Category Archives: Grace

 

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Happy Mother’s Day

Where would we be without our mothers? Well, first of all…we would not be at all!! 

It would be wrong not to stop and say thank you to my mother for all she has done and continues to do for me.

When I think about the significant women in my life I have come to realize that they were all mothers. Grandmothers who I loved and adored. Special ladies who have mentored me spiritually and emotionally through the years. Friends who have allowed me to be honest and share my innermost fears about parenting with….the list grows each time I try to make one!

Jesus knew the importance of a mother. I cannot help and think about the time at the wedding when the wine barrel was dry…typical of a mother….”Ah, come on….help out, I know you can…” and what did he do? Yep, turned the water into wine for his mom.

God refers to His love for us as a hen with its wing protecting her chicks, a momma.

And of course the cross. While Christ hung on that cross for our sin, he was concerned about his mother and her life after he was gone. He asked his beloved disciple, John to take her into his house and care for her. Jesus was dying…and yet thought of his mother. 

Mothers do the best they can.
Being a mother is the best job I have ever had. And as I get older, I am told I “mother” those around me. Oh well, it is what it is. I wouldn’t trade motherhood for anything in the world..and that includes a secluded island in the tropics, which for me is really saying something.
I was on a panel of “older” mothers this morning at a meeting,  answering questions that they had about raising children and mothering. With all that I could recall, I answered honestly and humbly. And then I realized that I needed to say something that was most important.

“You, mom, are doing a fine job. You are doing the best you can do and that is all you can do. You cannot have regrets, or want ‘do-overs’. You just must give it to the Father, concentrate on His love and stay focused on Him. That’s all anyone can do. The kids will make some bad choices…some good…but they must know that they are loved, as are you.”

So dear mothers everywhere:

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!! You are loved dear ones, you are loved.

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

Simple Teaching

Christianity, Grace, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, teachers, , , , , , ,

Simple Teaching                                 jesus

Now, before you get all excited, I know that teaching is never SIMPLE!  I have taught and really get that.  But there was a time in my life when I thought I knew it all!  Imagine that.  Funny thing, the older I get, the less I realize I really know.

When I was in college, I studied and gathered all the information I could about great teachers and philosophers.  There were many theories on learning and child psychology.  I was going to be an incredible educator.  After all, I had two teaching certificates, a college diploma and knowledge galore.

Ahem, then I entered the classroom.  I had a classroom full of junior high and senior high boys.  Somehow all that knowledge did not help.  I needed to love these kids.  My professors never told me that part.

Jesus.  Now there was our role model for teaching.  The professors never mentioned him either.  He taught in the temple when he was 12. He taught the disciples in parables…stories that they could relate to.  And how, because of the love of God.  I had to surrender to that love with those boys.

All teachers have a goal, a plan, a reason for teaching.  Jesus was indeed the Master Teacher.  His goal was salvation and the love of God for believers.  He met people right smack dab where they were in the middle of their life!

Matthew 7:9-12 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  

I can just see the face of that mother giving her little boy a bite of fish….thinking, “of course I would never give him a snake, are you kidding?”

Jesus was never patronizing, he always taught with love, compassion and tenderness. ( Although I sometimes wonder if when he was teaching the disciples he got a little tired of repeating!  Peter was probably one of those kids….)  Yet, He loved them passionately.

The ultimate teacher, Jesus.  He was our example.  We are all teachers of the love of God.  He met them where they were…He loved them unconditionally.

If we rest and abide in Him, we will give us the words, peace and love when we need it.  Being led by the Holy Spirit dwelling within!! Teacher or nurse, stay at home or bus driver…we are all teachers in one way or another. It is simple really…love.

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV*

Ragamuffin

Christ's rest, Christian encouragement, Discouraged Christian, Encouragement for Women, Freedom in Christ, Grace, Jesus Christ, Love of God, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , , , ,

Rich_Mullins

RAGAMUFFIN The True Story of Rich Mullins

My heart is so full right now. We went and saw this movie Saturday night and I was reminded of so many things. Memories flooded every fiber of my being. I have pulled out some of Rich’s CDs and books and reread quotes. Brennan Manning was a “ragamuffin” that Jesus used to bring healing into Rich’s life, and I have been re-reading the RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL.

Why? Trust me, Rich nor Brennan are not on a pedestals. Besides, they would not want to be there. I remember the first time I met Rich I was organizing a meal for his first time of three in our little city. I was uncovering all the food and asked where Rich was? Of course, he was sitting directly in front of me. He laughed when I said I did not recognize him. He remarked that the album covers with his picture didn’t look like him either. After the concert and cleaning up, he was ever so gracious and asked us to help him count money from tape sales (1991). He did not like the stuff.

I got to hear Brennan Manning speak a couple of times. He was so unassuming and humble..and truthful. I was so moved by his honesty.

I was reminded last night about how much God loves me. HE LOVES ME. I had a pretty rocky relationship with my dad as my parents divorced and things were always bad between us. As a result, I could never get it in my head that GOD loved me unconditionally. I struggled and struggled.

Then I met Rich Mullins and his music. Abba Father spoke to my heart with reckless abandon. He pursued me relentlessly. And I got it. Oh, I went back to many of my “legalistic” ways from time to time, but God always pulled me back into His arms of love.

A ragamuffin is someone who, according to Brennan Manning, one who is “dirty, bedraggled, and beat up.” Rich Mullins said “We miss the gospel of Christ: the good news that, although the holy and all-powerful God knows we are dust, He still stoops to breathe into us the breath of life-to bring to our wounds the balm of acceptance and love.”

Friends…this is the GOOD NEWS. “Jesus Christ is crazy about you. He loves you just as you are, not as you should be” Brennan Manning

I encourage you to see this movie. Please. It will either confirm what you already know to be true, or challenge you to think about the grace of God.

Be blessed~
IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*Wikipedia image, The Ragamuffin Gospel, All is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir