“Which direction do you choose?”
There was a time in life when one of our daughters faced a lot of uncertainty in her mind. Doubt gripped her mind and ‘what if’ scenarios stormed her thoughts, despite our persistent encouragement. It was a season that tested our family’s patience, ignited our prayers and drove us into intentional conversations. As my husband and I pushed to anchor our daughter’s identity in everything God says she is, we watched her battle a war in her mind.
One of my favorite books of the Bible is Exodus. It is a great representation of the journey through life; the ups and downs, the uncertainty and doubt, and the moments weaving faith into Moses’ life.
Exodus 19 tells of Moses arriving with the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai. They have fled Egypt with fear of the unknown, watched the Red Sea part with wide eyes, grumbled to the Lord, and come full circle at times with hearts of thankfulness. Moses is preparing to meet God at the top of the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and lead this army of people to a new way of life.
I feel a bit certain you are familiar with this setting in the Bible, but did you know Moses had a pivotal moment at this mountain before this scene? Many moons ago he stood in front of the burning bush in this same area stuttering in doubt of his inability to carry out God’s command, but now he boldly heads up the mountain to meet with God for a game plan.
So, what happen between these two moments that brought Moses from “who am I?” at the burning bush to delivering the message boldly to a nation? Life, that’s what happened.
Life has an interesting way of offering opportunities for movement towards or away from God. The choice to shift your focus is always present, but it’s ultimately your choice.
Looking back at Moses’ life we see an array of emotions and circumstances. Inadequacy as he questioned God’s command, frustration with people as he led them out of their misery, doubt as he stared at roadblocks, weariness as he tried to fix everyone’s problems, and eventually, we will see him break with anger.
It’s safe to say, most of us can relate to Moses on some level. But step back and ask this question, “Did he move towards or away from God,” as circumstances arose. It’s interesting to compare Moses’ stance in Exodus 3 to the one he holds in Exodus 19; a stuttering, uncertain, contrary man that now hikes up and down the mountain to interact with his almighty God and speak truth to an army of people.
Recently, our bedtime Bible story book asked, “What’s a time you suffered and how did it make you feel?” Our daughter mentioned that uncertain season in her life and sweetly commented how God helped her. We now, see that life was happening during that trying time and our daughter was given a choice within her own mind, turn towards Him or move back.
If you are in a season of challenges or simply doubting His plan within your life, ask yourself, “what direction am I moving?” Spend some time talking with God. Reach out to a trusted friend to sort through it or move towards His Word. He is trustworthy to strengthen you and steady your heart.
“Weathering the Storm”
Welcome trials in your life. Yes, you read it correctly, welcome them. I say this because trials can be the foundation of your faith that you stand upon. Let me explain.
For many years I cried out to God in prayer for a change in my marriage. The early years of our marriage did not reveal one filled with joy, support and laughter. Instead, we had crashed into frustrations, misunderstandings and angry emotions. I began to question God’s plan for the relationship-was it really for good and not harm? If marriage is a gift from Him then why was I caught in an unending cycle of bitterness, isolation and resentment? As a popular song by Chris Tomlin echoed the words “you’re a good, good Father, it’s who you are,” I cringed. I contemplated this label, ‘good’ Father, with doubt. Deep within, I didn’t understand why God was not delivering me of the trials within my marriage.
These thoughts rallied around my head as I pushed through tears of disappointment and days of doubt. Until one day...
One day, my friend made two groundbreaking statements to me as I wallowed in fear over my circumstance. She said, “God has not forgotten the innermost desires of your heart, He still knows them,” and “don’t let your marriage become an idol.”
The reminder that He simply knew the desires of my heart was a splash of water to my parched soul, but the idol statement was a shock to my almost dead soul.
Marriage, an idol? How can that be? I thought idols were bad; things in life that we worship and put before God…bingo, put before God. My marriage had become a barometer to my relationship with God. If my relationship with my spouse was good, then I was pleased with God, but if we were sinking then I sneered at God.
As I processed these statements and reflected, I realized the idol I had formed within my heart. My heart ached for forgiveness and leaped with awareness. The conviction was welcomed as it allowed my eyes to see so much.
This was a cornerstone in my Christian faith. My prayer had often been, “teach me Lord how to be wise, open my eyes to things,” and so it had been granted… but amidst tears and frustrations. Of course, the frustrations lingered even after the revelation, but the faith attached to the two concepts strengthened my perspective on my Heavenly Father. The trials and uncomfortable occurrences no longer made me fearful, nor waiver. I now stood firm on my faith.
I see clearly the trials allowed us to be molded, pruned and preserved; not damaged beyond repair, nor forgotten.
The foundation I began to stand on was not for the weary soul to waiver upon, but one to withstand the storms. I no longer wanted to be a fair-weather believer dictating an Almighty God. I wanted to be a firm believer with roots anchored in trust, endurance and faith.
Thirteen years later I would walk the road all over again. He matured us through the frustrations, purged us of disheartening generational cycles and strengthened us through heartache. God took two unprepared, doubtful hands and guided them to wisdom and unity; proving He is a good, good Father.
If you are doubting the Lord’s goodness in any area of your life, hang tight. Dig deep into that trial. Grip your faith and commit to trusting He has a plan far beyond your thoughts. Trust the process because with it comes endurance, wisdom, deeper trust and a foundation worth standing on.
“Looking inward instead of forward in 2022”
2022 is here, and most of us are uncertain where 2021 went. As a new year arrives, words such as resolutions and goals tend to flood our thoughts. Our mind sees an opportunity for a fresh start, another chance at change.
But instead of looking outward at another new opportunity or another new ambition, what if we look inward and face something within us……our idols.
I used to think an idol was simply a statue made for worship in other religions. A concept I didn’t participate in, until I did…. A pivotal moment came when I recognized the many idols I had developed in my own heart.
As I prayed about numerous things in life, God began to reveal areas of my heart that were ‘off limits.’ Topics or circumstances I held tight and didn’t desire to change. Corners of my heart were restricted as I created idols of comfort, expectations and control.
I had to ask myself a challenging question, “What areas in my life am I not willing to let God tell me yes or no?”
The ones revealed were the idols I had made in my heart….
Expectations of an outcome in a relationship revealed the judgement I desired to hold.
Denial of saying no to partaking in certain actions revealed my desire for comfort.
