The Last Monday Devotion

Psalm 121:2--My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven
and earth.

That word "help" in Hebrew is the word, "'ezer." It literally means, "the one
who helps." It is inferred here that the Lord has an interest in helping us.
He is the one whose majesty created the stars, the universe, the cellular
structure of man, and all things. The same God who set each planet in
orbit and gave the seas a coastline has a heart toward helping us in our lives.

What is important to us is important to God. If we are having trouble teaching
our preschooler to tie their shoe or if we need help communicating with our
teenager, God is ever-ready to come to our aid. I have envisioned Him sitting on
the edge of His throne, just waiting for the moment when I say, "Dear God, can
you please help me here?" I envision that He has angels, the Holy Spirit, His
promises, and His provision in a package already with my address on them and
postage paid, just waiting for the moment when they need to be launched into my
heart.

I know that may sound weird, but is it a way for me to get the image of how
important being my Helper is to my Heavenly Father. II Corinthians 2:9-10
reads, "(9)However, as it is written, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind
has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him' (10)but God has
revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things
of God." God has already prepared for us because we are in a love relationship
together wit Him. He desires so greatly to be the One we come to for advice. He
wants us to turn to Him for the answers to life's questions and our journey's
problems. He not only has the answers, He IS the answer.

When God told Moses to face Pharaoh, He told him to say, "The I AM has sent. me."
What is the I AM? The I AM is the answer to whatever the questions is. God, are you
willing to help me raise my children? I AM. God, are you able to guide my family and
protect our lives? I AM. God, are you in love with me? I AM. God, are you really going
to pour your blessings on my life? I AM. So, what is your question? Go to the Answer. He
is sitting on the edge of His seat waiting for you to ask Him for help.

Confession: I can not run my household by myself. I ask You, Lord, to help
me do my job. I am able to do this right because God is my Helper. He helps
me do what my family needs me to do each day.

Friday #4 devotion

Nehemiah 8:10b--the joy of the Lord is my strength.

A very wise minister once taught me, "Rules without relationship
breeds rebellion." I believe that the truth of that lesson is found in this verse.
To have a strong and credible influence in our children's lives, we must have
both types of moments with them. They must see our joy in their place in our lives
just as much as they see our authority over their pathways.

There are millions of opportunities each day for us to instruct, discipline, and
correct our children. There are tons of minutes in our day where we have to be
stern, serious, and sincere in our guidance within our home. But is it just as important
for our children to know that we enjoy them. They need to see that we enjoy our
lives. They need to know that having them in our lives is not viewed as a burden
by us. We must take time each day to laugh, play, smile, cuddle, or just love on
our children.

It is easier to be serious all the time, but it is not as effective. Our children will be more
adaptable to instruction when they know that they are our attitude stems from a heart
of love. They will recognize when they are being pushed away because we are frustrated,
disappointed, or "fed up" with them. They need to know that we love them, enjoy their
company, and that we like who they are.

I make it a point of necessity each and every day to have at least two opportunities with
each child where they make me laugh or I tell them how amazing that I believe that they
are. I use those times to tell them how terrific they are and how much fun it is to be their
Mommy. I believe that my children will see that I not only love them, I LIKE them. I like who
they are and who they are becoming. I may not like every choice they make and I certainly don't
like some attitudes that present themselves, but I always like the gift they are to my life.

That joy in my journey with my children makes me strong. It keeps me alert and able to
watch out for potential hazards. It helps me see things from new perspectives. And, it
helps me from not becoming overwhelmed or full of disappointment. It gives me room in
my life to enjoy them and find many, many moments of true delight in our life together.

When a Mommy laughs, plays, and loves on her children, I believe that they will be drawn
to her. Our children should trust and prefer their parents over any other person in the world.
When we enjoy our life with them by creating happy memories, I believe we are giving them a
life and home worth hanging around. They will thrive and shine when we shower them with joy.
And that joy will solidify your bond, intertwine your hearts, and give you reservoirs of
strength and replenishment.

Confession: I not only love my children, I also LIKE them. They are a joy
to be around and I take the time today to have fun with my children. They will
see that their presence in my life is good. And we will strengthen our relationship
today. My children love me and want to be with me just as much as I want to be
with them.

Thursday #4 Devotion

Psalm 127:1--Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain
that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh
but in vain.

I have witnessed a lot of families who have simply taught their children right
from wrong based upon a moral sense of goodness and justice. I have seen people
base their child training upon the advice of a talk show host. I have seen people
delve into alternate religions or doctrinal concoctions in raising their children.
However, I have never seen successes or a retention rate as high as I do
with Biblical principles.

When we trust God to teach us how to train our children, He becomes the
carpenter of their lives. He has the freedom to watch over them when they
have been entrusted into His care. This verse tells us that is it vanity, or
emptiness, for us to even try to build our children without the hand of God.
He wants to do this for us. He desires to show us how to aim our children like
arrows toward their fullest potentials and successful futures. Why would we want
to do this without Him? If we sincerely love Him, if we are genuinely devoted to
fellowship with Him, it is the logical conclusion that our parenting experiences
should be guided by Him. All else is vanity.

Even though the other methods or variations may appear to work and may even
produce some positive results, ultimately there will be something missing. We may
not know the fullness of it until it is too late. I don't want to take that chance. I don't
want to be the reason why my children miss out on doing something real and
purposeful in this earth. So, I dedicate the building of my children and the
keeping of them to my Heavenly Father. I know that He won't leave me,
forsake me, misguide me, or betray me.

So, how does one train their children under the tutelage of God's mighty Hand?
First, you must dedicate concentrated fellowship time with God so that He may
walk you through His Word and you may tune your ears to His voice. Secondly, you
must study, meditate upon, pray, learn, and believe the Bible verses God dedicated
to parenting. Find verses about raising children, loving children, being a parent, or
stories about Godly families. Thirdly, you must demonstrate the principles discovered
in the journey of your home. Lastly, you must teach Biblical principles to your
children. That is not simply reading Bible stories to them. It is the act of getting the Bible
into them.

The other ways may be easier, but their effect is not eternal. It takes time, great
self-control, and overwhelming patience to do it God's way. You must be humble enough
to be obedient. If you mess up, then you have to be humble enough to let your children
watch the pathway of repentance. Allow God to build our life and our journey of child
training. Let Him be the Architect of our adventure. The end product will be the mansion of His
magnificence.

