I recently went on a Vision Trip through Global Orphan Project to Haiti with my son. We were unsure whether we would be able to go due to recent riots and flights canceled into the country. When word came through that we were indeed able to go, I was hesitant out of fear and my heart was unwilling to make the journey.
Author Archives: Cindy
The Eyes That See
I think that it is safe to say that today we all want to be seen, heard and prove we are valuable in the eyes of those before us. It’s amazing at what this desire can do to us! Jealousy rears its ugly head and comparison becomes a tool to one-up those around us. If we can all be honest with each other, it’s not so much about exploiting the next person or even getting ahead but more so of exposing a deep-seated hurt, fear or lie. We try to bury our ugly or hide behind walls we build up, but we fail to realize our best defenses tend to crack and expose the pain or struggle within.
Mom Life: Car Troubles
The troubles in our lives (no matter how great or small) are used to reveal the heart of the Father towards us even in the most humbling situations.
Laughter overflows as my husband’s voice echoes in my ears. “How can you not notice or pay attention to the things going on outside your vehicle!” to which I reply, “I’m so focused on the chaos going on in the car that my mind cannot focus on anything else!” The stories that I or my children tell, leave just about everyone wondering how I could scrape the side of the car backing out of the garage, or knock off mirrors, or side swipe my husband’s car twice (who by the way didn’t park correctly….that’s my story and I’m sticking to it), or back into a car that I clearly saw behind me in the drive, or the most recent a poor tree!
Moms you know what I’m saying…right! Sometimes, Taylor Swift’s song, “Trouble” begins among our children the minute we step foot in the car! I know I’m not the only mom since our carpet cleaner…
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Cracked Cisterns
My husband and I were recently invited to spend time with those who lead a ministry near and dear to my heart, Secret Keeper Girl. They recently released a new show for Fathers and Sons called “Born to Be Brave.” While we knew some logistics of the weekend, time in prayer, encouragement, etc., and getting to see and hear insights to Father and Son tour, we were not aware of the “conference” style setting. We were 2 of about 30 people gathered in a room receiving teaching on “Labels”. This wasn’t a new concept to me as this teaching was one of my first deep encounters with the Lord several years ago. Continue reading
There Might Be Giants
The recent talk series at our church has taken my thoughts back to the book of Numbers with the Israelites wandering in the wilderness and the land of Canaan promised to them. I find myself in awe as the story unfolds in Chapter 13 when Moses, as directed by the Lord, sent twelve men to spy on the land of Canaan. These were not just ordinary men, nor were they chosen at random but each a leader representing the twelve ancestral tribes of Israel. The men went out to see what the land was like as instructed by Moses and were gone for 40 days. Upon their return they stood before Moses, Aaron and the whole community to report what they saw and the fruit the land bore. They did testify to the truth that it was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey, bountiful and bore much fruit…….BUT the people were too powerful, their towns large and fortified and there were giants in the midst.
Of God or Man?
Source: Of God or Man?
Ponder Them in Your Heart
This summer is quickly coming to a close and the reality that time flies by is an understatement. My eldest children are in their third and second years of high school; while my youngest is starting middle school. This definitely causes anxiousness in my heart as my husband and I begin contemplating what we will do as they begin to leave home and pursue the path before them. As we prepare out hearts for what the future has in store, we can’t help but wonder: What will their path reveal about them? Will it be as we envision for them?
The Fear Behind Rest
The school year is officially over and the much-anticipated summer months are here! I’ve counted down the weeks and the months since the start of the fourth quarter gearing up for the freedom summer brings…… only this year is different. We are in a busy state of activity in our lives……not really ours per se but that of our children’s. As parents, our lives are at somewhat of a resting pace while the lives of our older children are revving up. I think it’s safe to say as my husband and I look over their calendars compared to ours that something is amiss.
Hidden Enemies
Sometimes life unfolds to a series of circumstances holding you captive in fear, lack of hope, not to mention insecurity as we compare ourselves to others. This sometimes causes us to question the very fabric of our being based upon a failure, harsh critique, or even the lack of confidence in self when we look over the size of a task the Lord has given us.
I love when God tells Joshua in Joshua 7:10, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this.” after his army was defeated in battle by the men of Ai. Joshua was scared of the outcome he envisioned for the remaining Israelites and questioned God on why he would lead them to be defeated.
I don’t know about you, but I have been there and done that multiple times even recently. I’ve sat bemoaning and crying over injustices, taking my place on the pot of pity. Why Me? Why now? Why did you lead me this far only to be laughed at and made a fool?
I love when the Lord says to Joshua in verse 13, “You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.” While the Lord is speaking of items that were plundered and hidden by fellow Israelites that should not have been, I find great comfort in His words.
In everything we do, we will experience a set back of some sort. While it’s easy to climb and sit upon the mountain of self pity and cry over injustices done to us; maybe, just maybe, the Lord is cleansing things from our hearts that shouldn’t be there or are hidden and instead lining them up with His path set for us?
My enemies are not people but the battles that rage within my very heart. I can’t use a set-back as a will and a way to give up but rather embrace it; knowing that I am but clay in His hands. He is refining me and removing impurities within so that I can get up, dust off the dirt and step into the next phase He has planned for me.
Trust Vs. Convenience
We have reached a new milestone with our eldest teen entering the restricted freedom of driving! My heart still palpitates as this new era has caused great anxiousness within me. I’m sure all parents can testify to that! We have encountered some bumps and jolts with our expectations versus the perception of our newest family driver. There is one in particular I want to share.
Life Unfolded 