Day 24

With the new year approaching, a clean calendar, a fresh start, I breathe in one word: RENEW. 

God never intends to waste our trials. Even our daily little struggles with our children are not for nothing. Our God is intentional, purposeful and filled with love for you and me. He intends to use each messy moment to make something beautiful of us. Like a butterfly coming forth from his cocoon, our proud, selfish, ugly hearts are made new—renewed day by day—until we wake with His glorious likeness. 

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (II Corinthians 4:16)."

The journal continues...

I am not getting very far in chapter four—so much I need to learn. 'Be careful for nothing' [Philippians 4:6]. Or it could read, 'Do not have anxiety.'

Since having children, there seems to be so much more to worry about in a day. Aside from being able to provide financially, their safety, their health, their choices; the daily grind with the kids—the craziness and messiness of each day—seems to be just filled with one small anxiety piled upon another:  

The mess on the floor, the wet bed, the broken lamp, the bleeding knee, the obstinate child, the lazy child, the whining, the puddle on the bathroom floor, the toddler eating out of the trash can, the list goes on until I am one big pile of stress and our home is anything but peaceful or joy-filled.

But Paul says further on in the next verse [Philippians 4:7] that God gives peace to those who bring their cares to Him. The Christian's demeanor was not meant to be so serious as many would think. 

We were made to be much more  care-free.

My Dare: 

To be lighthearted with the kids, trusting God with the daily and deep concerns. To release my fears to Him and instead LAUGH! Not to take lightly my responsibility to raise them in the fear of the Lord, but to see everything—even the ugly—as reason to rejoice.

'Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS…' (Philippians 4:4).

Hope your New Years is filled with REJOICING! Join back with me on Monday as we seek to re-establish our homes after the busy holidays and continue our journey toward joy in 2016. 

Day 23

Peaceful mountains in my rear view mirror, cow pastures on either side, four noisy kids in the car as we head to town for our weekly shop today. I turn my iTunes blend up a little louder to make out the words, "Gentleness that sows the path of peace."* And, I think of how Paul begins chapter four of Philippians with exhorting us toward joy and gentleness, just before he leads us down the path toward peace. 


The journal continues…

'Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand' (Philippians 4:5).  

As I uncover the meaning of the words in this verse, which can so quickly be overlooked to move on to the 'bigger passages' of chapter 4, I uncover the mask on my own heart, painfully revealing my failures just a few hours earlier today.

'Moderation' is translated to mean: gentleness and forbearance 

Yikes! 'Gentleness' would not describe me as a mom. I like to think I am gentle with others, but with my children I would be likened more to a sargeant. There is no time for silliness or tears—only cooperation, order, regime, and the task at hand. Getting out the door or everyone down for naps brings out the worst in me. 

Then, I looked up 'forbearance': patient self-control; restraint and tolerance; the action of refraining from exercising a right.

A dagger to the heart. A vivid reminder of how I failed my children today as I lost all patience and self-control trying to get the four of them out the door to go to Costco. 

'The Lord is at hand (right here!!!).' I often think no one is watching and would be horrified if the neighbors heard my cry echo over the mountains: 

'Get in the car!' 

My Dare: 

Since I am very unsuccessful at speaking in a normal, sweet tone when giving orders to my children, I challenge myself to go to the other extreme: to slow down and come right to where they are, put my hand on their shoulder, look into their eyes and whisper to them what I need them to do. This will prevent yelling, barking too many orders at once and I will then know they heard me in case of disobedience. 

I must remember—gentleness and patience are fruits of the Spirit. If I am not displaying moderation as a mom, I am being controlled by my own lusts and desires rather than being led by the Spirit.

The cares and troubles of motherhood can lead us to low, dark places, filled with unrest. Trial upon trial. Leaving us gasping for air…for relief…for peace. The possibility of raising children without anxiety seems a bit Utopian. Yet Paul calls out our faith in the next verses of chapter four. And, tomorrow, we will see that we can exchange our tears for laughter!





