
This song was written by Larry and is used as a worship song in churches throughout the world.

This song was written by Larry and is used as a worship song in churches throughout the world.
I don’t know about you but sometimes I wonder if my children really hear me? Do they really listen or do all they hear is Charlie Brown’s mom? I giggle as I hear her voice in my head. I look back on my teenage years and wonder if my mom felt the same way; which leaves me pondering if the Truths spoken miss the targets and get lost in thin air? Or do they get planted awaiting watering from another source?

“for they gave that to those who did the work, and with it they repaired the house of the LORD.”
2 Kings 12:14
2015 has been a year of great joy and celebration. It has also been one with its share of transition, sadness, pain and struggle. It’s amazing how the Lord uses the ordinary to speak to my heart. He unfolds life lessons in the mundane items bringing forth a new and refreshing perspective.
This fall, my husband and I took a hard look on the outside of our home. The paint had bubbled up from intense heat over the past several summers. In some areas the paint had peeled away exposing the harsh white primer beneath the surface. In others the paint had either chipped or faded so badly we couldn’t believe the true color of our home once painting began. It had faded that much….yikes! In addition, the siding rotted in areas around the guttering and needed immediate repair.

We’ve all been there as moms, frazzled, tired and plain ol’ worn out. We can’t focus nor see past the circumstances before us. We turn to the left and to the right for advice from trusted sources only to realize their well-meaning intentions were just not for you, your marriage, your kids, and where you are in your momma life! We begin to hide away, sink into darkness, feeling convicted or judged by every, “You need to do this”, “You must do that”, “I guarantee if you do this or did this better,” ahhh!!! And you wonder, are they really listening, do they hear your hearts plea? More often than not (myself included), the advice given or received is out of pride and a chance to elevate the very things deemed the “right way” in their eyes. This brings on feelings of condemnation to the very person who just needed a true listening ear, encouragement and a helping hand. In reading the book of Job, I find his plight very similar to ours today, not just as moms, but everyone.

Ohh how I love the story of Mary and her simple yet profound statement in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” She knew all to well what could happen. She could be stoned to death, lose her husband to be, Joseph, as well as a social outcast and she humbled herself to Gods will and placed her trust in the One who created her! Her song so beautiful, not condemning at all for her assigned lot but offering praises to God, affirming Him and his faithfulness to His people! What a powerful example she is to us today!
Today we read about the birth of John the Baptist and Zachariah’s prophecy as he was filled with the Holy Spirit after the birth of John!

Mary, Did You Know?
“After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”
Luke 2:17-19
It’s the Christmas Season once again and the past year has gone by so fast. Our children have grown physically as well as emotionally; the gentle flapping of their wings in preparation to one day soar. This has left this momma’s heart deep in thought as they experience the ups and downs of life. Some things encountered have revealed the ugliness within my heart. Others left a void where lack of human understanding left me asking, “Why Lord? Why this? Why now?”
Yesterday we left off in Luke Chapter 1 with Zechariah and Elizabeth becoming pregnant in their old age. Zechariah was made unable to speak until the birth of his son, John, because he doubted what the angel said was true. Elizabeth remained in seclusion for five months and reflected on what the Lord had done for her by showing her his favor and took away her disgrace among the people as it was considered shameful to be barren and unable to conceive a child.
Today, the birth of Christ is foretold to Mary! What is your reaction to her simple yet so profound statement? See my previous blog “Mary: I am the Lord’s Servant” for my take. Grab a cuppa coffee and let’s begin!