My God dream

Since my last blog, God has been doing a work in me. He is showing me a little more of the BIG dream he has planned for me. We have been doing a series at church about Joseph the Dreamer. It is specifically speaking to the “God dream” that we each have. Joseph was given two dreams as a teenager which God fulfilled many years later once Joseph was ready and in position. He went through so many trials and a few triumphs on his way there, but God was faithful through it all, and Joseph learned how to be faithful and trust God to keep his promise. God saved a nation through Joseph. Who could have guessed that when his brothers sold him into slavery.

One phrase from last week’s sermon has really stuck in my mind – hindsight provides clarity. I love hindsight. I love to look at a particular situation in my life and rewind through my life to see all the events that led to this point. If I have not done ____, I would have missed _____. If I had missed _____, I would never have met _____. You get the idea. God seemed to be telling me that he has wired me to minister to children. Children are my mission field. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense, but I have been fighting that for a while. I have down played the significance of working with children and investing my life in them. I confess I was looking for something more glamorous.

I started serving in the nursery at our small church when I would about 10 years old. I loved being in there snuggling the few precious babies we had. I didn’t mind changing diapers, and I thought it a wonderful challenge to be able to calm a crying baby who missed his mommy. I worked as a babysitter through junior high and high school for cousins and neighbors. One summer I did it full time for two kids who are now in college or maybe finished with college by now. (I feel old.) I mentored teenage girls in foster care when I was in college. Tyrone and I trained kids at a tennis club after we were first married. I coached JV girls’ basketball and Varsity track for 7 years in South Carolina and Indiana. I lead children’s ministry at our small church plant back in South Carolina for a year before we moved to Indiana. I read stories to kids in elementary school and planned parties as homeroom mom. A couple years ago God put it on my heart to feed kids who are hungry. We started with one family. Now our house is becoming “the place to be” after school for some kids in our neighborhood who just need a place to play, and they usually need a snack too. They walk home from school with us just to talk.

I have been working part-time as the Children’s Ministry Director at our church for more than a year now. I took the job out of obedience because I felt it is what God was calling me to at the time. It was something I said I would never do again (never tell God never). I figured it was another step toward that BIG thing out there in the distance that I was meant to do. Now I think it IS the beginning of the BIG thing. The clarity of hindsight has shown me that God has been getting me ready all these years. Now he has positioned me in a thriving church (in a state I never thought about living in) where I can have great influence on a community of children and families who need Jesus. By making a difference in this community and pointing young children toward Jesus, they will be able to go out and reach the world with the Gospel. A wise person told me recently that I must be doing that in my own home first or I have missed the point of the position I have been given. She was so right! It begins right here in my own home with the 4 (wow, I still have trouble with that number) children God has blessed us with. They are gifts from Him. Four hearts that desperately need to see Jesus and find relationship with him. I am so thankful that Jeremiah and Maiesha have already made that decision. Those little eyes are watching through my successes and failures  as I model a relationship with my savior each day for them.

This is the beginning of my BIG thing – my God dream. I am here to, as the Greenhouse mission statement reads, grow kids in God’s grace and love to lead them toward a fully-devoted world changing relationship with Jesus Christ. This dream is bigger than a job at a church. It’s bigger than working in ministry. It is a life style, a culture, as way of living. It is wherever I am. I will always be a mom. My kids will always have friends. We will always have neighbors.

Some people brought little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on the children and pray for them. But the disciples told the people to stop.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.” - Matthew 19:13-14 (NIrV)

 

 

Something Big

I sat in a room at a table across from a wise, older woman about 5 years ago. Jeremiah and Maiesha, ages 3 and 18 months, played at the back of the room while we talked. It was a pivotal conversation in the way I saw my life’s purpose.

This woman, Pat, was the Women’s Ministry Director at our church in Evansville, IN. She heard me speak at our bi-weekly Mom 2 Mom meeting on the topic of submission a few weeks earlier. We had lived in Evansville for about a year. I jumped into the women’s ministry activities quickly because I was staying home with our kids full-time and I needed adult conversation and interaction. I asked Pat if we could meet so I could share my enthusiasm for what God was doing at that time and to get some direction from someone who had more knowledge and experience than me.

