In Over My Head

Going to the beach has very often been much like pushing a "reset" button in my life. I am not sure if it's the long drive, the extra close time with family, the ocean, the air, or all of the above. Refreshed. Rejuvenated. Restored.

We visited Caspersen Beach (Florida), which was new to us, and while there, my children went out further and further into the sea. I had never seen them out so far in the water. Feeling somewhat fearful, I asked the Lord what He wanted me to know. He told me to look hard at where they were. Yes - they WERE out quite far, but I noticed that the water wasn't over their heads. They were standing on a huge sand bar, splashing and playing like very happy siblings do. They were completely oblivious as to how far out they were because they felt completely safe. To me, it looked so far out there, but to them, it was just plain fun.

Later God used this image to remind me that while I may sometimes FEEL that I am waaaaay out there, I actually am standing firm - and even having a good time! There is no need for me to be afraid or to feel overwhelmed. I am standing firm and having fun!

Who are Shiphrah and Puah?

Who are Shiphrah & Puah?

The Hebrew people were forced into hard labor, and as slaves, they were treated terribly.

Even though Pharaoh evoked fear in the Hebrew people, it was actually he who was the most afraid – afraid of being outnumbered by this hearty, growing group of people. So he reacted; he demanded that all the baby boys be killed and ordered the midwives to do so.

Right there at the births of all Hebrew children were Shiphrah and Puah, Hebrew midwives, who respected God more than they feared Pharaoh. On their hands and knees, they said YES to life - and to the Giver of Life.

Not many people even know whom Shiphrah and Puah are, but because they honored God, they saved many lives, and actually were the beginning of setting God’s people free. Their blessing? God gave them families of their own!

There is always blessing and reward for listening to God and obeying Him – no matter what the cost. Take time this week to really listen to God. Are you saying YES to the right things?

Abide and Be Fruitful

I've been pondering the commandment to abide and be fruitful - and God reminded me of a similar metanoya from a few years back. For me, the core issue is TRUST. Do I trust God, that if I stop to listen and abide, He will actually make me MORE fruitful than if I keep going?

I remember having this same issue of TRUST with money. In God's Kingdom, when you give, you actually have more. But in the process of giving, it FEELS like you have less. I remember this so clearly one day when I was at WalMart. I was preparing to leave for my first trip to Bulgaria to see Anna for the very first time. She was only 5-years-old and only spoke Bulgarian, so I knew we'd need some toys and things to do together for us to be able to connect. I went up an down the aisles loading my cart with things that I thought she'd enjoy. I was heading to the register when God said, "Go back and buy two of everything you picked". The adoption agency had arranged for me to meet up with another adoptive mom, Kim, from Alabama, and God reminded me that the little girl she was adopting would enjoy these same toys as well. I did some quick mental math, and concluded that if I bought double, I'd be down to less than $10 in my checking account. I prayed and asked God to help me trust Him and believe that He would truly supply all our needs, and then I went back and bought 2 of everything. The rest of the story is just amazing! Kim almost missed her flight, but we did meet on the very back row of the plane on our way to Bulgaria. I got extremely sick in flight - so sick that Kim actually had to wheel chair me through the airport in our layover in Germany. When I could finally sit up in a chair, we stopped for some hot tea, and there she told me that God had laid it on her husband's heart to give us TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS to help us with adoption expenses...
So here I was sitting and weeping thinking back to that moment in WalMart where God told me to buy double --------- He already had a plan in place to ABUNDANTLY "pay back" what I had spent. Looking back, it's embarrassing to admit I had such a struggle to trust Him.

I believe, that once I TRULY trust and believe God on this time issue, He will cause me to be more fruitful than if I just keep going. Fruit can ONLY come from staying connected to the Vine, and apart from Him, I can stay reallllllllly busy, yet accomplish NOTHING.......
God's kingdom's ways shake loose so much false thinking...

Thanks for being in this journey with me!

Make some REAL Hot Chocolate for your Kids!

Buy some Hershey's Cocoa along with that milk, and make your kids some REAL hot chocolate this winter. Don't settle for the fake powdery stuff - make the real thing! It's so yummy - and nutritious!
Hershey's cocoa only; Mr. Hershey did amazing things for children - orphaned children particularly. And his legacy continues. This is why I buy only Hershey's cocoa.