*Keith and Kristyn Getty, Holy Spirit

Day 22

Today marks the half-way point in our journey! Here we stand at the top of the mountain. We can see it now. Our destination. Our hope. Contentment is brewing. Because no matter the struggle, no matter the thorns in our path or what we lack today—we sight the prize! 

The journal continues...

'There is tremendous energy in the present power of a future hope.'* Because Abraham looked for a city, he was content to live in a tent. Because of the 'joy that was set before Him,' Jesus was willing to endure the cross [Hebrews 12:2]. Because of the prize of eternal life with Christ, Paul joyfully and actively waits in a prison cell.

Sometimes—or most often I should say, regretfully—I want life to be good and perfect today. And things are stealing my joy as I rest my hope in the present. I don't want life to be difficult, broken, with unanswered 'whys?'. And so, I fight against it and struggle and stand up for myself. And as I live for today, I live for myself. In contrast, Paul says, 'For me to live is Christ' [Philippians 1:21]. And he is the one with abounding joy. 

My day—what happens, how the kids act, how my husband responds—is not where my gaze should be. My gaze should be on Christ. He is my prize and my future hope.

My Dare:

To not live 'aloof' to life, but to live 'aloof' to myself. What happens to me today doesn't matter. I must not 'sleep walk' through my day, but instead rejoice and LIVE—actively, purposefully, in any way possible (but especially through example) encouraging my children toward hope in Christ. 

Circumstances. People. Things. These all can steal our joy, as we have seen in the first three chapters of Philippians. But, as we make our way to the fourth and final chapter, Paul brings to light another joy-stealer: WORRY. 

And he begins his final words by addressing two women, which seems fitting for a chapter on worry. Women are often synonymous with worry. We mask our insecurity and lack of faith by defininig our worry as, "I care." But, in our attempts to fully care, we instead become full of care—the very opposite of the peace God intended for us.

I encourage you to begin reading Philippians 4 and join me tomorrow as we learn a practical way to bring more peace into our homes.



*Warren Weirsbe, Be Joyful 

Day 21

Christmas is over. But, the message of Christmas is not! The greatest gift of salvation through Christ—eternal life with Him—is never over. Once we, by faith, receive this gift, it does not end there. The gospel keeps giving. Everyday, hope and life anew.

The journal continues...

This world is not my home. This world is temporary. My citizenship is in Heaven. And that amazing day when I see Christ, in a moment my lowly, weak, earthly self will be changed—I will become like Him and will receive full salvation. 

That is what was on Paul's mind as he sat in his dusty prison cell, encouraging his friends at Philippi [Philippians 3:20-21]. And that is what energized him to daily gaze upon Christ and to lead others to do the same.

'But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' II Corinthians 3:18

We have a double benefit of Christ:

1. Justification and
2. Transformation 

As I gaze at the glory of the Lord in the mirror (glass) of the gospel, I am changed into the same image. It is ongoing...God working in my life each day through the Holy Spirit. This is progressive sanctification. This is life-altering hope to the mom who can't seem to gain victory over the chaos! 

I deeply, oh so deeply, desire a peaceful household. I do not desire a spa day, time away from the children, a vacation from life—I want to experience peace in the midst of reality. My hope of change is not in my ability to change, but in Christ's promise to transform me. While this seems so obvious, the expectations I put on myself prove that my faith is wanting.

My Dare:

To expect everything of Christ. To realize that no amount of good parenting or personal maturity will guarantee the hearts of my children. God must do the work. The weight and the strain were meant for His shoulders. With this knowledge, I am energized to live and to begin this next day anew—not tired and worn out—but alive. A mere glass reflecting the glory of the Lord.

Life is in the waiting. And, it seems we are always waiting, hoping for something—a new home, a better job for our husband, a raise, a move to a different state, a child out of diapers or that no longer wets the bed! Regretfully, as we wait, we often wait to live too. We hold our rejoicing for the moment we receive what we want. Join me tomorrow as we learn that hope is filled with rejoicing in the now.

