mother’s day

  • Prayers – That Stick – For Your Children

     

    prayers that stick for children

    One day some parents brought their children to Jesus
    so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them.
    ~Matthew 19:13 NLT

    When my kids were little, we went through a lot of Band-Aids…I mean A LOT!

    BAND-AIDS THAT STICK

    Brandon loved to climb things, skateboard and do tricks on his BMX bike that often ended up in cuts, scrapes, gashes, and quite a few stitches.  Poor Shelby’s a little clumsy like her momma, so it’s safe to say, we kept the Band-Aid brand in business! I only tried no-name band-aids a couple of times and found they didn’t hold but the Band-Aid brand could be counted on to stick.

    PRAYERS THAT STICK

    Moms, you want band-aids that stick and prayers that stick for your children. Weak, ineffective prayers that don’t stick won’t the effect on your kid’s life that you want.  I’m challenged by this quote I saw from Abraham Lincoln.

    abraham lincoln prayerI remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
    ~Abraham Lincoln

    Clearly, momma-bear prayers are powerful {that would include Grandma, Auntie or any motherly prayers}.  Don’t underestimate the impact of your prayers in a child’s life!  In any case, I think the best way to pray effectively is to pray as Jesus did.

    JESUS’ STICKY PRAYERS

    Jesus is praying for Peter in Luke 22:32, knowing Peter’s upcoming temptation. He prayed for strength that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail and for Peter to come back to faith after he turned away.

    John 17 records a bunch of Jesus’ prayers where He starts off praying for himself and then from verse 6 on He’s covering his disciples and all future believers in prayer: that’s you, me, your children, your children’s children… Jesus says,

    “I am not asking that you take them out of the world,
    but that You protect them from the evil one.”

    Jesus’ prayers that stick are not prayers to give us an easy life, remove us from this troubled world and take all our problems away.  Jesus’ sticky prayers are for us to be strong when facing trials, tribulation, and tragedy.

    I imagine these are the kind of prayers Abraham Lincoln’s mother prayed over him because he’s someone who is remembered well for his tenacity to not give up when some of his businesses failed, he had a nervous breakdown or when he lost a lot of elections. Those prayers empowered Abe to reach the destiny God had for his life.

    YOUR MOMMA-BEAR STICKY PRAYERS

    Just like the prayers of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, your prayers can be the glue that helps your children stick-to God’s plan and not give up.  Your prayers have the capability to produce cushioned kids who can’t handle problems or confident, overcoming, world-changing children that do something for His Kingdom! So, this Mother’s Day, it’s time to get busy and start praying tough prayers that stick!

    Prayer

    Father… I come to you in the tenacity of a momma-bear.  There is nothing I want more than for my children to have all the strength, boldness, and confidence it takes to fulfill the destiny You’ve placed within them. Please do the deep work in my children, in ______________ that you need to do, in order for them to have what it takes to live out their calling to the fullest.  May my children be known as Your faithful followers, living boldly for You!  In Jesus Name…Amen  

    [tweetthis]Your prayers can be the glue that helps your children stick-to God’s plan and not give up! #prayforyourchildren #prayersthatstick[/tweetthis]


    Soul H2O bookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    Drawing from the well

    1. Matthew 19:13
    2. Luke 22:32
    3. John 17:15
    4. John 17:18

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

    Originally posted: 2019-05-08

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  • Why Mothers Are Always So Tired

    This post is to help any non-moms understand why mothers are always so tired!

     “…in humility value others above yourselves, let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

    PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 NIV
    Mothers always tired

    When I became a mother, I never knew how much work was involved!  You see, I had babysat a million or so times and thought I’d be a pro… but, good moms, are much more than babysitters. 

    Really good mothers are selfless and, they take Scripture to heart.

    The Job Checklist

    Loving moms live out these verses on a day-to-day basis, putting the needs of their children before their own.  Moms are willing to stay up late or get up early; to wash clothes, cook a meal, prepare lunches, sit with a sick child, clean the house, work from home, ‘help’ do homework, listen to a broken heart, wipe away tears, and other questionable substances.  

    For many moms of littles, tweens, or teens right now, you know that being what your kids need takes a lot of effort and Covid-19 has added the role of teacher to the litany of job requirements.

    And that’s why mothers are always so tired!

    quote milton berle moms

    In Philippians 2:3-4  Paul was encouraging believers to treat each other well.  He reminded us all to have the same attitude of Christ in the way we interact with one other.  He instructed with these words:

    “don’t be selfish and…
    think of others as better than yourselves…
    take care of the interests of others…
    You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

    Leading By Example

    As a great leader, Jesus never asks us to do anything He hasn’t already shown us by example.  The selfless characteristic of a mother comes from being made in the image of God. At no other time do we reveal the attitude of Christ better than when we place the needs of others, before our own.

    But sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop helping and take a rest. It seems Jesus was very discerning with his need to balance work and rest, but I don’t think many moms have mastered this divine dance.

    Moms would be wise to heed the advice in Galatians 6:9 and discern, where to draw the line, taking to heart these words that say,

    Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time… we will reap a harvest… if we do not give up.

    Wise moms rely on God’s strength to help them be the best mother they can be, not wearing themselves as thin as the carpet on their floors. Oh! How I wish I’d been a wiser mom when my kids were little.

    Mothers, it’s my prayer that you understand how valuable your labour is.  You are truly the hands of God extended to your child.  Believers everywhere, follow in the attitude of Christ to be His hands and feet to those around you.

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for showing me how to love self-lessly by sending Your one and only son to earth.  Let me not become weary in well-doing as I follow Your lead.  I ask You to help me love in the attitude of Christ, placing proper value on those around me and providing for their needs.  In Jesus Name…Amen

    Related Soul H2O Radio/Podcast Episode

    Soul H2O Radio-39 Weary moms

    Ep#39 The Weary Mom Syndrome

    I hope this conversation with Heather Rodin and Becki Baxter help provide some practical tips to break the crazy cycle of The Weary Mom Syndrome in your life and leave you refreshed!
    http://www.soulh2o.com/39

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  • Spa day with Mom

    I finally got my mom away for a spa day.  We had such a great time!  No one deserves a spa day more than my mom.  This was for her birthday and Mother’s Day.  We had massages and facials in the same room at Ahhhh the Spa.  Such a beautiful place.  I am truly blessed to have such a loving mom as I do!
    IMG_2520

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