Relationships

Watching my children develop relationships with others has certainly taught me so much about the influence of others. In each situation where they have not been careful in choosing who they surround themselves has been detrimental for them personally and to our family. As parents, it is distressing to watch our loved ones being torn apart spiritually and emotionally by others. I find it even more difficult when they allow it to continue.

It is my desire as a mother that my children learn to discern who threatens their relationship with God and their relationship with their family. I remember one of my children saying about one of their friends, " I don't like who I am when I am around them." This person had so much influence in their behavior that they did not have the strength to be true to their own beliefs.

We choose to have people in our own lives that will tear us down emotionally and spiritually just like the people of Israel in Judges 2:3: Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you. They had become complacent and no longer obeying God who had given them so much blessing. He warned them that hanging with the wrong crowd would have negative consequences.

Dear Lord, watch over all my children and grandchildren in their relationships. May they choose those who will encourage them in their life!

I took this picture on my way to work.

Receive from Others

Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

During difficult times we usually want to build a wall around ourselves and want to be alone. The scriptures say we need to allow others to reach out to us because we all need that emotional support. Most of all we need the perspective of others when life is hard. Some times others will help us to see the big picture when we can't make sense of what may be going on at that particular moment.

This is one of the reasons that God created the church and so important to be involved with a small group. When crisis comes the support is already in place and they will be there to encourage and help us through those difficult moments. We need to look out for each other. We need God's promises and we need God's people.

This devotional came from http://rickwarren.org/listen - Growing In The Seasons Of Life. Rick Warrens son committed suicide and I have been encouraged by his messages of God's goodness in everything good and bad. Please pass this link on to others who you know are in great need of something spiritually and emotionally that only God can heal.

 We are thankful for nieces and nephews that minister to our hearts with their love for us, taken October 2014.

What does FAITH look like?

 

This is a great picture of what “FAITH” looks like. My husband tells my nephew to jump and he does because as you can tell by his face he knows his uncle is going to catch him. He has no doubt and his face is fearless with a huge smile that this is going to work out perfectly and be fun! I have seen so many kids his age that were too afraid because they thought they were going to be hurt or worse even drown. They felt something would happen and did not believe the person who was wanting them to jump so they could catch them. Those children have to learn as they grow to trust a parent or adult that they will catch them after many words and tears usually.

Life has so many moments that make us believe or feel like those kids that we are going to be hurt or drown. We get overwhelmed and want to quit because life is too difficult. That’s the reason God writes to us in the scriptures so we don’t give up. God is in the pool saying JUMP to me and I will protect you! Do we have the faith required to jump? What is Faith?

Hebrews 11:1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen.

Tony Evans says, “Faith is acting like God is telling the truth.” - Faith is acting like it is so even if is not so. In order that it might be so. Simply because God said so.