  

Day 20

It has been a gray, overcast week here in South Carolina. But, the darker it is outside, the brighter the lights shine on our Christmas tree! The dark is only fitting. It is making the way for our Savior—the Light of the world—who came to rescue us from the darkness deep within our souls. We—including our children—do not need more self-esteem, as the world would have us believe. We need more God-esteem. More realizing of who we were without Him and who we are with Him. 

God. With. Us.

The journal continues...

'This one thing I do' says Paul [Philippians 3:13].   

'One thing' is a phrase that is important in the Christian life. 'One thing thou lackest,' said Jesus to the self-righteous rich young ruler [Mark 10:21]. 'One thing is needful,' He explained to busy Martha when she criticized her sister [Luke 10:42]. 'One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after!' testified the psalmist [Psalm 27:4]. Too many Christians are too involved in 'many things,' when the secret to progress is to concentrate on 'one thing.'* Like Nehemiah's reply to the distracting invitations, 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down!' [Nehemiah 6:3]. It is wholly a matter of values and priorities, living for that which matters most.

So many things nowadays fight to distract me from my "one thing"— my God-given ministry to my husband and children. These distractions come dressed in pure gold, falsely promising to be more valuable and lasting than changing a diaper, switching a load of laundry or reorganizing Legos. I see so much of what I do in a day as pennies in a pot that if I could add $20 here, $100 there to, then maybe my life could be worth more. 

But, if I were to see my "one thing" as everything, as true wealth because it is my calling from God with a great purpose that only He can see, but has promised, I would not need many things or more things to define my life by. And, instead of spreading small pieces of myself all around, I can devote my whole self to my family and define myself not as a passionate, purposeful wife and homeschool momma, but as a passionate believer, devoted to the purposes of God.

My Dare:

To view a day of minimal accomplishments as RICH—so long as the needs of my family were met and my God worshipped.

Well, Friend, have a joy-filled Christmas! I look forward to meeting with you again on Monday as we begin the week anew—not tired and worn out after a busy holiday weekend, but alive.




 * Warren Wiersbe, Be Joyful

Day 19

My children's buckets are all filled and awaiting Christmas morn. Some of you will be filling stockings soon. Others are filling little boxes with your latest baking creations. Thanksgiving may be about the stuffing—cups already full, overflowing, but Christmas is about the filling—empty cups, receiving. There is no need to chase what is missing. The searching is over. Jesus has come and He has what we need. There is no need to produce or perform or perfect. The working is over. Jesus has come and He has done the work for us. 

Cups full of God's love.

The journal continues...

It is when I am weakest—tired, sick, headache—that I would like to excuse my short temper and negative responses to my children. In my mind, anyone watching in would excuse me too—after all, no one is perfect and not being a 'superwoman' just makes me more human, easier to relate too and even seemingly, oddly enough, more likable. But as a believer, I am a fool to live in my own strength and to ignore the grace and power that is available to me through Christ each morning anew! 

Such amazing grace awaits me each morning. But, I must 'apprehend it' [Philippians 3:12-14] or take hold of it. I must start my day seeking...'pressing toward the mark.' The mark or goal is spiritual maturity. Christlikeness which will be perfected in my at the day of Christ, performed by Christ. 

Tiredness can steal my joy, but a spiritual mind can maintain it. 

My Dare:

To come to the Well [Jesus] and drink in all the grace available to me—strength for this moment, hope for the next. 'For when I am weak, then am I strong.' [II Corinthians 12:10] Furthermore, to find joy in my weakness that 'the power of Christ may rest upon me.'  

As women, we are always juggling. And, some days there are so many "balls" in the air, it would seem easier to just walk away and let them all drop. Since some of those "balls" are our precious little children, we can't do that! Join me tomorrow as we pause for just a moment to look down and see that with too many things in the air, our hands are never full. 

Day 18

Exhaustion. It is a tiring thing, trying to overcome our downcast spirits and achieve joy. It would seem more uncomplicated to just accept life—myself—for what it is rather than fighting to change it. But, neither self-effort, nor no-effort is the right response. 
Where is the gaze of your soul this morning? 
Christ is not weary. He is strong and waiting to ease your struggle.