Our meeting lasted nearly 2 hours. I took one brief break to take Jeremiah potty. The thing I walked away with that day is what drives me today. It is also what frustrates me more than almost anything else. Pat looked at me and said Lynette, I sense that God has something BIG in store for you. I don’t know when or where, but I believe it is something BIG. We talked about taking care of my family and continuing to seek God’s direction while the BIG thing unfolds in God’s timing.

Wow! Me? Really? Cool! What is it? Come on – just tell me. Please God, I don’t want to wait. I am ready for it now. These are the thoughts that flooded my mind as Pat spoke those powerful words. They have continued to run through my mind daily ever since that conversation 5 years ago. Many days my motivation is out of a need to be significant and feel important. On my best days these thoughts come from a genuine heart that desires to fulfill the purpose God has for me. I often sit and brainstorm about what this BIG thing could be. I think about what I am good at and what I most enjoy doing. It must be related to one of those things, right?

The trouble is if I am not careful, I get caught up in my daydreams about the BIG thing and forget how important all the big things are in my life in this season. If I am not careful I lose sight of what God is doing to refine in me now. I wiggle and squirm as he chisels away at my layers of selfish ambition and vain conceit (Philippians 2:3) rather than seeing it as part of the journey that will lead me to this BIG thing.

I am a mom to 4 children now. Those sweet babes from 5 years ago are 8 and nearly 7. My little ones are 2 ½ years and 2 months old. I want each of them to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus and develop a vision for God’s plan for each of them here on Earth. It is my job to lead them toward that vision. Talk about a big job. 

Tyrone and I have walked through some huge challenges in our marriage. We have been married for 12 years by God’s grace. We easily could have given up early on. We could have given up last year if it were not for the prayers of many and the Holy Spirit guiding us. Talk about a big redemption.

Just a few months ago I experienced freedom from a past that had troubled me for more than a decade. In the sweet words of Beth Moore from study “Breaking Free” I can say it is under my feet. Talk about a big triumph.

I am on my way to freedom from my anger problem. I have lived on this earth for 35 years and I realized less than a year ago that I have been an angry person for most of my life. The saddest part is that my anger is often directed at the people I love the most.  Talk about a big transformation in our family.

I work part time at our church which has grown by 40% each of the last 3 years. I am responsible for the children’s ministry – birth through 5^th grade. I have the privilege of connecting with families every week and pouring into their lives. I get to work with 30 to 40 faithful volunteers who pour into each of the 90 plus kids who come to our classrooms every Sunday. Talk about something bigger than me.

I am learning to appreciate and celebrate all these big things in my life. I am becoming a patient person and learning all the lessons God has for me. I can’t help but think how are they all fitting together? How are they shaping me for the BIG thing God has for me?

I know there is something BIGGER still out there for me, but the things I am a part of now are already bigger than what I would have chosen. God knew I would be here where I am now and he had these things in mind for me before he formed me in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He knows what is down the road. He knows when my story is complete. I need to trust him with those details and focus on the big jobs he has given me now. They are each preparing me for the next season. They are a part of a legacy I am leaving that will hopefully carry on through our children and grandchildren and beyond. I want to be obedient and patient to wait on God’s perfect time for each thing he has for me no matter how BIG or how small.

 

I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Chloe is 7 weeks old now. Jeremiah and Maiesha are wrapping up the second week of third and first grade respectively. Tyrone started his third year at the University of Arkansas this week. Lydia will begin preschool next week. I am full swing into my second year at our church as the Children's Ministry Director.

Life is crazy! Everyone is tired as we settle into the new routine of being a family of six and the new school year. Tempers are flaring. Attitudes are stinky. Feet are dragging. I have become very sensitive to the presence of anger in myself and people around. All through the spring I was uncovering and learning how to experience freedom from some deep rooted anger. A wise friend shared with me that anger is a secondary emotion most often caused by another underlying emotion - fear, anxiety, or pride to name a few. The trouble is trying to figure out what those emotions are - especially in your children.

We have been spent a lot of time in the past couple months talking to Jeremiah about anger. He is so quick to respond to an adverse situation with anger. It could be difficult school work, an argument with his sister, or me telling him no to something he wants to do. His first response too often is to be angry which typically leads to a bad choice to express his anger.  It has really helped me see how my response to him during these moments can fuel his anger or defuse it. I am learning so much about my own anger and how to trust the Spirit to help me be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).