Confession: I will honor God by allowing Him to build my children. I know it
will not be in vain. I trust in God's ability to use me in my children's lives to
build them up according to His plan.

Wednesday #4 Devotion

Proverbs 6:20-22 (Amp) (20)My son, keep your father's [God-
given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your
mother [taught you]. (21)Bind them continually upon your heart
and tie them about your neck, (22)When you go, the [the words of
your parents' God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep
you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.

What is the purpose of teaching our children to obey God and to follow after
righteousness? Do we train our children to simply parrot our beliefs? Do we
teach them the right choices for the sake of our reputations? Are we trying to
impress others with our children's behavior?

God tells us here what will happen when we train our children in the Word of God.
He says that when they go (to school, the mall, to college, into their own lives) the
training that we have given them will lead them. The Hebrew definition of that
word "lead" is, "to guide, bring forth, and govern." When we train our children
right, we are equipping them to have the ability to follow after God even when we
are not around.

The verses also say that when they sleep, the training will keep them. That word
"keep" means, "guard, protect, be a watchman of, to keep within bounds, and
preserve." Wow, what a refreshing thing to know. What we are giving our children
has protective properties as much as it has spiritual maturing properties.

Finally, it says here that our training will talk to our children when they wake.
That word "wake" means, "to be around out of sleep." That could mean physical
or spiritual slumber. That work "talk" means, "commune, speak, ponder, and sing."
The training that we give our children will someday have the opportunity to talk to
them, maybe when they are in need of it most.

What we are investing into our children will at some point in their lives benefit
them. It may help them steer clear of a very dangerous situation or association.
It may help them stay close to righteousness in the midst of temptation. Or it may,
like it did me, save their life or cause life to be brought forth when none was believed
to have the possibility to exist.

The fact is, the Word of God that we place inside the hearts of our children will become
a companion to them for rest of their lives. That's It's job. But, if we don't give it to them,
then it won't have the change to do It's job. So, let's start this moment, this second and
purpose to be the kind of parent that teachers our children God's Word and His Will. Then,
get ready to watch as It fellowships in their hearts and lives with them.

Confession: I will train my children according to God's direction and His
guidance. I train them according to the Word of God. When my children go,
that training will lead them. When they sleep, it will keep them. And when
they awake, it shall talk with them.

Tuesday #4 Devotion

Psalm 23:6 (NIV)--Surely goodness and love will follow me all the
days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Do you remember being a young child up late on a summer evening with a
flashlight shining at your bedroom wall? When you contorted your fingers in
front of that beam of light to make shadow images appear, were you amazed at
what they produced? Can you recall the time in your life when you finally made the
connection that your shadow was attached to your physical body and would follow
you everywhere you went? Discoveries of this nature define parts of our journey
in life. We finally "get it." Once that discovery of truth is made, we would be hard-
pressed to be argued out its reality.

When my middle child learned to distinguish the color "blue," her Daddy jokingly tried
to talk her out it it. He kept saying, "My, my, will you look at that pretty pink _________?"
This girl, so grounded in the reality of truth she had discovered, would turn to her
Daddy and boldly say, "No, no, Daddy, you wrong. That be a blue ________." We
couldn't change her mind, nor did we really want to.

It is our job as parents to teach our children the reality of the truth based upon God's
Word and His Will. We should be ever questing to help them perceive for surety the
fact that God loves them so much that He gave them a Savior in Jesus Christ. It is
our responsibility to teach them beyond doubt that God's guiding hand and
instruction in righteousness will produce a residue of "goodness and love" to
follow them the days of their lives.

That's just what's leftover from their encounter with God's great goodness in their
lives. What comes along up the rear is goodness and love. Wow! What a great
weapon against a world that will try to tell them that nobody truly loves them and
without the vices of the world they can never be really happy. A child brought up in
a home that revealed the truth of the effect of the love of God in their lives will not be
fooled into believing that farce. They have seen goodness and love demonstrated in their
lives and have seen the mark of goodness and love left by the righteousness that they have
encountered. Their parents have proven to them with all surety, that there is no temptation,
no pull of sin, and no pause of sound judgment that equals the effect of God's presence in their
lives. The shadow of the goodness and love of their Heavenly Father will be forever attached.

Confession: It is my job to help my children see the truth of God's love and

goodness in their lives. I depend upon God's influence in my life today to be

an example that will help my children fully perceive this truth.

Monday #3 Devotion

Galatians 5:22-23--(22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, faith, (23)Meekness, temperance; against
such there is no law.

There is a game that my children love to play. In it, you are given a number of fruit
to place on a tree. Then, you spin to find out how many you can "pick" and put into
your bucket. When you have picked all of your fruit, you are the winner.

The Fruit of the Spirit is quite similar. That fruit is resident already in your heart.
It was placed there when you entered into true fellowship with God through Jesus
your Savior. It was deposited as a gift when you became His child. Now, it is your job
to "pick" that fruit from the depths of your heart and let it flow into your life.

Love doesn't just happen. It is an act, not just an emotion. The same is true for joy,
peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. You
have to "pick" or "choose" to let joy flow from you to your family. You must allow peace
to come to fruition in your heart and shine forth to your household. And so on, and so forth.

It is not something that will spontaneously erupt in your home. On the contrary, left to
itself, the atmosphere of your home will decay into strife, bitterness, weariness, greed,
and all manner of sin. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:15 that "foolishness is bound in
the heart of a child." It also tells us in Proverbs 29:15 that a "child left to themselves will
bring his mother to shame." These verses illustrate the unguided child, the undisciplined
child, the child who was not taught to allow the Fruit of the Spirit to ripen in their hearts
and minds and bear fruit in their actions, words, and deeds.

We, as Moms, have such a great opportunity each day to show our children what the effect
of Godly living. Our homes are to be a refuge for them, not a place where the attitudes
and emotions of the world confront them. Our homes should be one of a very few places
on the earth that our children should desire to run to run from those things that challenge righteousness.
And, a Mom who has demonstrated the Fruit of the Spirit is on course to help
her children have a place of refuge.

Mom should start her day with a journey to the orchard of the Spirit. There, she loads her
bushel full of the Fruit that the Spirit offers. Then, that fruit is enjoyed in her home as the
examples of it is evidences in Mom as she conducts her day. A Mom who picks the Fruit of
the Spirit and allows it to funnel through her to her household will fall into bed at night
fully satisfied that she has been a glory to her Father within her world today. She will have children who
seek her instead of the world. She will have a husband who runs home to her
loving arms because there is no other place where he is refreshed and refined. She will be
an oasis to all around her, watering their hearts and nourishing their spirits. And it all starts
with a choice.