"The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing by repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. It will be God working in him to will and to do."*


The journal continues...

I find myself measuring myself by my little improvements and excusing areas of weakness with 'at least I'm not as awful as I used to be.' I am starting to coast. If the goal is Christlikeness, then I should be measuring the heart of God to evaluate myself. 

'And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.' Ephesians 3:19 

My heart needs God's help to grow everyday. I cannot live one day without Him.

 

My Dare:

To not expect or even aim for perfection in myself. 'Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect,' Paul says. Believers do not get to a point in life where there is no more need to pursue Christ. Today, I will throw away my desire for perfection in myself and will pursue Christ—follow hard after God—that His power—the same power that raised Christ from the dead that I am able to know and experience —will be seen in me. That those little watching eyes will see a big and mighty God.

Once we are aware of our imperfection—our humanity—it is easy to want to stay there in that dry, barren place in an effort to become a more "real" person, accepting of who we are. But, as believers, so much more...so much life...is available to us through Christ. He came into humanity that he might fill it with life...life eternal. Join me tomorrow as we go to the one place that will never leave us empty.
  


* A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Day 17

This is the week! The week that threatens to place the lesser over the greater. The week where what really matters is often lost in the hurry, in the bustle. Expectations are high. Resources are low. We are running out of time (even for Amazon Prime). 
Rest is not an option. 

We'll come sliding into December 25th, dark circles under the eyes, heads full of caffeine. And, we will sit down to read the Christmas story to our children, patting ourselves on the back that at least the real meaning was not lost...or was it? Is it just a story we read and ponder? Or, is it a story we live? All is peaceful in the stable. Angels are rejoicing. 
Rest and Joy. 
Is that how we would describe our homes at Christmastime? 


The journal continues...

Tiredness is setting in today. I have been a little grouchy and impatient with the kids. Someone once said, 'Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man [or woman] healthy, wealthy and wise.' Stayed up late reserving books at the library, browsing through a few blogs and emails from friends—things that are nice to do when the house is quiet. But, if my life is to be one of sacrifice, I must lay aside what I want for what is best for my family. 

My Dare:

To be more disciplined about going to bed on time. To enjoy my evening with Steve, but not to extend the night unnecessarily past [insert your desired time], unless it is the weekend. 'You are only as spiritual as you are rested.'*  

This week, our struggle is not the routine. Our struggle is all we have to do on top of the routine. If only we could borrow a freeze ray from Gru to freeze our children with until Christmas morning, while we get everything done! But, we can't. And, those little eyes are watching. Join me tomorrow as we lower the expectations we put on ourselves, and heighten our pursuit of God.



*Dr. Jim Berg, quote taken from one of my college classes

Day 16

You can breathe. We are counting the days till Christmas, the journey is getting more difficult to climb—but our joy is not in our success or in a perfect day. Our joy is never a result of ourselves or our happenings—it is a choice. A choice to let God rule. 

"Glory to the newborn King!"

The journal continues...

For the first time I have had small victories. Lest pride overtake me—I must remind myself that all my self-efforts were futile. To God be the glory—'this poor [woman] cried, and the Lord heard [her].'

'For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.' Philippians 2:13

I see so clearly now that my negative spirit is much more powerful to destroy my children than any poor movie or weak friend ever could. In fact, I see that a joyful spirit—one that shows respect to my husband and his choices (good or bad) and that is submissive to God—will overshadow so much of the evil that this world throws at my children.

Words may be forgotten, principles ignored, but my spirit will remain in their little hearts forever.

My Dare:

To see the beauty in an imperfect day and to be doubly thankful to God for the things that do work out. To trust that good or bad, great or okay, God knows best—this is the day He has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). Joy is always the better choice and it somehow makes the disappointments to be quickly forgotten.

This is the last weekend before Christmas, and you probably have a long list of events and preparations. If you have a little energy left, join back with me on Monday—bring your pillow and blanket (my children cheer for cozy Bible time!)—as we learn some good, old-fashioned, practical advice that will help us regain some strength for the busy week ahead!