Exhausting myself with fear of the future with a questionable situation revealed the grip I kept on a gift given to me by God.
The list goes on! So much awareness was brought to me with that one challenging question. That awareness brought an inward change; one that was pivotal in growing closer to God and understanding Him.
He met me at the end of that question with His comfort and His plan. He reminded me that He is the author of everything occurring in life. He is the source of everlasting joy; the things of this world will never fulfill us. He goes before us and stands behind us; nothing is unseen or forgotten.
Including that particular question in my prayers has revealed a clearer view to life’s challenges. Being aware of areas I grip too tightly helps me be honest with God about my concerns.
As we face a new year with endless opportunities for growth, may we not dismiss looking within the heart first. Achieved goals or fulfilled resolutions will never satisfy the longing in our hearts.
Tim Keller wrote it best in his book Counterfeit Gods, “Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive to your heart, than your idol. That is what will replace your counterfeit gods. If you uproot the idol and fail to “plant” the love of Christ in its place, the idol will grow back.”
Now that’s a resolution worth setting!
“What do you desire?”
I stopped by the local gift shoppe for a last-minute gift. Instructing my children not to act like heathens, we entered the quaint, decorated store. As I browsed for my selection, my oldest daughter appeared with a gift in hand, “Mom, I’d like to get this for my sister for Christmas, could we sneak it to the counter for them to wrap it real fast and I want to use my own money to buy it for her.” Beaming with pride at the sweet moment, I pointed her to the salesclerk to seal the deal.
Moments later, little sister appears with the same item. “Mom, will you buy me this? I really want it.” Still relishing in the proud moment, I blissfully respond, “Maybe another time honey, let’s not get that today.”
I wish I could say our ‘Norman Rockwell’ moment remained….
Crocodile tears burst onto the scene, whiney cries began and the stank eye was given.
“Whyyyy mom? It’s such a good book, I’ll do chores today! How come you won’t get it, it’s what I really, reallllllly want!!”
As I attempted to gain control of my small gremlin, muttering statements between gritted teeth, a clear message for her came to mind, “I know you want this very badly, but if you trust me, I promise something great will happen in time.”
Ummmm…. Did I just gain a lesson for myself as I wrestled with my child in the store?
So often, my thoughts become entangled with ‘what I want in life, when I want it.’ I may not stomp my foot or whine aloud, but I allow the frustration to consume me and complain of my unmet expectations. When I become focused on my own agenda in life, I forget the message behind God’s promises. Sometimes it’s a simple desire, but many times, it’s a deep desire that is accompanying a wait.
If you are in a season of waiting, you know how hard it can be at times.
There was a time in my life that I struggled with believing God was a good Father. Relationships were not healing as quickly as I wanted, and disappointment surrounded me. Why wouldn’t God deliver like I knew He could? Didn’t He know what my heart desired?
A friend spoke of God’s promises within Psalms 37 and reminded me of this, “God has not forgotten the desires of your heart.” It was a simple but refreshing message for my weary heart. As I searched this chapter for more patience and understanding, bold statements appeared.
“Trust in the Lord…..”
“Take delight in the Lord….”
“Commit your way to the Lord….”
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently….”
“Hope in the Lord and keep His way…..”
If your heart is awaiting something in life, know that God knows your innermost desires. But…. also know that He desires your whole heart first. Commit your way to Him, find contentment and joy in Him.
When I look back at moments in my life, I see God revealing and orchestrating more than I could ever fathom; reminding me He knows my hearts desires. But He also knows what is best for me; teaching me how to find everlasting joy and contentment through Him first and revealing new prayers.
My youngest pouted as we left the store that day….never realizing her big sister had it all taken care of….and I left the store reminding myself God will always do the same.
Merry Christmas!
“A New Approach”
“Mooooom, it’s my turn to pick a movie and she won’t give me the remote.”
“Mooooom, she’s in my room and I want her out!”
“Mooooom, she won’t let me have a turn!”
“Mom, Mom, Moooooooom!!!!”
I had heard the whiney stretch in my name one too many times. The girls were constantly bickering, and my job had somehow changed from a dental hygienist to a referee. My nerves were over it and I was running out of patience! Before I knew it, I was yelling at them for yelling at each other! Great approach, right?...
As I complained to them about being their referee, a thought hit me upside the head, “your approach is rooted in anger, go with gratitude instead.” Maybe it was something I read, maybe it was God, I don’t know, but I understood the message.
I switched gears immediately and offered a game to the girls. Bouncing around like wild hyenas they eagerly awaited the details of this new game. “Tell your sister something you think is special about her then we will switch and have her tell you something different about you.”
Crickets and bug eyes…. that’s all I got…. “Ughh, I thought you said we were playing a game?!”
Reluctantly obeying, both girls muttered responses that grew into giggles, that developed into heartfelt words, that blossomed into “Mom, can we keep playing this game?!”
Boom, drop the mic, feeling like parent of the year right now! Just kidding, believe me, I knew this victory could be short lived. Yet, I felt I had learned something monumental.
Sometimes I feel the only way to deal with the frustrating matter is to get above it or become louder than their voices, but in return it doesn’t seem to deal with the root of the matter.
Shifting my focus and returning my perspective to the heart of the matter feels wiser.
No need for motherhood to experience whining and complaining. Unfortunately, negativity is everywhere. The familiar phrase, “Kill ‘em with kindness,” is not meant to be acted out with shallow remarks and a contrary heart. It expounds from a heart rooted in gratefulness that overflows kindness. Everything begins with the heart.
One of the main jobs as a parent, and a follower of Christ, is to look beyond the problem at hand and consider where the root is that lies within.
Constant complaints? Consider a prayer for contentment that comes only from Jesus.
Constant wants and desires? Consider a prayer for fulfillment through Jesus’ gift of love.
Constant ungratefulness? Consider a prayer for thankfulness that overflows from what Jesus offers.
Look beyond the surface and consider a fresh perspective.
I have no doubt my refereeing days are not over. But, I am confident my Heavenly Father will continue to guide me as I guide them and those around me; I simply must allow Him to be the coach.
“I need a clean heart”
I don’t understand the phrase, “slow as Christmas,” because reality is we blink and it’s Christmas. The holidays are quickly approaching, and the gathering of family is upon us. It can be such an exciting time with good food and fellowship, but for some it can be a time of anxiousness.
You’ve probably also heard the expression, “the black sheep in the family.” Reality is the whole flock is together at this time of the year. Opinions, emotions and broad personalities can turn into a recipe for a nutty fruitcake that you didn’t want served.
So, whether it be during family gatherings or life in general, how do we prepare ourselves for unforeseen scenarios or heightened emotions with those we are trying to love?
I’ve found myself in this predicament more times than I can count, well beyond the holidays. My emotions towards an individual ranged from frustration to grace and anger to mercy. My heart knew to extend the same mercy and grace Jesus had shown me, but my mind was stumped and could not find the words to even pray. I desired a deeper prayer for them but felt I was staring at a wall that had ‘emotions and opinion’ across it.
I was tired of the mental block and decided to get real with God in my prayer. No more frilly words, no more hidden heartache, the real deal, and just like that God revealed Himself. A particular scripture danced through my head, “God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Memorizing scripture is new to me and I have retained about two verses out of thousands, but the more I read the Bible and ask God to speak to me, the more He whispers certain verses at just the right time.
The phrase, “create a clean heart for me,” felt like a ‘eureka’ moment! My speechless prayer shifted to “God, I want to be honest, this person bothers me, I am struggling to WANT to pray for them, BUT I want to do YOUR will. Give me a new heart, a NEW outlook, a new desire to pray blessings and life FOR them!” The words unraveled from my mind as if they had been bound up.
I am continuously being reminded of how powerful, effective and freeing scripture becomes when I allow it to take effect. My honesty in a prayer is also key. Submission precedes honesty and obedience follows, simple approaches for complicated circumstances; that’s how God works.
Holiday gatherings will come and go, individuals will produce a range of emotions within us, and life will be beautiful and messy…. but one thing remains…The Word of God.
Ask Him to reveal His Word to you, reach for your Bible often and get real with Him. He will reveal just what you need at the right time.
Check out the song of the week below! It’s a great one!
“Words of wisdom from Jethro”
Did you know there was a man named Jethro in the Bible? As I stumbled upon this name in Exodus chapter 18 I snickered because all I could recall was the 1990’s film, Beverly Hillbillies….ole’ Jethro! But the book of Exodus revealed an intriguing and different view of my new Bible friend.
Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law. He came to visit Moses after hearing of many miracles performed by God for the Israelites. As Jethro and Moses eagerly greeted one another and filled the air with laughter and stories, Jethro exclaimed praises over God’s mighty works.
Imagine Jethro’s face after Moses gushed of the ten plagues over Egypt and their escape through the Red Sea! Jethro couldn’t ‘one up’ Moses if he tried with these stories! What amazing experiences Moses was able to tell his father-in-law about as they visited! After a night of visiting and some much-needed sleep, they awake to a new day full of duties.
Exodus 18:13 tells us, “The next day Moses sat down to judge the people, and they stood around Moses from morning until evening.” The following verses reveal Moses’ daily stress level and Jethro’s gentle correction. Verse 17 states, “What you’re doing is not good; You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone.” Jethro then goes on to offer a wise solution, “You should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit…”
Moses was carrying the daily burden of playing referee with the Israelites. Each day he sat and listened to their complaints and disputes. I can’t even fathom how exhausting that must have been. Moses was not necessarily doing wrong, as the Bible explains this was his calling at the time; he was just going about his duties the wrong way. Jethro respectfully questioned the situation and offered perspective.
Stop and look a little deeper at the responses in this story….
Verse 24, “Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. So, Moses chose able men from all over Israel.”
Moses took constructive criticism. Moses opened his ears to guidance and Moses didn’t boast in his authority; he listened to wise counsel.
Jethro observed the situation. Jethro respectfully offered a suggestion and Jethro’s concern was rooted in love.
I love the exchange of honor and respect between Moses and Jethro.
So often we can become overwhelmed with responsibilities, even Godly ones and convince ourselves we can do it alone and are fully equipped to do so. Our ears mellow out suggestions from fellow human beings. Possibly we are awaiting a grand encounter from God for direction….yet missing the whole message.
May we learn from Moses and Jethro’s simple encounter, a humble heart, open mind and gentle approach. Thank Him today for those that have offered Godly counsel to you.
“Honest Prayers”
Have you experienced heartache through friendship or with family members? I feel confident there is not a single person that could say no to that question. We have ALL experienced pain or disappointment in relationships. But, the more meaningful question is how do we handle it?
For me, my mind begins to play a game of ping pong. The thoughts, “How dare them, don’t they see what all I have done for them,” and “now you have made mistakes too, let’s consider a different perspective,” toss back and forth as I seek to find a justified emotion. Before I know it, I have exhausted myself in a mind game that God never intended me to play.
David often expressed his own heartache and pain in the book of Psalms. At times, he felt defeated by deceit, oppression and injustice. Each page in Psalms reveals an emotional roller coaster we all can relate to in life. Read the verses below and watch David’s emotions unravel…
“I will say to God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? Why must I go in sorrow because of my enemy’s oppression?” Psalm 42: 5
“Send your light and your truth; let them lead me,” Psalm 43: 3.
“God, listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help. Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint because the enemy’s words, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me with anger,” Psalm 55:1-3.
I became stumped when I arrived at Psalm 58. Intense frustration and vengeance seemed to be pointed directly at his enemies, “God, knock the teeth out of their mouths!” Ummm…tell us how you really feel Dave. I could relate, yet I sort of refrained from those particular emotions when I was talking to God. Why was this in the Bible? Was it OK to wish vengeance on our enemies?
God heard my question and gently reminded me of another passage in the Bible I was once stumped on-Jeremiah 13. Jeremiah tells the story of God instructing him to hide his underwear in the crevice of a rock. He then commands him to retrieve it only to reveal it’s now a ruined, worthless garment. I remember reading this passage and asking myself, “Ok, should I take this literally and is this your message for me today?!”
With patience and effort, I began to study passage as a whole and see a bigger picture. God revealed a beautiful, unique symbolism; our undergarments are intended to cling to us, just as God intends us to cling to Him. They are personal daily items we need, just as our relationship with God should be.
So, as I was reminded of how I came to understand that difficult passage, He nudged me to consider the same concept for David’s angry prayer.