Confession: I pick the Fruit of the Spirit for my life today. I pick love
for my family. I pick joy in my journey today. I pick peace for the
issues of life. I pick patience in every area. I pick gentleness toward
all men. I pick goodness from my hands to this earth. I pick faith as I
shine Jesus. And I pick meekness and self-control. I am fruitful today!

Saturday #3 Moment of Joy

The simple childlike processing of information sometimes produces
humorous results. In our home, I make it a point to tell my children
daily what I believe about them. For example, my middle child has the
musical aura about her. She is always singing, dancing, or finding rhythm
in the drumming of an appliance in the kitchen.

I was watching her one day and marveled at the way she can find music
in anything. I scooped her up in my arms, looked her in the eyes, and said,
"My sweet girl, you are phenomenal."

To that, my precious little one stated, "No, I am not, Mommy. I am
Kelly-Grace!"

Friday #3 devotion

I Timothy 4:5 (Amplified)--Practice and cultivate and meditate
upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them (as your
ministry), so that your progress may be evident to everybody.

I may never be a missionary sent to preach the Gospel to the children of Asia. I
may never be a mighty evangelist whose messages cause millions to turn their
hearts to Christ. I may never sing a hymn that provokes worship to our Father.
But I am minister nonetheless. The field of ministry for me is my home.

Jesus told us in John 4:35 to, "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they
are white already to harvest." My home and the occupants of it are my ground
to be tended and cultivated. Every time I instruct my children in righteousness
or help them steer clear of evil, I am tending to the garden of their hearts. I am
pruning their consciences to grow fruitful in good deeds, good choices, and a good life.

My home is my ministry. I need to treat it as such. When my feet hit the ground in
the morning, it is my first opportunity to shine the light of the Gospel in my home.
When I am standing at the coffee maker waiting for my first cup, it is a chance for
my children to witness the love of God in my life. When I am tired and wanting to
be weary, it is a great occasion for my family to watch me rely on the strength of God
to diffuse my weaknesses.

I don't need to take this position lightly. I am a gift to my family and I need to act like
such. There are things in a home that only a Mommy can do and I need to be aware of
what they are and walk full in them. In each home, the "things" are different and will
depend upon the roles that everyone else plays in the family.

That is why I must practice, cultivate, and meditate upon my duties. I must tune my ears
to the voice of God in my life to guide and direct me to the proper course of ministry for
my family. Then, once I learn what I am needed to do, I must throw myself fully into it.
Then, my progress, and the progress of my home and family, will be evident to everybody.
That's my white fields of harvest!

Confession: I am a minister of the Gospel in my home. My life can and will
be a living demonstration of the life that God has in store for me. As I walk
in fellowship with God, I will throw myself in the ministry of my home. He
will show me what to do and when to do it.

Thursday #3 Devotion

Proverbs 22:6--Train up a child in the way he should go; and when
he is old, he will not depart from it.

I love that word, "train." It literally means, "to dedicate." We are to dedicate the
instruction of our children to the ways and will of God. We are to help our children
stay under the wings of Almighty God. Under those wings they will find shelter, rest,
and refuge from the storm.

I like the analogy this verse promotes. You are laying the track of your child's life when
you raise them with righteousness. You are forging the link to their future. You must lay
this track early and as often as possible. You don't know when your children will be
"launched out" into the world. God is the conductor of this train. And He will rev up the
engine, sound the whistle, and lead our children to off to their next "station" when the time
is right. So, if we want them to have safe passage to the next stop of their life, we must help
lay the track now.

We can't delay it. We can't lay inferior track or false track. It has to the be the high-quality
steel of God's wisdom, way of life, and Word. Anything less than that does not have the
guarantee of safety and positive rewards.

Numbers 23:19 tells us, "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that
He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not
make it good?" When God makes a promise, we can trust it. He tells us in Proverbs 22:6 that
if we will train up our children in the way that they should go, when they are old they
will not depart from it.

There's no "probably" to it. There is a certainty of fulfillment. But is it not our responsibility
to "make" that verse come true. God has put His promise out there. Our responsibility is
to seek His wisdom, guidance, and illumination in the journey and then to be faithful to do
all that He tells us to do. Then, we can have every confidence that the "not departing" will
show itself to be true. You see, when you lay the track of your child's life according to the
Biblical principles of righteousness and righteous choices, you are pointing your children
toward the face of the Father. He will have the freedom to walk with them, talk with them,
lead and direct them and show His nature to them. And they will come home to Him.

So, let's lay the track for our children and help them get ready to leave the station. Then,
let's trust God's faithfulness to safely help them reach their destination.

Confession: I train my children in the way that they should go. I depend
upon the wisdom and guidance of God to reveal to me how to truthfully
train my children. I know that I will see the reward that they will not
depart from this training when they are old.

Wednesday #3 Devotion

Isaiah 40:31--But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Sometimes it is very easy to get ahead of God. When we learn great insights into
His way of living, it tends to stir up enthusiasm. Unfortunately, enthusiasm can
morph into impatience. I have been waiting for my books to be published for over
8 years. I have been faithfully working on these books as God has led me. However,
there have been more than quite a few times when I tried to accomplish the task
of producing them without the express guidance or approval of God. None of those
times produced success.

God knows the future. He knows what each day will hold. And each moment within
each day is a pathway for the future. If we are constantly looking to the next big thing
or in fear of what may happen next, we are going to miss out on some opportunities to
see God at work in the journey of our lives.

When I made the decision to only work on these books when God prompted me and to
give Him the ultimate authority in when, how, and where they will be completed and
published, I learned to enjoy the ride much more. When God is in the driver's seat, I
have the freedom to have fun in the course.

I am not the one responsible for the fulfilling of God's will for my life. My responsibility
is to honor Him in my own ability and with the dedication of my devotion. Then, I am
also responsible for using the moments of my life a time of preparation for all that I will
see and do later in life. If I am faithful to use these moments the way God needs me to,
then the right doors will have the opportunity to open.

I must not grow weary in the little steps of today. I must not allow myself to become
impatient when it seems mundane, hard, or even without possibility of fulfillment. I
trust my God. I trust that He is able to work in and through me to bring His desires to
pass in my life and in the lives of the ones I have been given. So, I make an ardent
commitment to live in each moment and each day without fear, impatience, or dread
of the future. God's got my life under His winds and He will lead me to green pastures.