  

Day 15

Today, we are at crossroads. One sign reads, "Respectable Christians." The other reads, "Radical Christians." One path—the clear, wide path— is for the well-bread, clean, decent Christians. The comfortable. The other—the narrow, prickly, rocky path—is for the growing, seeking, serving Christians. The committed. One way promises ease, community, but a fruitless, shallow life. The other promises dirty hands and scraped knees, but a Spirit-filled, meaningful life. And here we stand. To decide.

The journal continues...

The Israelites so desperately wanted a king—someone they could see with their eyes—like what every other nation had. They knew so little of what they had. With God as their leader, they could keep their beautiful lands and not have to see sons go off to war and daughters taken to serve in the palace. They had a leader who could see all and perform all and had perfect motives and a glorious plan. 

But still, they wanted to touch. They wanted life to be concrete, easy to understand, one that took work of hand but not a keeping of the heart. And so, they stepped off their solid Rock onto the slippery sands of the familiar, the easy, the explainable. The saddest part may not be the life they missed out on, but rather that they did not even know how good life could have been. They never knew their God. And, their children paid the price.

We have come full circle to modern day Christianity, where we too want to be able to explain our lives to a world watching in. Prayer has been reduced to merely before meals (if no outsider is in the room that we might offend) and to times of desperate need. But, prayer was meant to be the pathway to knowing our God. Paul says in Philippians 3 that he considers all things worthless in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ—

His power and His suffering.

The gospel is a great PARADOX, and so should our lives, our homes be. They only make sense when we look at the unseen—it is not what everyone else is doing; it is not what media or friends or even sometimes family and church is telling us to do—it is a life lived by faith in God, with Him leading. A family of faith. Will we be a family God can do His great work through or will we limit God and make Him come to our terms, to our generation, to our culture and force Him to accomplish His will through Providence alone?

My Dare:

To give God absolute freedom in our home. To know Him and His will and His power through prayer...Does He want me to make that purchase? Does He want me to start up my business again or trust Him to provide solely through Steve's salary? With my husband's birthday approaching, what are his true needs and desires? Seem trivial? I call it 'casting all my care upon Him'—freedom from burdens and stress—and a light to seeing God's power and wisdom as I rely. We were not made for a king—we were not supposed to rule—we were made to trust; we were made to be free.

It is not too difficult to find joy on those perfect days. Days filled with sunshine and all green lights. But, what about those less than perfect days, when a storm is brewing? Join me tomorrow as we learn to see every day under the umbrella of God's loving design.

Day 14

Elijah asked the people how long they would waver between two opinions - "If the Lord be God, follow Him!" (I Kings 18:21) Like a person limping on two wooden crutches, they were unstable, uncommitted. "It's our wavering between gods that has us sinking."* 

Elijah's query echos over the distractions of today, beckoning me to search my heart for who or what I am worshipping. The god of things? Of success? Of accomplishments? Of affirmation? Or the one, true God who offers us freely what all other gods pressure us to perform for. 

O come - let us let go of everything today - and let us adore only Him.

The journal continues...

Learned about Timothy today. Paul said, 'All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's' (Philippians 2:21) to contrast how Timothy was not like the norm, but served with Paul in the gospel. Timothy is said to have 'unfeigned faith' which he learned from his mother. (II Timothy 1:5) 'Unfeigned' means sincere or genuine. He was a real Christian with real faith, living for Christ and the gospel rather than seeking his own way and selfish desires...

And, he learned all this from his MOTHER!!! - who also had real faith. Do I have real faith? Am I teaching my children by my life what is means to live for Christ and the gospel? Or, is God just another one of my many interests in life? Yes, I love God and find great excitement in Him, but I also find great delight in a good Hallmark movie or a cup of earl grey or a night with Steve, a hug from my kids - what sets God apart in my life - what makes Him the most real 'thing' in my life? 

It is only REAL faith that will lead my children to genuine Christianity.

