What Has He Done for You Lately?

My sweet girlfriend was careful to remind me last night that I haven't written anything since February. Forgive me; I'll try to do better.

As I was doing my devotional time this morning, I thought about the way people in the Bible demonstrated worship to God. I read about David dancing before the Lord as he brought the ark of the Covenant to Bethlehem. I read about Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns in prison. Then I started thinking about women like Hannah and her triumphant song of praise when the Lord gave her a son. I thought about the sinful woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair. Then I came to Mary, the young woman engaged to Joseph the carpenter.  The young woman who was surely ridiculed for being pregnant before she was married to Joseph. Luke chapter one records her praise to the Lord, but verse 49 gripped me this morning as a read it.

"for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name."

You see, I am leading praise and worship at a women's retreat this weekend, were we will be learning about several women in the Bible, the challenges in their lives, and how we can learn from them. This exercise this morning is part of my preparation- I gotta get my mind right. When a reflect on my life, I haven't been the most grateful person in the world. Honestly, I tend to show the Lord my gratitude in the midst of what perceive as some superduper fabulous blessing. However, the fact that I'm sitting here typing is one of the great things God has done for me. So many times we take life, our children,  and OUR HUSBANDS for granted. As I share music with the ladies this weekend, I want to focus on the great things the God has done, and is doing for me.

I challenge you to take a piece of paper and list all the things God has done for you. It may help your day seem a little brighter, and help you love Him a little more. Because He is mighty, and holy is name!

Company Girls 2.19- It's All About Love

Yesterday my kids and I were in the store and I found a DVD of one of my daughter's favorite DVD series. I was excited about this because it was a great deal, but I didn't show it to her. As we walked around the store, my precious little doll decided that she wanted to display some defiant behaviors that she knew absolutely didn't work for me.  In the midst of the foolishness and trying to discreetly chastise her, I kept thinking about the DVD; part of me wanted to put it back. Then I started to think about my relationship with Jesus and how He graciously blesses me, providing all my needs according to His riches in glory, and even some of my desires.  And He does these things in the midst of my sinful foolishness and His chastisement. That is one of the most challenging aspects of being a parent.  If you are a Christian,  God uses these precious little sinners to sanctify you and put you in check.

And yes, I did buy the DVD, not because she deserved it, but simply because I love her.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

So Full!

My heart is so full as I write this, I might cry. And if I do, it won't be because I'm sad; it will be that I'm a little spiritually overwhelmed by the week I've have studying God's Word. Last Wednesday I committed to getting up around 6 a.m. so that I could have my devotions before the kids woke up. This time has truly been a blessing, and everyday God has given me some sort insight, encouragement, or spiritual "spanking." I'll be sharing some of this in future posts, but I do want to leave you with this word to encourage you. I know it is challenging to be mom, wife, house keeper, career woman, Sunday school teacher, etc. If you are like me, sometimes you feel like you might absolutely lose your mind. You get tired of the little hands (and the big ones) tugging at you. You are tired of laundry, bills, and trying to figure out what to cook for dinner. Even in the midst of feeling tired, overworked, and overwhelmed, we have to remember that we cannot spin all the plates alone. God is waiting for us to sit down with Him so that He can feed us from His Word. He is the only One who has what we need to "keep on keepin' on."

"And He will be the stability of your times,

A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the LORD is his treasure. "

Isaiah 33:6