Confession: I will not be impatient in my journey of life. I know that
I am helping to built that which will shine in the future. So, I will
joyfully use today to wait on God's time and direction.

Tuesday #3 Devotion

Ephesians 5:1-2--(1)Be imatators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.
(2)and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

I was watching my youngest daughter the other day. She loves to play with her older
sister. However, because she is so young, she usually ends up simply imitating her. She
toddles around after her sister and will mimic what she sees. We had to have a discussion
with our oldest regarding this situations because of the responsibility that is now upon
her. Because she will have someone following after her and imitating her behavior, it is
her responsibility to not abuse that power. She must be a good example. What our
youngest daughter sees performed, she will assume is proper behavior and will, in turn,
adopt it as her own. That was evidenced when she started simply saying, "Okay," every
time her sister told her something to do. She trusts so implicitly the authority of her
sister that no matter what she is asked to do, she willingly does it.

Our relationship with God before our children should be like that example. We should work
so intently to formulate our lives and structure it after the example of the love of God. We
can trust that what He tells us to do will only benefit our lives and enhance the goodness of it.
We can trust how seriously God takes the responsibility of being the perfect example before
us. We can simply imitate His way of life and know that it will bring forth profit.

In my home, I may have to work right now to help my oldest not abuse this
admiration displayed by her sister.
But God will never abuse our trust of His guidance. And the more
we live like He wants us to, the better our home life will become as a result.

When structuring our life to imitate God's example, the number one facet we will adopt
is love. That is the foremost characteristic of God' s nature. In fact, He tells us in I John 4:8
that He IS love. It defines who He is. It marks the merit of His character. Our imitating
that character trait will shower blessings into our lives. When we funnel the love of God
to our family, they will be affected by it. So, let's work today to be an imitator of the love
of God to our children. Let's live a life of love for our family's sake.

Confession: I will live a life of love before my family today. I am
an imitator of God and I will show my family His good nature
today. The example that I lead before my family today will bring
forth great blessings in our lives as our love grows more and more.

Monday #2 Devotion

Psalm 29:11--The Lord will give strength unto His people;
the Lord will bless His people with peace.

There is a wonderful tradition that our armed forces practice during battles.
While some other nations leave their dead and wounded on the battlefield, our
service men and women will put their own lives in jeopardy to rescue those that
need help. They don't want to leave any person on the field of battle. It is a way
of honoring the investment that these wonderful and brave human beings have
given for the sake of freedom and democracy. A rescue is launched right in the
middle of battle to help those that have suffered injury, loss, or are at risk of greater
damage and danger.

A relationship with God works exactly the same way. He will prepare you for "battle"
with the "boot camp" of His Word. In It, you will discover how to discipline your life
so that you will be ready and well-equipped in the face of attacks on righteousness in
your life. You have a squadron of angelic hosts that the Bibles says will surround you
in your ways of service and obedience to God. You have a wealth of wisdom, knowledge,
insight, and discernment available to guide you when you are confronted with an enemy
of what is right, moral, and good.

God will never leave you alone in the battle. He is your General, you war commander. He
knows every battle plan and the route of attack. He will give you strength to weather the
battle. Beyond that, He equips you with the perseverance and patience to run head-long
into the fight. He will strengthen you and will bless you with peace. He will help you know
how, when, where, and why on the battlefields of your children's journeys.

Don't be mistaken, there is a fight on for your children's lives. However, you already have
the winning strategy and the sure-fire weapons of destruction to drive the enemy out of
the camp, out of the territory, and out of the futures of your children. Let God be your
front line. Let Him be your rear guard. And let Him fight right beside you. He will never
leave you on the battlefield alone.

Confession: The Lord gives me strength for my journey as a Mom.
I am strong in the training of my children. God blesses me with
peace. I am full of peace as I help my children follow closely after
righteousness.

Sunday #2 Devotion

Psalm 57:2 (Amplified Bible)--I will cry to God Most High,
Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings
to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them.]

When your children were babies, did you quickly learn to discern
their different cries? My children promptly developed a myriad of
cries for their needs: one for hunger, one for diaper changes, one
for pain, and one for wanting love and attention. I could at a
moment's notice tune my ears to their cry and know the desire of their
heart, what they truly needed. At the same time, I would already be
set into motion to get to them and meet their needs.

Many a night I would already be sitting up in bed with my feet
swinging over the edge at the slightest nudge of a cry heard over the
baby monitor. My husband is so in tune with the cries of our children
that I have seen him already move toward them BEFORE they started
crying because he knew they were ABOUT to cry out for him.

God is so similar to this example. His ear is always attentive to our
cries. His face is turned in our direction. He is sitting on ready with
the provision for our needs. He has stored away all things necessary for
our success. II Peter 2:3 tells us that God's Divine power has already
given unto us ALL THINGS for life and godliness.

Whatever we need, He has already stored away the answer. He knows the
cry of our hearts for strength. He knows the cry for wisdom. He knows the
cry for direction and counsel. He knows the cry of faith and assurance when
we rejoice in our callings as Mom.

His blessings are catered to meet the needs of our cries to Him. His mercy
is everlasting and ever-reaching for the cries of our heart. Just like my
husband was many times already in motion BEFORE our children's cries
occurred, God is much more in motion before we cry to Him.

Isaiah 65:24 says, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will
answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Tune your heart
to cry to God for the answers of life and let Him pour His blessings
upon your household today.

Confession: My heart cries out to God Most High. His ears are
tuned toward my life. He performs on my behalf and rewards
me. Today I will see God's blessings as I walk where He guides
me to walk and as I do what He has called me to do.

Saturday #2 Moment of Joy

It is important to train our children how to have complete
confidence in their ability to cling to righteousness. Sometimes,
however, we do too good of a job teaching them to boldly
stand up in the confidence. A friend of mine has an amazing
daughter, who, even at an early age, has such a heart for the
Gospel. This young girl is constantly looking into situations that
she encounters and asking, "Does this situation need Jesus?"

Very recently, my friend was teaching her daughter about
Heaven. Her daughter loved the subject and began judging
everything on the basis of its eternal destiny. One evening, as my
friend was preparing supper, her daughter came running into the
kitchen.