Last weekend I decided that Jeremiah and I should read through the book of Philippians together. After a sermon series years ago, I wrote in the subtitle "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" under Philippians. I wanted Jeremiah to see God's Word about having joy in adverse, difficult circumstances. The first night we started chapter 1 he was grumpy and tired and it didn't go very well. The second night, however, was so precious. I read a verse then we talked about it. We came to "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) and we camped out there. I explained that Paul was writing this letter to the people of Philippi from prison. He was in prison for telling people about Jesus - that was the only crime he had committed. He still had joy and could rejoice with the Philippians in spite of his current living arrangements. He longed to be with Christ in heaven, but he knew and trusted God's purpose for him was not finished on the earth. This really registered with Jeremiah because he has asked on several occasions why he couldn't just go to heaven now. He started to cry as we read and talked.

We continued to read verses 22 through 26.

 "If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."

I explained to Jeremiah that it is not time for him to go to heaven yet. God has big plans and a purpose for him here on earth. Like Paul, he must decide to trust God and remain here and allow each experience - good and bad - to shape him and prepare him for the plans God has for him. Jeremiah began to smile through the tears. He was getting excited at the idea of God using him.

He loves to talk about China and Japan. He often asks when we will take him to one or the other. I said maybe God will send him to China one day to talk to people about Jesus. Then he said he liked Japan better. I said, "Well maybe Japan, then, Jeremiah (Laughing on the inside)." We wrapped it up by acknowledging that, of course, it would be so wonderful to be in heaven with Jesus, but we have to find joy in our challenges and trust that God is using all of life's successes and trials (including Math) to lead us toward him and the great plans he has for us.

What a lesson for me - as much or more than my sweet, tender-hearted son. Life is hard right now. We are all trying to find our way back to "normal" and all the while I continue to realize we can't go back. There is a new normal for our family now. We just have to seek after God whole heartedly to find rest and that "breath of fresh air" that we long for and can only be found in intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. It would be so much easier to just go to heaven at the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior, but God's plans go one step further. He wants to build a relationship with us and reveal himself to us one challenge and one triumph at a time. He wants to use our journey to reach lost souls with the Gospel to welcome "just one more" of his creation into his Kingdom.

God is so good!

Where has the time gone? It has been quite a while since my last post and a lifetime of things have happened to keep me on the go. Most notably our fourth child was born - Chloe Lucille Washington. She arrived at 3:17 p.m. on July 9. She was 21 3/4 inches long and weighed 8lb 6oz. She has a full head of black hair that curls when it is wet. She looks much like her siblings did when they were born, but she is unique with all that hair.

As I prepared myself for this final delivery, I was reminded of a verse that was pretty important to me when our third child, Lydia, was born. Psalm 28:7 says "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." A friend texted this to me when labor was getting pretty intense and I remember repeating "The Lord is my strength and my shield" over and over through contractions. I thought it would be a great verse to memorize and meditated on as I prepared to do what I thought I would never have to do again. God proved himself faithful, as always, as we welcomed Chloe into the "outside" world.

Many friends and family specifically mentioned praying for a short labor. An easy labor. A quick delivery. I even asked God if I could catch a break since this was my fourth time delivering a baby without an epidural. I appreciated the prayers of course, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. After all, every pregnancy is different and the labor and delivery is no exception. Some would call that being a realist. On the other hand, maybe I didn't  trust God with my whole heart. Maybe my faith was lacking. Either way, I kept praying Psalm 28:7 and asked the Facebook world to pray it too.

I am a lot embarrassed to say, it didn't really register with me how much God had answered our specific prayers for a quick, easy delivery until about a week after we came home from the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. for a scheduled induction. I was ready to meet our third daughter and my doctor was willing to induce me at 39 weeks so I didn't hesitate when she offered. I labored for about 7 hours with little more than moderate discomfort after my nurse started the pitocin in my IV. I was already about 3cm dilated when we arrived and every 2 hours I dilated another centimeter. I chatted with Tyrone. I updated my Facebook status. I took a couple naps. I ate ice chips. I got up to go to the bathroom. I visited with my nurse and showed her a picture of our 3 children. My hope was that we would have a baby by dinner time.

