow, with the time change, morning seems earlier. Waking up to a dark house and stumbling over to the coffee pot makes me long for a bit more time underneath my covers. At least enough time for the sun to catch up with my day.

Finally, the coffee is done brewing and I sit down to take a few moments before my kids wake up to begin their morning rituals. The sky is still dark, but the birds are singing. The house is still. And it is like God is whispering, "These are the days. Rejoice. Don't miss it!"

So I think it over and I understand. These ARE the days...

When my daughters bring me "flowers" that resemble weeds, but are presented with great joy and love.

When my son is still shorter than me and will allow me to hug him in front of his friends.

When my husband kisses me on the cheek gently before he leaves for his job, even earlier than the birds are willing to awaken.


These are the days...

Today, I get to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Speak words of affirmation and encouragement. Show my family how lucky they make me feel. Thank God for His many blessings.

Now, my kids are stirring and my quiet house is filled with the sounds of them getting dressed and packing their lunches for school. I rejoice for our day together has begun. And I remember to embrace this moment.

For these are the days...

Of my daughter singing to Jesus while she ties her shoes.

Of my son assisting his sister with a glass of milk, while I get a glimpse of the man he will one day become.

Of kisses good-bye and big, bright smiles as my girls ride off to school on their scooters.

Of stolen moments with my teenage man-child, as he shares his thoughts and it is just him and me.

Of phone calls from my busy husband, who calls just to hear my voice.


These are the days. So wake up slowly if you must. Grab some coffee and take a moment to listen to the birds. But then rejoice, for you will never get today back again. And even when you are walking in darkness, there are reasons to embrace the beautiful gift of today.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for today. For all that today will bring. Opportunities to serve you and know you more. Moments of sweetness and joy, even in the midst of the unexpected. Sometimes, we squander our days with worry, bitterness, or dread. Let it not be so. Help us to embrace the promise of today with a heart of praise and gratitude.
-Amen

Reflection: What are the gifts you have in your life today?

Sweet Treats!

Our daughter, Lily, has a dream of one day owning her own cake shop. Lately, she has discovered cookbooks and she loves reading recipes for different sweet treats. Yesterday afternoon, as we walked through a home improvement store searching for yard supplies, Lily found a Better Homes and Gardens magazine filled exclusively with cupcake recipes. With a longing gaze, she begged, "Please, please, please Mommy. Can I have this recipe book?" How could I turn her down? She skipped out of the store and spent a great part of the rest of the afternoon looking at pictures and reading about beautiful cupcake creations.

Today, after church, she and I made lemondrop cupcakes from her new magazine. Topped with crushed Lemonhead candies and sugar coated lemon slices, they are just the right amount of sweet in a moist lemon flavored cake. And since the cupcakes were made totally from scratch, with lots of love, they are as tasty as they are beautiful.



Our words are suppose to be sweet like Lily's cupcakes. The Bible tells us "gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones". (Proverbs 16:24 NIV) It's a challenge for us all as we encourage our spouses, inspire our children, and engage the world around us. Today, let your words be sweet. Considerate. Loving. Tender. Thoughtful.

For in doing so, you make the world a sweeter place. One gentle conversation at a time.

Reflection: How can your words be a sweet treat today?

Let It Go...

After all, "It is the LORD my God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him." (Deuteronomy 13:4)


It's been one of those days when I blink and it is over. Finally, I sit. Alone. With nothing but my thoughts. The tape is playing again...

I remember my missteps.
Ponder my failures.
Relive regrets and missed opportunities.

And I let out a sigh feeling utterly defeated.

Then, I hear it...a still, small voice that says, "Let it go for you are more."

I listen harder to hear it again and my heart begins to remember...

I am more than my missteps.
I am more than my failures.
I am God's beloved.

I am one He loved so much that
He gave Christ's life to redeem me
from my sin...

From my missteps.
From my failures.
From my regrets and missed opportunities.

So I must let them go, so that I can grasp all that God wants to give me.
His peace.
His presence.

All are mine for the taking.
When I just let go...

and let God be enough in my life.

He won't let me go.


Heavenly Father,
I give it all to you. My strife. My worry. My disappointement. My failure. My sin. I am letting it go to open my hand to all that you want for me. Take it from me today, so that I might be ready to grasp the new opportunities you have placed before me. I praise you, LORD, that you never let me go.
-Amen

Reflection: What are you holding tightly that must be released today?

Light Bright

Memory Verse: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8 NIV)

I still have a photograph of that exciting day, a "top ten" moment of innocence in my childhood. I was six years old. It was my birthday. And I was overjoyed. I had my very own "Lite Brite" and I was immediately mesmerized by my new toy. I spent hours poking the pegs patiently through the holes in the backdrop to reveal the beautiful designs aglow in the darkness.

