Joni Eareckson Tada Quote

"However tiring our work may be, how could it ever be tiresome? How could it be anything less than a joy to serve the One who has given us all things for life, and enrichment, and enjoyment? Jesus, who suffered so much to secure our salvation."

Invitation To Knock

As I hang up the phone I wonder what a morning in the life of a play date at my house will look like. I immediately see the layer of dust on my piano, and scurry to clean the cobweb in the corner. Why do I unnecessarily stress whenever I have friends over? I especially stress when it's moms I don't know very well. My tendency is to make everything tidy and neat in hopes that they won't see my stained carpet or broken blinds. When I do this I become frantic, and much less effective in meeting their needs. I can always find an excuse not to have someone over. Our apartment was too small, our current house is too cold (due to not turning the heater up and trying to save $$). I need to loosen up, throw on a heavier sweater, and welcome them in. When they knock and I open the door, an opportunity to impact their life is produced. What does it matter that we can't finish a discussion without being interrupted, or drink enough coffee in the time alloted? Friendship is being fostered, and we realize we aren't alone in this stage of motherhood. 

I need to remember how the Lord answered my knock, and made himself at home in my heart. I'm so thankful he's visited for longer than a coffee break. He is here to stay, for a meal of many courses, and through each season of my life. Let's begin praying that our friends hear the constant knock of the Savior.

Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling her and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with her and she with me. Rev.3:20 (LB)

Give Me Your Eyes [Song Scrutiny]

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath

I'm sure those of you who listen to Christian radio have heard this song often. It is a poignant yet powerful reminder of how God wants us to touch our world.

All those people going somewhere, why have I never cared?

I am reminded of seeing the hoards of people at a mall or sports event. God knows each of their needs. I want to see them through his lens.

Give me your love for humanity.

This humanity word can be a little overwhelming to me. God sees the bigger picture, but he helps me refine the view a little.

Give me your arms for the broken hearted. 

The ones that are far beyond my reach.

Give me your heart for the ones forgotten.

To simplify things some, it helps me to think about those who are close at hand. The moms near me who feel broken hearted and forgotten.

Give me a second chance

To see the way you've seen the people all along.

Only he can change the way I see those who don't know him. As sheep without a shepherd. People come to Christ best on the arm of a friend.

YouTube Video Link: Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath

Spoon or Spork?

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21 NLV

I remember when my daughter first began using her tiny plastic utensils to eat like a 'big girl'. Often she missed her mouth completely or catapulted food across the kitchen. Thankfully our Heavenly Father is more proficient at utilizing what he's gifted us with. In the context of reaching out to others this could mean encouragement, listening, extending support or showing kindness by serving. We all know a mom who would be truly blessed if we became a better utensil for the Lord. Whether you are a spoon or a spork, let the Lord cradle you in his hand as he guides you to the needs of moms around you.

utensil (noun): any instrument, or tool serving a useful purpose.

Great Reads

I am reading a book called Nurture written by Lisa Bevere. It is about women in the body of Christ helping one another be all that God wants them to be. I need to seek out older and wiser women who have walked with God. Their insight is so valuable. I also need to remember that I am always older than someone(gasp), and God wants to use me to edify younger women. 

"Instead of listening and allowing God's message to enlarge our life, we are too overwhelmed by trying to figure out how it will happen, and what it will look like, and compiling a list of reasons why we can't do it." -Lisa Bevere

Amazon Link: Nurture by Lisa Bevere

Bill Hybels Quote

"Do you believe that every wayward person you know would live a vastly better life if God's love, grace and redemption were operating in their lives? Who is the God you know? Does he inspire you with his big ideas of how your life can really count?" -Bill Hybels

Amazon Link: Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

He Is Worth Proclaiming

When I had my daughter I felt like the whole world was going to discover that I was not cut out to be a mom. I was amazed at how this tiny person could throw my emotions into turmoil. During our first days at home, I felt very alone and isolated. If it wasn't for the Lord's new mercies every day I'm not sure how I would've gotten up in the morning. If we as Christian moms feel totally overwhelmed, how do you think the non believing moms around us are coping?

Each of us can sympathize with clothes that smell like baby vomit, heavy eyelids from lack of sleep, or a forced grin when our child throws a fit in public. Don't we all desire to eat bon bons on the couch rather than clean play dough off of it? These similarities may seem like a curious launching pad for evangelism, but it could have more impact than we ever thought possible.

Whether we realize it or not, we are surrounded by moms who long to connect with us. These ladies live down the street from you, visit the same story time as you, wait in the parking lot at preschool with you, and frequent the same park as you. I realize that our lives are full, but let's pay attention to how God wants to use us in this stage of motherhood.

"I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me." -Psalm 71:15

God's Placement is Spot On

After almost three years of living in my neighborhood, I began a mom's group. I put flyers up on our community mailboxes and waited to see what kind of response I got. I stepped out in faith trusting that the Lord was at work in my circle of influence. He had placed me, a mother of a young child, in a neighborhood full of moms at the same stage, and this was not a mistake. Our God is a providential God, "and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men (and women) would seek him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:26&27, NIV).

To be a part of God's pursuit of these women was humbling and exciting. The intent of the group was to connect moms who live down the street from each other, not necessarily to start a bible study. Eight to ten of us now meet for a regular play date, moms only coffee night, and dessert potluck that involves the whole family. It is amazing to think that a year ago I did not even know these women, and now I see them as friends.

As I get to know their stories, I hope that my walk with the Lord can have eternal impact. Only he can envelop them with compassion, and rouse them from their weariness. He wants them to realize how in love he is with them, that he desires more than anything to be in relationship with them.

May God use us, as moms who know Jesus, to be salt and light to the women right next door. These precious ladies whom God so loves are within blocks of where we live, and we are called to go. The urgency of our obedience to him is vital. We must refuse to live this life unto ourselves, and realize that his most prized possession is the people he has placed around us. "Look around you! Vast fields of human souls are ripening all around us, and are ready now for reaping" (John 4:35b, LB). When we choose obedience, moms in our neighborhood will be blessed.