When I step back and look at David’s overall message in Psalms and consider who God was to him, I see it more clearly. David was not afraid to be honest with God. He cried out with true emotions, not the ‘proper’ ones. He revealed his frustrations and told God what his flesh desired-to have their teeth knocked out! Yet, within almost the same breath, he knows God is sovereign in everything He does. He knew God saw every tear that fell, every dagger that pierced him. His love for David and us is steadfast, dependable and just, therefore we need not worry with who wins the game.
I’m learning that I can be deeply honest with God about my frustrations; He already knows my heart. But, instead of stumbling over teeth I will stop myself from playing the exhausting mind game and focus on other verses such as, Psalm 51, “God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious your ways, and sinners will return to you.”
“Empty Prayers”
An elderly patient of mine once commented to our dentist, “this season shall pass,” after we chatted about the challenges in life during a routine checkup. My boss wittily replied, “Oh it’ll pass, may pass like a kidney stone, but it will!” I don’t think there has ever been a truer statement. I personally do not know the pain of kidney stones, but the description of a cockle bur, or as we say it in the south, ‘cuckabur,’ passing through our body seals the deal for me.
Life’s circumstances can feel like this at times. We know deep inside the challenge will give way, but it can be painful, stressful and exhausting, even leaving us speechless.
I find myself to be an optimistic person, a glass half full kind of gal, but sometimes difficult incidences develop that bring my thought process to a halt. My perspective narrows and I struggle to even find words to pray. Thoughts such as, “I don’t even know what to pray for,” or “I feel like I keep saying the same prayer,” cloud my mind. My heart will even try to muster up, “God, I know You are still there, but I feel paralyzed in my prayer.”
Have you ever felt paralyzed with your words in prayer? Maybe at a loss for words?
Let me encourage you with something I’ve learned in a difficult season. Consider searching for words to include in your prayer from a book in the Bible-Psalms. A friend suggested reading a Psalm a day and seeking words that pierce my heart. As I thumbed my way out of story land, the Old Testament, and moved towards the middle of my Bible, I was amazed at the discovery. The small black words described all the emotions I was feeling and offered the personal prayer I needed to release.
“I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain,” Psalm 3:4.
“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy,” Psalm 16: 11.
“Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness,” Psalm 18:28.
“The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise,” Psalm 19:7.
“Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long,” Psalm 25: 4-5.
I could go on forever, but will leave the rest for you to find…
As I read through the verses, one Psalm a day, I found myself inserting the names of people I needed to pray for but had struggled to find the words. God was revealing the prayers deep in my heart that became buried with trials, emotions and disappointment.
If you find yourself struggling to speak your emotions into a prayer, seek them within His Word. He will be faithful to reveal them, wait and see.
“Mind at War”
It had been a challenging month in our home. Life was not handing us lemons; it was passing out prickly pears that looked like mini cactuses. I was facing difficult decisions that required uncertain steps forward and I hated it. My thoughts would race as I wondered what the future held, my wheels would turn as I dissected scenarios, and my doubts were picked right back up after I released them in prayer. The enemy had made his way into my mind and was feeding me manure for breakfast. I became convinced my prayers were pointless, repetitive, and unheard. My biggest motto in life, “purpose in everything,” felt unrelatable and my joy was fading. Where was my perspective? Where was my cultivated belief in who my God was? It was buried, buried deep beneath the enemy’s lies.
I had taken my focus off God and shifted it towards my problem. It felt bigger than me. It felt like the Red Sea was in front of me and an army was closing in behind me.
Can you relate to this scenario? Maybe you are facing trials that feel impossible or perhaps, your mind is drowning in doubt and despair. Whatever the case, step back and shift your focus a bit with me.
As I drove home from work, exhausted from fighting my mental battle, I slowly began to shift my thoughts back to the blessings in life. The tune, “count your blessings, name them one by one,” unraveled in my head as I began to push the enemy out. I made a choice and an effort to recall what God had and was doing in my life. God’s message of encouragement and trust began to drown out the doubt. God then filled my mind with words such as joy, strength, way maker, provider, purpose, growth, wisdom, guidance, and truth. These beautiful words filled my mind and lifted the weight from my shoulders.
This is the God we serve-one that fights for us, pursues us, loves us and speaks truth to us. Yet, so often we forget and are lead away by the enemy’s schemes.
If your mind is filled with lies and uncertainty of the outcome of your circumstance, shift your eyes back to God. He is bigger than that problem. He is stronger than your fear. Our joy and strength to face trials are rooted in His purpose and plan.
The mind is a powerful tool. Allow it to manifest doubt, fear and uncertainty, and it will reap anxiety, stress and unnecessary burdens. But, incline your ear to God’s message and truth will be heard.
Consider meditating on these verses when the enemy comes knocking…. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you,” James 1: 2-5.
“Forgetful Minds”
Did you ever read Cliffs Notes in school? You know, the shortcut that summarized the reading assignment and gave an overall view of it. I feel like chapter 15 in Exodus is the Cliff Note to a big story in the Old Testament. When you have a moment, visit this area of the Bible, but for now I’ll be Cliff.
Moses and the Israelites have witnessed God push the waters of the Red Sea back to make a dry path for them to pass through and defeats their trailing enemy with crashing waves. The Israelites and Moses stand on dry ground in amazement. I’d like to think I would be a ‘Miriam’ and break it down with a victory dance and tambourine! One of the biggest miracles has just played out for God’s people and it was rooted in love and protection for His children.
Moses then leads the people away from the sea and towards the wilderness of Shur. I bet after that cool moment the Israelites thought, “Sure, I’ll follow this dude with the staff anywhere he goes!” Unfortunately, maybe the next stop should’ve been called “Unshur.”
Exodus 15 states, “For three days they traveled in the desert wilderness without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So, the people grumbled against Moses, saying What are we to drink?”
Peepul! You just witnessed God miraculously lift an entire sea wall; don’t you think He will provide your every need?! But, so quickly I too, forget and doubt.
Recently, I felt God leading me to a challenging circumstance; one that felt impossible. Yet, with His amazing power He made a way and washed my concerns away. He revealed Scripture to ease my thoughts and assured me with wise counsel. I watched His mighty Hand work wonders. But as challenges arose and difficulty was faced, my mind forgot and began to grumble, “Fix the problem Lord!”
The Israelites were doubting God’s provision and wanted their problem fixed.
