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This is not a part of the devotional, but it’s been eating at my heart lately because, well, Mother’s Day is coming and I can’t help but wonder what if. . . . I had to get it on paper and, since I wrote it, I figured I may as well share it. I pray it touches someone.
Dreading Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day, 1997. I am lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I hear my husband in the shower. I know I should get up, but can’t move.
“God, I’m not going to church today. They’re going to try to give me some hokey gift. And there’s going to be those stupid contests: Who has the most children? Who has the oldest children? Who’s children traveled farthest to be with her today?
“What about: Who’s the worst mother in the world because she can’t keep a baby alive for more than ten weeks? Where’s the prize for the most miscarriages? Now there’s one I could win.
“I’m not going. Someone else can teach Children’s Church or they can sit with their precious mothers. I’m staying home.”
God, in his loving, smack-me-into-obedience voice said, “You will go because you have a responsibility and you will keep your word. And I have given you the 30 children in that church. You are their spiritual mother. Go take care of them.”
I dragged myself out of bed and spent five minutes staring at my closet trying to decide what to wear. By the time I got myself together we were too late for me to sneak in past the gift givers.
Pastor’s wife caught me as I walked in the door. She thrust a pot of violets into my hands. “Happy Mother’s Day.”
“I’m not a mother.”
“But you represent motherhood.”
Right, sister. I’m not going to stand here and argue with you. I took the pot, muttered thanks, took off down the hall, and deposited the gift on the first table I passed. Someone else can have two.
I was setting up chairs in my room when Rueben came running up to me waving a piece of paper. “Here, Miss Debbie, this is for you.”
It was a picture of him and me with some flowers. Printed across the top in his very best 5-year-old writing, it said, “Happy Mother’s Day.” That picture holds a permanent place in my keepsakes.
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The following Mother’s Day, I was pregnant – again. The next month, I miscarried – for the third time. My husband was on a business trip when it happened so I was home alone. Oh, so alone. I knew it was coming because, just as before, I went in for the first appointment and there was no heartbeat. Two weeks later, again, no heartbeat. The ultrasound revealed the whole truth. This child, too, had quit developing. But I couldn’t help but hoping that somehow, the doctor was wrong. Until he was proved right. “God! How can you keep doing this to me! If you don’t want me to have children, don’t let me get pregnant!”
Gently, he spoke again to my heart, “The next one, you will hold.”
I knew the voice, and knew I should trust, but the pain was too great. “Okay, but don’t let me find out until the heart is beating.”
Three month after that last miscarriage, my cycles still hadn’t regulated, so I hauled myself back to the doctor. Michelle, the PA, said she could put me on the pill to help my body normalize, but first she wanted to do an ultrasound. Off to the skimpy paper gown for me, then the ultra sound. And a heartbeat. A strong heartbeat.
They monitored that baby closely for the first three months. She developed normally, and was born June 6, 1999. She was followed by her sisters in 2001, 2002, and 2005. All just alike as four peas in a pod.
My oldest knows her story, and often asks me to tell it. She is our child of promise, our reminder of hope, that no matter how hard things get, God is not finished.
Why did we miscarry the first three? I don’t know. Maybe so I would have a place in my heart for infertile couples, so I can know how to grieve with them.
As the years progressed and I busied myself with the others, the pain lessened. But every year, Mother’s Day has an empty moment, where I remember my three who no longer are: my Donna Marie, Rueben Daniel, and Doxa Christi.
Mamma love you, my dears.
Reference:
Jennifer Saake has written a wonderful book, Hannah’s Hope, for couples dealing with the pain child loss due to infertility, miscarriage, adoption loss, or death in early infancy. You can find her book at http://hannahshopebook.com and an online support community at http://www.hannah.org
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day, to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
If you would like to download this post to journal and save or to share with a friend, click here: See the Glory of God
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This week’s passage focuses on Seeing the Glory of God. God puts us in difficult places sometimes, because, in the dark, His Love shines brightest.
