God Gives You Rest

I worry. I never even considered myself a worrier until I had children. I suppose it is mostly because my husband and I are wholly responsible for our children. It is solely up to us to teach them, guide them, mold them into good, solid, refined people with quality character that truly love our Lord and want to live their lives to shine for Him. And that is up to me and my husband to do that. I worry that I will fail in guiding them. I worry that I will shield them in this sometimes difficult world too much, or not enough. I worry about them falling and getting hurt physically and I worry about their little hearts getting hurt by friends. I worry about letting go too early … or too late. I worry.

But, what gives me hope, is that when I give my worries and anxiety to God, He takes care of us. He is a loving God and wants and waits for us to “cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us.” (1 Peter 5:7)

I pray for both my children to have a heart for loving the Lord, and also that God will lead and guide us in teaching them all about God’s grace and wondrous ways. I pray that my and my children’s hearts, speech, and actions will honor Him and bring all glory to God, although I know that I often do not live up to my own expectations. What if I fail? What if I lead them down a wrong path? But the important thing is that I pray about it. I know I am not alone. And God knows the desires of my heart.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek His will in all you do,

and He will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6

How encouraging is this?! God truly loves us so much and He cares about every aspect of our lives. He wants to take care of us. He sent His only son to die on the cross so that we may live and sin. That is love. So, if you are feeling down, overwhelmed, or discouraged, not matter how great or small, God cares. Psalm 46:1 says that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

He will give you rest and peace on your heart. Trust in Him. Give it to Him. And do not worry.



When Our Hearts Ache, So Does God's

I picked Ella up from (pre)school today, started asking how her day was, and then she immediately burst into tears, sobbing a true sob, and told me how she wasn't invited to ____'s birthday party. She had told Ella today that she was having a Hannah Montana (didn't know that 4 yr olds watched this!!) party and that she wouldn't like it because Ella likes the Princesses. She was so hurt. But it was a different kind of hurt. One that I have yet to experience with her.

Oh how my heart ached.

Of course all of this was happening while I was driving. I could not comfort my child. What happened next will be something I will remember probably forever, as any parent would.

Ella still sobbing, reached out to Wilson, said "Hold my hand buddy" and as he reached his hand to hers and held the whole way home, I couldn't help but turn my own tears into a smile.

As I was talking Ella through all of this, trying my best to keep things on a positive note, Ella kindly says to me, "Momma, we'll have to make sure to invite ____ to my birthday next year."

God surely was present, and I saw it in so many ways, and on so many levels today. I know that I cannot keep my children in bubbles, as much as I would like to. I have to push through these tough parenting moments and I know now, more than ever, the importance of giving my children to God, to His care and keeping. When our hearts ache, so does HIS.

The way that Ella and Wilson "took care" of each other, even on this simple level, is a moment I will treasure forever. That kind of love is similar to God's love for us. It is so unconditional ... so pure ... so real.

Our God is such a loving God and He is doing amazing, incredible things in our lives. When we go to Him, willing and eager to experience His amazing power and His indescribable love, He will do immeasurable more than we could ever imagine. His love for us is that much -- that abundant. When we give our lives and our childrens lives to God, He will bless us. He knows our needs. He knows the desires of our hearts.

Children Spell "Love" ... T-I-M-E

Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.

Ephesians 5:16

A little more of my prayer I shared in church ...

No one loves us as You do. No one cares as You do. You are patient and true and wait with open arms for us to return to You in truth, prayer, and in the ways that we live. God, remind us the great power of prayer – especially when it comes to our children. One of the best gifts we can give them is to pray for them. Whether we have yet to become parents, or have grown children, please don’t let us forget to give our children’s lives to Your care and to acknowledge that You are in control. We give You every detail of our children, and we ask You, God, to be with us as parents and mentors to guide them, encourage them, pray for them, and teach them Your ways and the importance of inviting You into their lives and into each circumstance.
 
 

Ella and I enjoyed a wonderful girl's day in Charleston at Disney on Ice. We laughed, hugged, held hands, and made a memory that we both will remember forever.