But our God is a Father that gives more than we know to ask.
Through mine and the Israelite cries, God unravels our need for Him. He takes us to a place in our minds that requires us to rely on Him, call out to Him, and seek Him for everything.
God did provide the water for the Israelites, but He also provided them with an outlook on Who He is. He opened their ears, eyes, and hearts to their desperate need for His guidance with every step.
As I continue through my own “Unshur” wilderness, He will provide a solution for my concerns as well; I need only to remind myself of who He is, The Provider of everything.
Take some time reading through Exodus 15 and answer this for the assignment, “Can I trust God with every step?”
The answer…. yes, you can.
“The Way Maker”
Are you familiar with the popular song, “Way maker?” Hum the lyrics with me, “Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who You are.” The lyrics of this song brought to life a passage I read recently in Exodus.
Moses had successfully led the Israelites out from Pharaoh’s rule and is hightailing it to the land of freedom. They have clearly heard God’s call and their faith is strong as they journey to the next step. But as they moved forward, they encountered a major obstacle, the Red Sea.
Can you imagine? You’re running for your life, finally experiencing a breakthrough only to realize the escape route is blocked by a massive raging sea. To make matters worse, you turn around to see your enemy coming after you. Can you sense the panic and doubt?
We find this scenario unfolding in Exodus 14 as the Israelites lose all faith in their helper crying, “What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?!” They have completely forgotten the misery and agony prior to their escape.
But, our old friend Moses has grown in his faith and responds, “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and watch The Lord rescue you today.” Shortly after the pep talk, God commands Moses to lift his staff to the raging sea. The Israelites stare in amazement as the waters part and dry ground appears. Let that image sink in. Take your mind to your favorite beach and picture God’s miraculous power producing this moment…..mind blowing, isn’t it?
God was a ‘way maker’ that day.
The amazing part…. He is still a ‘way maker’ today.
Some of us feel like the Israelites. Life is difficult and confusing. We feel God leading us into a new journey, but are uncertain of the path and circumstances. We recall the lyrics, we know the story, but our hearts are struggling with doubt.
Shift your focus to the latter part of the song, “miracle worker, promise keeper, that is who You are.” God keeps His promises and holds the ability to deliver us from circumstances any way He chooses. He is trustworthy and able. The key is believing it.
Believe He will deliver you from confusion to peace, from darkness to light, and fear to trust. Trust He will heal your broken heart, provide for you and guide you. He will make the way; we need only to wholeheartedly surrender our hearts to Him.
“Finding God’s Goodness”
Recently my youngest daughter began talking of a family trip from the past. She gushed about how fun it was and longed to return. I smiled as I listened to her joyfully recall what she remembered from the trip.
The reality of the trip was that it was a “National Lampoon” style vacation. I was Ellen and my husband was Clark; anything and everything went wrong. The oldest upchucked lunch in her airplane seat, the youngest cut her lip open on the stroller, and I fainted next to the shuttle bus. I’d love to say we, as parents, handled it all with grace, but ‘Chevy Chase’ style is a truer statement. Ironically though, our daughter recalls the good from it.
As I reflected on my daughter’s perspective, I considered my thoughts as an adult. So often, I would become too focused on what went wrong in a circumstance and dwell in the uncertainty of it. God would tug at my heart to remind me to focus on who He is instead. This came after a pivotal moment in my walk as a Christian when I wholeheartedly began to believe that God was good. The popular phrases and lyrics, “God is good,” or “He’s a good, good Father,” were hard for my heart to believe when my life wasn’t going as planned and my prayers felt unanswered. I knew He listened and answered prayers, but doubted this in certain areas of my own life.
Yet, through His goodness, God slowly began shifting my focus. He revealed my “if and then” prayers and gently encouraged me to grow into an “even if,” prayer. He revealed idols I had made within my mind and taught me to find my joy and contentment through Him. And lastly, He brought me perspective; reminding me to be rooted in gratefulness. The truth is there is always something “good” in the matter, but it can be difficult to see without a heart of gratitude. Gratefulness is key to seeing God at work even when circumstances are challenging.
Much more in life has altered my view on words such as “God’s goodness,” but ultimately it was God that gently guided me to trust Him and believe in His promises.
If your life is hard right now, and you are uncertain God is still ‘good,’ simply be honest with Him in prayer. He isn’t looking for a “Pollyanna” attitude; He wants your honesty and concerns, and with that, He will guide you to a stronger faith in Him.
I love that our daughter naturally sees the glass half full, but as life pushes on and challenges surface for her, I will be able to wholeheartedly tell her of God’s loving goodness for her life, too. Together, we will be reminded of God’s goodness throughout our lives.
When it doesn’t go as planned…
The last time we visited Moses he was offering a doubtful ‘yes’ to God in a fearful circumstance. The ruler of Egypt was prideful, stubborn and filled with hatred, yet God was telling Moses to roll up in the palace and give this evil ruler a message. You may not be able to relate to such a task, but perhaps you have been called to speak up on a heavily debated topic or been convicted to speak truth on a matter within a relationship. When we think about it, we too, have been in Moses’ position with uncertainty of the outcome.
In the book of Exodus God had given a clear message to Moses to tell Pharaoh to “let His people go.” The Israelites had grown in numbers and were being used as slaves to gain power in Egypt. Pharaoh’s heart and mind were ruthlessly stubborn. Moses had finally mustered up the courage to accept the call to free God’s people, and scurries off to Egypt only to receive a big NO from Pharaoh.
The pride and arrogance of Pharaoh was standing firm and doubt was resurfacing for Moses. Moses cried out to God, “O Lord, why did you ever send me?”
I too, have shared this cry with Moses asking, “where are you God?” or “I thought you led me to this, did I hear you correctly?”
God’s answer to Moses was this, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. Because of MY mighty hand he will let them go. Because of MY mighty hand he will drive them out of this country,” Exodus 6:1. Moses was going to experience God’s power and never doubt Who was behind this mighty miracle.
Do you remember a time of uncertainty that required a brave step forward? Did things go as planned? Was the person you mustered the courage to approach cooperative? I can recall a time I felt God calling me to approach a tough situation. I responded obediently but found the situation hard. As I desperately waited on The Lord, I gained insight. I realized nothing I was expecting to occur could be within my own power. Every step of the call would be on His timing and from His power. My faith was strengthened in the waiting by reflecting on Who God is and as I sought God in the uncertainty, I began to seek after His miraculous power. Looking back, I see that my ego would have probably taken credit IF the situation played out as easily as I imagined.
