I'm excited as we start another time of prayer for our kids. I love watching the Word of God work as we pray. Unique to this prayer time is using communion with our families as a way to bind our family together. For some of us, it may not be possible to take communion with our families. That is OK. Take it in "proxy" for them. In other words, spiritually, stand in their place and take it. I've done this in the past and it can be a very powerful tool. It is very humbling spiritually to stand in proxy for someone.
I want this blog to be a safe haven for our moms. Some of our moms are so weary and discouraged. Some are battling spiritual forces that are at constant war with them. Together, we can encourage and exhort and give life where needed!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Humility and our limp
Tess, beautifully spoken. I was not surprised to see in your profile you are a writer! How wonderful! What do you write?
Yes, our humility must be tantamount to praying for our kids. Isn't it always the case that we preach and postulate to our children only to find ourselves falling flat on our face with our own humanity. If we must get up from our humble knees, we better remember to walk with our limp!
I used to be offended by the phrase "I die daily" (it was quite popular in charismatic churches in the late 90's), until I realized how much in me needed to die. I truly believe that the more humility our children see in us - the more we allow them to see our humanity and dependence on God, it testifies to His greatness. When I've had to humble myself and apologize for allowing my flesh to get the better of me, the more respect I see creep across my kids expression.
That, alone, makes humbling myself in front of them worth every piece of embarrassment.
Yes, our humility must be tantamount to praying for our kids. Isn't it always the case that we preach and postulate to our children only to find ourselves falling flat on our face with our own humanity. If we must get up from our humble knees, we better remember to walk with our limp!
I used to be offended by the phrase "I die daily" (it was quite popular in charismatic churches in the late 90's), until I realized how much in me needed to die. I truly believe that the more humility our children see in us - the more we allow them to see our humanity and dependence on God, it testifies to His greatness. When I've had to humble myself and apologize for allowing my flesh to get the better of me, the more respect I see creep across my kids expression.
That, alone, makes humbling myself in front of them worth every piece of embarrassment.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Humility
The hardest lesson I've had to learn in praying for my kids is that I need to pray even harder for my own distance from God. It's so easy to focus on the "problem child" and his or her sins and to even feel rather holy beseeching God to bring the prodigal home. In fact, I can see myself as that "wise father" (well, okay -- "mother") waiting, looking up and down the road for the prodigal to return. I am glad to be so wise and holy. Too bad my kid isn't as wise and holy as I am. Especially after all I've done for him. Especially after all the years I've slaved and sweated to give him the guidance, love and quality of life he has enjoyed. (I hope you can all see my halo.)
When our kids make poor choices and our hearts are broken, we have a chance to go to the throne and pray for our own relationship with God. This isn't to say that we must blame ourselves for whatever our kids have chosen, but that if we keep our eyes on improving them, we will lose the battle altogether.
So, while the last few years have been a bit of a rude awakening for me, I am almost ready to say that I am grateful. Almost.
Tess
When our kids make poor choices and our hearts are broken, we have a chance to go to the throne and pray for our own relationship with God. This isn't to say that we must blame ourselves for whatever our kids have chosen, but that if we keep our eyes on improving them, we will lose the battle altogether.
So, while the last few years have been a bit of a rude awakening for me, I am almost ready to say that I am grateful. Almost.
Tess
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
We begin again!
I can't believe it's time for another season of prayer and intercession! It seems like we were just together. I'm adding the blog to see how it flys with our ladies. I got to thinking...there are so many moms with so many great experiences, or lessons learned from bad experiences, that we are losing a valuable resource in your life lessons and faith walk.
I want to open this up for any of us to share hurts, experiences, advice, thoughts...anything you need. Maybe you're going through a rough patch with your kids and you need advice in a specific area, or maybe things are going great and you have some good ideas to help other moms. Speak up, speak out...just speak!!
I want to open this up for any of us to share hurts, experiences, advice, thoughts...anything you need. Maybe you're going through a rough patch with your kids and you need advice in a specific area, or maybe things are going great and you have some good ideas to help other moms. Speak up, speak out...just speak!!
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