Letting Them Go: Faith Prayers for our Children
Back to School.
Summer is grinding to a close and days by the pool are done. The family vacation is stored away in the scrapbook, with pictures of smiles in the sun. Facebook posts are filled with back to school pictures, and the kids are growing up. Babies are now off to kindergarden, while pre-school buddies are now seniors in high school. First day of the rest of our lives, the new year opens wide with opportunities and anticipation.
Back to College
This week, we’ve been doing a bit of back-to-schooling of our own. Sunday, I took my daughter back to college, moving into her first apartment. My son is packing as I write and leaves tomorrow. I think how empty the house will feel when they are gone, and I am so grateful that my youngest still has a little time before leaving the nest.
The future seems big.
This week, we’ve had lots of conversations about the new school year, and there has been a little anxiety about what the future holds. For my sophomore, she is feeling the weight of making that perfect decision about college majors.
Wanting to find her purpose and passion in life listed in the course selection of the college catalog–she fights the pressure of making big decisions. I understand. I remember my own sophomore year, wondering, what am I going to do with my life?
My son, has just come home from the summer-of-a-lifetime working at an amazing special needs camp in Washington state. Home long enough to do his laundry, fix his glasses, and pack the car, he’s feeling that uncomfortable transition of back to the responsibility of finishing his senior year.
The end in sight, questions for the future sit hard as the real world beckons. Graduate schools, finishing strong, and finding career paths, are all coming up quickly and he knows it. He knows how fast this last year is going to fly.
For me, I am excited for them as they discover their way, but I fight the temptation to worry.
Have we taught them enough? Are they be ready to be on their own? Why is one growing in faith and the other seem to be pulling away? I sense the awkward emotional energy of wanting to hang on but knowing it is time to let go.
All of a sudden the world feels too big. I fight down my mama-worries. Early this morning, I greet the day with my heart ready to pray. [tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#parentspray, #parentsofteens”]I cover them in prayer as these kids grow up and go out.[/tweetthis]
It’s hard to let go.
Part of me still wants to kiss boo boos and smooth foreheads. I still want to help solve problems, be there to give guidance, and be part of their daily world.
But it’s time.
It’s time to let go and cheer them on from the distance. It’s time to trust them to make wise decisions and live for the right reasons. It’s time to let them learn from mistakes and grow from struggles.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#parentspray #parentingteens”]They are ready and they will fly.[/tweetthis]
So as they leave, I smile at the days to come, and I pray like crazy. For though I am not there to watch over them, I am confident in the One who goes with them.
This morning I am praying for the spiritual foundation in my young adult children. I am watering the seeds of faith we’ve planted in their lives. May God may guard and grow faith strong and real this year. May He prepare them to launch into life. I invite you to join me in praying for the children in your life.
Prayers for our children:
Bless our children with wise and godly counsel. Teach them the difference between the false wisdom of the world and the true wisdom of God. Keep them from sinful choices and lifestyles, from things that will harm them or lure them off course. Bless them with boundaries you have set and do not let them stray.
May our children choose of their own accord to live out your Word. May they value your Word. Keep your thoughts in their minds. Grow our children grow strong in faith and may they prosper and bear great fruit.
As our children prepare for adulthood, may it come from the strong foundation of hope and confidence in you. Show them your faithfulness and guide their hearts to a confident faith.
Motivate our children to keep their hearts pure. May they seek you with a personal desire to live life with you. Make real to them what they have been taught, and don’t let them wander away in this wild world.
Thank you now for the work you are doing in these young hearts. Work in our children in an amazing way. Make your hand on their lives visible to them and to others.
May they know that you are always present, and may they believe you will do wonderful things with their lives. Strengthen and breathe life into the faith we have taught them, and may they grow strong in character and faith as you prepare them for the future.
Continue to teach our children as they go forward into the world. Guide their decisions and lead them on a level path, with the stability of faith that is their own.
