Devotional: Bring It To Jesus

Moment In The Word

Greetings

TODAY'S VERSE TODAY'S VERSE "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrew 4:14-16 (NLT)

TODAY'S THOUGHT Sometimes you need a helping hand. You need someone who understands what you are going through and can help you navigate difficult times. Jesus is that intercessor. He is God with all the power and wisdom we need, yet because of His volunteer time spent on earth in human form, He knows exactly what we are going through. He knows all our limitations, frailty, emotions and how to work with them and live a victorious life. He can guide us down the same path of faith, strength, hope and love that He took. So let's do what the author of Hebrews suggests. Let's come boldly to our gracious God and ask Him for the help we need today. We will find Him gracious, compassionate and able to help us when we need it the most.

TODAY'S PRAYER Dear Jesus, I come to You because You know all about me. You know my situation. You know my thoughts, my frustrations and my desires. You know my needs. I come to You because You are endlessly compassionate toward me and I know that You will help me when I need it the most. I give You this day with all of its challenges, struggles and complexities. In Jesus' name. AMEN

TODAY'S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION -I come boldly to Jesus with all my needs Jesus is near. As you meditate, see Him inviting you to come to Him. As you draw close you can sense that He cares. You know in your heart that He understands you. He accepts you. He loves you. There is an affinity in your soul with Him and you can feel a joy build inside you. See yourself coming boldly to Him, because He asks you to. Affirm, "I come boldly to Jesus with all my needs."

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These are NOT my words. 
It comes from my daily devotional (ron@calvaryop.org   •   http://www.layministry.com) and it just hit home when I read it, and I felt the need to pass it along to all of you. Most of our days, it is hard to comprehend who God is, what He does for us, and how MUCH He loves us. What a comfort to know that He understands us! At least it is to me. How many times have I gotten frustrated because humans failed to understand me, or at least tried. Now I can lean on my Savior with the peace that at least One hears my cries and has the ability to give me happiness. 
Thank you, Lord. Amen.

What I learned on the journey...

... of being a Mami!

Being a mom changed my life forever, and I will never be the same. I am constantly challenged to keep up with the new 'phases' my children go through. Each one teaches me something new (or reminds me of sometimes we were suppose to learn before), so I guess we are all learning on this journey; kids, parents and grandparents; godparents and friends.

After the post that Beth and I had written about how we treat our books, I realized that I had changed already. I mean, before I had kids, I had those brilliant ideas in my head, about how 'perfect' things would be. Seriously, I was being very unrealistic. Now the reality of every day life with little ones has taught me a lesson (or two) that we can't plan - or rather no matter what we plan, it might not turn out that way.

* So, dear Beth, I have to admit, that there are a few books in our house now, that I don't care about anymore. Either Peanut beat them up, or we got them used; nonetheless, I am not getting mad at the ripped pages. She is getting better in very tiny baby steps - so I hope by the age she graduates from high school, she won't rip paper books anymore. (*grin*)

* Let's talk about toys - I treated our toys like they had to last the next one hundred years! How unrealistic was I? I mean my plan actually worked for Coqui - he is very careful most of the time. But when little Missie Loo came along, things changed around here, alot! She is teaching me that toys are meant for playing. If they break - oh well, that's the end of it. And I am learning to be okay with that. (After all, we should want to make room for all the new toys that are coming into the house every Christmas, Easter and Birthdays!)

* I had the same attitude about clothes. I wanted to get the most use out of them, meaning passing them along to as many children as possible. But really, a kid needs to be a kid, and unfortunately, they do get dirty. Now, I still want them to pay attention how they eat and teach them to treat their stuff with care. But once in a while, it is okay when a shirt doesn't make it to the next sibling. And we DO have spaghetti t-shirts -  Peanut calls it her 'Meatball shirt'.....

* I have learned that it is okay to need a time-out for myself. I am not talking about the occasional girl's night out. I am talking about a daily five to ten minutes when the kids are up, and I just need to sit down and make them wait for whatever 'urgent' need they have. It's okay. And I am doing it. Mostly in the mornings, when I have my much needed java and my time with God (or/and a good book). That is my time. Until Peanut gets up. And Coqui starts school.

* The things our kids teach us are amazing. Not talking about just the bad things or the things we thought we had figured out before they came onto our lives. I am talking about their character and how that can change us as a person. The things they say when we least expect it. So many times, I think I am talking against a wall or into thin air; but they are listening. And then one day, they prove it! It just takes your breath.

* What I did not anticipated were the words "I love you" out of my kids mouths! To hear them say those words without being asked - oh, it just makes me all mush! Those are the most beautiful words that a kid can say to a parent - and I know, I know, there will be a time when those words can turn into something else - well, I am not there yet, so I am enjoying this stage.

Apropos stage, I never realized how many stages kids will go through, and that there are any at all.

A story of hope

I thought I'd share this story of "sister" - a story of hope, that sounds pretty much like my story.

Please read this article, it's not long, but it reflects alot of my own thoughts, especially the ones on grieving infertility and how it is brushed off by alot of people. But our God is an awesome God, and I was blessed once already by a wonderful woman that gave us the gift of a child that we wanted so desperately. And I am being blessed again by another wonderful woman to have a third child to welcome to our family soon.

Here is the article: "Human-factor-conceiving-after-cancer"

I am thankful that today's technology is so advanced for this being possible. And I am particularly thankful that I live in a country that allows surrogacy and gestational carriers - not like in Europe where it is still prohibited in some countries.

THANK YOU GOD!

An article worth reading

The title is "Flu Vaccine Worsens Flu-Fighting & Cancer-Fighting Immunity in Children".

http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/flu_vaccine_worsens_flu-fighting_cancer-fighting_immunity_in_children/

You all know my opinion to vaccination - it's used way too often, and parents don't really think about what they shoot into their kids veins. That said, I DO know that some shots are probably necessary like polio or diphtheria or tetanus. But my thoughts on flu vaccination is pretty radical. I never had one for myself, and never gave one to my children. I believe that God designed our bodies to fight a flu on it's own. It's the American thinking of not wanting to be sick or having to use vacation time for sick time.

Read it for yourself, and maybe next time, you think twice before you get it yourself, or give it to your kids.

Being emotional

Do you know the song "Christmas Shoes" by NewSong? It's a good song, less for the melody, but those words are making me cry every time I hear it. (Here is a link to the youtube video, in case you want to cry, too.)

So I was driving yesterday in the car, and it came on. Usually I would skip the song on our CD, but it's hard on the radio. So I braved it, but to no avail. It made me bawl......blurring my vision while trying to manage traffic in pre-Christmas season. Oh well.

The thing that gets me each and every time is the similarity to our family - or what it could have been, four years ago. When I was diagnosed with cancer, my son was only 13 months old. If I would not have made it, he could be the one in the song. Ugh, it gets me right now.... I am so thankful that God pulled me through and that I am still here to see my children grow - and yes children, and each and every one of them is a miracle in my eyes! God deserves all the glory because He blessed me in so many ways. I am very grateful for His love and mercy.

There were a few more Christmas songs during that drive that drained a few more tears - maybe I am just totally emotional these days!? Merry Christmas to you all. And may God bless you abundantly.