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The Blessing of Motherhood

Do you nurture? Are you responsible for the social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care of another? Then you my friend are a Mother. Even if you have not birthed any children from your womb, you are a Mother. Mother Teresa bore no children of her own, yet she was a mother to poor, needy and orphaned children, serving them for over 45 years.

 

There is a terrible hunger for love. 

We all experience that in our lives – the pain, the loneliness. 

We must have the courage to recognize it.
The poor you may have right in your own family.
Find them.
Love them.

~Mother Teresa

 

 Kiss Baby

Our culture today does not esteem the role of motherhood. In fact, that role has been demonized. We’ve even gone so far as to indoctrinate children through many popular animated films that the role of mother is unnecessary. Mother has systematically been erased from these films or is represented as an evil figure.

 

But God validates YOU Mother. He sees you right where you are. Just as El-Roi saw Hagar and opened her eyes and led her to the well, He sees you. Just as He led her to the water, He is leading us, Mothers, to Him and His word, the river of living waters.

 

Mother, do you see how vital you are to LIFE? You carry life, you give life, and you speak life. And you provide the most basic yet essential human need of life, LOVE.

 

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Mother You:

 

Nurture

~The bible says that Sarah, Hannah, Jochebed nursed their babies. Their children were held close as Mother provided life-sustaining nourishment.

 

Protect

~Jochebed, Moses’ mother hid him (Exodus 2:2). Mothers we have a responsibility to hide our children under shadow of the Almighty. When Herod was on the warpath killing all the little boys, Mary and Joseph fled to hide Jesus Mother, in what ways are you protecting your children from the evils of this world?

 

Provide

~Every year Hannah would return with a new robe for her son Samuel. Eunice and Lois provided spiritual training for Timothy. How are you providing for the spiritual, physical and emotional growth of your children?

 

Guide

~ When she could no longer hide him, Jochebed put Moses in a carefully constructed vessel and placed her daughter in position to look over him. She guided him along a stream of living water. To guide is to lead or facilitate, but not necessarily to do everything for. Are there some areas Mother where you need to remove your hands and just guide?

 

Pray

~Hannah was a woman of prayer (1 Samuel 1:11, 2:1-10). Mary was woman of prayer (Luke 1:46-55). Aaron, the first High Priest wore the names of the children of Israel on his breastplate. And when he would go to minister before the Lord, he bore their names on his chest. How are you bringing your children before the Lord in prayer?

 

Stand

~Elizabeth said NO to the naysayers and spoke up as to what the Lord told her about the child’s name. She knew people wouldn’t understand, but she didn’t let that intimidate her (Luke 1:60). So when the Lord makes a promise to you about one of your children, later for the naysayers, listen and follow the Lord.

~Mary told the angel let it be to me as you have stated even though she’d risk persecution from the community and rejection from Joseph. Mothers, be on guard, stand watch.

 

Beware

Do not fall into the mothering traps of:

~Sarah’s interfering in God’s plans by manufacturing your children’s lives (Genesis 18:12-15)

~Rebekah’s manipulation and lying (Genesis 27:5-17)

~Salome’s trying to manage the day-to-day affairs of her adult children’s lives (Matthew 20:20-21)

 

And because of your faithfulness, Mother you shall be blessed.

 

Blessings

~Mothers are visited by the Most High or His representatives (Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Shunammite Woman)

~Kings of peoples shall be from you (Genesis 17:16)

~The Lord will do for you what He promised (Genesis 21:1)

~Salvation (2 Timothy 2:15)

~Your children will take care of you (Jesus to John, behold your mother)

~Directly impact kingdom building by influencing generations of believers, even those yet to be born

 

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Proverbs 31:28-29

 

So Mother, as I reflect post Mother’s Day, I honor you. I celebrate you. Let us rejoice together at the blessing of motherhood.

 

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

 

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:46-55

 

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Women's Conference

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Mommy of 5

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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Happy to connect with friends @ #DanceWithJesus and Fellowship Friday’s

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A Father’s Love

Riding bikes together from Roxbury to Harvard Square and back.

Whatchamacallits, Smartfood Popcorn and Sicilian pizza.

Deep conversation, identifying strengths, creating opportunities and unending support. These are just some of the ways my earthly father invested in me and showed me his love.

 

This Easter weekend I reflected on the ultimate sacrifice of God’s love for us in sending His Son to die for our sins. My heart was filled with gratitude to be on the receiving end of this love. Yet I know I’ve only begun to scratch the surface on understanding and accepting the immensity of The Father’s love for me. The magnitude of it is such that I can’t wrap my head around it.

 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1

 

When I think about my relationship with my earthly father, it brings a smile to my face. My father is one of my best friends. He is fun loving, brilliant and reassuring. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he loves me.

Daddy's girl

 

I also see a great example of fatherhood in my husband. He teaches our children history and practical life lessons. While I tend to be very structured with the children, he creates room in the routines to have fun with the children the “Daddy Way”. Beyond a shadow of a doubt I know he loves his children.

