God, the Sovereign King!

I started this blog because I wanted to share with the world my family’s stories of growing in faith in the midst of our trials.  I never once considered the fact that there could be moments when I  or my family would be in the midst of a trial and my faith would be tested; times when the valley would swallow me up whole and I would feel  like I couldn’t breathe, much less write.  THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS.  But the Lord spoke to me and He said:

                

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

                                I trust HIM to lead me and supply all that I  need.                    

                He makes me lie down I green pastures,

                                HE will provide rest in the valley.

                He leads me beside quiet waters,

                He restores my soul.

                                The LORD will provide tranquil, still moments in the midst of the madness and send me

                                a fresh anointing for my spirit.

                He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

                                I can trust HIM above anyone else to steer me in the right direction;
                                HE is all-powerful!

                Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

                                Although danger and the enemy lurk in the background,

                I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

                                I walk in the assurance that He walks beside me.

                Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

                                You have placed a hedge of protection all around me.

                You prepare a table before me

                In the presence of my enemies,

                                My LORD will boldly confront the enemy.

                You anoint my head with oil,

                                I have your blessing.

                My cup overflows.

                                I have more than I need.

                Surely goodness and love will follow me all of the days of my life,

                                HE has promised me an abundant life.

                And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

                                Because I am a child of the MOST High God, I have life in Eternity with my Father.

                                                                                               Psalm 23

I took a baby step toward recovering my faith today and in that moment I realized that as much as I want to place my faith in my family to be and do the right thing, God wants for me to place my faith in Him to do His will.  For the spirit of man is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Question of the Day:  Think of a time when you were in the midst of pain and you were afraid that the outcome wouldn’t work in your favor of your family’s favor.  What allowed you to trust God anyhow?

Can You Hear Me Now?

 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. ² And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ³ “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. ⁵ Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. ⁶ And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. ⁸ And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” ⁹ And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  Mark 4:1-9

I heard Malachi calling me on his Dynavox.

“Mom! Mommy, Mommy!”

I entered his room and greeted him warmly. 

 “Yes, my sweet. What can I do for you?” I asked as I kissed his cheek.

Malachi was watching his favorite movie of the moment, Lady and The Tramp. My adorable little boy has assigned my husband and I singing parts for this movie; he will individually call us into his room when our part is on and instruct us on his Dynavox to sing our part to him. One of my parts was on – the mother character in the movie was singing a lullaby to her baby. On cue, I began to sing the lullaby song to Malachi as I stroked his curly locks. Once I finished, I stayed standing at his bedside because I knew my second assigned song was quickly approaching. Once again, I sang my assigned part to Malachi. This time it was the mischievous Siamese cats’ song. After my part was over, I told Malachi I would return to his room later and turned to walk away when he issued me another instruction.

“Sit. Sit!” he said.

I whirled around ready to offer my explanation to him as to why I couldn't sit at the moment, but his eyes held me and I gave in.  I climbed into Malachi’s bed with him and nestled him close, my head gently resting on his small shoulder.  Every now and then he would click on a picture-symbol on his Dynavox that would coincide with the scene in the movie – he wanted me to know that he knew the plot and characters.  Mostly, there was a peaceful silence between us- a serene, still moment void of scattered thoughts of things-I-need-to-do. Every now and again, I would steal a glance at him and he would steal one at me and we would smile at each other.  Malachi taught me something very valuable in that moment; he taught me to be obedient to the word.  It was just one command, one simple word – sit!  Being obedient to that word gave me a moment to exhale from the busyness of my own little world and relish a moment of serenity with my son.  And isn't that what God wants from us?  He wants for us to be obedient to His word.  He wants for us to sit in His presence and relish a moment with Him.  God has much to teach us if we are willing to obey His command and hear with new ears; if we are willing to climb into His lap and soak in the moment.

Prayer for Today:  Lord, sow a fresh seed in my spirit! Let me hear with new ears and help me to be obedient to your word.  Amen.