A little after 2:00 I got out of bed for another short walk to the bathroom and decided to stand for a while. I even stood through some contractions. That was kind of cool because I had never tried that with any of my other deliveries. That was just what I needed to really get things moving apparently. I went from moderate discomfort to "game face" very quickly. My next visit with my nurse was more serious. I told her I wasn't up for anymore chit chat. I had my headphones on and I was getting focused. Tyrone was a little more tuned in to me. All of a sudden contraction were coming hard and one after another. I lost my focus. I forgot my verse. I was remembering how I never wanted to do this again. I was giving in to my flesh and lost sight of "The Lord is my strength and my shield". My heart was not trusting in him. Tyrone tried to get me to refocus. He even mentioned that I needed to think about my verse. My nurse said I was almost there, but when she said I was only at 7cm, I gave up. I didn't think I could handled another hour (or more is what was running through my mind) of contractions like these. I remember crying out "God please help me." a couple of times. All of a sudden 4 nurses rushed into my room and started preparing for the delivery. They worked fast! They new something I didn't know. It had been about 3 minutes since my nurse left the room to call my doctor to report my request for an epidural (if time would allow). One of the four nurse checked again and I was at 10cm and she said it was time to have this baby. My doctor had to run upstairs from clinic on the first floor. I couldn't believe it. In hindsight, it was like God reached down and rescued me. In those 3 minutes, he answered all the prayers for an easy, short delivery. I didn't see it right then.

After a handful of pushes - Tyrone and I disagree on the exact number - Chloe was born. Just like that it was over, and the 6th member of our family was laying on my chest using her little lungs for the first time. Tyrone cut the cord and we talked to her. I was rubbing her back and kissing her sticky little head. (A few minutes later she peed all over me which lightened the mood in the room.) We finally and officially chose her middle name - Lucille - after my Great-Aunt after a nurse took her footprints. Jeremiah, Maiesha, and Lydia arrived a couple hours later to meet their new baby sister.

It registered for the first time how God had really come through while I was talking to my mentor in our living room a week later. She asked how it went and I told her an abbreviated version of the story. She looked at me with a smile and said "Isn't God good." Then it all hit me like a ton of bricks. Yes...yes he is good...and how did I miss that in the moments when it was happening? I have now had more time to reflect on that day and pray about it. I have had the opportunity to share the story and acknowledge God's faithfulness. I have been able to rejoice and give thanks for His goodness.

What is the lesson here? Do I beat myself up for giving up when things seemed beyond what I could endure? No, I think I need to see that God is faithful even when I lose faith. God is with me even when I take my eyes off of him. God rescues me when I cry out to him. God gives me exactly what I need according to his good purpose.

Isn't God good!

D-day is coming soon

We are closing in on D-day (delivery day). July 16 is  4 weeks and 5 days away. After my doctor's appointment two days ago I feel pretty confident Baby Chloe will make her debut sooner than that - praise the Lord. It is so surreal to think about it. A friend who was due 12 days before me just had her baby - 4 weeks early. He is doing great and is quite adorable. That got me thinking two things.

Oh, to not be pregnant anymore, how wonderful! God please don't make me "suffer" 4 more long weeks.

The second thing I thought was  we are really going to have a baby in a few weeks. How is that possible? (I know biologically how this is possible.) This was not our plan. We were done having children! Now we will be out numbered 2 to 1. We were done with diapers. Now our life is going to change and I don't know how to manage it all? I don't know how the kids will adjust? Can I do the things I was planning to do?

We have been spending some time focusing our family on Philippians 4:8 "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." I have been praying it for Tyrone. Jeremiah has started reading it at bedtime with his other verses. Now I see that I need to know it too. If these are the the things I think about then all those crazy thoughts and questions don't fit in my head. There is no room for doubt, anger, resentment, fear, etc. I can recognize the lies satan uses to tear me down and keep me from trusting God and being an effective witness for His Kingdom. God has given us this baby to teach us and grow us - in faith and in number.

The last couple weeks I sit in bed each night and watch my baby bump move. I feel the kicks, punches, and twists of this little miracle growing inside me. Then I try to get comfortable in order to sleep and each position is temporarily and moderately comfortable at best. These nights of shifting and frequent trips to the bathroom help me get more excited to meet Chloe ( selfishly motivated, I admit, to be physically comfortable again).