 

A Father's Love

 

And while these two examples exemplify Fatherhood, there exists an even more complete portrait a father’s love.

 

In a far-off land the Lord will manifest himself to them. He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.’ Jeremiah 31:3

 

We are loved by The Father who:

 

~Covers you so you are not ashamed
~Forgives your disobedience
~Loves you enough to correct you
~Staying in contact with you
~Rejoices when you return home
~Surrenders His absolute best for your benefit

 

And these are but small glimpses of the depth of The Father’s love for us. It is His desire to saturate us in His love but we have to prepare ourselves to receive it. Our images and perceptions of God directly impact our ability to receive His love.

 

Do you perceive Him as a loving, doting father?

 

Do you perceive him as a harsh disciplinarian?

 

Your perceptions of The Father can box in His love for you. We can put human limitations on a Father whose love is immeasurable and everlasting. I pray that we eradicate any limitations, barriers or hindrances that stand in the way of us experiencing the width, depth, breadth and height of The Father’s love for us. I pray that our hearts are open to receive the fullness of His love for us.

 

In his book Love Beyond Reason John Ortberg says, “Attention is so valuable we don’t just give it, we pay attention. This is how God loves us. He pays attention to us.”

 

The Word declares that your Heavenly Father pays you attention in that He:

 

~Thinks you’re the apple of His eye
~Loves you with an everlasting love
~Is a father to the fatherless
~Knows what you have need of even before you ask
~Has compassion for you
~Calls you His child

 

This is but peek at the totality of A Father’s Love, The Father’s Love. Oh friends be assured of His complete, utter, absolute love for you and receive it today. Join me in prayer…

 

Abba Father, most loving gracious God what a joy it is to stand in your presence. You are so full of love and light. Your glory saturates the atmosphere and fills this place and fills me. Lord I ask that you create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Whatever barriers stand in the way of me receiving the fullness of your love for me, I ask you to remove them. Lord, I thank you that you bless and keep me, that you make your face shine upon me, you are gracious to me, you lift the light of your countenance upon me and you give me your peace. Abba manifest your love for me in a real and tangible way. Amen.

 

Receive His love today.

 

In the song I Receive, Israel Houghton sings,

 

“Behold all things have been made new

My past has gone, my shame removed

You gave Your Son Your love for me

Now at the cross I am made free

I receive Your love, I receive Your love for me

I receive Your love, I know I am accepted”

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

Happy to connect with friends at Purposeful Faith Monday’s Musings Fellowship Fridays Dance With Jesus Grace and Truth

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Lost That Loving Feeling?

Flowers wilting, balloons losing air, candy’s been eaten and stores have Valentine’s items on clearance. Is your marriage reflective of the post-Valentine’s current situation?

What do you do when your marriage has lost that loving feeling, now it’s gone, gone, gone, whoo ooh?

 

Well, first grant yourself some grace and know that you are not alone. The happily ever after romanticized love we see on TV and in movies is just that…a fairy tale. Rest assured, the feeling of being ‘in love’ will wax and wane. I think many people come into marriage believing that the amorous feeling of being ‘in love’ will last always and when those feelings are gone, they think they can walk out of their marriages. I think married people, counselors, friends, pastors, whomever is giving advice needs to paint a more accurate picture of the cycles and rhythms of the marital union.

 

This is not to say that I am not madly in love with my husband. He is my hubs, my boo, my sunshine. The dude still brings a smile to my face when I think of him. He is fun, flirty, humorous, lively, and seeks to make me happy. I often visualize us at 70, walking hand and hand in white linen on the beaches of Bora Bora and Tahiti. In fact, today I love him far deeper than I did when we first got married. But there are days….I tell you, Mmm, when the lovely dovey feelings aren’t there. Maybe he’s gotten on my nerves or made a decision I don’t agree with. What do I do on those days? How do you believe in the union when you aren’t feeling it?

 

Well, I recognize that the loving feeling is a chemical reaction. Over time you get used to it and it dulls. Recent studies show that when people are falling in love the brain releases a cocktail of chemicals including dopamine and serotonin that stimulate the brain’s pleasure center. That same research also indicates that period is just a phase and generally lasts from one to three years. When that phase is over, then what? When Eros, romantic love ebbs, here is where we have an opportunity to demonstrate agape, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. For more on agape love click here and here.

 

It makes me think of these lyrics by Earth, Wind and Fire, “Something happened along the way, what used to be happy is sad.”

 

Eros can come and go but agape is here to stay.

 

When Eros ebbs, don’t anguish over it. Remember that it is indeed just a feeling. But TRUE LOVE runs deeper than feeling. TRUE LOVE is action, not just feeling. TRUE LOVE demands honesty, forgiveness, selflessness, maturity, compassion, trust, understanding, empathy and the yielding of rights.

 

Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

 

Marriage is something that is living and breathing and needs to be fed and watered daily. What happens to a plant when it is denied sunlight and water? It shrivels and dies. Even if the plant has sufficient sunlight and water, salt, fungus and bacteria can leech in and impact its health. When the issues of life: money, children, extended family, trust, hobbies and other issues distract or detract from the marriage, how do you keep it healthy and vibrant?