Thank you that you can to more that we could ever ask in the lives of our children. Work within, guiding and working with power and grace.
Add to this post by sharing a verse and prayer for our children in the comments below. [tweetthis]Let’s join together in the power of praying strong faith in to the lives of our children.[/tweetthis]
I’m linking with Three Word Wednesday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, and Whatever is Lovely.
Recent Guest Posts at Guideposts and Wives of Faith
Out and About
It’s always fun to get out of my corner and get out on the blog-o-spere. I have the privilege of posting regularly at several sites, 5 Minutes for Faith and More to Be. This month I’m excited to join in the fun at Wives of Faith and Guideposts. Here’s a teaser and the links. Come on over and see what’s up!
Guideposts: While They Serve
I am honored to be posting at Guideposts for the military blog, While They Serve. This regular feature is a great source of encouragement for military families and those that support them.
Excerpt:
Twenty-four years as a Marine wife has brought frequent moves and many adjustments. The Marine motto Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) is sometimes jokingly changed to Semper Gumby–the need to be Always Flexible. For me, moving has been God’s training tool for learning to embrace change.
Moves become bearers of change as the outward trappings of life are whisked away. With the arrival of the moving truck at our new home, the inventory is checked, the unpacking begins… and life goes on as change moves in.
Yours may not be a military family, but embracing change is a lesson for all–it’s a part of every family and every life, regardless of where we live or what we do.
Continue Reading…
If you know someone who is moving this summer, consider passing this post along.
Wives of Faith
Wives of Faith is a community site by military wives for military wives. It is a great source for devotions, prayer, and encouragement.
Excerpt:
Worn out and exhausted from busy days and the stress that often comes with military life, it’s easy neglect the things that feed my soul.
Sometimes I need a change of pace as I commit to refresh my spiritual routine. Maybe you need this too?
The purpose of spiritual refreshment is to reframe our perspective, opening up our spirits to enjoy God anew. Too often, we make our spiritual lives complicated, heaping on guilt, and trying to earn what we’ve already got.
Continue reading….
I hope you’ll enjoy checking out these great sites. As always, thanks for reading and I’d love to here from you in the comments.
Joy’s One Thing: Have You Got It?
Choose Joy: Let go of the past and reach for your ONE THING.
We’re all in this together–brethren is a family word. Paul affirms that the playing field is level, we are all in the process of growing closer to Christ. The more we reach forward, placing confidence in Christ and letting go of the pressure of the flesh, the more fully we respond to the beckoning call of God.
So much more than a feeling, joy comes by reaching for more of Christ. It seems natural to want to pull in and stay right where we are, holding onto every bit of joy we can scrounge up, as if there isn’t enough to go around.
Then we read these in-process, on-my-way words again. Joy begins to seep in through the cracks as we realize, it’s okay.
[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@GingHarrington” hidden_hashtags=”#choosejoy”]We don’t have to be there yet![/tweetthis]
A realistic view comes as we let go of the joy stealer that we should have already arrived. These Spirit-words of Paul echo through the ages, and we receive permission to be in process. Every single one of us is not “there” yet, and joy comes anyway.
No matter how the days stack up, there is always more to learn, more to experience in this Christ-life. Out of all the things Paul did in this life, he narrowed it all down to the right priority of ONE THING.
ONE THING
- ONE THING worth first place in our desires and priorities and the ceaseless-longings of our wild hearts.
- ONE THING to fill up the doing of a life.
- ONE THING that shines brighter than all the things a man can accomplish or accumulate.
- ONE THING that holds the joy of mercy for every failing, need, or sin.
Whether the past holds good or bad, success or failure, only ONE THING calls us forward. Letting go of the memories, guilts, wishes, and whatever else is packed away in the suitcases of our past–we let it go. Hanging on to the past holds us back and steals joy.
Friend, join me in realizing that we can’t see to move forward if we stay focused on the past. It’s hard to go forward when we’re walking backwards.
