I am getting ready to begin another Bible study in a few weeks. When I found out what book we would be studying, I was excited. Yes, it's a book that I read a few summers ago, but I remember loving this book, so it will be great to hear it taught.
The book is The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.
I was so encouraged last fall after studying The Mission of Motherhood that I began to read Sally's blog. I read it pretty faithfully last year, but I haven't in a while. It is so good. Full of biblical truth and encouragement.
While reading her blog tonight, I came across the following:
Three things I am learning to do in the midst of my own storms.
1. Remember and list in your journal all of the ways, in your lifetime, you have seen God’s faithfulness and answers to prayer. This is why our family celebrates family day. Even in the most difficult years, we could look back and see His handprints in our lives–He was always there, He was always providing. He looks upon us with compassion.
Once, as a little girl, I had double pneumonia, was gasping for breath in an oxygen tent, and feeling scared. But then, I heard a familiar sound. My father, a business man, wore wing-tip shoes, and above the noise and spew of the oxygen, I heard the stout sound of His shoes, chipping down the hall way toward my room, and my heart was immediately at ease. I thought, “Now Daddy is here. He will be sure they take good care of me. I will be ok.”
And so, we need to listen for the wing-tip shoes of our heavenly Father who is coming to our rescue. He will take care of us and we will be ok.
2. Find a promise, hold fast to His word.
Have you ever been in the car with your children and all of them start speaking to you at once and continue speaking as though you can hear their voice above the roar? Too many voices keep us from hearing. And so the voices of the world, of fear, of what ifs, all speaking at once drown out His voice, the only one who is truth and who will bring wisdom. So, we must still our lives and sit quietly that He may speak to us.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“If God is with us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own son, but delivered him over for us all, how will He not freely give us all things?” Romans 8: 31-32
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2
Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you and fill your heart with the peace and calm of His strength and presence. If we look to outer circumstances for our happiness and peace, we will always be defined by the limitations and battles raging in a fallen, sinful world.
But if we look within, still our hearts, wait to hear His voice, we will perceive that the Lord of Hosts is with us, that His Holy Spirit is there waiting to speak peace, healing, strength, love and life into our hearts and into our circumstances, while we wait on Him and behold His salvation and comfort.We are not alone. He is faithful.
3. Determine to hold fast and to be a courageous warrior in your battles.
Memories of my family and friends have been flooding my mind this week as I move toward my mom’s memorial service.
The life of a distant relative has been on my mind. He was a man who lived a life of great faith, for many years, bringing light into darkness, redeeming, loving. But he became weary of the battle and instead of staying strong, he gave up. Consequently, his legacy, by which he will be remembered, is of quitting.
All of the soldiers who saw Goliath and ran away from him, will never be remembered. We do not know their names. But we do know the name of a valiant young warrior named David. He saw the same giant, but faced him.
“You come to me with speer and sword.” (the weapons and strength of the world–even a giant is the power of the world’s way)
“But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts.”
David did not picture his own strength, but instead pictured the Lord and thousands and thousands of angels behind him. And so he has a legacy of faith and saw God work.
Do not give up your legacy of a story of faith. Your children are looking to your story to give them courage in the story they yet will yet live. Hold fast, find a friend to pray with, stand strong. Today is the day you have to proclaim His faithfulness in your own life for all generations to see. What a shame if we all gave up–there would be no stories of His strength, grace and truth.
So, find a way to stay strong. Pray every day with a friend. Fill your mind with beauty, songs, stories of those who have gone before us. Rest deep inside your heart and see His love for you.
Right in the middle of the boat, deep in the midst of the storm, Jesus was resting, sleeping, in the arms of His Father, knowing He was not alone, and understanding that His Father’s strength would calm the storms.
No comments:
Post a Comment