 

Brick by brick you erect a love that is built to last.

 

Intimacy

And I’m not just talking about physical intimacy here. Intimate face to face dialogue. Truly caring about what has happened throughout their day. By the time my husband gets home from work I am truly spent but I try to stay up and listen attentively as he shares what’s happened in his day. We also have short phone conversations and text throughout the day.  Physical touch is impact for us too. I find that it increases my amorous feelings for my husband. He is better at initiating this than I am. When I am cooking at the stove, he slow comes up behind me and places one arm around my waist. It is a small gesture but is filled with love and tenderness.

 

Personality

It is so vitally important to understand how your mate is wired. You need to KNOW what makes them tick, why they say the things they do and make the decisions they make. You can have a better grasp on this by knowing their personality type. For more on personalities, please visit Personality Expert, Karen Ward by clicking here.

 

Communication

Keep the lines open. Lend a listening ear. Create an environment safe for sharing by not making judgements, being critical and  doing half as much talking. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. This is one area I have to be diligent in practicing as I am prone to JUMP IN when my husband is speaking. This principle is articulated so well in Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Seek first to understand then to be understood.

 

Love Language

I stated earlier that love is action. Dr. Gary Chapman has identified 5 ways in which we feel the love: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time and Physical Touch. My love language is acts of service. Run an errand for me, help me with the laundry, and I feel the love. Yet my husband likes to give me gifts. One time in fact, he was so happy to have purchased me a really nice gift.  He called and said, “Ooo, I got you something very special.”  I responded, “I hope you didn’t buy me something stupid like a Coach bag.”  Well, that was exactly what he had purchased.  OUCH!  It turned into a big argument.  He was just trying to make me happy and I had snatched all the wind out of his sail.  We’ve had to learn from each other and adapt in this area. It was a growing process but after 15 years of marriage, I think we’ve hit our stride there. For more on the 5 Love Languages, click here.

 

Commitment

You have to be resolved to go the distance. My husband has helped me to embrace this truth. I used to think marriage was filled with only blissful days (ok, I generally walk around with rose colored lenses). My husband would tell me, there are going to be hard times and when they come we will weather them together. And sure enough the hard days came. My first thought was, “Uh un, I don’t have to deal with this.” But my husband reminded me, I told you this was coming. He said, ” We are going to deal with it. You aren’t going anywhere. Now let’s figure it out together.” Praise God for his resolve.

 

Trustworthy

Are you sowing seeds of trust or distrust in your marriage? Are you lending even the slightest appearance of sketchy behavior? If something even gives the appearance of being shady, remove it. Have a baseline that’s agreed upon by both of you for what is healthy and permissible i.e. who should befriend/not friend on social media.

 

Forgiveness

You will both make mistakes. Do not deadbolt the door of your heart. Open it to forgive. Love forgives.

 

Maturity

Some days you may just want to have a temper tantrum. They did this, so I have a right to act like a brat. Waa-waa-waa. Not fair. Ok now! At least one of you has to take the high road of maturity. Feel like you are always the one taking the high road? Well you may be. That’s why you are with that one, because God knew you were capable of taking the high road. Someone has to do it. Why not you?

 

Surrender Your Rights

Love demands that you yield your rights; your right to be right, your right to have what you want, to say what you want, to do what you want. Even if you are indeed correct about a situation, there are times you will need to give up your right to BE RIGHT. True love is not puffed up so remove some leaven, be humble and back off your need to show that you are right.

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

 

I pray that you make decisions on purpose that will positively contribute to the health and vitality of your marriage.  For my singles, carefully consider these sayings of mine and save them in the event you too join the ranks of us married folk.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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Happy to connect with friends sharing the Good News #LifeGivingLinkup

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What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?

In the 1966 hit record, What Becomes of The Brokenhearted, Jimmy Ruffin sings:

The fruits of love grow all around

But for me they come a tumblin’ down

Every day heartaches grow a little stronger

I can’t stand this pain much longer

I walk in shadows

Searching for light

Cold and alone

No comfort in sight

Hoping and praying for someone to care

Always moving and goin’ to where

 

Jesus was sent to heal the brokenhearted. He opened the scroll and read of himself saying:

 

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,

Because the Lord has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted” Isaiah 61:1

 

Jesus doesn’t want you living the above lyrics to the song. He gave his life that you might do the opposite. He wants you to be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that give fruit and are prosperous. He’s come to heal your heartache. He wants you to come out of the shadows and into his marvelous light. He is a comforter. He cares for you and wants you to cast your cares on him. He wants to lead you in paths of righteousness for his namesake. Line for line, Jesus is the answer to what becomes of the brokenhearted.

 

What becomes of the brokenhearted?

 

When their hearts are opened, they are healed.

 

I had a gaping whole in my heart. A space carved out with my mother’s name on it. I tried to fill that space with many things but they never quite seemed to fit: too big, too small, wide angles, sharp corners. They just didn’t fit. But thanks be to God he is a father to the fatherless and a mother to the motherless.