[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@GingHarrington” hidden_hashtags=”#choosejoy”]Walking backwards is walking blind to the future.[/tweetthis]
If we walk into the future with eyes on the past, we trip over the rocks in our path. Staying focused on the past feeds dissatisfaction, fuels guilt, prevents healing, stunts growth, and steals joy right out from under our unsteady feet.
It is in this responsive confidence in Christ that joy wells up and overflows.
This is what we’re after, what we long for with every unsettled, restless ache of the heart.
Joy Stealer: Running after the wrong prize.
How often we make prizes of goals we set for ourselves. Often with the best of intention, we veer slightly off course, twisting a good thing into a ONE THING. Our prize becomes the getting of God’s good gifts rather than the deep knowing of God.
Yes and yes, it is easy to prize the blessing of God rather than the presence of God.
And isn’t it tempting to narrow our response to God’s calling to what we can do for Him? The prize in this case becomes the work we accomplish for God rather than the life we live with God. Like squinting into the wind, the prize blurs, and we begin to believe that our value is set by what we achieve for God. The relentless chase to prove our worth steals joy as we try to run a race we cannot win.
So today, let’s choose joy.
Stop running after everything but the ONE THING
that brings true joy.
In this moment, we can let go of everything that keeps us from reaching forward into Christ and into joy. I say this to you as a reminder to myself. We can drop feelings of defeat layered with fear. Opening our hands, we release judgment and anger and misplaced priorities.
And together we will reach. We will run forward with everything we’ve got. Reach forward not to win some prize we set for ourselves, but to know the joy of fully responding to the upward call of God.
So finally, at the end of it all, choose joy in the Lord for He is with us every step of the way.
10 Steps to Choosing Joy
These steps recap insights from Philippians 3.
Finally…choose joy.
Thanks so much for joining me in discovering the power of choosing joy. If you missed any posts in this series, you can catch up right here:
Choose Joy: Let Go of Joy Stealers
Joy in Knowing: Choose Christ and Receive Joy
What one thought about joy means the most to you?
How to Discover Joy is More Than a Feeling
Simple thoughts on finding joy in the moment through your relationship with God. Truths from Philippians 3 teach us how to discover joy.
Joy comes and goes, often at the whim of our emotions. Have you noticed that? In reality, joy is a fruit of the Spirit, which is oh-so-much-more than a feeling. Joy is a fruit of God’s Spirit–it is a showing forth of His character, His joy, in us. Kind of makes your head spin, doesn’t it?
Too often my my thoughts mix joy and happiness together with a have-it–my-way preference. Circumstances, emotions, and expectations prop up my feelings and I want to call it joy. We’re continuing the dive into joy in Philippians 3, for we simply can’t have too much joy.
[tweetthis]Joy is oxygen to the soul–we breathe it in and God brings forth life.[/tweetthis]
Joy Stealer: Expecting to be there already.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect (complete), but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12).
Ever struggle with the expectation that you should have arrived by now? That somehow you should have gotten your act together, overcome the struggle? How many times have I raked my heart across the burning coals of self-condemnation, wondering how can I still be struggling with this fear, that temptation, those irritations…
Truth is, no matter how hard I try, in my own effort and ability, I can never be enough, do enough to make it on my own. Sure I can achieve some measure of what this crazy world calls success.
Yet the peace and joy that my soul craves comes only from placing my trust and confidence in Christ.
Standing firm in Christ, joy becomes a viable choice for He has done what I cannot. My self-effort falls short but in Christ I am restored.
Press on to choose joy in the moment.
Friend, will you join me in letting go of the expectation that by our own efforts we will beat the thousand counterfeits that rise up to snatch joy away? Let’s unfurl that clenched fist of ambition to make it on our own.
Can we choose joy together?
Could we let go of the pressure to make ourselves strong, earn our way, right our wrongs, and fight our battles with the self-life that craves for control and perfection apart from Christ?