Volume 1 Issue 6
Scripture
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on John 11:38-44. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
Jesus was near the Jordan River, two days’ journey from Bethany, though the journey probably took longer for Jesus, given that he had to push through crowds to go anywhere.
After he received the message that Lazarus was sick, he waited two days before leaving. When he arrived, Lazarus had been buried four days.
What must Mary and Martha have thought when Lazarus died then their messenger returned without Jesus? I’m sure they had doubts: Did Jesus really love them? Did He love Lazarus? Is He really the Son of God? Why didn’t He know to come even without the messenger?
Both sisters sum up their feelings in their shared greeting, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
Verses 4 and 40 tell us Jesus’ motive for delaying: “Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
God is an “on time” God. He does not work in our timetable, but always answers at just the right time to increase our faith and show His Glory.
For what miracle are you waiting? Or have you been waiting and just received?
Pray: Jesus, help me to trust You when my life doesn’t go the way I think it should and when You don’t respond in my timetable. Even when all hope seems gone, cause me to continue to trust in You.
Tuesday
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Mary knew Jesus could heal Lazarus. She even knew Jesus could raise him from the dead. But she was stuck in the visible. She desperately needed to see the Glory, but her faith could not break through the fog of grief and confusion.
What is blocking you from seeing the glory of God in your life?
Pray: Lord, I want to see your Glory, but all I can see right now are my circumstances. I know you can heal and deliver, but my heart is weary. Help me in my unbelief.
Wednesday
Martha knew God the Father would give Jesus whatever He asked (John 11:22) She knew He would bring Lazarus back to life.
She also knew he wouldn’t smell so good. (v. 39)
Jesus reminded her she was focusing on the wrong thing.
When we focus on the “smell of the dead,” we miss the point.
Do you want to see the glory of God? Can you put up with a little inconvenience to see His glory? Or are we going to let a bad smell keep us from it?
What things in your life have a “bad odor”? Are you focusing on them, or allowing your praises to rise like a fragrant offering to our Lord?
Pray:
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.By: Frances R. Havergal, Take My Life and Let It Be
Thursday
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:9
We often talk about the glory of God? But what does that mean?
As in Luke 2, God’s glory is often signified by a great light. But is that His glory?
Not to the full extent. You might say dynamite is a big noise. And, to some degree, you would be speaking the truth. But there’s more to it than that. Just as there’s more to God’s glory than appears when He shows up.
The NASB Topical Index says, “The terms for glory in both the OT and NT (Heb. kabod and Gr. doxa) are used of the honor and praise due a person of worthy reputation because of position, power, and riches. Such glory ultimately belongs only to God since He alone is worthy.” (1)
So, if I’m reading that right, God’s glory is a display of his power, position, and riches. He certainly displayed that at Lazarus’ tomb. Where might He display it in your life?
Pray: Jesus Christ, display Your unconquerable power, position as King of All, and unending riches in my life. Let me be a reflection of Your glory.
(1)
The NASB Topical Index. 1998 (electronic ed.). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me Your glory. Show me how I can be a better reflection of You.
Record His answer here:
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ’s faithful, eternal mercy and love.
Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for loving me before the creation of the world. Thank you for showering me with Your mercy. Cause Your love to overflow into these areas of my life:
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day, to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
Here is the download you can print and journal or share: Vol 1 Issue 5: His Love Endures Forever
Or, if you’d rather view it online, read on.
Did you know you can receive new posts via email? Just click the link on the left. And we promise we will never share your info with anyone.
This week’s passage focuses on God’s eternal faithfulness. As you let the assurance of God’s love become real to you, allow it to flow abundantly to those God places in your path this week.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on Psalm 136:1-3 and 23-26. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
Read all of Psalm 136. What character qualities does the author attribute to God? What works of God does the author remind his readers? What does God continue to do?
Which of His character qualities has God demonstrated to you? How? What has God done in the past for you? For your ancestors? What is God presently doing for your family?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness to me. You have shown your abundant love in many ways. Help me, Lord, to continually honor You for what You have done and for who You are.
