Your Words Matter

Standing ten feet away from the microwave, my five year old would giggle and say that she couldn’t see the time and needed to get closer to read it. Turns out that it wasn’t a joke; she really did have trouble reading the time and anything else that wasn’t up close. Her pediatrician confirmed this at her well child check-up. We received a referral to see an ophthalmologist and at that appointment, I was reminded of just how easily my words could have an affect on my child.

A few seconds after the doctor began testing her, and she had already called a few wrong letters, we began discussing some of the things I may have noticed at home. At that time, I brought up the microwave example. Those little ears were picking up everything because immediately, she began to repeat what I just said, although she selected what she wanted to repeat. Maybe she has selective hearing?

She stopped trying to see what was in front of her; she only wanted to voice that she couldn’t see. At that moment, I immediately realized how powerful and impactful my words are on her. I simply stated that she’d recently had trouble reading times on the microwave but she took that to mean that she couldn’t see and started to believe and act as if she couldn’t. Wow.

Have you spoken something to or around your child that has had an effect on them? Was it positive or negative? As parents, we have to realize that those little ears are always around listening and ready to soak up any information that they can receive, whether they should be listening or not and whether or not we think they are paying attention.

Today, let’s choose to speak life, encouragement and love into the soul and spirit of our children.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder of the impact that I have on my children. Help me to be mindful of what I say and do so that my ways my affect them positively and point them towards you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Always Hungry

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. (Psalm 107:9)

As I was going through my daily task of cleaning the kitchen and sweeping the floor of the many crumbs and food pieces that seemed to find their way down, no matter what I cooked, I thought of how my children are always asking for snacks.

Before we leave the childcare center each day, they both grab a snack on the way out of the door. To keep down the fuss, I allow them to eat the snack in the car, even though I know their car seats will be filled with crumbs later.

By the time we make it home, they rush to the pantry only to raid it for more snacks. Depending on how much longer it takes for dinner to be ready, I allow one more snack. I’m sure you know what’s next, right? They ask for another snack after scarfing down whatever they just ate in a matter of minutes.

I remember coming home from school feeling like I was going to starve but I am amazed every single day that they don’t seem to get enough–even after dinner, they want more snacks.

I found myself saying, “You guys are always hungry,” but then I felt a nudge in my spirit saying, 

“What if you were always hungry for me?” And I had to pause. How much better would my relationship with God be if I were always hungry for more of Him and fed that hunger with His Word, with prayer, with praise or with worship?

Though my soul constantly thirsts for more of God, I don’t always take time to get my fill of Him. What about you? Are you hungry and thirsty for the Lord? Are you getting your fill of Him? Today I encourage you to join me in feasting upon the Word of God and spending time in His presence. Our kids don’t rest until their tummies are full, why don’t we do the same for our spirit?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want and need more of You. Today I’m choosing to replenish my soul by spending time meditating on Your Word and Your Ways, In Jesus’ name, thank You for always being willing to fill me, Amen.

Praise

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. (Psalm 34:1)

We were all in the car heading to church one morning when my husband glanced over at me, smiled and said, “Hearing him sing a song with my name in it makes me feel really good.”

You see, Ethan, our son who was one year old at the time, often made up songs with the words Mommy and Daddy in them. Of course there were other words but who could make out what they were? They often went something like “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,” (repeat 20 times) or “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy.” (repeat 20 times) It is so cute and it really does bring about a warm refreshing feeling. That was one of his ways of showing affection for us as his parents. How do we show our affection or love towards God?

When my husband made that comment to me, I couldn’t help but wonder about how God must be pleased when we sing praises unto Him. The bible reminds us over and over again in the book of Psalms to sing praises unto God. Have you had a song in your heart lately?

Today, I encourage you to offer up a song of praise to God no matter how you’re feeling. I can assure you that it will change your perspective in whatever you’re dealing with and help shift your focus back to God. So go ahead, make God smile today!

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of song. Even if I am musically challenged, please accept my praise as I lift You up in song today. Let my song be a reminder to me of who you are in my life and a reflection of my love for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Getting Dressed

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV)

My daughter is absolutely obsessed by anything princess-related! Disney movies, dolls and dresses.  In fact, she associates any type of dress with being a princess.  Whenever I wear a dress, she questions me as to whether I’m a queen or princess.  Whenever she wears a dress or a nightgown, she identifies herself as a princess. When she wears a dress, her attitude changes; she feels prettier and she acts differently, prancing around the house, twirling around in her dress. Even the phrase “getting dressed” is different to her. To her it means to put on a dress and not put on clothes as it does to the rest of us. See the obsession?

My question for you today is "what are you wearing?" Are you putting on the full armor of God? When you wear the full armor of God, is your attitude different? Do you feel strengthened? Are you more confident? You are an ambassador of Christ and what you "wear" should be representative of this fact.   Take care not to neglect dressing your spirit man. What you're wearing spiritually is very important as it will impact your attitude and your entire day. So take care to dress like God’s royal child by putting on the full armor of God each day.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank You for the armor that You have provided for me. Let me not neglect getting dressed so that I may be able to stand firm in my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Father's Love

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.  (Luke 11:13 NLT)

Becoming a parent helps put things in perspective when it comes to love. The love that parents have for their children is immeasurable. Parents love their children so much that they will do anything for them and strive to provide the best for them. Parents desire to give children everything they need and even the things they want when suitable.

You may be able to understand or identify with the love of a parent either because you are a parent or you have experienced a parent’s love. Now consider our Father in Heaven.  He is much greater and powerful than we are. His love for us far exceeds the love that we have for our own children. When I consider how much I love my children, I am overwhelmed thinking about how much more God loves me!

The Holy Spirit is the best gift that God gives us next to salvation. God gives us what we need and all that we need is wrapped up in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us direction, comfort, peace and so much more. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives what we ask when it is in our best interest and in alignment with His will.

Trust and know today that God provides His best for you as a parent does for his child and that His way is perfect.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the ultimate parent. Thank You for loving me beyond measure and doing what’s in my best interest at all times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.