Over the weekend the kids got to feel baby girl's hiccups on my belly and see her moving. I keep reminding them that she can hear their voices so it is good to talk to her so she recognizes them when she is born. All three kids went with me to my doctor's appointment Tuesday. They were so excited to hear her heartbeat.  After the doctor informed me I was already 1-2 cm dilated and 70-80% effaced I explained to them that Chloe could come earlier than we were expecting. I had a little anxiety when I heard this news. (More thoughts that don't fit in my head if I am focused on whatever is true, noble, right...) Given this new information, we all took the elevator up to the labor and delivery floor to explore a little after my appointment. We got to see a few babies in the nursery and I explained that Chloe would be sleeping in one of those little beds soon enough. I think they would have stood at that window for an hour if I had let them.

All of these events are helping me become more and more excited to meet Chloe. More and more thrilled to embrace this plan that was not my idea. I want to see if she looks like her brother and sisters. I want to hold her and hear her sweet newborn cry. I can't wait to watch her daddy snuggle her and talk to her in the delivery room. I am thankful God's ways are not our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts. I am thankful that he chose us to be the parents of a fourth child. I know he has a great plan and purpose for her life and for our family of 6.

Baby Girl has a Name

Tuesday night I experienced something new as a pregnant woman. I couldn't sleep. I have been progressively more and more uncomfortable the last few weeks. Body parts go numb and tingly. My enlarged abdomen makes it hard to sit up or roll over and I must support it with a pillow when laying on my side. As a rule, I don't like to complain and don't like complainers, but I am making an exception being that this is my fourth baby. I am in a new class of parenting where I get to use having 4 children as an excuse for my short comings. Ha Ha! Not really. I do like sarcasm. So while I was awake Tuesday night from 3:30 to 5:15 A.M. I decided to write in my journal. Here a little excerpt from my hours of sleeplessness.

.....................

It is 4:15a.m. and I can't sleep. This is a first for me. It has a lot to do with pregnancy. My legs are a little tingly and numb. My belly hurts most any way I turn or lay. My mind is full of so many thought about life right now. I feel a bit hungry too.

We have had no luck with baby names mostly because we admit to being a little indifference about baby girl's arrival. I have also not found many names that seem to fit. I really believe, however, that naming this precious baby will help us feel more enthusiastic and connect us to her in a more positive way. It has been a real challenge to accept what has been happening inside my body these past 7 months. It has been difficult to fathom life with a newborn again and parenting 4 children.

I have been searching for names occasionally, but nothing has really jumped out at me. A few names made my "short list", but no favorites. I have been praying that God will reveal the right name in the right time. I prayed that it would be obvious when the name God had chosen for our third daughter came along.

A couple weeks ago my dad suggested the name Chloe. He had made some other silly, even ridiculous suggestions, which annoyed me greatly, but Chloe was a legitimate idea. I take baby naming very seriously. Each of our children's names has specific mean and/or a story to explain its significance. I shared the name Chloe with Tyrone, and to my surprise, he liked it. He also pointed out this was the first time my dad had made a name suggestion and that seemed to mean something to him. As I thought more about it, that meant something to me too since I have felt disconnected from him in recent years.

I looked up the meaning of Chloe. It means "verdant and blooming". My first thought was what does verdant mean? Well, it means "green with vegetation; covered with growing plants or grass; of the color green". It seemed to be very symbolic of this pregnancy and the new direction God has been turning our family. New growth and vegetation where there has been weeds and infertile soil. A sign of new life that can only come when we trust God in the darkest of times. When we find ourselves in and pit of death (Psalm 40:2) and look up to find His outstretched hand reaching down to pull us into His light.

That's what Chloe means to our family. New beginning. New life. Renewed hope. Rekindled light. Restored love and relationship. Much of my indifference has melted away with this decision. I am looking forward to holding baby Chloe for the first time in 7 weeks, give or take, and putting her name and her face together.

...........