Moses returned to The Lord several times seeking clarity amid difficult trials and every time he walked away being reminded of who God says He is; The Great I Am, The Provider, The Alpha and The Omega.
If you are in a season of uncertainty on where God has led you, press into who God is first. Focus on the promises in His Word to remind you of His faithfulness and rest in knowing He desires to strengthen your trust in His abilities.
We know how it ends…. Moses did lead the Israelites out of Egypt and conquer Pharaoh, but not without a deep rooted sense of who’s power made it happen, God.
Doubtful Circumstances
Growing up, I viewed the Old Testament as a section of The Bible that was confusing and unrelatable. I would wander into it occasionally, then quickly move out of it as my eyes went cross eyed on cubic measurements and sons of sons of sons. But not long ago I lingered in Exodus long enough to change my perspective…
I feel confident you are familiar with the main character in the book of Exodus, Moses. He led the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea and delivered the Ten Commandments given to him by God. While all these moments deserve recognition, the one that grabbed my attention the most was the doubt he experienced.
We find Moses questioning his ability to carry out God’s plan in Exodus. At this point in the story Moses has fled Pharaoh’s palace in Egypt after killing an Egyptian, met a feisty woman that becomes his wife and has come to terms with his life. But God….God has plans for Moses to grow in his faith and do more than he ever imagined.
God chooses to speak to Moses through a burning bush. Can we just pause here….wouldn’t this life be a lot easier if God would give us a clear, audible message like this?! I once dreamed God gave me the message to go on a mission trip to a place that began with the letter, “M.” I googled places beginning with “M” and concluded it might have been Morocco. As I informed my husband of this, he rolled his eyes and retorted, “are you sure it wasn’t Monroe?” Good point. The message was a bit foggy.
Moses is clearly told to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage from Pharoah. Instruction is given, promises for guidance are made and God’s plan is explained.
Moses’ response to God’s command: Ummm…can you pick somebody else, God? Who am I to do this?
Have you ever been in Moses’ circumstance? Maybe you didn’t stand before a flaming bush and hear an audible voice, but perhaps you sensed God was guiding you to a big decision. Maybe you know God is calling you to be a leader, but you feel inadequate. Your mind says, “Who am I to ____?” Let your thoughts fill in that blank.
Moses was genuinely honest with God about his gut-wrenching doubt and the beauty of this is how God responded. The book of Exodus tells us God reminded Moses He would be with Him every step of the way. God would be present through Moses’ actions, speech and decisions; nothing would be overlooked.
Sometimes we can feel like Moses-unequipped, fearful and uncertain. We don’t want to say no to God, but our circumstances feel impossible, and our own strength cripples us. God doesn’t want superheroes; He wants our trust in His plan. Some of the biggest burdens lifted off my own shoulders came from sincere prayers expressing my doubt of how on earth a scenario could play out and feeling God remind me to simply trust Him.
If you are being faced with a difficult circumstance or uncertain you have what it takes to follow God’s calling, remember who He is and what He promises. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. His love and guidance endure forever.
As you probably know, Moses did move forward with God’s command to free the Israelites, but not without a challenge. Stay tuned on the next blog post to watch Moses dig even deeper to trust God’s plan.
Hard decisions…
You have probably heard the familiar phrase, ‘I’m caught between a rock and a hard spot’. If you have been there, you know the difficult circumstances to be faced as a decision is made. Preoccupied thoughts, a heavy heart, and the uncertainty of a decision are troublesome. These are the situations we try to avoid, yet, at times are faced with them.
This is the circumstance we find Shiphrah and Puah in the Book of Exodus. Ship and Poo who?! If your mind went there, I get it. I have read the Bible most of my life and never heard of these two women until recently.
As I waded through the weeds in the Book of Exodus…looking for Moses…I stumbled upon the names of these two women. They were the midwives to the Hebrew women of their time, but not just any midwives. Shiphrah and Puah represented all midwives in their area and answered to the ruler of Egypt called Pharoah. At the time Pharaoh had ordered a law commanding these women to kill all male babies as they were born. The midwives were to terminate the innocent infants as they assisted in labor. Allow this concept to sink in a moment; their lives depended on their obedience to obey a ruler of the land. Surely, they did not desire to perform this horrid act, but they also were fully aware of Pharoah’s dictatorship and power over them. Rulers of Egypt were looked upon as gods with authority and force. This was a hard decision to make; remain silent and do the deed or resist and risk their own lives…
We find Shiphrah and Puah choosing the latter decision. Exodus 1:17 states, “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.” Notice the words that explain why the women did not obey Pharoah’s law.
What comes to mind when you read that phrase, ‘they feared God’? Does it seem to be a “scared form of fear,” or a fear rooted in respect? The latter of the two wins again.
Shiphrah and Puah’s fear and honor of God was rooted in a deep awareness of who God was to them. He was the Creator of life, and they knew it. Their courageous act of faith did not remove them from the rock and the hard spot, but it did place a sense of courage in them to trust the unseen.
As our new friends, Shiphrah and Puah’s story unfolds, we find Moses; a tiny, male newborn that was destined to live beyond Pharoah’s evil act of hatred. If you recall, Moses was later placed in a basket by his mother into the river to journey to the unknown. But as Scripture shows us, he is drawn out of the water and into his calling.
The mother of Moses must have been heavy-hearted with such a difficult decision, but she, too knew the Creator of life and trusted in the unseen plan.
Who is the Creator of your life? Whom do you fear and honor? When challenges arise and the outcome is unclear, are you able to wholeheartedly trust who God is and the journey He has chosen for you?
As hard times arise and doubt consumes you, remind yourself whom you honor, fear and serve. Trust His plan and act courageously with faith in the Creator of your life.
“The Heart of the Matter”
Have you ever noticed the people in church services that lift their hands during worship? There was a time in my life when I would discreetly stare at them during worship. My mind would wonder, ‘why do they do that, did they grow up raising hands?’ What made some sing with their entire body and others just their lips? For me, I was in the latter group. I grew up in a small, conservative church averaging twenty-five people on a Sunday. The congregation sang holding rugged hymnals as Mrs. Dera Jane, the local elderly lady scaled away on the piano. We chorused “victory in Jesus, my Savior forever,” with elbows tucked in and hands firmly on the hymnal. A lifting of hands in the sanctuary may have indicated someone having a heart attack and requesting help. The sanctuary was filled with men and women that truly loved the Lord but showing an outward expression of the lyrics would produce some eyebrow raises.