"The best things you can give children,

next to good habits, are good memories."
Sydney J. Harris

A Touching Prayer from a Mom to her Dying Son

No one loves us as God does. No one cares as He does. He is patient and true and waits with open arms for us to return to Him in truth, in prayer, and in the ways that we live. God is truly our best friend. He is everywhere, all around us, and we can see it so easily if we just take a minute to look.

Give your family the ultimate gift by incorporating prayer into your lives. Life is difficult and suffering is an inevitable part of it.  Turn to God with your triumphs and your failures and give Him all control, honor and glory.

I came across this beautiful prayer a mother wrote for her dying son as she trys to explain Heaven to him.

Dedicated to the Memory of 7 yr old, Ellis Mayfield, of Simpsonville, SC, who fought a 1 1/2year battle with an inoperable brain tumor. He received the SC Governor's Outstanding Leadership and Citizenship Award for his unfailing bravery and courage...a little boy who kept laughing and loving... 'til the very end.




To Our Ellis
© Pamela A. Snow

How does a loving mother, explain

Heaven to her dying child?

Please give me the words, O Lord, and

let me say them with a smile...

There is a place called Heaven, Son,

beyond the skies above,

It is the place where GOD is watching,

His Heart so full of Love.

He watches all His children, Son,

He watches you and me,

He wants to know we love Him, and

hopes that we will be...

Always strong and healthy, always

kind and free!

But, sometimes, things do happen, Son,

and sickness takes a hold,

It might be something serious, it

might be just a cold.

GOD sends His special angels,

to watch over us and pray,

And, by our side they linger, they

are never far away.

They lift us up on angels' wings when

we are all too weak,

And, oh!, they pray so softly, Son,

with gentle whispers do they speak.

So, have no fear, my darling, should

GOD come to take you Home,

For it is up there in that Heaven,

Son, where you will run and laugh

and roam!

You will hear that angel choir rejoice

in praises to the LORD,

And, my darling precious child, you

never will be sick, again...

No, never, anymore!!

But, most of all, you will meet the

King, our Saviour, your Best Friend,

oh my!,

If I could see him take your hand, I

know that I would cry!!

You have fought so long, you gave your

all..GOD says it's time to rest,

We will always love and miss you, Ellis,

but GOD...He knows what's best!



Source: To Our Ellis, Prayer Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/spiritual/poetry.asp?poem=427#ixzz11JlpTQId

A Praying Parent

There is great power in praying for our children. Begin now – even if you have yet to become parents, or if your children are already grown. PRAY for them. It’s one of the best gifts we can give them.

Trust in God. He can take better care of our children than we can. Give your child’s life to His care and keeping, and acknowledge that He is in control.

Pray for every detail in your child’s life. But be careful not to force your own will on your child in prayer. This would only lead to disappointment, discontentment, frustration, and unhappiness for all involved.

Remember that while God has a perfect plan for your child, Satan does as well. Satan’s plan is to destroy them through ways that are sometimes obvious and sometimes not. He uses means such as drugs, rebellion, sex, alcohol, among many others. Satan can damage so many lives if we let him. But if we make God in control of every single detail, then He will protect us and carry us through anything that comes our way.

If we guide our child, help them learn to make Godly decisions, teach them to respect God’s ways, teach them the power of prayer, teach them the importance of inviting God’s presence into their lives and into each circumstance, encourage Godly habits, and teach them to surround themselves with others who are also walking down God’s path, then they will be SO much more likely to resist temptation when it comes their way. We, as parents, can’t be everywhere, see everything, and know everything, but God can. So depend on God, and ask Him to be with us as parents to teach them, guide them, encourage them, and pray for them.

“Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it”

Proverbs 22:6

God is such a loving God and He is going to do amazing, incredible things in our child’s life. His love for our children is so much more than we could even imagine. When we give our lives and our children’s lives to God, He will bless us beyond measure. Let us, as parents, give our child’s life to His care through prayer.

“I have no greater joy than this,

to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

3 John 1:4