"Mommy, did you know that in some places they put people
who go to Heaven on a float and push them into the water and
throw flowers at them?" Astonished at her daughter's
inquiry, my friend said, "Honey, I don't think that is the fully
accurate version of that story." Her daughter responded,
"Of course it is." My friend asked, "And why it that?" Her
confident daughter answered, "Don't you know by now that
I know everything?"


Confession: I have the ability to raise my children in
righteousness. I will rest in the path upon which God
teaches me to lead them. I will enjoy my journey and will
find moments of joy as we walk this great adventure together.

Friday #2 Devotion

Proverbs 17:22--A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but
a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Being happy makes all the difference. There is no guarantee that
your life will be easy. There is no guarantee that life will be free
of problems, pressures, or trials. But there is a defense mechanism
you can employ that will trigger your ability to be drawn toward success.
Being happy.

You can be "happy" in the middle of a hurricane. David talked about going
through the "valley of the shadow of death" while "fearing no evil." Why?
How did he journey in such a sad, scary place and not have fear? Because he
knew Who was on his side. He understood the protective arms of God. He
understood that with God on his side, "what can man do to me?"

The Bible tells us that David danced before the Lord. His book of Psalms is
overflowing with joyous praise at the goodness, mercy, loving-kindness, and
miracle nature of God. This is a man who had to live in a cave because the king
wanted him dead. Yet, he still found a way to rejoice in the love of God which he
experienced.

Being happy is a choice. It is not simply an emotional state. It is a state of being.
You can be happy when sickness and disease present symptoms in your life or the
life of your family. You can be happy when the bills are piling up. Because true
happiness comes from the understanding that the Love of God and His desire for
great things in your life.

When you align your heart to God's love, you will overflow with His love toward
your household and the world. His light will shine in and through you. It will show
your family how to deal with the problems and the pressures of life. They will see
that you understand that there are problems and pressures, but that those things
do not dictate your state of being.

You trust your God. You believe in His goodness and mercy toward you. You expect
His promises to be fulfilled for you and your household. As you do those things, you
will be a witness to the world of the joy and happiness that only God can provide. That
is the peace that passes understanding!

Confession: I have a merry heart. It does me good like a
medicine. It does my household good. I choose to allow
the Love of God to abound in my heart and flow into
every aspect of my life!

Thursday #2 Devotion

Proverbs 19:20--Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that
thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

I have taught my children that one of Mommy's jobs is to teach them
how to make right choices. It is a gift I can give my children, a legacy
I can leave with them. If I can accomplish that through their life in our
home, then they will be at an advantage when they are launched into
the "real world." If they learn to truly follow after what is right,
then I have given them the ability to succeed in this earth. It is the
whole "teach a man to fish" reality.

I have only a few years of their lives when they daily in our home.
We do not home school, so my children will soon be leaving my side and
will be in the presence of someone else for the majority of their waking
hours during each school day. It is my responsibility now to reveal to
them the issues of life. I have to teach them to be able to discern good
and evil when I am not around. I have to help them learn how to run from
evil and cling to good.

I spend time daily listening to the instruction of God through the reading of
the Bible, praying, praising, and fellowshipping with the Father. I then invest time
and situations into my children to give them the chance to exercise the functioning
of righteous principles. When I witness a situation arising in the moments of our day that
demonstrates good vs. evil, I stop the functioning of our home and focus on helping
my children evaluate these moments. We may sit in the middle of our living room
and discuss why biting or hitting can not solve possessiveness. We may go into the
fridge to discuss gluttony. We may prance around the house in silly clothes to discuss
the importance of modesty. The point is, my children are learning that the concept of
discerning righteousness is one that takes time, energy, attention, and devotion to learning.

God's guidance and wisdom are available and abundant enough to help me show my
children how to choose what is right. God's mercy working through me will help teach
them how to run to God to fix mistakes and restore fellowship. And God's ability flowing
out of me will help them understand the benefits of following the paths of righteousness.
Our children will have enough times to see the temptation of sinfulness. Let's let our
homes be a refuge of righteousness and a place where they can learn the appeal of right
choices and their blessings.

Work hard and patiently to help your children process situations. Point out the right
choices they make and applaud those choices. With compassion and tender hearts, walk
them through improper behavior by pointing them to God and assisting them in prayer
for His forgiveness and yours. We are our children's gauge of righteousness when they are young.
They will learn to survey the world through how we have taught them to judge
what is right and how to make proper choices. That is why we must daily allow God to
work through us in our relationship with our children.

Confession: The greatest gift I can my children is to truly teach
them how to be righteous. God, through me, will teach my
children how to cling to what is right and run from what is evil.

Wednesday #2 Devotion

Jeremiah 33:3--Call unto me, and I will answer thee; and
show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

What a relief it is when we discover that we do not have to raise our children
within our own wisdom or based upon our own strength. Right here we have
a very clear promise from God for when we are stuck. God explicitly tells us
that if we would simply call upon Him we would have answers given to us.

The raising of children is many times a mystery. There are a million different
scenarios within their everyday behavior that may prompt the question in your
heart, "Why in the world did they do that?" Top that with the many facets of
each person's personality, and you have one mixed up goulash of potential
stress and frustrations. The combination of those two elements makes for many
opportunities to scratch your head or want to throw in the towel.

I can remember having a major impasse with my oldest daughter when she was 2.
While we did not have any "terrible two's" at our house, we did have a very intelligent
daughter who learned very quickly the one action that pushed her Mommy's button,
the "Why?" She would be so sweet and look me right in the eyes when I had instructed
her to do anything. Her head would cock slightly, her lips would curl into a sarcastic grin
and out would "sweetly" pour, "Why, Mommy?" I must admit,
it was ingenious. She knew exactly how to take a moment meant to teach her proper
discipline in life and transform it into a battle of wills for the power of the moment.

This situation was very quickly ruining the peace of my home and, frankly, testing my
ability to be patient and loving with my daughter. So, I prayed and asked God for a witty
invention to deal with this situation. I so often find myself running to my Father for a
new and bondage-breaking solution to the headlock that frustrations can have
in my life.

Now, the result did not replace Godly discipline. You can not replace discipline with cool
ideas. However, God will give you many real and neat ways to compliment the discipline
where the truth and importance of obedience will dawn in your child.

For me, God taught me by simply rephrasing my instructions to reflect more of a discovery mindset
instead of a commanding one, my daughter would be drawn into finding a solution
to the problem at hand. She now would have an important role in the functioning of the
home, which to her validated her place in our family. A very simply solution indeed, but
one I would not have comprehended or even imagined had He not lavished Godly wisdom
into my heart.

