My kids and I went on an adventure yesterday to visit some friends. They live in a town North of us, it's not far, but to my kids it seems like a long drive. When my older boys were young, we lived in this town for several years, so every time we visit now, my younger kids get to hear stories about their older brothers. our pets and all their escapades.
As we moved along the main street I pointed out to them where our coffee shop/book store use to be and where the story of how our dog Pretzel once made her way down main street and visited all the restaurants for a hand out! This led to the story of how the same Pretzel mysteriously got stuck on our roof in a rain storm and I made my way earnestly up to rescue her only to find myself stuck up there with her. The three little boys peering up at me and the dog, as I tried to pry her wedged leg out from between a post and the roof. Finally, my eight year old called 911 and we were rescued by a fireman and his hefty ladder!
We visited the ice cream shop that their brothers would walk to in the summer and we had ice cream. It was still just as good. We drove by the house their brothers lived in, and to them I think it feels strange to imagine that their very big brothers were once little kids, just like them.
Our life has changed a lot since the days of living in the little town up North. Our three boys have grown up, and we have two more children, and grandchildren, and daughters! God has expanded our territory in so many ways, and challenged us in numerous ways. Our blessings have overflowed, the love has been abundant.
This morning, I skipped around a lot in my Bible, but the two areas that stood out the most were 2 Chronicles 16: 9 and Ephesians 3:16-19
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His...."
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth , and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."
As I took my children down memory lane in the little town up North, God was also speaking to me. Reminding me of prayers I've prayed over the years, and answers He has given. "Father, bring my boys women to love them!" "Father, protect their hearts, guard my husband, strengthen us as we move ahead, show me how to love people, penetrate my HEART!" "Father, put Your Hand upon me, and give me Your spirit, reveal to me Your glory!" "Father, use me to further Your Kingdom!"
He has changed many things, and continues to challenge my faith. I continue to pray. "Father, bless me, open up doors that I do not even imagine, use me, the ministry I have, our business, and each person I interact with to further Your Kingdom." My prayer is that this place that I live right now will establish memories for my children that are bright with a life for Him. Rich with blessings of love and hope, where the Hand of God has touched each one of us in such a way that when they are grown they will talk of the richness of God's power to their children and the fullness of His Spirit. Memory lane will be one of striving for eternity, living in faith, walking in courage and boldness and believing in a God that does what He says because He loves me, and I asked.
Say That Again, My God, You have heard my cry, and You have promised to see me and continue to bless me. Your Hand will continue to touch me with the fullness of Your Spirit!
As we moved along the main street I pointed out to them where our coffee shop/book store use to be and where the story of how our dog Pretzel once made her way down main street and visited all the restaurants for a hand out! This led to the story of how the same Pretzel mysteriously got stuck on our roof in a rain storm and I made my way earnestly up to rescue her only to find myself stuck up there with her. The three little boys peering up at me and the dog, as I tried to pry her wedged leg out from between a post and the roof. Finally, my eight year old called 911 and we were rescued by a fireman and his hefty ladder!
We visited the ice cream shop that their brothers would walk to in the summer and we had ice cream. It was still just as good. We drove by the house their brothers lived in, and to them I think it feels strange to imagine that their very big brothers were once little kids, just like them.
Our life has changed a lot since the days of living in the little town up North. Our three boys have grown up, and we have two more children, and grandchildren, and daughters! God has expanded our territory in so many ways, and challenged us in numerous ways. Our blessings have overflowed, the love has been abundant.
This morning, I skipped around a lot in my Bible, but the two areas that stood out the most were 2 Chronicles 16: 9 and Ephesians 3:16-19
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His...."
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth , and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."
As I took my children down memory lane in the little town up North, God was also speaking to me. Reminding me of prayers I've prayed over the years, and answers He has given. "Father, bring my boys women to love them!" "Father, protect their hearts, guard my husband, strengthen us as we move ahead, show me how to love people, penetrate my HEART!" "Father, put Your Hand upon me, and give me Your spirit, reveal to me Your glory!" "Father, use me to further Your Kingdom!"
He has changed many things, and continues to challenge my faith. I continue to pray. "Father, bless me, open up doors that I do not even imagine, use me, the ministry I have, our business, and each person I interact with to further Your Kingdom." My prayer is that this place that I live right now will establish memories for my children that are bright with a life for Him. Rich with blessings of love and hope, where the Hand of God has touched each one of us in such a way that when they are grown they will talk of the richness of God's power to their children and the fullness of His Spirit. Memory lane will be one of striving for eternity, living in faith, walking in courage and boldness and believing in a God that does what He says because He loves me, and I asked.
Say That Again, My God, You have heard my cry, and You have promised to see me and continue to bless me. Your Hand will continue to touch me with the fullness of Your Spirit!
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