 

What does he want you to do in order to heal your broken heart?

 

RECEIVE

 

Open the door to your heart so that you can be healed, whole and loved.

 

Walking into a grocery store with my 4 year old was torture as the Valentine’s ‘eye noise’ was unbearable. He asked me, “Mommy why do they have Valentine’s Day everything? Mommy it’s too much cookies and candy and balloons.” I told him he was right that I love him and his siblings and his daddy so much everyday that we didn’t need to buy pink cookies to let them know we love them.

 

And the Father loves you more than that. He doesn’t have to dangle trinkets in front of your face that you’ll eventually discard. But every day he sees you, chooses you, knows you and calls you. Today, respond to him. He’s wooing you. His love is magnetic; it just draws you in. Don’t try to repel it, but like the strength of a neodymium magnet, be drawn in and fused together.

 

If you are brokenhearted for whatever reason, it will hamper your ability to love unconditionally. For more on agape love click here. Your capacity to love agape is only unleashed when you’ve 1st received from Him who loved you 1st. You cannot give that which you do not have. So Jesus is simply waiting for you to say yes. Perhaps you’ve said yes to let Him be your savior but have you said yes to receive his unconditional love for you? He is down, on bended knee. Imagine him as he was when he washed the disciples’ feet. He was modeling for us humility, servant hood and above all love.

 

If we are to experience the fullness of his resurrection power in our lives, we must accept that we are loved by him. We have been crucified with him yes. Now we have new life all because he loved us and freely gave himself for us.

 

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

 

If you receive his love for you, won’t you tell him today. Below in the comments you can write your response to receiving his love. If you have challenges receiving his love, you can share that too so I can pray for you. If all the Valentine’s hoopla causes you more pain than joy, share that too so I can pray for you. In fact, right now I reach out to you with a big virtual hug. Can you feel it? The Lord’s got a hug waiting for you too.

 

 

In The Secrets of the Secret Place, Bob Sorge says this of our communion with the Lord:

He initiates, we respond

He gives, we receive

He impregnates, we bring to birth

He leads, we follow

He loves, we reciprocate

He rules, we reign with Him

 

Lord, I say yes. I open the door to my heart. I come running to you. I love you Lord.

 

To God be the glory for all that he has done.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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How Do You Know You Are Loved

“Of all the hard times I’ve endured, ain’t nothing that real love can’t cure. Of all the hard times that I feel, ain’t nothing that real love can’t heal.”

 

This is how I know he loves me!

 

When I write God gives me things in pieces. So I had this list of scriptures of God confirming time and again that indeed he loves me.

 

But I paused. I said to myself, “Lord I know that I know these scriptures in my head. How do I move them from my head to my heart? How do I really know for myself that you love me?”

 

How do you know you are loved?

 

How do I know my husband loves me? Well it’s evident in his actions. He works tirelessly to provide for me. He fiercely protects me. He supports and encourages my dreams. He gives me the green light to pursue my interests. He is physically affectionate and doting. I have no doubt the dude loves me.

 

How do my children know I love them? Well I directly asked them that question and here’s how they responded:

~You always encourage me to do my best and you correct me when I do something wrong. T. Age 10

~You cook for me everyday and make me eat healthy food. S. Age 9

~You hug me and kiss me and call me sweet girl. A. Age 6

~Blank stare. Momm-meee! Then he rubs the back of my arm as he’s done since he was an infant E. Age 4

~No words, just a BIG kiss. Muah! J. Age 2

 

From this we can see love is a verb. There is action when there is love. So when I look over my life, I can clearly see the Father’s love action active in my life. His hand guiding me, his arms protecting and his embrace comforting me.

 

Can you look over the course of your life and find evidence of his unfailing love for you?

 

I can turn the pages in my life story and see his love:

~In the awkward, peculiar way my parents met and went on to create me

~Having very little supervision as a young child yet being protected and shielded

~Giving me a cousin that looked out for me

~Learning how to care for myself at a young age (right down to having to scrounge up loose coins to buy food)

~Ordering my steps so that I did well in school

~Covering me while I made stupid decisions in college

~Allowing me to meet my husband

 

And I could go on and on.

 

And some may think well if he loves us so much, why does he allow us to go through painful things? I don’t know that I have an exact answer as each of us has different paths that we must traverse but I do know that all the difficulties I’ve experienced have enabled me to handle and navigate life better. My pain and hurt has aided me in being able to adapt quickly, not take things so personally, a wider perspective on life situations, greater empathy, high tolerance and the ability to withstand storms. I know that he causes all things to work together for my good.

 

“Of all the hard times I’ve endured, ain’t nothing that real love can’t cure. Of all the hard times that I feel, ain’t nothing that real love can’t heal.”

These words are sung by an artist named Speech, one of the members of Arrested Development, a hip-hop group popular in the early 90’s. Yes, I know he loves me because his love has cured all my sickness and disease. His love has healed my hurt and my pain. His love gives me hope. His love mobilizes me to love stronger, try harder, and keeps me moving forward.