Life after graduation lead me to a bigger city with churches galore. I settled into one of the larger ones as a newlywed with my husband. Surrounded by people from different backgrounds, my eyes were turned to a new sight. Almost thirteen hundred individuals filled the sanctuary each Sunday. The stage displayed drums, keyboards, and guitarists. I was far from the tiny rectangle building with a steeple among the corn fields. While my heart reflected on the simplicity of my prior church, my eyes gleaned at the new sight. A sight that showed many offering an outward expression of their hearts as they worshipped with hands lifted high. They seemed so free, like they didn’t seem to mind if they looked different than the individual next to them. Some swayed side to side with eyes closed dwelling in the worship; others clasped their hands together as they belted out lyrics. Were they that enthralled in the music or was their worship simply for The Lord? That thought pricked my own heart, ‘worship simply for The Lord.’
Where had my own heart been when worshiping The Lord? Different approaches to worship were not to be called right or wrong but, where the heart was mattered.
Years later in life I attended a small retreat at a local Christian camp. Praise music, good food and quiet time were on the agenda. As I listened to a speaker, she referenced different positions of prayer. Her message was to consider everything in us, while holding nothing back with God. Shortly after she finished speaking, music began to play softly, and quiet time was encouraged. I suddenly sensed The Lord whispering, “let it all go.” I peeked one eye open to see what everyone else was doing….no movement was detected. A message overcame me again, “Adrienne, let all of it go, focus on me.” So I pushed to make my mind focus on the image of my Holy Father seated on His Heavenly throne deserving praise for who He was to me. This helped my mind close off the worry of what others around me may have been doing. It became me and God in the moment.
Being deeply moved by this image, I slowly slivered off my metal folding chair and eased onto my knees. Surprisingly, I felt drawn to place my face on the floor; a position I had never considered displaying in public. I felt consumed with overwhelming contentment and peace with no concern of anyone else. I no longer cared what position or stance others were taking; I was worshipping my Father.
I opened my eyes and stood to my feet. The music had increased in volume, and many were worshiping in the room. I then felt a third whisper, “Don’t think of what others think, think only of Me.” With the whisper echoing, eyes closed, both arms went straight up as I sang praise to the Heavenly Father with such freedom.
I share this story with you not to proclaim you must lift your hands in worship to fully proclaim His glory, not the case at all. But, to consider your heart on the matter. So often I felt deeply moved by a powerful lyric but thought more about what I may look like if I acted on it. The Lord made sure to wipe that concern off the table when I ended up prostrate on the floor at the retreat!
Friends, take time to consider the gift of worship to The Lord. It can be shown in many different ways. Hands up, hands down….doesn’t matter. It’s all about your heart and the Heavenly Father. Close your eyes, imagine that and see where He leads you.
“Keep Pressing Forward”
Today’s Purpose with Perspective post is written by my guest, and dear friend, Stephanie Durham. Stephanie is a local speech language pathologist with a heart filled with love for others. Stephanie enjoys journaling God’s Word and shares a passion for writing. She launched a beautiful blog, “Grace and a Ponytail,” revealing God’s redemptive story throughout her own life. When she’s not working alongside patients or tenderly caring for her family, you can find her hitting the pavement for a quick run to regain perspective….
My legs were burning, feet cramping up, and my lungs were on fire. I felt as though I could not go another step. The finish line was only a couple of miles away, but I wanted to flat out QUIT. Runners sped past me and I felt completely drained and weak. Years ago, I enjoyed running long distance races and did quite a few half marathons and one marathon. However, a few miles from the finish line, this same scenario played out every race. My husband, Matt, knew this and expected the same phone call each time I hit that wall. The conversation went something like this:
Me: “I can’t go any further. I am so tired and weary. I want to quit.”
Matt: “Yes you can. You have trained for this. Just talk to me and I’ll help you cross that finish line.”
And I did. I crossed the finish line each time with Matt’s voice speaking truth and encouragement in each painful step.
The year 2020 was the toughest of my career. As an essential healthcare worker in a hospital, I felt like I was running a marathon each day. I was weary, tired, and felt deep compassion for each of my patients. Each time I entered a COVID floor, fear crept in. Anxiety slowly arose as I pulled the disposable gown on, pulled my hair back into a cap, put a face shield on, and snapped a pair of gloves onto my hands. My fear would quickly melt into compassion when I entered the patient’s room. The fear in their eyes was real and they longed for some hope. They needed to see and feel the presence of Jesus in that room.
At the end of a long day, I was faced with fear once again when I returned home. Questions flooded my head. The biggest question included, “Will I bring this disease home to my family?”. Fear and anxiety alone made me weary and exhausted. We were stuck at home and when I left home, I was going into a place overcome with illness amid a pandemic. When I felt like I hit a wall and could not go any further, a voice inside me said, “Yes, you can. I’ll help you cross that finish line.” As I turned my eyes to Jesus in the middle of a raging pandemic, I felt hope. My steps were filled with more purpose. My focus was renewed and instead of focusing on my own pain, I was able to show my patients the love of Christ they so desperately needed.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
We all have our own race to run. Looking back, I see God guiding me through each mile of that marathon of a year. He placed people in my life to cheer me on, encourage me, and remind me that I am not alone. Be a cheerleader for those going through a marathon of a season in life. And if you, my friend, are on mile 20 of a grueling race, keep the faith and keep going. We trained for this. Our precious Savior will walk with us…
Through each painful step
Through each tear we cry
Through each struggle
Through each time we just want to QUIT.
When everything hurts and the finish line seems so far away, keep running that race. Turn your eyes upon Jesus for there is freedom and healing.
Stephanie has been happily married to Matt for 12 years and is the mother to 2 precious red-headed boys, Luke(8) and Carson(5).
His “I will” Promises...
Take a moment to look back on the journey you have traveled. Reflect on pivotal moments in life that helped shape you and the ones that felt would break you. Your mind may be filled with a sense of peace as you see how the hand of God guided you, or perhaps your mind weighs heavy with thoughts of doubt and regret. Wherever our thoughts lie we can probably all agree life is an image of mountains and valleys with many lessons in between.