When I implement God's idea, my daughter quickly and completed submitted to my
instructions and we have never again had any more problems in this area (as long as
I continue to do it the way God taught me.) Therefore, I do not take it for granted at
all that God knows exactly how I am to raise my children and point them in the path
of His calling for their futures. God will lavish His wisdom and creativity upon me by
my simply asking Him to do so. This is my greatest asset and weapon in
raising my children.

Confession: I have the greatest resource available in raising my children.
God is faithful to teach me the fullest way to guide my children to
obedience, safety, and wisdom. I receive God's wisdom now to raise my
children. I receive this wonderful gift and will rely wholly on Him to
guide my journey as a Mother.

Tuesday #2 Devotion

I John 4:7--Beloved, let us love one another; for Love is
of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and
knoweth God.

Loving our family shouldn't be hard to do. It should really be the easiest
thing in the world for us to do. This is the man that we chose. These are the
children we were given. This is the life we greatly contributed to having. These
are the people with whom we will walk every major milestone of our lives. They
are the ones who will see us at our best and still love us at our worst. They
know what we look like without makeup. They know not to mess with us before
our morning coffee. They have seen us in our "fat clothes." They have even seen
our snotty noses and smelled our morning breath.They know the real us. They
have the inside track on who we really are.

It is the perfect practice ground for walking in love. This is the place where the
love walk should be perfected. The world will take us at face value and judge us
without really knowing us. Our families will not. They know us and they know when
we are being real. So, we should use these opportunities of our everyday family to
show the love nature of God before the ones that we love. We should make extra
effort to be on our best love behavior in the presence of our household.

It is extremely easy to let our love for our spouse and children fade and irritation,
bitterness, and weariness rise. But God has given us a well of love and patience
from which to draw. When we resist the temptation to become insensitive with our
family, we will become stronger. In turn, our households will become stronger. Our
marriages will blossom. Our children will treat each other more kindly. And our home
will show signs of people within who are truly enjoying their journeys.

It is Mom that can make this happen the quickest. She has the most opportunity to
show a nature that is contrary to loveliness. That is why we must draw daily, even
minutely, upon the love that God so lavishly and willingly provides when we simply
ask Him for it. We must take time out of every day and remind ourselves of the great
Love with which our God loves us. And we must ask Him for the strength and equipment
necessary to truly love our family. He will give it to us liberally. It is His desire for our
homes to be bonded and abounding in His type of love for each other.

So, remind yourself of how much He loves you and take part of the reservoirs of that love
which He desires to pour into your heart. Search your heart and memory and remind
yourself how much you truly love you family and the moments of the days that make
up the journeys of your household. Let love guide your actions, guard your words, and
give flight to your devotion to your household and its members.

Confession: I love my family. I love being Mom to my children. I love
being a wife to my husband. I love conducting the details of my
household. I am well able to show love in all moments of my day.
I will not forget to truly love my family today.

Monday Devotion

John 14:27--Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.

Jesus has given us so many wonderful gifts. He has given us eternal life. He is
our Savior and our Lord. And He has given us peace. He has given us His type
of peace. That word in Greek is, "eirene" which means, "tranquility, security, safety,
prosperity, felicity, and eternal surety." His ministry was one of peace. He served
others to give them that which would make their lives complete. For some, it was healing.
For others, it was wisdom. For many more, it was a glimpse of how to truly fellowship
with the Father. But, for us all, He gave His life. He gave the fullness of Himself to open
the door to freedom for eternity.

We can look to the example of His life to see what our lives should be. Most importantly,
Jesus was dedicated to being a reflection of God in all of aspects of life. He took time out of
His day to pray and wait patiently for God's guidance for His journey. He also was most
confident in God's ability in His life. He was always referring to the greatness of God's plan
for Him. Well, we are a representation of God's plan for the current world.

We are supposed to shine the Light of Jesus into every corner of the world. The corner of your
world starts with your household. It begins with your husband. It flows to your children. It
resonates in your self. And it extends to your job and ministry of life.

The truest way to shine the Light of Jesus is to walk in the pathways of peace. Jesus has offered
us peace, tranquility, security, safety, prosperity, felicity, and eternal security. He has presented
us with the opportunity to walk in our lives with a settled knowledge that we are making right choices,
raising good children, honoring our husband properly, and doing the works of the Lord in this earth.

But we must receive this gift. We must cultivate it like you would a prize rose garden. You must tend
to peace. You must protect it and work with willing hands to build it in your life. Look for ways today
to show peace to your family. Let them see the gift of Jesus through you.

Confession: Jesus has given me peace. My life is a reflection of the peace the Jesus
gives me. I will listen to God's voice in my life today and be an example of peace
to my household.

Sunday Devotion

Psalm 37:4-5--(4)Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give
thee the desires of thine heart. (5)Commit thy way unto the Lord;
trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.

I once heard a minister say, "Peace is not an accident. It is the product of a
well-ordered life." The order of our life should be: God, husband, children,
job, ministry. When we make the concerted effort to keep these in line, or
"in order," we will see how effortlessly we will flow from one role to another. It
is when we work to do things ourselves, in our own strength and wisdom, or when
we get the order out of line that each one of these roles begin to feel too hard,
too impossible, or too burdensome.

It becomes hard to open our Bible or spend time in prayer and fellowship with God.
It becomes tempting to refrain from being a joyful and virtuous wife who showers
her husband with love, respect, and honor. It becomes like walking on hot coals to
teach our children what is right and patiently invest time and energy into them.
It becomes like a ball and chain to work at our job and do the work fully and with our
greatest energy. And it becomes obsolete to be a productive member of the Body
of Christ and to reach our hands out with the Gospel.

It is absolutely necessary for us to put and keep our lives in their proper order.
One builds off the other. Having God first allows us to have communication with
Him unhindered and, thus, gives us access to the secrets of successful living. Having
our husbands second allows us to have someone in our corner for the issues of
life and help for raising our children. Having our children third teaches them that
they are important, but that our faith walk and marriage covenant have to honored
so that we can be the Mommy that they need and deserve. Our children need to see
that our relationship with God and our husband is paramount to our journey as a Mommy.

Finally, we have our job and ministry. Whether we work from home or in the work force,
having all those other things higher in priority will help us do our best because we are
doing it for them.