 

Since he IS love, he can’t help but to love you. He created you after all. Have you ever admired something you created and looked upon it with wonder and amazement?

 

After pushing my 1st born out of my body, I quickly pulled her up and laid her on my chest. After the nurses toweled her off, I pulled her back so I could look her over. In awe, I stared at this little human that I had a hand in creating. We stared into each other’s eyes and it was love at first sight. This is what the Lord feels when He looks at you and me.

 

God does not merely love, he IS love. And since his nature is that of love, he consistently demonstrates his love for us. Jesus is a love song.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

 

He has shown himself to me. My spiritual eyes have been opened and I can SEE his hand at work in my life.

 

 

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14:21

 

 

He loves us in a way that is absolute. COMPLETE.

 

He Sees You. He Chooses You. He Knows You. He Loves You.

 

He loves you with an agape love, a love that is selfless, self-sacrificing, and unconditional expecting nothing in return.

 

How will you respond to his love today?

 

All week we’ll be talking about Embracing Everlasting Love. For Part 1 on being Seen & Chosen click here. For Part 2 on being Known, click here. I pray you join me all week as we embrace a love so pure, a love that expects nothing in return, a love that is complete, a love that can only be found in Jesus.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with friends sharing the Good News Mommy Moments

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Do You Ever Really KNOW A Person?

“Even if you were the only one entered in a ____________contest, you would come in second”. More than one husband said beauty, thinking their wives would concur. Come on guys, did you really expect these ladies to say they’re ugly? So much for knowing each other very well because they ALL got that one wrong.

 

That question was posed on The Newlywed Game, a popular, long-running game show that pits newly married couples against each other see how well the spouses really know each other.

 

Do you ever really know a person? I am so glad that God knows me better than anyone ever could.

 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

 

He knew the exact moment and manner into which you and I would join his masterful creation know as existence.

 

Today as I washed and styled my hair, quite a few strands came out in my comb and I watched several float to the floor. As I looked at these hairs, I sat for a moment in awe thinking, “Wow God, you see me right now and you even see these hairs. And not only do you see me but you KNOW me.” Even though I tried, I couldn’t wrap my head around the magnitude of it. For more about being SEEN and CHOSEN by God, click here.

 

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

 

Not only does he know me, he knows my thoughts beforehand. I often share with people the simple yet miraculous thing God has done for me. When I am confronted with a situation, God open my visual perception of the situation. The window of opportunity in which I can respond widens. It’s like I come outside of myself and get a few extra seconds to assess the situation. I believe, “God freezes the frame” for me. I think I’ve been afforded this vantage point because he sees my thoughts afar off and provides me with an increased opportunity to choose.

 

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2

 

Not only does he know my thoughts, but also he shares with me his thoughts.

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

And it gets better. Not only does he know my thoughts and share with me his thoughts, he also takes notice and pays attention. He’s intimately involved in the affairs of my life.

 

What is man that you take notice of him, or the son of man that you pay attention to him? Psalm 8:4

 

My husband knows me pretty well. Even though he knows me, he doesn’t always act in accordance with that knowledge. For example, he ought to know that acts of service is my love language. I’ve told him time and time again. Yet, he buys me things. Early in our marriage this was a BIG issue. Even in the last few years, it’s been somewhat of an issue still (I am learning to give him space to bless me in a way that makes him feel good). But time and time again I’ve told him, you should know me by now. PLEASE don’t buy me anything. If you want to do something for me, just ask and I’ll let you know. You can start by unloading the dishwasher and folding that load of laundry. NOPE. He hands me a bag with what he’s purchased. I’m learning to say thank you with a smile.

 

I’d like to say I know my children very well. I consider myself a student of my children. I spend lots of time observing them. I know their tendencies, personalities and little quirks. Even though I generally know what they’re going to do beforehand, I sometimes get frustrated when I see certain behaviors. But really, it came as no surprise because I know how they are.

 

But God. Oh how grateful I am that KNOWING what he does, he loves me still.

 

In fact, he knows me so well that we are on a 1st name basis. He is Yahweh, Elohim, el-Roi, el-Shaddai, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Rapha, Emmanuel, The Alpha and Omega. And he knows my name is Tyra. One day as I was driving I was worshipping to a song by Yolanda Adams called That Name. As I approached my exit off the highway, I heard his voice clearly speak, “Tyra, I Know Your Name”. I was a babe in Christ at the time and that encounter shook me so deeply. In fact, I nearly went into the trees as I was coming off the exit in a sharp turn. I was filled with such an overwhelming sense of love. I was seen and known by the creator of the universe. Out of the people that were, are and will be he knows me!

 

Even in knowing I would: stumble, fall, err, judge, covet, hate, harbor bitterness, hold grudges and more he chose me, knows me and loves me still.

 

Not only does he know me, he acts in accordance with what he knows about me and what he knows is best for me.