This is where we find Jacob in life in Genesis 48, looking back over the course of his life reflecting on the journey. What a journey it had been for him! If you recall, Jacob was the younger brother that slick willied his father and older brother for a birthright and tossed God an “If and Then,” prayer. Over the course of time, he was deceived by his father-in-law, became bogged down in denial as his children’s behavior went haywire, and lay heartbroken as he lost his beloved son, Joseph. Hardship and despair were no strangers to Jacob. The road he walked in life was a hodgepodge of fear, trust, and patience.
Yet, as Jacob’s life nears the end, his choice of words in Genesis 48 are intriguing. Allow your mind to get bogged down in Scripture for a moment and hear the words spoken by Jacob as he prepares to die.
Jacob states, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. He said to me I will make you fruitful and numerous; I will make many nations come from you, and I will give this land as a permanent possession to your future descendants.”
This moment Jacob is reflecting on was the pivotal moment in his life when God appeared to him in a dream. Jacob was on his shameful lonely journey away from home and uncertain of his future. God’s message in the dream was, “I am the Lord…. I will give you and your offspring the land on which you are lying…..look I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go….for I will NOT leave you.”
The trial Jacob was facing in life at that moment became a cornerstone for his walk with The Lord. The journey in between that dream and these last words being spoken represent the faithfulness of the God he grew to trust through the mountains and valleys.
Jacob’s path from the shameful lonely road to reuniting with his son was filled with lessons of faith, hope and trust streaming between them. He didn’t live a perfect life, nor did he grasp God’s message before him every time, but he did press forward with faith and assurance that God was trustworthy.
We live in a world that does not want to remind us of God’s promises. It pulls and tugs at our thoughts to disregard God’s Word. But God has not forgotten us, nor does He overlook us. He remains seated on the mountain tops and kneels down in the valleys to meet us in every step.
I love that Jacob’s mind reflected on the message given to him so long ago, the “I will” message. He looked back over his life and didn’t recall the could have’s or should have’s. He wholeheartedly saw how faithful God had been to fulfill His promises. Joseph and his brothers were the beginning of the twelve tribes of Israel that would continue to populate the earth and weave in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Jacob was returned to the land of Canaan after he passed away and his life story lives on today in God’s Word.
What promise from God does your heart need to revisit?
What “I will” statement do you need to believe God will be faithful in?
Look back over the course of life and allow your mind to recall how faithful and loving God has been to you. Life may not have been smooth and challenges will still arise, but rest assured God’s hand will never leave you. He will be with you wherever you go and will always love you.
Trust the “I will” promises and keep walking forward in faith.
This week’s song has a beautiful message! Enjoy!
Bad Hair Days...
It was a beautiful, slow Sunday morning. Baby sister was eating waffles, my husband was watching Fox News and big sister was getting dressed. While my oldest was just the tender age of seven, her attitude began to display something closer to seventeen.
As she dressed in the clothes chosen by her, she asked for help with her hair. I brushed her blonde hair and secured it with a bow admiring her beauty. She had Rapunzel's golden hair, Snow White’s lips and Cinderella’s heart shaped face. But out of nowhere my admirable thoughts were interrupted with my daughter belting out, “It looks terrible! My hair is terrible!” She frantically ran her fingers under the faucet water to smooth out some small ruts her eyes became fixated on. Astonished, I quickly reprimanded her assuring her everything looked fine and there was no need for the frantic tone. Tears forming in her eyes she declared it was a ‘bad hair day!’
Wait, what?! My seven-year-old was already proclaiming a bad hair day? I thought only teenagers acted like this.
And I just thought it was a beautiful, slow Sunday morning... geeze Louise.
As parents, we had spoken verbal affirmations to build her confidence and told her how beautiful she was, yet all she seemed to be seeing was the negative. A little backstory-this was the 4th time in a month our daughter had made a negative remark about herself while looking in the mirror.
This is where red flags began to take stake in my mind. The pattern I noticed alarmed me. What were we as parents doing wrong? Could we really change or stop her thought process? Was it normal to become agitated with her tendency to “perfect” her hair,overall appearance or was I called as a parent to calmly and wisely respond...hmmm.
I thought of my own remarks made in the earlier occurrences….
“You need to stop with that whining, your hair looks fine!”
“I’m not fooling with this, you look great, let’s go!”
“This is not worth crying over! I've got bigger fish to fry today! Time to go!”
As I reflected on my statements, I noticed my own pattern, not one time had I spoken God’s truth about her to her.
Ephesians 2:10 states, “I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works that He has prepared for me to do.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 says “Don’t be concerned with the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
These are God’s truths; the foundations on which I needed to build her image upon, not the desirable reflection of a fairytale princess in the mirror. While I love the idea of complimenting her with sweet phrases like, “hair like Rapunzel and lips like Snow White,” I could not allow this to be the only affirmations given.
Her hair will be bad at times, her clothes will get messy, acne will develop, and doubt will follow her in life. But we as parents are called to direct her thoughts towards God’s Truth and remind her who she is in Him.
After this revelation in my own mind, I had a ‘eureka’ moment and ran to get the reddest lipstick I owned. I then wrote the perfect words of 1 Peter 3 verses 3 and 4 across the top of her mirror with the lipstick.
Words like “beauty from within,” and “precious to God,” were now staring back at her as she saw her reflection.
I would love to say my red lipstick tactic conquered all moments of doubt, but reality is the enemy lurks around looking for opportunities to disrupt our thoughts. But when that doubt arises, she can recall the bright, bold red letters speaking The Truth of God’s Word back to her.
This moment of frustration and doubt that led to Scripture on the bathroom mirror became a habit in our home. Scriptures are routinely written on mirrors to remind our children and all who enter our home(or bathroom) of God’s message to them.
God sees you. God loves you. You are beautiful and precious to Him.
The battle against self-doubt will always lurk around. The world will fight to convince us that contentment and satisfaction comes from how we look and feel. But until all our identities, both young and old, are rooted in our Creator, we will constantly be dissatisfied.
Encourage someone struggling with doubt with God’s Word this week. Write it on a mirror or write in a text but allow it to take root and believe it with all your heart they were written out of love for you!