My Dare:

To give this day (and hopefully every day after) to God...to live it for Him. Not for praise or self-satisfaction or for sheer need - but as an offering to Him. There will be no room for pride, selfishness, complaining, self-pity, arguing, discouragement, worry or fear. Faith, real faith, will fill up my entire being (and day) and leave room for only God to rule as I trust, depend, abide - and demonstrate to my children, a faith that works.

'For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.' II Timothy 1:7 

Throughout this dare, we have not chosen the easy, familiar road. We are starting to hike trails that have become overgrown and long forgotten in our modern day, busy world. Join me tomorrow, as we look past the brier bushes in our path to the Light shining through...a hope-filled promise of life and freedom.





* Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift 

Day 13

"What if God dealt with us as we often deal with our children! Oh, the longsuffering of God! Oh, the patience of God! 'Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.' And let the same love be in us also."*

That we may warm our children's hearts with the light of Christ. And that those glowing little hearts, in turn, will light a dark world.

The journal continues...

Balanced discipline. I am working on developing better obedience in the children, but I cannot neglect the many benefits that come from rewarding the good I see too. Sometimes a reward can come in the form of a smile, a hug, verbal praise, getting a break from school work - all things that help maintain a happy home.

My Dare: 

Though the wrong stands out so loudly and needs to be disciplined, look for the good the children are doing and for areas where they are growing - and REWARD, even if it is just with a smile.

Join me tomorrow as we meet someone new. A real Christian, with real faith - rising from the influence of his mother. 





* D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Raising Children God's Way

Day 12

Dark and rain outside this morning.
Light and hope in the gospel. 

The journal continues...

Stress is a killer of joy (and peace). And, stress seems to always come when our outlook or view of life is small. We narrow our focus to see only our little lives. 

Last night at church, I saw the new Frontline Missions movie to China. Those movies always help me to see a larger picture of life and a much simpler focus - the gospel. The gospel drove the woman to open Christian bookstores, help autistic children, hire a blind girl who would have no chance at life. She believed in the power of the gospel. "Someone who is drowning can't wait for an expert to build them a boat."

I want to be driven by the gospel - not by my own selfish, vain pursuits. Driven to do great things in the lives of my children for the purpose of the gospel filling and fulfilling their lives.

My Dare: 

To see my children as souls today. Souls in need of God's transforming grace.

Paul set aside himself and his freedom to look back at the Philippian jailer and show him the love of the gospel. How much more should I be able to set aside my agenda and what's driving me to be driven to bring the gospel to my children.

Jesus is their lifeboat. Help me, Lord, not just to throw out instructions to them, but to take their little hands and guide them safely to the boat - to You.

The training of our children can often leave us exhausted and them exasperated. Join me tomorrow as we learn a balance that will allow Christ's light to dawn in our homes.

  

  

Day 11

The Bible only mentions two women in the heroes' hall of faith. First, there is Sarah. Naturally. But then, right there also beside Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses, and Noah is Rahab: "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace" (Hebrews 11:31). 

We often set our eyes on that one woman we admire and wish we could be her. Our life, but her personality, her grace, her _________ you fill in the blank. But, here in the example of Rahab, we see God using the unlikely, the undesirable, the sinner. We see that God does not measure based on perfection, beauty, achievement, but rather according to our faith. "Great faith is the greatest equalizer, the greatest eraser, and the greatest definer."* 

You see, God does not want something beautiful. He wants to make something beautiful. But, He can only do that with the heart that has real faith - faith that is alive, active in obedience - not just withering on the shelf waiting for Sunday morning.

The journal continues...

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12b).

Christians must put energy into the outworking of their sanctification in order to grow in obedience. While I want to be careful not to become morbid and too self-focused in self-evaluation, I believe this dare to love my children and add joy to our home is a way of working out - or bringing to completion - an area that I desperately need to grow in. The purpose is Christlikeness.

My Dare:

Paul encourages us to work out our "own" salvation...   

Today, I am going to seek to be who God made me to be. I am the woman God chose for Steve, the mother God chose for my children - no one else will do. I am free today. Free to be me!

Again, I will be taking a break from writing tomorrow to enjoy a day of rest, God's special gift to us. Until we come back together on Monday, I encourage you to read Philippians 3, as we will be finishing up chapter two next week and progressing in our journey for joy.



* Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift 

Day 10

Yesterday, I was given a bouquet of flowers from a stranger. I do not even know her name. She simply evaluated my shopping cart, with the four children hanging off of it and the worn look on my face as I returned my whim purchases that put me over budget. (One of these days I will master the art of calculating while monitoring children!) An act of kindness. A glimpse of hope. A reminder that even on my worst days when I feel myself or everything around me sinking, God is always present. To lift me up. To carry me through. To fill every moment with wonder.

The journal continues:

Today, when all was awry, I went down to the basement and seriously prayed and walked away a stronger mom. "I will go in the strength of the Lord God..." 

...I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only. (Psalm 71:16) 

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

Christ liveth in me. (Galatians 2:20)

My Dare:

To keep my thoughts in submission to Christ. To pray and to preach to myself until I am thinking clearly again. To not allow myself to wallow in self-pity or to feel defeated or discouraged - 

To be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. 

If so much of the Christian life is dependent on the Lord, what is our part in sanctification? Join me tomorrow as we continue in the second chapter of Philippians and learn our role as justified believers. Only, there is no "we" or "our" in this challenge. Paul pulls each of us aside, and makes it expressly personal.

Day 9

Encouragement. A word filled with possibilities, hope, future. The things we long to give our children. Things we long for ourselves. Maybe every gift this Christmas doesn't have to come from Amazon!

The journal continues...

"Let each esteem other better than themselves." Philippians 2:3b

I often act as if I am better than my children - I am the parent, but their concerns and feelings are just as important as my own, especially to God. 

My Dare:

To not say (or do) anything destructive to my children - whether it would discourage or provoke to anger - but rather ENCOURAGE them. (The same way I long to be accepted, appreciated and complimented).

Have you ever felt desperate...defeated...discouraged? Join me tomorrow as we find where to turn in our journey when we come to that place of hopelessness. "Hope deferred [i.e. expectations that are delayed - 'I thought I would be stronger as a mom;' 'I thought today would be different;' 'I thought things were changing'] makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). There is a place of healing, of inner strength - we can fall to our knees and stay there awhile...   

Day 8

I spend my days doing...well, sometimes I wonder what I spent my day doing...all I did was change diapers (hopefully! - my fourth child often has to remind me by bringing the wipes and powder to me), pick up the mess on the floor (at least I thought I did, but there it is again!), make meals, run a couple loads of laundry, sweep, wash dishes, progress the kids through their school work, settle disputes, kiss boo-boos, the list goes on, and I'm sure you can fill in your own blanks. 

I am an accomplisher - I feel good if I check all the items off my list for the day. My husband calls it my "100% work bench." The problem is, none of the above were on my list! Nothing "important" got done! All I did was serve! Wait a minute...isn't that the same word Paul used to describe what Christ did?! Here in Philippians 2 we are brought face-to-face with the miracle and wonder of the incarnation. The Son of God in all His deity, humbled himself and took the form of a servant.

The journal continues...

As I humble myself to serve my family without complaint, I am not choosing the lesser role, but rather the role my Lord chose (Philippians 2:7).

My Dare:

Today, I will serve my family with gladness, considering it an honor to follow in His steps. 

There is more to serving our children than just meeting their physical needs. Join me tomorrow for our next dare, as we learn to attend to their spirits.

Day 7

This morning, with Christmas nearing, I am thinking of the warm heart of my God who gave His only Son for us. And, I echo His words from Romans 8: If You did not spare Your only Son, how will You not also freely give us all things you know we need? Paul continues His words to us in Philippians 2: If He humbled Himself and took the form of a servant, being made as a man - a helpless baby in a simple manger - will He not also come to where we are today and graciously work in us and cause us to grow? 

Christ came to serve, to give His life for others (Matthew 20:28). How can we follow the example of our perfect God when we ourselves are not perfect? The answer should draw us to the same conclusion our salvation did: we need more of Him today!   

The journal continues...