 

He knows I’ll step out of bounds so he erects guardrails

He knows I’ll get hurt so he provides the balm

He knows all my mess and loves me still

He knows everything about me and calls me friend

 

And he knows all about you too. And in that knowing, he loves you with an everlasting love.

 

Won’t you pray with me…Lord; you are high and lifted up above all the earth. From your seat in the heavenlies, you gaze over all creation and see me. Not only do you see me but you know me better than anyone ever can or will. Lord I stumble but you are right there to catch me. Forgive me Father. Thank you for working to bring together your love for me and what you know about me to see me through to the future and hope you have planned for my life. Lord, let me know myself; the true me that you fearfully and wonderfully fashioned. Let me spend time getting to know others so that I can love them more completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

All week we’ll be talking about Embracing Everlasting Love. For Part 1 on being Seen & Chosen click here. I pray you join me all week as we embrace a love so pure, a love that expects nothing in return, a love that is complete, a love that can only be found in Jesus.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

 

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The One Who Sees

He said it was the pink linen suit.

 

The thing that drew him to me.

 

A hand me down from my cousin. A 3-piece linen pantsuit with shoulder pads made for a linebacker. Yup…that’s what got his attention.

 

His neon orange vest, Bo Jackson Nikes, fresh temple taper haircut and smooth DC swag. Yup…that’s what got my attention.

 

March 1993. Best Friends. He saw me, I saw him and this year we celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss.

 

Just as my sweet husband saw me all those years ago, God sees us right now.

 

Oh the reassurance of this truth.

 

He is indeed el-Roi, the God Who Sees.

 

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Genesis 16:13

 

Have you ever felt invisible? Have you ever felt as if people haven’t SEEN you? As a child, I was intimately acquainted with feeling invisible. My mother was present but ‘unavailable’. I needed her but there were times she didn’t see me. And it is only after embarking on a personal healing journey in 2014 that I have fully dealt with those feelings.

 

Even today I need the reassurance that HE sees me. I have an affectionate, doting, caring husband. I have friends who love, encourage and support me. Even my earthly father still showers me with words of affirmation. But THE ONE WHO SEES, is the one whom I need to be seen by. When I am bony weary from carry out all that he’s task to my hands. When I’ve poured out my last drop in service to him, I am comforted in knowing he sees me. Just as he saw Hagar, sitting in desperation in the desert, he sees me. And because he sees me, he’s acquainted with my concerns, joy, pain, strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. He sees and he cares. And because he cares, he wants me to cast my cares on him so he can help me. He is truly a very present help in the time of trouble.

 

Not only does he see me, but he chose me.

 

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4

 

 

Who did he choose? Me. And He chose you too. From the time you were created, you were engrafted with a desire to be in relationship with a faithful, loving, serving partner. From the time you were created, the desire was placed in you to hunger after a love relationship, a relationship with the Lord. But there have been times that I misappropriate that need for love. I sought that love from people and things yet it was never satiated. How about you?

 

There is a love space in our hearts that’s custom made and ONLY Jesus fits the exact proportions.

 

Only He can fill that space in our hearts.

 

So even after we have been unfaithful, he still seeks a relationship with us. He still unwaveringly, tenaciously pursues us. He pursues and reminds us to draw near to him and he will draw even closer to us. He reminds us to seek him first and all other things will be added onto us. He reminds us that he is our friend. He reminds us that he loves us with an everlasting love. After all we do, or don’t do for that matter, he still chooses us.

 

He sees us. He chooses us. Not an accident, happenstance or mistake but intentionally out of his unfailing love for us, he chooses us.

 

How will your heart respond today?

 

When that handsome young man saw me and chose me all those years ago, at first I dismissed it. I though it was yet another person with some ulterior motive. But that young man had vision. He says he KNEW I would be his wife. I’ve never really been the visionary type. I’m more of the realistic, right now in the present, focused on all the little details type that doesn’t cast a vision or see the ‘big picture’. Well, he saw it and it has come to pass.

 

Jesus sees the BIG PICTURE of your life. He’s the only one who knows all the finite details. He’s THE ONE WHO SEES your beginning from your end.

 

He’s gazing at you from across the distance.

 

He’s approaching…

 

Join me in prayer….Thank you Lord for being an ever loving, patient and kind God. Thank you for seeing me and choosing me. Just as you saw Hagar in the desert, you see me. And before the foundation of the world you chose me. You love me with an everlasting love. Give me eyes to see and the mind of Christ that I may choose well. Open the eyes of my heart that I may see you. Above people and things let me choose you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

All week we’ll be talking about Embracing Everlasting Love. I pray you join me as we embrace a love so pure, a love that expects nothing in return, a love that is complete, a love that can only be found in Jesus.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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Do You Love Me?

Principles for Daily Living Pt 3

Do you love me?

 

That’s what every heart longs to know. We are wired with a need for love. As believers we’ve been called to love, to love God and love one another.

 

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

 

We began the week reflecting on principles for daily living. If you missed Part 1 or Part 2, click the links to catch up on those. In part 1 we examined our relationship with God, part 2 our relationship with ourselves and here in part 3, we’ll look at our relationship with others.