What would happen if we agree to hold fast to the truth that we are saved by grace and made new with God’s love?
Accepting who you are to discover joy.
How will joy come gentle like rain in the relief of simply receiving grace in this moment?
And the next?
And the one after that?
Press on, one moment at a time, one choice at a time.
Reach for the One who holds you secure in the palm of His hand. Let go of your joy stealers, for you have already been laid hold of the One who IS joy.
Together, let’s shout to the Lord, “All my springs of joy are in you” (Psalm 87:7).
How are you choosing joy today?
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Free Resources for a More Joyful Life
Sign up for my email list to access my Subscriber Library for helpful resources to experience deeper joy and freedom in Christ. Here’s a sample of practical resources in my library.
For More Joy Check Out My Book Holy in the Moment
A powerful encouragement for anyone who struggles to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, insecurity, or other mindsets that hold us back. Grow in holiness without the pressure to make everything “just right.” Through gentle encouragement, biblical insights, and applicable ideas you can experience a deeper life of freedom in Christ. Transparently sharing my own struggles, I want to help you live from the joyful reality of hope, healing, and holiness. (This is an affiliate link at no cost to you.)
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Finally, Choose Joy
Choose Joy: Let Go of Joy Stealers
Joy in Knowing: Choose Christ and Receive Joy.
Joy in Knowing: Choose Christ and Receive Joy
Joy, safeguard for the soul, is ours for the choosing if we overcome the things that steal joy. We’re continuing to dig into Philippians 3, so feel free to read the other posts in this series in case you missed them– Finally…Choose Joy and Choose Joy: Let Go of Joy Stealers.
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7-8).
Joy Stealer: Valuing the lesser prize.
Like Paul, we’ve all racked up a few accolades and accomplishments. The thrill of success and the blessings we enjoy can easily become prizes we hold tightly. It’s easy to get caught in the lure of the shiny trinkets this world values.
Even in serving God, we find can joy and purpose in the doing rather than in the One who is all joy. With misplaced priorities, we run after the good at the cost of the best.
Choose Joy: Rest in the rightness of knowing Christ.
“…be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him…” (v.9-10).
Self-sufficiency snatches joy and stomps it right into the ground. To be found in Christ, to know His way of thinking and being right, releases us from the chains of proving our own worth. Rest and let joy rise up from a heart set free and set right by Christ.
How often I cling to people, possessions, and passions as sources of my joy. To know Christ, to truly value Him above all else is the real source of joy. “The greatest gift God graces a soul with is His own presence” writes Ann Voskamp in The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp, p. 41.
Choose Christ and receive joy of true life.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.–John 17:3
Joy Stealer: Chasing the false win.
Though we may often feel that joy is more of an emotion than a choice, truth is, we can choose joy. We can beat the joy stealers that sway us to distraction, competition, and complaint.
Like most things worth reaching for, choosing joy is often a process.
At times, I wish that I had a little joy switch, a simple lever tucked away. Joy for the flick of a finger–easy peasy. No sweat and no tears.
And wouldn’t it be great if we could beat the joy stealers, tearing across the finish line of joy once and for all? Joy begins with a choice, an intention, but it is in the persevering that joy grows strong.
Choose Joy by holding on to the true source of life and joy. Nothing is more valuable that knowing Christ and receiving the joy that comes from living through Him.
Where is your joy today?
Love to have you share this post via social media. Spread joy today.
Tweetable:
There is no joy in the soul that has forgotten what God prizes.
With misplaced priorities, we run after the good at the cost of the best.
Choose Christ and receive joy of true life.
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Best Tips of Top Procrastinators
Begin.
How to begin?
When to begin?
Sometimes it’s just plain hard to get started.
Procrastination can stop us in our tracks and bog us down with distractions. At least, getting started can be an issue for me.