Let's pull back our lives into their proper order. Let's get things in their right perspective.
That will open doors for the peace that successful walks of life need.

Confession: I delight myself in my Heavenly Father. I keep my life in
order. God is first, then my husband, then my children, then my job,
and then my ministry of life. God has equipped me to succeed in every
part of my life. I will see His goodness in my household as I keep
things in their proper order.

Saturday Moment of Joy

Being able to find joy in the moments of our lives is imperative to
surviving as a Mommy. I am including real-life moments from
Moms that I know for your Saturdays. I am also including a
confession for you to remind yourself that there is joy in every
journey if we look for it.

My oldest daughter walked into my office one morning holding a large
stuffed animal, a rubber stamp, and another toy. With her sweetest voice
she said, "Mommy, do you want to watch me juggle?" My heart leapt
at the thought that my four year-old had mastered such an extraordinary
skill. "Of course I want to watch you juggle, sweatie," I said to my precious
little girl. My daughter poised herself for the feat, bracing herself for the
ensuing spectacle. She threw all of the objects into the air and, with no
effort whatsoever to catch them, watched sheepishly as they fell to her
feet. "What happened?" I asked her. "Well, Mommy, I guess that I
forgot that I don't even know how to juggle," came her reply.

Confession: Joy resides in my journey as a Mommy. I just need
to look for it. I purpose to allow God to show me how to find and
revel in my moments of joy.

Friday Devotion

Psalm 128:1-3-- (1)Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways.
(2)For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands; happy shalt thou be; and it shall be well with thee.
(3)Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Blessed is the Mom who walks in the ways of God. Blessed is the Mom who takes
the time to focus her attention on her Heavenly Father and His plan for her
life. Jeremiah 29:11 reveals to us that God has a plan for our lives. His thoughts
toward us are peaceful and not evil. He desires to give us an expected end. He
desires for each one of His children to fit fully into the Body of Christ. Each part
has a specific function. It is our job to wait patiently upon the Lord so that He can,
through the events of our lives, reveal to us our place in the Body. It is when we
spend our days working with diligent hands to fully walk in our calling as Mom that
we will see this expected end.

The verses above tell us that we shall eat of the labor of our hands, or more plainly,
we shall have a positive consequence to our diligent and willing care of our lives.
We shall be happy. Our lives shall go well. And we will be fruitful.

The Hebrew word here for "fruitful" is "parah" which means, "to bear fruit and
show fruitfulness. Webster's Dictionary defines it as, "producing good results;
having benefits abound; being profitable." Do you want your life with your family
to produce good results, abound in benefits, and be profitable? I'm sure that you do.
Well, the fastest way to make that happen is to walk in the ways of the Lord.

I suggest that you read the books of Psalms and Proverbs this weekend. While
reading, take note of the ways of life for the writers. Three factors ruled their
lives:

1. They made a concerted effort to find things in their lives to be grateful for
and praised God for them

2. They spent considerable amounts of time in prayer, petition, praise, and fellowship
with God seeking His wisdom for their lives

3. They poured themselves into their families and taught their children to follow
after the guidance of God

Confession: I will walk in the ways of the Lord. He is the Guide for
my life. He teaches me how to conduct the affairs of my life and how
to raise my children. I am fruitful. My life produces good results. We
abound with God's benefits. Our life is profitable!

Thursday Devotion

Proverbs 24:3-4--(3)Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding
it is established. (4)And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious
and pleasant riches.

What truly makes a successful life? God's definition for the life of a successful man
starts with the ability to follow after wisdom. The book of Proverbs teaches us that if
we will cling to wisdom, if we will value the knowledge of God more than rubies or pearls,
then will see God's good in our lives. When we follow after God's wisdom for our lives, He
will have the ability to teach us how to successfully raise our children. Children raised in a home
full of God's wisdom and taught to recognize and cling to it will grow up and do the things God
desires for them.

We will have strong, successful marriages when they are built upon God's wisdom. Proverbs even
tells us that our husbands will sit around praising us to other people when we, as virtuous women,
follow after God's wisdom in our homes and are obedient to the revelations that come from that
wisdom. Wisdom will draw people to us as we follow His wisdom. It will fill our hands so that we
can reach out to the poor and the needy. Wisdom will cause us to have the ability to use our
time, gifts, and talents to fulfill all that God desires for us.

Being a Mom is not only about helping with book reports, shopping for prom dresses, and
teaching our kids how to drive. It most certainly is about operating in the God 's wisdom so
we can be all that we are intended to be. That atmosphere will help all others in our home
live in their greatest potential. The example of truly living your life to the fullest and walking
wholly in your calling as a Mom will serve to help light the path of those in your household.

By witnessing the benefits in our lives as we walk in the wisdom God bestows upon us, our
husbands will have the freedom to be bolder, stronger, and more energetic in their personal
walks with the Lord. And our children, when they see that God works mightily in and through
their Mommy, will have hearts that will cling to righteousness and follow the light of God in
their own lives. That is how a house is truly built. That is how it is established to stand strong
against the winds, rain, and storms of life. That is how its chambers will be filled with all precious
and pleasant riches. So, cling to wisdom. Follow hard after it. Let it be your prize.

Confession: I will follow wisdom every day of my life. I hear God's voice showing me
the pathways of my life. I will walk in my calling fully. I am an example of God's love,
mercy, wisdom, and goodness before my family. My household is a result of God's wisdom
being poured out upon us all.

Wednesday's Devotion

Psalm 127:3--Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of
the womb is His reward.

Imagine you are up for the fifth night in a row changing sheets after your
3 year-old had one more accident. Imagine you have just settled into a nice,
hot, fluffy bubble bath. You let out a relaxing sigh, and instantly you hear,
"Mommy! I want my Mommy!" You are then informed by your other child
(or disappointed spouse who wasn't the one being wanted) that your
child picked that precise moment to stub a toe, which is now bleeding,
and she is demanding to see you and only you to "make it better." These
moments do not tend to paint the rosy picture that your current life is
a gift. The monotony of motherhood sometimes shows absolutely no
glamor.

Have you ever stopped to think of how "regular" the life of Jesus
was for the first 29 years? The Bible does not give us much detail, but we do
know that He was not actively working in ministry. It is believed that He spent
the majority of His life working with Joseph in the carpentry business. That,
it seems, would have presented opportunities for monotony, boredom, or
frustration. However, one thing that we do know about Jesus' life before
He began ministering was that He had developed an amazing prayer life.
He spent time in prayer daily and had awesome fellowship with His Father.
Jesus knew the answer. He didn't allow the daily measures of life to dictate
His ability to know what He was here for. He worked with His whole heart
every moment, even before He started raising people from the dead!