 

The Believer has been COMMANDED to love one another. So here are a few principles to help guide us in being in healthy, vibrant loving relationships with others.

sibling love

Love Like Jesus

Christ loves us with an agape love. Agape love is a love that expects nothing in return. It is a self-sacrificing love. It is a love that gives and gives and gives some more. It is a love that does not hinge on the actions of the receiver. It is an unconditional love.

 

You see, in my natural, agape is not me. My love is conditional. When my son immediately obeys, oh how my heart soars. I can pat his shoulder, be chatty with him, and make direct eye contact with him. But if he doesn’t immediately obey, depending on my current spiritual and emotional state…well let’s just say its conditional love. Since my expectations of obedience weren’t met I might withhold an affirming touch, I might be short with my responses, I might be harsh, or I might either give the stare down or avoid eye contact all together. I’m not proud of this. But the power of the Spirit in me is assisting me in having more wins than losses in this area. I’m a work in progress.

 

And Jesus has helped me through this process by showing me His people through His eyes. He’s shown me what ‘kind love’ and ‘not rude love’ looks like.

heart door

The heading of this chapter in my bible is called the Greatest Gift

 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

 

Forgive

Unforgiveness is bondage. Holding unto something that someone did to you is toxic to your physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well being. I had a family member for whom I harbored hatred and unforgiveness for many years. When I thought about this woman I would physically become agitated and my emotions would rage. I was hurt, confused and frustrated with how I had been treated by her. I was not her only victim either and I wanted justice for everyone in our family that she wounded. Then one day, even before I was saved, God whispered to me, “And hating her is helping you how?” That got me to thinking. Then slowly He revealed to me that she had done the best she could given her own issues and background. I then purposed in my heart to forgive her. What a huge relief it was for me. Even though I did not have a long dialogue with her about all of my feelings, the change had taken place in my heart. Less than a year later, she passed away. I am so grateful I was afforded the opportunity to rectify that in my own heart and with her personally.

 

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. “ Mark 11:25

 

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

 

Serve

I am a servant. My husband doesn’t care much for that choice of word but I’m cool with it. I don’t see it as having negative connotations. I do not liken it to being subservient. I count it an honor to be able and willing to serve those who I am called to serve. If you ask one of the Kingsland Kids “What’s something your mom always says?” They are quite possibly going to answer, “Serve others before you serve yourself”. Now this is not to negate yesterday’s word on self-care. Self-care and self-love are required in order to effectively serve others. Once you’ve filled your spiritual tank, you are adequately fueled to pour back out. God gave me a MAJOR revelation in this area a few years back and it’s become a way of live for me. I was praying after the birth of my 3rd baby. I was asking the Lord for a supernatural measure of grace. He led me to 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Mmm. I thought that was a great promise from Him indeed. Then He whispered to me…”Something will be required of you”. So I follow that scripture up a little bit and here’s what it said But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 6-7

 

I’ve seen Him grant grace upon grace when I selflessly give.

2014-01-23 11.55.39

Give one more hug
Read one more story
Wipe one more tear
Give one more ride (even though I’ve been in this car for hours)
Send one more text of encouragement
Cook one more meal for a friend in need

 

Then he cemented this truth later by leading me to 1 Kings 17 and examining the story of the widow at Zarephath. She was preparing to take her last bits of oil and flour to make bread for herself and her son before they died. The Prophet Elijah asked her to make the bread for him. She obediently served the man of God and her flour bin and oil jar did not run dry! There’s a reason to shout right there. When we serve, God will return to us what we’ve poured out. Serving (for the right reasons and in the areas where we’ve been called) will not leave us depleted.

 

help each other

Accept

My husband has helped me learn a very valuable life lesson; there is more than one way to complete a task. I used to believe only my way was right. I used to believe there was only ONE route to the destination. Can we accept that there is more one way to do a thing? Can we accept and value other’s thoughts, opinions and ideas? Can we accept that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made to be different, act different and think different? Love accepts people for who they are where they are.

T&T hearts

Surrender Your Rights

“My husband offended me. I have a RIGHT to be mad!” “This jerk just cut me off on the road. I have a RIGHT to aggressively drive closely behind him” (while spewing expletives). “I’ve worked hard all day and I’m exhausted. I have a RIGHT to go to sleep at 9 pm” (while my sick baby wants to be held).

 

Guess what? No! You don’t have a right. If you are a follower of Christ, when you said yes to Him, you said no to your self-seeking self-serving desires. You surrendered your rights.

 

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23

 

The above scriptures from 1 Corinthians tell us that loves does not seek its own. In believing you have a RIGHT, you are seeking your own. But the scripture is clear, love does not seek its own.