As Christians, we are to shine in the same manner. We reside in a dark world affected daily by the curse of sin. And yet, through the blood of Christ, we are not of this world. In fact we are called "children of light." (Ephesians 5:8 NIV) In effect, Christians should appear different from the world we see around us. Our words should sound different from those we hear on the street. Our actions should demonstrate we are different from the chaos we witness on the evening news. We are called to be set apart for "we do not belong to the night or to the darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:6 NIV)

If we desire to truly represent our Savior in this dark and fallen world we must take heart to make ourselves look and sound like our risen Lord. For some of us, that may challenge us to reject what seems "good" in this world. It will affect the way we speak, act, and think. Certainly, we will find ourselves challenged to stand firm in the things of God contrary to this world. Things that appear good in the eyes of men but foolish from the perspective of our sovereign God. We will continue to be confronted daily by the disease of sin that surrounds us. And as Christ's ambassadors we must draw near to God so we can be strengthened and committed in these dark days. Surely, no part of our lives can be left unclaimed by God as we "speak as men approved by God and entrusted with the gospel, not trying to please men, but God." (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV)

As we read the headlines and listen to the evening news, it is undeniable that the world is growing darker. Clearly, God is making His appeal to a world gripped in sin as "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light." (Job 12:22 NIV) God's children must resolve to "warn the idle, help the weak, and encourage the timid, and be patient with everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV) Let us never forget who we are in Christ as we recall "God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness." (Genesis 1:4 NIV)

We are God's precious church, His adopted children, heirs in Christ and holy ambassadors of truth. Today, let us resolve to be found bold, courageous, and faithful as we stand for the light of truth found in God's word. Let us not be shaken as we remain fully committed to the message of the gospel and the salvation found in Christ alone. We must, in these days filled with groaning and despair, be the light shining through the darkness.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We are in awe of your greatness, for you are good all the time. We take in your acts of mercy toward us with gratitude and humility as we remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross. We confess that we struggle to walk obediently in this fallen world. Too often we seek the adoration of man, rather than the approval of you LORD. Let it not be so. Strengthen your people in these dark days and let us be the light you have called us to be. Grant us your wisdom and discernment as we seek your path. Let us shine for you so we might point the lost to your limitless love.
-Amen

Reflection: How difficult is it for one living in darkness to stand in your light?

His Time

His time is not my time. It's not a fact that I like to submit to on most days, but nevertheless, it is a truth I am learning to accept. Reluctantly.

Most days, in stubborn independence, I try to conquer my challenges in my own strength. For a time. Only to fail. In my striving, I find myself discouraged and bewildered. It is then that I must stop and remember that God is never early or late. And, this part bothers me most of all, I simply do not know His timing.

The truth is, I have had more than one temper tantrum with God about the timing of His plans. Sometimes He seems late. Other times, I feel as though He is early. But the truth is His timing is perfect. So, I surrender to several truths and I cling to them in my seasons of waiting.

I cannot control God, for He alone is sovereign.
I cannot put Him in a box, for He is not limited by my human perspective.
I cannot put limits on His power, for His greatness is beyond my ability to imagine.

All I can do is give my circumstances to Him and believe that He "will make everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) It's a promise that endures even when the events around us seem anything but beautiful.

Right here.
Right now.
In my doubts.
And despite my fears.
God is at work, though my eyes do not always see Him moving. Instead,I am called to trust. Believe. Endure. And hope. After all, there is only room for one God in my life, and it is not me.

I consider the road ahead. Unknown twists and turns are before me. There will be days of joy and days of pain. Days of triumph, but also devastation. And in both, I am reminded, that I remain in the center of God's will. Rather than doubt His goodness, I must know my LORD so well that I am not shaken during seasons of shaping. Of molding. Of waiting.

Truly, there is much I shall never understand as he weaves my life into His beautiful plan. And it IS beautiful. It shall all beautiful. In His time.

Sovereign King,
You are ruler of all. Lord of Lords. All-knowing. All-powerful. You are God. Help us to accept your timing and to trust you in all things. When you appear late, help us to remember that we only see part of your picture. In those moments, Father, draw us nearer to your heart and closer to your presence, so that we might lean on you while we wait. We praise you for you are making all things beautiful in your perfect timing.

-Amen

Reflection: What are you waiting for? Do you trust God's timing?

Man-Child

It's official...I have a man-child.

My son, Jack, turned 13 this week. While I celebrate his special day with joy, I confess this year has left me a little reflective and a bit melancholy. Maybe it is because I see him eating his weight in food each day. Perhaps it's because I notice that before long, I will have to look up to kiss him on the cheek. It might even be because he is starting to have insights and opinions that remind me he isn't a little boy anymore. Sadly, we have moved on from Legos and Lincoln Logs. He no longer climbs into my lap to read a book. He is no longer a little boy.