Tuesday
Psalm 136 is a reader-response song. The cantor would sing a line, the congregation would respond with the phrase “His love endures forever.” Throughout the Psalm, the congregation praised God for His character, His sovereignty, what He has made and done, and what He continues to do.
The Hebrew word translated “love” in the NIV is chesed (pronounced hess-id). It is one of those words that cannot easily be translated from one language to another. It encompasses a variety of meanings including loving-kindness, mercy, faithfulness, and loyalty-kindness. In some places where this word is used throughout the Hebrew scriptures, there is an idea of covenant relationship (unbreakable bond) implied.
When and in what ways has God shown His chesed to you?
Pray: Precious Lord, thank you for your unfailing, eternal love. Thank you for placing Your love deep in my life through Christ Jesus. Cause that love to shine through to everyone around me.
Wednesday
Legacy. Webster defines legacy as: “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past .”
Psalm 136 trasmits a legacy of trust in an ever-loving God. The author recalls the mighty way the Lord created the world, chose Israel, then delivered them from their enemies and guided them to their inheritance. Throughout the entire recollection, we are constantly reminded that “His love endures forever.”
Do your children know of their Godly heritage? Do they know who in their family has served God, and in what ways? Do they know the ways God has miraculously provided for your family? Are you building in them a trust in a God whose love is victorious today, and will continue forever?
Write a refrain of your own, recalling God’s faithfulness to you and your family. When you are finished, share it with your children.
Pray: Lord, I pray you will guide me in building for my children a legacy of faith and trust in your eternal, unfailing love.
Thursday
We should be convinced by now that God’s love lasts forever. I find this knowledge very assuring. I know, whatever I do, God will love me. He loved me so much He sent His Son to die so He could be in relationship with me. He placed the fullness of His Son in me so I have all His power (Colossians 2:9). My responsibility then, as a bearer of that fullness is to allow it to shine through me to everyone God puts in my life.
Read Ephesians 5:21-33. Does your love for your spouse follow these Godly mandates and demonstrate an everlasting covenant?
Read Matthew 15:1-9. Do you honor your parents as Christ commanded? Does your love for your parents? (Yes, adult children must continue to honor their parents, too.)
Read Colossians 3:21. Do you love your children with a patient, understanding, everlasting love? Do you, in your relationship with them, accurately portray the Father-heart of God?
Read Luke 6:32-36. Do you love your enemies as Christ has loved you? Maybe you think you don’t have enemies. Think about these people: the lady down the street who yells at your children, the person at church who constantly complains, the young man next door who blasts his car stereo at 1:00 A.M., the people who are making war and slanderous remarks against your God and your country?
Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your unfailing love that You have given to me. Cause it to grow and shine bright, blotting out any bitterness, anger, or hate I have for the people I’ve listed above. Let me be a true representation of your everlasting love.
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts? How has God shown you His faithful love? In what ways do you represent His mercy to others? In what areas do you need to grow in love?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me just how faithful You are. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have been selfish and kept that love inside me, instead of letting it shine. Show me how You want me to change.
Record His answer in your journal.
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ’s faithful, eternal mercy and love.
Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for loving me before the creation of the world. Thank you for showering me with Your mercy. Cause Your love to overflow into these areas of my life:
I finally figured out what I was doing wrong with the uploads. Here are Issues 1 and 2 for you to download, print, and use as a journal or share with your friends.
Blessings!
Well, ladies, have you had fun? I pray you have learned a lot about yourself and your husband during the past month.
Please join us, starting tomorrow, as we morph into a parenting devotional — and invite a friend.
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:31-33
Have you renewed your first love? Did you speak the words from your heart, or only from your lips? Are you honoring your husband with the same honor you give Christ?
I’m going to leave it with that today and with an encouragement to keep up the challenge. If your husband hasn’t responded already, he will come around.