It is amazing to see how many things in a day threaten to steal my joy. I am so thankful to now be more aware of it so I can rise above it. Selfishness is at the root of a downcast spirit (along with ingratitude) - while there are still those many nagging factors too - tiredness, headaches, etc. 

The key, I see, is to stop thinking of myself and instead to think of others.

My Dare:

Today, I will serve my family with excellence. I may be a simple, stay-at-home, homeschool mom, but I will run my household with wisdom and confidence, allowing God to shine through me and lead me.  

As a mom, our job earns little to no recognition, no promotions or certificates, often not even a high five. Yet, we are in high demand! Join me tomorrow as Scripture reveals just how important our tiresome jobs are!

  

Day 6

If only we could isolate ourselves from people...right? Then maybe we could better maintain our joy. But, as believers, we are the light of the world, made to shine amidst the conflict. This is Paul's challenge to the believers at Philippi in chapter 2. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

The remedy Paul gives is not to flee from the controversy or to challenge and fight for our rights. His answer is to submit. Sound unnatural? a bit crazy? He thought you might think as such. So he gives us Christ - our shining, gracious example. 

The journal continues...

"There can be no joy in the life of the Christian who puts himself above others."*

Lord, help me to know the true needs of my children today and to humbly serve them above my own needs. You are my great example (Philippians 2:1-11).

My Dare:

To stop what I am doing and really listen to my children today.

Join me tomorrow as we continue to lay aside ourselves and follow the path our Lord chose. It is here that we begin to shine!



* Warren Wiersbe Be Joyful 

Day 5

Let us pause here today in our journey and grab some water. This dare is hard to find time for, but in it God offers you refreshment, healing and strength for the tasks ahead in our busy, challenging lives.

The journal continues...

Okay, so this is a battleground and I am not coming prepared to fight. I start the day already defeated with a defensive mindset. I am on offense because God is the one leading me and giving me the "mission" for the day. 

Rather than being afraid to face my day, I must start the day with courage and strong faith. Joshua, Gideon, and other victorious men in battle did not need a vast or strong army - only faith in God and obedience to His leading. I may feel weak and inadequate - and even a little late in training my children - but my God is powerful and able to do anything!

My Dare:

To rise early each morning (before my children) and prepare for the day - prepare for "battle" - by seeking God; listening to what He is teaching me through His Word and humbly submitting to His purpose for the day in prayer. 

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed [do not give in to circumstances!]: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." 

--Joshua 1:8-9

[Confession: it is very difficult to rise before my enthusiastic, life-motivated children who like to shine before the sun. So, we have set the rule in our household that they must play quietly in their rooms until seven. This gives my husband and I some undisturbed time to read our Bibles and pray.]

Tomorrow, I will be taking a break from writing. I will be enjoying God's special, loving gift of a day for rest. (This may give those of you who read this post a little late in the day, the chance to do this dare tomorrow morning). In the meantime, I encourage you to read the second chapter in Philippians and join back with me on Monday as we continue our search for joy.

Day 4

The best things in life are the things money cannot buy. Such as...a peaceful household! "Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife." (Proverbs 17:1) The family who is truly wealthy is the family at peace...with each other, with God. Christmas is quickly approaching and in the rush, in the hurry we might just miss the message the angels brought to the shepherds that first Christmas - "peace, good will toward men." All is quiet in the stable. God is here. So, when God makes a clear plan for the family in Scripture, complete with each person's right role - that children are to honor and obey and parents are to lead, to train, to nurture - I know He is fighting for our peace. 

The journal continues...

I have noticed much of my frustrations come from the lack of instant obedience by my children. So, my lack of beauty and sweetness as a mom is inflicted on me by my own lack of God-honoring, sound discipline. Instead, I find myself yelling, griping, accusing, threatening - due to my failure to work hard in training my children.

My Dare:

Along with a smile and spirit of praise, I will begin reading [--insert your favorite Bible-centered, child rearing book--] to encourage me back to sound discipline in our home.

Do you long to be a woman of great inner strength? Join me early tomorrow as we begin conditioning our faith.