Pearls of Hope Reflections for Moms

This week has been a rough week, but I know that God has everthing in control and even though, I don’t know why things happened, I know that He has a reason and a destination for these momentary troubles.  My heart is full with awe in the knowledge that God had his hand in this.  There are no cooincidences!!! 

Never Be Discouraged
 
There is really nothing we need know
or even try to understand
If we refuse to be discouraged
and trust God’s guiding hand.
So take heart and meet each minute
with faith in God’s great love,
Aware  that every day of life
is controlled by God above…
And never dread tomorrow
or what the future brings,
Just pray for strength and courage
 and trust God in all things.
And never grow discouraged
be patient and just wait
For "God never comes to early
and He never comes too late!"
 
                      Helen Steiner Rice

"With a grin and a giggle, a hug and whistle, we’d slap our knees and Mama would say: "Bless the world it feels like a tip-tapping song-singing finger-snapping kind of day. Let’s celebate!" And so we did"- from My Mama had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray and Raul Colon

My four-year old daughter is just bursting with joy at the warm weather! She is dancing around in sun dresses begging for anything that has to do with water and spending all her time in the back yard!   In this case it is the girl- not the mom saying, "Let’s celebrate!"  I love the warm weather too, but it means yard work, pulling weeds, planting a garden and household projects! My daughter’s attitude is rubbing off on me though!  I will celebrate with her ….. and then pull weeds. Yeah!  

Have you ever used the phrase, "Watch your mouth! " ? or "Watch it!" as a warning for your children?

The other day, I was frustrated with my daughter when she got into yet another mess that she knew she was not supposed to get into. As my temper flared, I stopped and "saw" myself as she might see me. I was being a terrible role model and worse- I was not glorifying God in my reaction. I immediately changed my approach but it was not easy!  There are so many times in my day that I do have the option of either glorifying God or not.  God is really keeping me on my toes!  It’s hard when we go against our fleshly nature and attempt to follow God!  Like Jonah, many times, we want to say, "God, that is just too hard, and I just really don’t feel like doing that right now. "  When this happens, God is going to continue to attempt to get our attention or let blessings pass us by.  I think we underestimate God and His power to do His will through us. Expect Miracles and you will see them!

"It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy." Romans 9:16

My prayer today is that God will reveal His will for my life. Not just the large decsions, but EVERY decision, even the little tiny ones such as the words I use and the actions I take minute by minute.  One way he reminds me of this is to "show" me how I am acting. I will be more aware of my behavior my being in a contant state of "Watching myself! "

Clean Heart Challenge

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called up by his own glory and goodness."

This is just a recap of the toolbox or as I think of it- "My Cleaning Supplies for Maintaining a Clean Heart"

5 Tools for Maintaining a Clean Heart

Through all this there are two main points that I was suprized to discover.

1. We are already clean! Jesus said in John 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." I just needed to clear out my junk and make room for God to Shine! 

2. We have everything we need to lead a godly life. As in today’s verse, we don’t have to search for the tools and things to make us godly. God has already provided those. We just need to use them! 

As with any change, it needs to be formed into a habit. With weight loss, you work hard to lose the weight but unless it is changed into a habit of exersice and healthy eating, it will become a problem again. So I realize that this is a continuous journey. My Clean Heart Challenge is over but my Clean Heart Maintenance is continuous. I may write more about this in future posts but for now, I am ready to add to my focus, organization of my home and family!  

Prayer: I am closing with the "Clean Heart Psalm" Psalm 51: 10-15

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.                                                         

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

 Save me from the bloodguld, O God, the God who saves me and my toughue will sing of your rightousness.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Amen!

Maintaining a Clean Heart

Tool #5:  Door: Go out and be a Witness!

Scripture:  2 Timothy 2:15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

This last tool is probably the most important tool in the "toolbox" . It is to be a Witness for God!  We can be a witness in many ways:

• The way we live our lives.
• Praising God in all you do or say
• Telling others about Christ
• Teaching others (including Children)
• Learning through  Bible Studies and Prayer Groups

We have a responsibility to teach, live an learn as much as we can, the godly lifestyle!  We have the awesome responsibility to teach it to our children, mentor younger women and telling others about the wonderful gift of salvation. We can do these things in many ways. We can not do all of these at the same time in our life, but at least a couple at a time and of course we are a witness just by how we live our lives every minute of every day!  We can teach children’s Sunday school, midweek or in the nursery. We can lead a women’s or small group bible study. We can participate in a prayer group or write devotions for othes. There are many ways we can be a witness. The possibilites are endless. 

Reflection: How are you being a witness? Are you witnessing to others outside your home as well as inside?

Prayer: Lord, I will praise you, O Lord, my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is yolur love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. (Psalm 86:12-13) I will sing of your great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. (Psalm 89:1) Amen

Tomorrow I am going to recap the 5 tools for Maintaining a Clean Heart!