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.
by Stacey | Nov 21, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
We recently celebrated Jon’s promotion into the car booster seat with great enthusiasm. It makes travel so much easier. When Jon stepped onto the scale and saw the number 40 appear he thrust his fist into the air and punctuated the action with a resounding, “Yes, I’m growing!”
We all celebrated with him, some family members more ardently than others.
Kaitlyn has faithfully weighed herself weekly in hopes of reaching booster seat status. She struggled with the unfairness of it all. As the eldest sibling she should reach this milestone first.
I saw in her expression how much she wanted to cry when Jon obtained what she longed for. I saw her struggle to maintain composure the first time Jon buckled up. I saw the difficulty.
I also saw her swallow her disappointment and offer a weak smile. I saw determination rise up as she chose to put her sadness aside and focus on something positive. I saw something beautiful.
It’s been difficult watching her new brother swoop in and obtain something she has wanted for years. But she did what many adults struggle to do – she took the high road. She set aside her wants and celebrated with her brother. She refused to complain about something she couldn’t change.
As a parent I am forever aware that my actions constantly teach my children. This time, Kaitlyn’s actions taught me. Things don’t always unfold the way you plan. Sometimes others win, and life isn’t all about me.
Thanks for the reminder Kate.
by Stacey | Nov 10, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
You not only know me, you know everything about me. You know my thoughts, my dreams, my fears and my plans. You know me better than I know myself seeing past my actions and straight into my heart.
When You formed me in secret, weaving together my intricate parts in the depths of the earth, You wrote down my days before one was lived. You refused to observe from afar. You stepped into creation and entered into relationship with me.
You are precious to me O Lord, more precious than anything. You search me and know my heart and love me anyway. You expose my evil ways and call me back to you.
by Stacey | Oct 20, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
True to my British roots, I love a good cup of tea. During difficultly I go on autopilot and put the kettle on the stove. I often don’t even want the tea, just the act of making it calms my nerves.
The other thing I do during difficulty is pray through Scripture. It calms me like nothing else can. I insert my name into the Word of God and drink in the warmth of personal message. Sometimes I insert the names of my children or loved ones as I pray verses that speak to my heart.
I not only pray through Scripture, I often write it down. The act of writing it down gathers my scattered thoughts revealing the true condition of my heart.
I love to go back and reread my prayers often shocked at the beauty of God’s Word. Praying through His Word is a beautiful thing.
Below are a handful of paraphrased verses I treasure. Maybe you can share some favorites of yours?
I am afflicted but not crushed, perplexed but not despairing, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed because of the treasure that lives in me (2 Corinthians 4:8).
May I walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May I be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy giving thanks to the Father who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me into the kingdom of his beloved Son in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossian 1:9-14).
I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, according to the riches of his glory he may grant my children to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. Being rooted and grounded in love, may they have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-19).
God’s grace is sufficient for me; His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
I have nothing to fear, God has redeemed me. He has called me by name, I am His. When I pass through the waters He will be with me, when I go through the rivers they will not overwhelm me, when I walk through the fire I will not be burned. The flames will not consume me. For He is the Lord my God, the Holy One of Israel, my Savior (Isaiah 43:1-4).
He was wounded for my transgressions; he was crushed for my iniquities. The punishment that bought me peace was laid upon Him. By His wounds I am healed. Like sheep I have gone astray. I have turned to my own way. The Lord has laid on Christ my sins (Isaiah 53:5-6).
Here is a trustworthy statement. If I have died with Him, I will also live with Him. If I endure, I will also reign with Him. If I deny Him, he will also deny me. If I am faithless He is faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2 11-13).
You are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Unite my heart to fear your name (Psalm 86:10-11).
by Stacey | Oct 17, 2011 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
A wash cycle dances in perfect harmony with the clothes dryer. Damp shirts are pinned to the indoor clothes line pinching pennies. Water steams to a boil on the stove top. Oatmeal simmers for 25 minutes. The sun rises.
The children are bathed. Prayers are said. Snuggles are given. Kisses are shared. The sun sets.
Everyday the cycle repeats providing fodder for scoffers claiming family life is too predictable, too ordinary, and too mundane.
I disagree.
Shaping my children is not ordinary. It’s challenging. Being entrusted with the awesome privilege of caring for my family is not mundane. It’s an adventure. There is nothing predictable about life. It is a gift.
I can think of no higher honor from God than being trusted with His precious creation.
The cycle repeats.
As I wash the tangle of tiny clothes I pray for their future. As I pinch pennies I thank God for giving us more than we need. As I make breakfast I pray for those in countries going to bed with growling stomachs and thirsty mouths.
I confess and repent. God washes my sin, bathing me in the blood of His Son. Prayers are uttered, cried, sung and whispered. Snuggles are treasured. Kisses are generous. There is nothing ordinary about this.
This day is a gift. It is my pleasure to absorb every minute. It is my privilege to serve Him.