I was patient while I waited for the Lord.
    He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
² I was sliding down into the pit of death, and he pulled me out.
    He brought me up out of the mud and dirt.
He set my feet on a rock.
    He gave me a firm place to stand on.
³ He gave me a new song to sing.
    It is a hymn of praise to our God.
Many people will see what he has done and will worship him.
    They will put their trust in the Lord. - Psalm 40:1-3 (NIrV)

It gets better. Yesterday, when I shared baby's name with Jeremiah and Maiesha, Jeremiah turned a corner. He said, "I like that name. I know I am special and I think I like this baby now." Those were the sweetest words he could have said.

Happy Mother's Day

I have learned so much about being a mom this year. I have learned so much about myself and my relationship with God through my job as a mom. This Mother’s Day turned out to be a weekend of great experiences with my family. 

It all began Thursday night when Jeremiah and I had a Mother Son Date at Chick-fil-a. He wasn’t in the best of moods so I practically had to drag him to the car. We parked and as we were getting out I gave him a $20 bill so he could pay for our food. He thought was pretty cool and began to perk up. We found a table in the area reserved for the event and he was very interested in designing a family crest on the cardboard shield he was given. He chose courageous, God, humility, and energetic to describe our family. We ordered our food. We talked through the conversation starter questions on the place mate. He carefully drew pictures on his shield and colored them. It was a great evening for the two of us. 

We have invested a lot of time this year praying specific Bible verses with our kids and casting a vision for them to begin to understand the great plans God has for their lives. In recent months, we have focused a lot of time teaching them about respect and developing a leadership attitude. This has transformed our lives. We are working to show respect and earn respect. God has really been teaching me how to apply James 1:19-20, 22 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

In my flesh, it is so easy to get angry and preach at my children. In the moment, it is so easy to lose my temper and react rather than listen and pray and respond. It is also so destructive and a tool that satan uses to create division in families. Fortunately, God has given me some great resources and guidance to teach me how to respond in grace and love. He has given me a new ability to listen to my children, to respond in a way that honors Him and points my children toward him. They can see the fruit of the Spirit in me and through me rather that just hearing empty words and hypocrisy from me. It’s transparency - being open and honest, willing to admit when I mess up and asking for forgiveness, creating an environment where they feel safe to ask questions and express their feelings. We are learning to discipline them in love rather than just punishing them for their disobedience.

Life is a marathon not a sprint. Learning to parent children seems to be no different. It is taking a level of consistency that is really challenging and sometimes uncomfortable. It is a huge sacrifice some days and a great demonstration of self-control (and the recognition of when I lose control). It takes a lot of thought and surrender to allow God to lead me so I can be the mom my children need. It takes daily prayers to pursue the plans God has for our family. Prayers that we will live boldly for God’s glory rather than prayers for safety and comfort in this fallen world.

On the toughest days, the voice of doubt creeps in to say it’s all for nothing. Fatigue and frustration take over and distract my from trusting God and persevering in the strength and power of the name of Jesus. So often right after the most difficult moments God has  given me rays of hope that demonstrate his faithfulness and proof that he has equipped me with the ability to parent these 3 - soon to be 4 - precious children. In light of that I must brag on each of my kiddos and how God is at work in them. 

Lydia loves to say her own prayer during our family prayer time each night. In the past week her prayers have gone from “Love me Jesus, Amen” to saying thank you Jesus and listing out all our names. She kneels by the bed and folds her hands to mimic mommy and daddy. Oh, did I mention she turned 2 just 3 months ago.

Jeremiah and Maiesha each made me a Mother’s Day card this weekend. No one prompted them to do it. They just spent some time in their rooms by their own effort to create a expression of their feelings. Talk about confirmation from God that what we have been praying and talking about is sinking in and making a difference.

Maiesha colored a card orange with purple hearts and inside she wrote: “I love you mom becues...you love me and that you care about me to. I hope that you love my crde that I made. Thank you for loveing me. You are a good mom. Thank you for giting Bri here when I didnt see her alot.”

Jeremiah presented a plain white card with pencil-drawn hearts and inside he wrote: “Thank you for being my mom. I love you so much because you are my mom and you love me. Have a great mothers day. I will give you all my heart.” He also drew a picture of the two of us holding hands. Even better, tonight he called me back into his room after we had turned out the lights to apologize for saying something disrespectful earlier today and to say Happy Mother’s Day once more.

Wow! God is so good and so faithful. All the glory belongs to him.