That period of time before His baptism and subsequent ministry was a
time of preparation. He got to "practice" how He manifest the gifts of a
Savior in this earth for 29 years before He actively used them. He was
faithful to do His best with every moment and when the right moment
came--He shined!

Well, raising children is exactly like that. The things that may feel
monotonous or unglamorous right now are opportunities to show our
children the ability to use every moment for the Glory of God.

It is when you are up changing those sheets that you confort that
embarrassed child by reminding them how "big" they are. Or it is
when you can get out of that bubble bath to kiss a boo-boo, knowing that
your children are watching your unconditional love for them and your
ability to help them when they truly need you. Those moments show your children
the healing touch or the loving touch and confidence of their Heavenly Father
as He watches over them. Those moments will build upon themselves and
produce children who will remember that your loving-kindness and acts
of mercy showed them the true goodness of their God.

Confession: I will use every moment of this day as an example
of God's love for me and my children. I will remember to not
allow my life to be so mundane but will utilize ways to
glorify God as I walk with my children.

Introduction

Dear Mom,

If your household is anything like mine, each morning is a hustle and bustle toward
getting everyone where they need to be while taking care of the needs of the home.
Sometimes, the "things" of life can overshadow the joy that motherhood is intended
to elicit. The "weight of the world" can easily bruise a Mom's shoulders. The more
things that you need to accomplish, the more opportunity that you have to feel
ineffective. That is why it is imperative to walk every day and every moment in the
strength, ability, and fullness of God working in and through you.

Moms are such a pivotal part to the success of the home. It is our warmth, nurturing
spirit, and ability to do fifty things at once that work together to help our family
members reach their potential. However, our society places very little importance
on such a grand job. Having pride in the cleanliness of our home or working hard to
invest into our children or husband are not opportunities which will bring many to
shower praise upon us. However, without productive Moms, the standard functioning
of the home will unravel. Each person in the home holds a strategic and powerful
position. The amount of success of each position relies upon two things:

1. the amount of help Mom receives from her Heavenly Father
2. the consistency of her confidence in her calling.

When Mom is at her best, all of the household rises in their potential. She is the
backbone of launching her children into their future as well as her husband's
biggest fan. Having so many others who depend upon Mom can sometimes drain her
of her strength, ability, gifts, peace, and energy. That is why is it so very important for
Mom to make every effort to rejuvenate herself. If Momma's happy, everyone's happy!
And the truest source of renewal and rejuvenation is our Heavenly Father.

The Bible is our answer book. It is a guide to how to successfully live every aspect of
our lives. It is designed to guide us to all truth. It is a gift from a lavish and loving Heavenly
Father to His beloved children. It is truly our road map for survival and triumph for our
journey. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that the Word of God will not return unto Him void,
but will accomplish that which He pleases and will prosper in the thing where unto He sent it.
The Bible also tells us that the Word of God is, "living and active." That life and activity has
the power to cause all the work of your hands as a Mom to be prosperous.

I work hard to have a household of peace. But it takes a lot of work, a lot of time and energy,
and a whole lot of help from my Heavenly Father. That is why I make every effort to remind
myself that I don't have to do this on my own. I don't have to do all of the work. God wants to
work in me both to will and do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:3) The eyes of the Lord run to
and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart
is perfect toward Him. (II Chr. 16:9) He is actively looking and desiring to pour His goodness,
mercy, loving-kindness, strength, wisdom, and ability into me so that I can do all He needs me
to do in this earth. In conjunction with that, He is using me an an ambassador of His nature
before my family.

The most fundamental requirement for a successful journey as a Mom is patience. You must
let, "patience have her perfect work so that you will be a person perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." (James 1:4)
It is imperative that you take the time to remind yourself daily that you
can do this and that you will see the "goodness of God in the land of the living."
(Psalm 27:13)
If you will "not grow weary in well doing" you will "reap because you faint not. "
(Galatians 6:9)
That "well doing" can only be taught through study of the Bible.

I have found that going without time in prayer and study of the Bible makes all of the burdens
of life feel like 2-ton barbells pushing down upon me. When I have to walk in my journey as
a wife, mother, and servant of God in my own strength, it is a very hard journey. However,
Jesus has already given me the answer for this situation:

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV): 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek, and lowly in
heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 14:26-27 (AMP): 26But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate,
Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place,
to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to
recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. 27Peace I
leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do
I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing
yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and
cowardly and unsettled.]

I began this book because I needed it for my household. Having just have my fourth child,
and having three children under the age of 5 in my house, I found myself too "rushed" and
"needed" to have my standard 30-45 minutes of daily Bible study that I so loved. Knowing
the importance of staying "fed" on the Bible, I sought a resolution to this quickly-growing
problem in my life.

God gave me the idea to put onto paper things that would inspire me to simply do the job of
being a Mom. In my opinion, Mom is the bedrock upon which a happy, healthy,and full family
is built. This is why Mom needs to do what it takes to keep her sanity and hold onto her provision
of ability from God. Only He can fulfill the calling of Mom in her. Only He can give her the
equipment necessary to be a success.

I wrote this book for me. I offer it to you so that you can have a quick pick-me-up and to remind
you of the promises of God regarding your ability to be a productive and successful Mom.
Hopefully, each time you read these devotions will cause enthusiasm to be sparked
within your home.

Read these devotions and then audibly speak the confessions. As you do, you will see your
light shine stronger and your peace blossom! I am praying for your rejuvenation and for
the peace of your home to overflow!

With warmest love and sincerest respect,

Cindy Holmes, BSW
Mom to Micah, Asher, Hannah-Beth, Kelly-Grace, and David

My New BOOK!!!

Glory to God, I am ready to present my latest book to a test group.
I sent out the emails this morning and I am compiling my list of
recipients as we blog!! Starting tomorrow, I will post a devotion each
day for the next 4 weeks. I will also send emails to those who would
like to receive them. As the devotions are posted, I am asking those
that read them to comment, edit, revise, etc. It is a living thing,
a changing organism, and I welcome the criticism
(constructive only, please!!)

So, Wednesday, November 12th is the beginning of the new era.
Mom's Motivational Moments!!!