Oh, and Dan wanted me to share this other 30-day marriage challenge with you: The Relevant Church
My Turn: Dan works evenings, but each night, he phones to see if I need him to pick up anything from the store on his way home. It’s such a blessing to know I won’t have to get to the store with a pack of children in tote just because I forgot to add eggs to the grocery list.
My Prayer: Thank you father for the past 30 days of learning about my husband and giving him special honor. I pray you would give me the strength, courage, and self-control to continue this challenge for the rest of our lives.
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. Psalm 4:3
I value integrity above any other character trait.
A while back, Dan ended up with scabies. We can’t figure out where he picked them up – my guess is the person who used his chair during the previous shift at work left behind some friends.
As I was washing every piece of cloth and scrubbing the house floor to ceiling, the thought occurred to me, “I am so glad I do not have to worry about his fidelity on top of all this extra work.” He’s a man of his word – and that’s the end of that.
What does integrity look like? Psalm 15 gives us a great picture:
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his walk is blameless and who does what is righteous (Think Daniel)
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who speaks the truth from his heart (Honesty)
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has no slander on his tongue and casts no slur on his fellowman (No gossip)
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who does his neighbor no wrong (Trustworthy)
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who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD (Discerning)
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who keeps his oath even when it hurts (Faithful)
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who lends his money without usury (Compassionate)
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does not accept a bribe against the innocent (Just)
How are you with the above character traits? If you are lacking in any area, ask Jesus to strengthen you to overcome the temptation to sin.
My Turn: What more can I say? He’s a trustworthy man of God.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, fill me with Your overcoming power to flee temptation and live triumphant for Your glory.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
Does it really matter? As mom to four wonderful girls – who are also depraved and sinful – I often ask that question.
“Mommy, she keeps saying a spider is an insect.” — Does it really matter? You know it’s not and I know it’s not. She’ll learn eventually.
“Mommy, she’s sitting where I wanted to sit.” — Okay, so you sit next to her. Does it really matter where you sit?
“Mommy, she’s copying my drawing.” — Does it really matter? You should be happy she thinks you’re a great artist.
Oh, wait. The parenting blog doesn’t start for three more days. This is the wife part. And I probably shouldn’t complain about my children either (who, honestly get along quite well.)
So, what should really matter to us, as wives?
Can’t you put the seat down! — Yes, it looks nicer, but does it really matter?
Can’t you squeeze the toothpaste from the end of the tube! — Does it really matter? And if it’s that important to you, get your own tube.
Can’t you make the bed? Close the cupboard? Put it away? Clean off your desk? Pick up your underwear? (Okay, maybe that one does matter.)
I used to nag about things, but one day I realized: It’s not worth my marriage. It’s not worth the peace in my home. And my husband had quit hearing me. Once he heard the tone in my voice, he quit listening. No, it didn’t really matter.
But guess what! Once I quit complaining, he started listening.
Have you told him? He knows, so let it be. There can be more than one right way.
Oh, and the above list is just common marriage issues. It does not necessarily represent any complaint I have against my husband.
My Turn: I’ve been waiting to share this and I think today is good. — Dan’s company cut overtime hours the week before Valentine’s Day. Overtime pay, and the subsequent bonuses and incentives, comprise half his paycheck. We didn’t panic, because we knew God wasn’t losing sleep over it, but we went into conservation mode. So — I was very surprised to receive a gift for Valentine’s Day. Then I opened it. It was one of those electronic picture frames that you put all your pictures on and it plays a slide show. (Read: not cheap.) It was all I could do to not yell at him. Yes, I’ve been wanting one, but certainly not now. I did manage to get out, “Why did you spend money on this?” He didn’t. He had earned his choice of gadgets from his work and he chose that for me. He could have chosen any of a number of cool things, but he thought of me. Ain’t he wonderful?
Prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Lord, zip my mouth, button my lip before I let the wrong words slip.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s doing what’s right in spite of your feelings.
My list of courageous things:
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Forgiveness
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Raising children to obey and serve God
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Following the voice of God
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Holding your tongue
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Trusting God
Your list may be different, but we all have things we do not want to do, but know we must. What do you do with them?