In reality, I am a gifted procrastinator. I practice nearly every day. I have developed a tendency to a well-honed skill.
I have projects.
I have piles and lists, filled with many projects–things that need to be done, should be done, want to be done… Projects, ready and waiting to be done all for the want of a good beginning.
Shoot, it doesn’t even have to be a good beginning. Sometimes it’s kind of like jumping into cold water–just get in there any way you can.
Here’s a couple of things I meant to do this summer.
1. A whole house clean out. I had planned to go through one room a week. Instead, once a week I open a closet door and take a look. Quickly I shut the door with a not-today shrug. I don’t like to clean out and organize, so it’s easy to put it off.
2. A new book idea to develop. In May I got some great response from agents and publishers on a book idea I pitched at a conference. This was an idea that I came up with two days before conference. All I had was a graphic, a lead paragraph, and a list of topics. Usually I pitch more developed ideas, things that are well underway. It’s time to begin brainstorming and writing an initial chapter. I’m stuck… so I procrastinate.
3. Start a high school scrapbook for my daughter.
4. Paint my office.
Fortunately, the summer’s not over. Not quite. And there are things that aren’t on this list because–you got it–they’re done!
Better than Real
Begin is a word that only becomes real in the present. Today is the only day that you can truly begin. Beginnings that happen next week aren’t real–only a fragile things of intention, floating around our heads like shimmering bubbles.
Whether it’s tasks we don’t like or opportunities that intimidate, beginning is sometimes the hardest part. Without taking the initiative to step out of intention and into action, begin is only a word. A wish of a useless word without heart and void of power.
One thing is for sure, success never arrives without a beginning. Alton Gansky, says “There is no shame in trying and failing, but there is great shame in failing to try” (Keynote, Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, May 2014).
How well I know this: the gap between procrastination and accomplishment is spelled B-e-g-i-n.
Best Tips of Top Procrastinators
1. Talk about it so much that you don’t have time to do it.
2. Gather all the stuff you need–it’s a great excuse to go shopping.
3. Get organized–file it, display it, separate it… If you organize it enough, you won’t remember where you put it.
4. Look for it. See above.
5. Distract yourself: catch up on social media.
6. Plan–make a plan, write down your goals. If you make a detailed enough plan, you won’t have time to do it.
7. Prioritize: Get your priorities straight. Do the things you want to do first and leave the important things for later. If they are truly important, you’ll get to them…eventually.
8. Most importantly, just don’t…begin. What you don’t begin, you’ll never complete.
More than a word, Begin only becomes real when we…begin.
What are you having trouble getting started with today?
Choose Joy: Let Go of Joy Stealers
Choosing joy, sometimes it seems unreachable, doesn’t it?
Earlier this week we glanced at Paul’s challenge, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord….and it is a safe guard for you.” Philippians 3:1
Jumping deeper into joy:
I’m sharing insights from Philippians 3 that God has pressed into my heart lately. I’m not covering every detail of the amazing chapter, but over a couple of posts, I’m working through the places God has shone the light of His attention. (On a technical note, I have linked scriptures throughout the post.)
Learning to live lightly, Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and we can choose joy over any number of other options. We can choose joy or we can choose thoughts that steal joy.
Can you find the joy stealer lurking in verse 2?
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
Joy Stealer 1: Following the wrong crowd.
Watch out for those that pressure you into a false gospel of earning your way into the graces of God. Here Paul is referring to those who wanted folks to go back to the old ways, stressing, Jesus is okay, but you got to keep the real faith–the laws and circumsision.
This might not seem like a big threat to your joy in today’s world.
Have you considered that any time we fall into the trap of trying to please God through our behavior or rule-keeping we are veering into joy-stealing territory? Our religious behavior is not the reason God loves us.
Ever worried that you weren’t attending church enough, reading your Bible enough, holding your temper enough, performing ______ enough to truly please God? Yep–we’ve all lost a little joy with these concerns at one time or another.
