The Lord is Faithful

At night, when the children are in bed, where do you pray?  Some nights I go to my room and sit on my bed. Many other nights I walk up and down the hallway by the boys' rooms. I wonder what they will remember when they are adults.

Some nights my voice is weary and I walk slowly almost dragging my feet. Sometimes I pace quickly calling on the Lord in desperation to work in a situation. Some nights it is a steady rhythm of my feet in time with the tears that slide down my face for my unsaved family. Sometimes my voice is choked and the tears fall hot and fast, and boys slip out of their beds and reach out to me as I pass their doors.

And there are many nights also that I pour out gratitude to my precious Saviour who has blessed us so much, to my great God who has cared for us so tenderly, so personally, so detailed, so knowingly.  I walk up and down the hall like I'd walk with an old friend to the next place we are traveling and reminiscing the whole way about our journey together.

My Lord has been so faithful. I don't know what the boys will remember when they recall my nightly prayer walking in the hall. But I pray they remember this most of all---the Lord is Faithful! 

Be a Tree of Life

Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

I read these words this morning and this thought was pressing on my heart,

"Be a tree of life to others."

Now there's a life purpose!

Think about a tree, better yet think about the tree of life that was in the garden of Eden.

A tree of life:

• has good fruit, more specifically the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
• gives life to others, by words and deeds.
• witnesses to others so they can have eternal life.
• has integrity which means a sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness. It is one of the words on the breastplate of the high priest.
• has knowledge or illumination of the mind to perceive things from God's eyes which is granted to those who have an honest relationship with Christ.
• knows what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.
• knows what not to say...ever.
• sows seeds of mercy.
• reaches for the Son.
• gives others a place of rest and shelter from storms.
• gives oxygen to others.

How can you and I be a tree of life to others today?

Love Letter Part 3

After reviewing my posts, I realized I never concluded Isaiah 43.
I felt the Lord speaking very personally to my heart when I first read this passage this summer.
He alone knew the fear and struggles I would face in the weeks ahead. He alone knew the great healing that was coming.

Here is how I penned it in my journal in August:

I created you, Christine. I formed you into who you are. I redeemed you from sin and shame. Christine, you are Mine! I love you and will not be okay with you straying from Me.

You have mistaken my love flowing through others as independent  of Me. You've mistaken the physical world as greater than what you can't see, feel, or hold. I am enough. If it wasn't so I would have told you. Some of what you feel is just being crucified with Christ. Be humble-life is about others. Be grateful-count your blessings and cherish the moments.

I have called thee to be a single mom. I have called thee to be a country mom of a handyman house. I have called thee to homeschool the boys. I have called thee....When you go through deep water, I will be with thee. I am the LORD thy God.

You are precious in My sight. You are honorable. I love thee. Fear not, I am with thee. Everyone that is called of mine name, I have created for My glory. I formed you. I made you. I am your potter. Be my witness. And my chosen servant that you may know and understand I am He.

There is no other god before me or after me. There is no other savior or hero coming to rescue you. I deliver-let Me work. I am your King. I will make a way. Remember not the former things. I am going to do a new thing. I will make a way in the wilderness. I will make rivers in the desert. Where you are thirsty the most, I will quench it.

You are one of my people. You are chosen, my chosen. You were formed for Me, to show forth My praise. I know you haven't been faithful, thankful, or joyful. I will blot out your sins and remember them no more. Put Me in remembrance of you mind. Meditate...think on Me. Because I am thinking of you.