 

Extend Grace

Above we see that God can make ALL grace abound toward us. Will we be cul-de-sacs of grace and let it come to a dead end or will we be conduits of grace and let it flow to THEN through us. When my daughter was 6 she left me a note that I still have and it says “Thank you Mommy for giving me grace. I messed up but you gave me grace. Thank you. I won’t do it again. I love you Mommy.” Now what the “IT” was that she did, I cannot remember. But she understood, even at age 6 that grace was not only available but given to her and she received it and repented. And how can we extend grace? We can do some of the above: give unconditional love, forgive, serve, accept, and surrender. Additionally we can admit when we’ve made a mistake, say I’m sorry, use gentle kind words, soften our expressions and body language, and show mercy.

 

I wouldn’t have guessed that this would be the longest of the three posts in this series. I would have thought I’d have more to say about the guiding principles for relationship with God. But what God spoke to me at this very moment is, “I love you. I simply do. Now go and love my people. “

 

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

Happy to connect with friends @ #livefree Thursday

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The Death of Black Friday

Radio. Email. Newspapers. We have been bombarded, invaded by a constant barrage of Black Friday advertisements. The onslaught is aggressive and relentless.

 

So it made me wonder…What would be possible if there were a constant barrage of images and proclamations of LOVE.

T&T Love Park2

TV. Radio. Email. Newspaper. Tweets. Posts. Billboards. Texts.

 

Trampling one another to get the best deal. Utter chaos breaking out…pushing, shoving near rioting in the name of a good deal?

All for an electronic or toy or article of clothing that will be broken, outdated or discarded in 2 years?

 

The Death of Black Friday

 

What would happen if we fought and clamored the same way to press forward in LOVE?

 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

 

Suppose we begin a love revolution? Like the ALS challenge or Pay It Forward campaign. Oh the possibilities of each person demonstrating 1 living, breathing, mighty move of love.

Predicated on love, delivered in love and received in love.

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

The roots of Black Friday are sketchy. There are several theories as to where it began: ranging from slave auction to police managing traffic. Whatever its beginnings, its right now can be the beginning of something new.

 

When we examine all that is going on in our world today, the events are heart wrenching. In America, the land of the free and home of the brave young black boys and men are being mercilessly slaughtered. Around the globe we’ve got ISIS, child sex trafficking and the list of societal ill goes on and on.

 

Heart wrenching

But what is it for the heart to be wrenched? Should not the wrenching prompt us to action?

 

So I proclaim the death of Black Friday and the birth of The Love Revolution.

heart door

 

Out of Black Friday ashes, the phoenix rises. She soars high and looks low with love in her wings. She prepares to take a love dive. Swooping in she targets the heart. My heart has been penetrated. I swoon under the effects of having been pierced. I am persuaded that love conquers all.

 

What will you do today to be a conduit of love?

 

What will you do today to be intentional, purposeful, deliberate about showing love especially to those deemed unlovable?

 

A Love Revolution

 

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

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Today You Must Know

No Greater Love

 

The instant I awoke my heart was flooded with emotion.

 

“There’s no greater love than my love for you dear.”  

 

Those were to sweet gentle words Jesus spoke to my heart.  Those words arrested me on the spot and I had to just sit with them.  As I proceeded to begin with my Thanksgiving morning routine, those words wouldn’t let me go.  In my head I continued to try to think about my food preparations but those words still held me in their grip.

 

“There’s no greater love than my love for you dear.”

 

As I drafted in my mind the wrap up to my 20-Day Countdown to Thanksliving, the words continued to resonate, floating around in my head and in my heart.  My mind wanted to craft an eloquent conclusion to the countdown about giving thanks but the magnitude of His simple statement to me “There’s no greater love than my love for you dear” still had me in it’s clutches.

 

Oh friends I am overwhelmed by the sheer weight of His glory.  So right now I give thanks that the Father in His infinite wisdom set about creating this world, placing us all in it, and ever so carefully orchestrated EVERY event of our lives down to the One Plank, the smallest measurement of time.

 

He loves us so much.  I cannot fully express the depth of my gratitude for the Father’s love for me.  And He demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Daily He demonstrates His love for you and I.  Don’t you see it?

 

You woke up this morning
You have someone who loves you
You have something to eat
You have been protect from hurt, harm and danger
You have joy
You have peace
You have LIFE

 

My friends this is good news.  Today, bask in the warm embrace of Jesus’ love for you.  Be assured, He does love you.  He assures us in John 15 that as the Father loved Him, He loves us.  Receive His love today then be a conduit of that love, allowing it to flow THROUGH you so that you are a channel for love flow.  All those that come into contact with you will feel the love flow from you through them.

 

Overtaken

Submerged

Inundated…in His love

 

There’s no greater love.

 

http://youtu.be/fERx5VZ-36g

 

20-Day Countdown to Thanksliving

Day 20 The Love of Thanksgiving

Believe

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9

Know beyond on a shadow of a doubt that the Lord loves you.  And out of His limitless love for you, He will do what’s best for you.  Sometimes what’s best for you doesn’t always look good, feel good or seem good but its for your good.

Do

Receive His boundless love for you today.  Embrace it. Bask in it. Relish it.  Know it. Believe it. Receive it.

 

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