Choose Joy: Remember who you are.
…for we are the true circumcision.
Simply put, remember that you come to Christ by way of faith–the circumcision of the heart. Take joy in your identity as a child of God–loved, accepted, forgiven, saved, set apart, made holy.
Choose Joy: Worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus… v.3
When all our attention is riveted on ourselves or on others, joy leaks away as self reigns.
Paul tells us to worship in the Spirit of God. Where there is Spirit-led worship, there is joy. When we take our attention off ourselves and our issues, we live free to worship in the Spirit of God.
Where’s your glory?
When life is going well, it is all too easy to glory in myself, my work, my progress. On the flip side, when life is hard and all I can see is what I lack, joy seems unreachable. Sound familiar?
Choosing to rejoice in the Lord is a willful decision to take my focus off my own abilities and situations and worship Christ.
So, worship in the Spirit of God + glory in Christ
opens the way for true joy.
Joy Stealer: Relying on confidence in myself (the flesh).
…and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: (v. 3-4).
When our confidence (trust) is in ourselves and our own ability to meet needs, pressure to succeed robs us of joy. It’s hard to enjoy God when we’re consumed with trying to make ourselves OK. Joy is hard to come by when we’re overloaded with failures and problems.
Choose Joy: Let your lack bring you to God.
Put no confidence in abilities, position, appearance, opportunities, education, or strength. When we come face to face with our inabilities and weaknesses, let it bring us to humility and dependence on Christ. The Message puts it this way, “We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts—and we know it.”
Deep inside we know.
We can’t do it on our own. The longer we try, the deeper we dig ourselves into the futile ground of self-reliance and joy lasts only as long as our success holds out.
Learning to truly bank our confidence in Christ is key to knowing him more intimately. Confidence and joy are inseparably linked together for we can only find joy where there is trust.
Trusting God makes it easier to access our power of choice. Oh Friend, lets live lightly and choose joy.
Joy+Trust: 6 Verses to help you Choose Joy today.
But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.–Psalm 5:11
Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy;–Psalm 43:4
But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16
For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.–Psalm 63:7
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.–Romans 15:13
…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.–Colossians 1:10-12
Finally… Choose Joy
Finally…rejoice in the Lord.
Sometimes its all a matter of how we look at something.
Finally, as in–it’s about time? Enough already. At last…
Have you ever read this verse tucked away in the third chapter of Philippians from the perspective that God is just waiting for us to get it? Waiting for the truth to sink in deep, transform our perspective, and move us to choose joy?
Choose joy? Really?
Maybe you’re thinking, yeah right. How can I rejoice with _______ going on in my life? I can barely keep my head above water and things can’t get any worse. I’d love to be joyful, but I just can’t.
Maybe you feel like finding joy in the hard things is only for the spiritual super heroes–those that can leap over the walls of hardship in a single bound.
I’ve felt that way.
There have been many pit days of feeling stuck in the miry clay of challenges.
In-the-pit days of trying to put on a happy face and talk myself out of a good sulk.
Times when my emotions get pulled under the weight of circumstances and problems. Days I’d rather scream than get out my joy pom-poms and work up a good cheer.
Moments when faith comes hard and I just don’t understand.
Paul knew all of this and more as he wrote about joy from the confines of prison.
The Apostle Paul tells us that choosing to rejoice in the Lord is a safeguard. Joy protects? How can this be? Choosing to rejoice in the Lord, rather than in our circumstances, emotions, or strength provides a strong foundation for faith.
No one can rejoice for you, or for me. There are just some things that only you can do. And yet, rejoicing in the pits of life requires a dose of grace and faith–the ability to trust God with our lives and the fruit of His Spirit at work within.
Left to myself, I will sulk, complain, gripe, cry, and send out invitations to my pity party. Choosing this route only digs me deeper into the muck of my emotions.
Yet choosing to rejoice in God shows that we trust Him.
