by Stacey | Mar 1, 2012 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
This is one of our family verses. We are working hard to keep the tone in our home gentle and encouraging, even in the midst of discipline (not always easy!) because God’s Word is truth and it applies to both our children and to us as parents.
But it’s not easy. It’s not easy to keep a gentle tone when one squirms on the floor refusing to put on his shoes when the others are late for school. It’s not easy on the fifth warning to quiet down and go to sleep. It’s not easy in the midst of temper tantrums and tears.
But who said parenting was easy?
So much is at stake.
Their whole outlook on life, how they grow up and treat others, how they relate to people in authority, and what they believe about God will be shaped in these early years at home with us. There is too much at stake to miss the target God has given us.
Strength comes from God. He will give me what I need to parent in wisdom, gentleness and love. I know that. I believe it. What scares me is that I also know myself – my tendency to move ahead of Him, to try it on my own strength first, rush into my day full of my own plans.
So this is me, putting it out there publicly so you can hold me accountable, or maybe we can hold each other accountable. I am praying for gentleness in all conversations.
I cannot control the choices my children make. They are ultimately accountable to God. But I can control how I speak to them, what I teach them, and the example I set. For this, I am accountable to God.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Philippians 4:5a)”
by Stacey | Feb 2, 2012 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
If I receive Your words and treasure Your commands,
If I turn my ear toward wisdom,
If my heart is inclined to understand, and I call out for insight and discernment,
If I seek it like silver,
If I pursue it like a hidden treasure,
Then I begin to comprehend the fear of the Lord
This is the beginning of wisdom – the sweet and reverent awe of my God, my Creator, my King.
The price of which is far beyond rubies and the procuring of is a blessing.
May my eyes never focus on earthly goals.
May I never despise instruction.
May I never forget Your teaching.
This is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 2:1-5, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
Job 28:18, “Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.”
Proverbs 3:13, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
Proverbs 17:24, “A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.”
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 3:1, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.”
*We touched on Proverbs 2:1-5 this week in our parenting class, Instructing a Child’s Heart. The passage stayed with me long after the class dismissed.
by Stacey | Jan 28, 2012 | The Weekend Visitor
Is she a fool?
Andrea Thom
Is she a fool whose FEET walk paths of exhaustion and drudgery, to bring freedom to those who lay stuck in the mire of their own folly?
Is she a fool whose TIME forgoes succulence, to mourn with the friendless, weep with the unlovely, and banter with the simple?
Is she a fool whose TALENTS find use in stays so desperate, thankless, and lonely, that no visible gain is rewarded for the effort?
Is she a fool whose HANDS become those that feed the lame, whose LIPS shout the untold story to the blind, whose EMBRACE preaches Christ to a soul lying cold within a broken body and mind?
Is she a fool whose EARS are tuned to the singing of the saints in the eternal expanse, whose HEART delights in the sword of truth that rebukes and restores?
Is she a fool whose MIND is so rich with the words of Christ, that little else is uttered?
Whose PHYSIQUE is so laced with the integrity of Christ, that it becomes quite forgettable?
Whose SPIRIT spills out the compassion of Christ, that little else can describe her?
Is she a fool whose whole LIFE is so hidden in Christ, that no ambition is too rooted, no ability is too revered, no relationship too intimate, and no luxury too pleasing, to be forfeit for His sake, regardless of the discomfort?
Is she a fool who at the moment of death, feels her heart quicken with delight rather than distress, so as to finally behold His GLORY?
Oh indeed she is not a fool, when on that great and glorious day, He exclaims, “Well done, my GOOD and FAITHFUL daughter! Receive the REWARD and PRAISE you have earned in the city gates.
For her CHARACTER has become so deeply embedded into His own, that she has become quite undistinguishable from Christ Himself.
* * *
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds of things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you all will appear with him in glory.” Col 3:1-3 NIV.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV.
“…A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30b NIV.
Andrea is a wife of 8 years to her shining steed Darren, mom to three beautiful children – Brody (5), Elyse (3), & Iain (1), and works casually as an Occupational Therapist. She’s passionate about studying scripture, discipleship, global evangelism, and ministries involving women, seniors, or human trafficking issues. Her favourite moments typically involve a good laugh with friends, great conversations into the night, and anything involving chocolate.
by Stacey | Dec 22, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
You abound in steadfast love. You listen to my pleas. You answer. Always.
You are great. You do wondrous things. You alone are God. My God.
You did a wondrous thing when you came to earth as a baby. You did a wondrous thing when you died in my place. You did a wondrous thing when you called an unworthy sinner like me by name. Thank you for grace.
Everything I have, all that I am, all whom I love are because of Your grace.
That I know You at all is an act of Your grace.
You are merciful and generous. I humbly ask for neither poverty nor riches but that I find joy in your presence. Pure Joy.
I want a thirst for You only quenched by time spent with You. I want to always want more, to know You more, to love You more.
Happy Birthday my Saviour. Please accept the only gift I have to give. My love.
by Stacey | Dec 19, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
The mountain of laundry multiplies. Dirty dishes soak. Groceries are put away just in time to make lunch, just in time to clean up, just in time to start dinner.
Always behind. Always rushing. Always worried about tomorrow.
What if for one day I stopped thinking of what comes next? What if I lived in this moment thanking God that I have just enough for right now?
Just enough clean clothes to dress the kids and just enough clean dishes. Just enough in the cupboard to feed small hungry bellies. Just enough for this moment.
Just enough grace. Just enough love. Just enough strength. Just enough patience.
Moment by moment. Day by day. Trusting tomorrow to Him; living in this moment.
