Recently, I had a lovely visit with Courtney from Women Living Well. We attended The Mom Heart Conference here in DFW along with 800 other women! I nabbed Courtney to ask her opinion on relating to younger moms – who have such different circumstances than my generation – but the same heart and values. She gave me some ‘Courtney’ advice. “Be real, be honest, be direct.”
To be honest – I’ve been in a perfectionist stronghold regarding writing … I’ve got to break out of this mode and stop blaming my lack of blogging on my circumstances. BTW, I am busier than ever before with college prep, teen life, speech and debate, a new puppy and ‘a family that likes to eat and wear clean clothes.’ (to quote Sally Clarkson)
I LOVE my messy, busy life! Every sleepy, soggy moment of it! I asked for this job and I am living my dream – however bumpy this ride may be – I’m in it for the long-haul with every ounce of energy God gives me.
Sometimes it seems surreal – this life that I’ve dreamed of – is really happening!
Today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent. I’m not Catholic – but I appreciate the pomp and slender believers, throughout history, have brought to this season of remembrance. I woke-up this morning with a desire to tell my story – OK Courtney - I’m doing it. Being an introvert my design, blogging is a two-edged sword for me. I’d rather be a cheerleader on the sidelines – cheering others on – than opening my life up for observation. (you introverts understand)
I have some stories to tell. Stories of God’s faithfulness in the midst of personal struggle.
The spiritual discipline I’m asking the Lord to work in me through this season of Lent is absorbing the Word of God. I want to appreciate the Scriptures in a fresh, new way. The Biblical mandate to ‘remember’ is multifaceted. When I grab my old Bible – it becomes a ‘yearbook’ through seasons of my life, so far. I go back in time when I see the scribbles in the corner – the notes to myself. I remember. And in remembering – I believe. I believe the Lord of yesterday is the Lord of today and even tomorrow.
Welcome to my slide-show.
When our family was small and Tim worked a day job, homeschooling was new, days were long and life hadn’t ‘landed’ for us. We moved 6 years in a row. Graduate school was over – now what? No one knew. We had our 3 children – what now? Life was on hold. Our dreams were not being lived out – or were they? My husband struggled for purpose, we all struggled to make ends meet. He wanted to stop having children. I asked for some time to think this through. Everything felt so temporary and I longed to grow roots, to build a lasting legacy to leave fruit that would remain, for the purposes of Christ. There had to be more.
In a Bible study we were challenged by an ‘older woman’ to pray God’s word over our husbands. This approach to prayer would help redirect my will to the Father’s and accomplish the purposes of heaven. So, my personal discomfort would not overshadow the eternal purposes of God. I still have that Bible, next to my bed – these words underlined in red.
Psalm 128
Blessed {is the man} who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within you house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children’s children.
I prayed these words out loud when he was gone – wrote them on cards kept in my bedside table and prayed them over him at night and began to believe this was God’s will for our family. I still pray this scripture, as a wife, today. The Lord is faithful to his word and guides the heart of man. If I could have seen those days from the perspective of ‘now’ – what a difference my confidence would have been. The Lord really answers prayer. For, my husband is characterized by every word of this scripture in every way.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Great encouragement!
Yes, prayer changes so many things…it changed my husband’s heart too.
Debi, I loved the way you described your Bible as a ‘yearbook’! What a beautiful way to remember God’s faithfulness in the past and to encourage us in our future!
I love this! God has been showing me the power of praying his Word over people lately. It’s been such a good and rewarding lesson. I’m going to steal this verse for my husband. Thanks for sharing!
I so appreciate you’re writing-even when it isn’t perfect, it is always encouraging. I really enjoyed this!
Thank you for sharing this. I needed the reminder to pray Scripture over my husband … I’m going to write them on cards by my bedside table as well.
This is so encouraging to me. As a “younger” Mom I really appreciate hearing from you and others who have walked this path before me! Thank you!