Have you noticed that it’s hard to worry and rejoice at the same time. Doubt and suspicion, those questions that nag at our faith, drown out joy faster than a bucket of water douses out a fire.
Joy is a safeguard for the soul.
Meet your resistance and your troubles with the strength of choosing to rejoice in God.
Hannah C. Hall writes, “All that wonderful stuff we sing when life feels blessed—about how good God is and how He holds us in the storms and how His love and peace and grace are sufficient even in the awful places…it is true.”
Paul writes these words, confirmining our relationship with God: You are the true circumcision. By faith, grafted into the family of God, you’re not left out or overlooked. By faith, relationship with God rests on position of grace, not successful performance or good behavior. And that’s a joy thing for sure!
So choose joy.
When you have fallen into that same issue again and again, choose to rejoice in the forgiveness of God. Remember who you are– part of God’s family, secure even when faith falters and sin sways.
When the future is uncertain and problems appear to have no answers, rest in the joy that God is faithful. When you feel alone, insecure, or without worth, hold fast to the joyful truth that God will never forsake you. Roll your cares on God–He’s enough.
Discover joy that protects and guards your soul.
5 Reasons to choose joy.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.–Jeremiah 31:3
God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…–2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. –Psalm 68:19
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”–Hebrews 13:5
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us–Ephesians 3:20
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Discover joy that protects and guards your soul.How will you choose joy today?
Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God.
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Today I’m having fun linking up with Three Word Wednesdays and Coffee For Your Heart. What joy it is to build community with other bloggers. You’ll find some great ones here.
Enough For Now: Just Do the Next Thing
There are times in life when the path before us is clear.
The trail is well marked and the destination is in view. With a map in our pocket, we feel sure of the next step. Security blossoms and the world feels right as our insides relax.
Confidence comes easier when we know the next step.
Life in the military is set by orders. Jobs and locations are set by the command, and our job is to show up and give our best. You don’t choose your job, and rarely do you get to choose a location.
A year ago my husband retired from twenty-four years of service in the Marine Corps. I am one proud wife!
We are in a season of transition, seeking God’s place for us in this life outside the reach of military orders. It hasn’t been an easy jump. There have been many days where it feels more like a free fall, not knowing where we will land.
This in-between space often shimmers with possibility. But it is also filled with detours and dead-end trails that can be part of the process of waiting on God.
The road marked In-Between.
For reasons that God understands, He allows time to experience transition with all its questions and possibilities. God allows transitions to test our faith and expand our vision. God never tests our faith on a pass/fail basis, as if we must prove to Him the strength of our belief. Times of testing are for our benefit.
Oh yes, there are many lessons that are best revealed in transition, in times of uncertainty that require faith to keep walking.
Walking paths of uncertainty, we have real opportunity to rest in the faithfulness of God. We can trust that He will give us enough for now, or we can struggle and resist the confines of uncertainty.
Too often, I choose the struggle, giving into anxious worry about what’s next.
A year of transitions.
This year, my husband has pressed through a job that was a not a great fit, knowing the uneasy pressure of feeling a square peg in a round hole. Sometimes we have to uncover what we don’t want in order to discover what we truly desire. We’ve experienced the emotional roller coaster of landing that post-retirement job, then realizing the company is downsizing. It’s only a matter of time until they knock on your door.
That knock came recently.
My husband has researched and explored different types of work and ministries, seeking to find that post-retirement sweet spot.
All the while, I have found myself caught in the fallout of 24 years of military moves. It is hard to work up the energy and faith for yet another move or transition.
Oswald Chambers writes about Hebrews 11:8, “Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go.”
Enough for now–verses to remember in times of uncertainty:
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…” Ephesians 3:20
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” Psalm 37:23 NLT.
“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” Proverbs 16:9 NASB.
This is our time to take the next step and let obedience and faith take us all the way.
And that’s enough for now.
What’s your Enough for today?