Joshua 1:6-9 records God’s commissioning of Joshua to lead the Israelites. Three times in those four verses, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous.
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To lead the people (v. 6)
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By obeying the law by meditating on it, you will be prosperous and successful (v. 7-8)
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Because the Lord will be with you wherever you go (v. 9)
God has called us to serve Him. He will equip us to do what He requires. When we obey His commands, He will be with us wherever we go. If that doesn’t give you courage, I don’t know what will.
My Turn: Dan is always quick to follow God. Once he hears the word, he will obey, no questions asked. It’s nice to know my man will do right.
Prayer: Father, give me courage to face the tasks you have for me today. Help me to love You and those you place in my path today.
Public Service Announcement:Beginning Sunday, March 2, this blog will morph into a parenting blog with weekly posts. Stay tuned!
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
Balance. This is one area where I really struggle. Mom, wife, teacher – these roles take up much of my time. Where do I find the time to exercise, pursue friendships, and most importantly, spend time with God?
I’m not sure I can answer that, but I’ll try with a story. A true story? I don’t know, but it’s a good one. And, no, it’s not mine.
As the students filed into class, they noticed an odd collection on the teacher’s desk: a gallon jar, cup of pebbles, a bucket of rocks, a pail of sand, a jug of water, and two cups of tea.
After the class was seated, the teacher placed the rocks in the gallon jar. “Is the jar full?”
The rocks reached the rim, so the students responded, “Yes, Ma’am.”
She picked up the pebbles and slipped them into the jar. They tumbled around the rocks, filling in the empty spaces.
“Now is the jar full?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
She poured the sand into the jar. As it worked its way around the rocks and pebbles, she repeated her question once again: “Is the jar full?”
When the students hesitated to answer, she picked up the jug and dumped the water in. It filled to the rim. “Now, it is full. How can we apply this lesson to our lives?”
One student ventured, ”There’s always room for something else?”
“That’s a good guess,” responded the teacher. “But I had something else in mind. What would have happened if I started with the sand and pebbles?”
“The rocks wouldn’t have fit.”
“Exactly. When we plan our schedule, we need to plan for the big things first. The smaller things will work their way in.”
A student in the front row raised his hand. “But what about the tea cups?”
The teacher smiled and handed him one of the cups. “I’m glad you asked. Remember, there’s always time for a cup of tea with a friend.”
****
My turn: I am so glad my husband had the foresight to insist on a flat rate mortgage when we bought our house. Someone we know just had their monthly payments jump by $1,000 and are close to loosing their home because they have an adjustable rate. I remember questioning him on that decision when we were signing papers. Praise God he knew more than I did!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to keep my priorities straight, to plan for the important things first and let the lesser things work their way into the schedule.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Paul tells us here in Philippians, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus if we:
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Rejoice in the Lord.
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Be gentle.
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Remember the Lord is near.
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Do not be anxious
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But pray with thanksgiving.
Start with rejoicing, end with thanksgiving (sounds like praise).
Now, look at the last phrase of Isaiah 26:3 — “because he trusts in you.” Wow! I don’t know about you, but I can look at the times when I get angry and frustrated and definately see that I am not trusting: God, my husband, my children. My lack of trust breaks the peace in our family.
How to we maintain that trust? I’m glad you asked. Back up a few words, “him whose mind is steadfast.” Steadfast? That’s not a word I use every day. What does it mean?
Mirriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines it as: firmly fixed in place or not subject to change.
So, I guess it just comes down to a choice. I will choose an attitude of praise and trust. When I do, Jesus Christ will keep me in perfect peace.
My Turn: I am thankful Dan is a man of peace and forgiveness. We’ve been married 15 years. I can count on one hand the nubmer of times in He has raised his voice in anger. Plus, he helps keep me in check when I start getting frustrated.
Prayer: Jesus, Prince of Peace, be my peace. Remind me to keep focused on You so our home will be filled with peace.