And today, as I marvel at the fact that my baby is now a teenager, I am more aware than ever than he is not mine. He's God's. And one day, not long from now, Jack will be a man. My child will be gone. And this birthday, more than any before, has that reality at the forefront of my mind.Thinking about it hurts my heart just a little, for I cannot imagine not seeing his smile every day. Not taking in his laugh. Not hearing his silly jokes. Not listening about his day. It's a reality I don't want to face. Yet I know, indeed, the day will come. Faster than I would like. And as a mother, I want to hold tight, though I know, slowly, I must start letting him go.

When I look at my son, I am filled with pride that makes my heart burst. What a heart lives in this boy. What love runs through his veins. What a man he shall be! Handsome, strong and dependable like his Daddy. Passionate and creative like his Mama. God has woven him together in such a complex and unique way, all for a wonderful purpose. In this place. At this time. For God's glory.

I remember that day when my life changed forever and I became Jack's mother. My first born, he was three weeks early, but strong and healthy. Since Jack was born shortly before 3 o'clock in the morning, I had been up most of the night in labor. Naturally, his Daddy and I greeted him, held him close, gazed into his beautiful eyes, praised God for his perfect fingers and toes, and eventually went back to sleep for a bit of rest. When the nurses brought him to me for his first feeding, I woke up as a brand new Mom. It was then that it hit me...I am raising a man.

Clueless and inexperienced, I remember feeling so inadequate for the task in front of me. What did I know of Lego's, earthworms, rocks, scooters, or soccer practice? Jack has taught me so much in my walk through motherhood. What a beautiful privilege it is to be this boy's mom. Finally, as we step out of childhood, I feel like I have this "mom" thing mastered. But now, he stands with one foot in childhood and the other in manhood. And once more, I feel intimidated by the road ahead.

That feeling of insecurity is back from long ago, for what do I know of being a man? I have not experienced the pressures of being a middle school boy, trying to stand his ground, live out his faith, and find his purpose all while avoiding bullies and discovering girls. Jack's world is bizarre to me in so many ways. Still, I know my son as only a mother can. I know his heart. I know his passions. I know the look on his face that says he needs some time and space and I know when he needs me to take him in my arms and hold tight. When I look at my son, and ponder all that he was, all that he is, and all that he will become, my heart lets out a shout of praise, for "sons are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." (Psalm 127:3)

So, I look with new eyes on my man-child. How he makes my heart smile with his wonderful new ways. I have discovered the days of a teenage boy follow a pretty steady routine involving drinks straight out of the milk carton, dirty clothes on the floor, text messages about nothing at all, and video games. Lots and lots of video games. His friends are becoming a bigger and more significant part of his life. Some days, with his busy schedule, I start to miss him already. But then he walks through the door, with that sweet smile that makes my heart dance and says, "Hi Mom!" In that moment, all is well. For my son is home.

Looking ahead at all that is to come, I take a moment to ponder where we have been. I see where we are going. And I consider the promise of today with my son. Manhood beckons us, and so much of this new journey is unfamiliar as I carefully attempt to hold on and let go at the same time. Truly, the road ahead of us is going to be filled with ups and downs as Jack finds his way. But we get to walk it together with our God, and I see the man our Heavenly Father is creating in my J-Man. What a privilege it is to be a witness to God's great work in my son. Wonderful days of discovery await and today is only the beginning.

Thirteen years ago, God changed my life with a 6 pound 14 ounce amazing baby boy. And now, as he stands nearly as tall as me, Jack is my man-child. Faithful. Idealistic. Protective. Innocent, yet wise beyond his years. We have much to experience in the years ahead. There will be challenges, victories and defeats as he finds his place in God's kingdom.

And through it all, even into manhood, I get to be his Mom.

His Child

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12)


"Mommy, do you know you are a child of God?" my precious daughter Sofie sweetly asked as we finished our errands late yesterday afternoon. "Yes, sweetheart. I remember." I answered her. But the sad truth is...I had forgotten.

Somewhere, in the hectic pace of the day, I had lost my way. In the moments of discouragement and stress, I had temporarily forgotten who I am to the One that matters most in my life. For although I KNEW I belong to God, I had forgotten how it FEELS to be His.

With a heavy heart, distracted by the many things out of my control in this life, I went on with the rest of my day. And when I went to bed last night, I felt depleted. Dicouraged. Defeated.

This morning, I found myself back in my van as I drove to my part-time tutoring job. Then I heard a song that seemed to wake up my sleeping heart, as I began to remember who I am...In Him.

The words to the song say...

"You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life.
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know,
You have been made free in Christ.
You are a child of Mine."
(You Are A Child Of Mine by Mark Shultz)

No doubt today has had its own set of missteps, setbacks,
and disappointments. But, today I remember...

I am His.
God wove me together for His purpose.
He placed me in this time and the place for His glory.
He will not fail and He is never late.
He sees me. All of me. The good and bad. What is and what is yet to be.
He calls me beloved daughter.
My Heavenly Father is with me. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.
All the days of my life...
He is for me.

Nothing that happens to me today can change that.
For I am His child.