Happy Mother's Day

When I was three years old, my mother taught me this verse.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton son, that whosoever, believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

If you know me...really know me...you know that verse was a mixed bag for me. My biological father was a cruel man. It did not seem strange at all to me that a father would sacrifice his son.

Mine would have in a heartbeat.

But, my mother did not stop with that favorite of all verses in John. She turned to Romans and taught me that I had sinned. She taught me what the consequences were of those sins. She explained that even though my father was hateful, mean, and wicked...this Father in heaven was loving, kind, and perfect. That He loved me with an everlasting love. And that love for ME provided a way that I could be with Him forever.

Because of this teaching...

Fifty years ago today,

on Mother's Day,

at Delany Street Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida...

this timid 10 year old girl...

sitting in the middle of the church with her Sunday school class....

Stood up...and ran to THE FATHER.

Happy Mother's Day Mom.

The Expectant Mother

Part two of our eight part series is the Expectant Mother.

 

Oh what a joyous time in a woman’s life. 

 

A new child is coming into her life. Someone who needs and wants her tender care and devotion for a lifetime.

 

The Expectant Mother can take on different forms and each has their own set of challenges and opportunity for ministry.

 

The first is the Single Expectant Mother. She is alone on this journey to parenthood. She may or may not have the support of family members. She may be afraid, and struggling financially. She may have people in her life encouraging her to end this precious life within her. 

 

As Christians, we are pro-life and support the birth mother to carry the child to term, but we should not end our efforts there. I recently heard of a ministry that does an amazing job supporting the mother through the whole pregnancy and birth experience. I would encourage you to explore Embrace Grace and make it a part of your church ministry.

 

The second Expectant Mother may be in a secure relationship...but she may have concerns about her health or the health of her child. She may have questions about the birth experience or be worried about those first few months of motherhood. Make yourself available. Answer questions, offer advice. Let her know that God will be her helper and that He has chosen her out of all the women in the world to mother this particular child.

 

The third mother is the Adoptive Expectant Mother. Her longing for a child is being satisfied. Her heart is full of grateful appreciation, but is also fearful that it will not happen. She has faced many disappointments and is cautious about being too excited for fear of her heart being broken. Let us wrap our arms around the mother and support her. Lift her up before the throne of grace in prayer. If within your means, contribute to the adoption expenses. Be openly joyful and encourage her to open her heart and rejoice during the period of waiting. 

 

How are you being an encouragement to the Expectant Mother? 

 

Does your church have a ministry?

 

Please share your thoughts and ideas so that we may all become more effective in our purpose.

Teacher Appreciation

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the many teachers who love You and serve You in both the christian and public schools. Bless them with strength, courage, and wisdom. Show us how to support them in the work they do shaping and educating our children.

 Amen

The Longing Mother

Today begins an eight part look at mothers, who they are and how we can minister to them.

 

The first mother is the Longing Mother.

 

This is the woman for reasons beyond her control has not know the joy and fulfillment of being a mother.

 

Most women start planning and anticipating motherhood while they are still little girls. We have our baby dolls that we tenderly wash, dress, and carry with us. Sometimes we dress up kittens and puppies, pretending they are our babies. This nurturing is born in us and we long to lavish it on our own wee one.

 

For the longing mother....Sometimes....the longing never ceases. I, along with several members of my family, suffered with infertility. 

 

Mine was rectified, but often it is not. 

 

Some women never marry. 

 

Some suffer from miscarriage of that precious child.

 

How can we minister to these dear longing hearts?

 

First....understand and be sensitive to the longings of their hearts. 

 

I can not tell you how hard it was for me on Mothers Day when all the mothers would stand up to be honored in church. Mother’s Day, 1977, I was the ONLY woman not standing in my church choir.

 

Be sensitive about asking questions like...

 

Are you two EVER going to start a family?

 

You know your mother is just dying to be a grandmother!

 

When are you going to have a baby...you are not getting any younger!

 

I suffered a miscarriage between my first and second daughter. Please understand that the child I lost is just as real to me as the ones I held. I may have smiled and nodded in agreement when I was told that “God knew best...maybe something was wrong with the baby...God will give you another child” ...But let me tell you. Those words cut me like a knife. There was no balm or comfort even though I know the ones saying it to me wanted no more than my comfort.

 

Offer words of love and consolation. Let the parents know that you are aware of their loss and that their child was precious and real. It is okay to say you are sorry.

 

Allow them to talk about their loss. Love them and let the love of God be manifested through you to comfort them.

 

Lastly, pray for direction from the Holy Spirit. 

 

Don’t assume that because a woman does not have children that she will want to work in the nursery. That may be too painful. But...it may also be just the thing that she needs to soothe her longings.

 

Pray for....be attentive to....and most of all..love the Longing Mother.

The Perfectly Perfect

"When I constantly try to measure up I put myself in bondage to pretense" 

 

Can’t we just say “Goodbye” to that girl?! You know the one, right? The one who is always perfectly groomed. Perfectly trim. Perfectly poised. Perfectly calm. Perfectly in-control. Perfectly cheerful. Perfectly kind. Perfectly friendly. Oh, and let’s not forget that her children are also perfectly well-behaved. And perfectly neat. As well as perfectly polite. Her home is perfectly cozy. Perfectly clean. And perfectly decorated. In a way that’s perfectly specific to each season and holiday. Her cooking is perfectly delicious. Her photos are perfectly gorgeous. Her job is perfectly fulfilling. Her husband is perfectly romantic; she is perfectly submissive. And her ministry? Perfectly amazing.

I bet a face or two came to your mind as you read those descriptions. Am I right? It’s because we all know that girl. And we know how she makes us feel… Inadequate. Incompetent. Inept. Inferior. Like we should be doing this, ought to be doing that. Or perhaps we should be more like this, ought to be more like that. And let’s not forget that we could look like this, if only… And so we berate ourselves. We agree with that voice in our heads that tells us we’re not enough. That we’re less than. Or we might try to find fault with that girl to make ourselves feel better. We criticize her in our thoughts. And sometimes even in our words, indulging in gossip that tears her down…to make us feel bigger.

So why should we say “Goodbye” to that girl,once and for all? Though there are probably numerous reasons, here are four: 

 

1.) Comparison sets us up for discontentment. When we’re comparing ourselves with others, discontentment is the inevitable result. Discontentment with our job, with our possessions, with our own talents and abilities, with the areas of ministry God has given us, and even with the people in our life. Anything we tend to compare is fertile ground for seeds of discontentment. Because when we’re wrapped up in “should,” “could,” and “ought to,” we all too often follow it with “if only.” 

 

2.) Comparison harms our relationships. When I’m constantly trying to measure up, I put myself in bondage to pretense. I can’t let anyone see the “real me” because the “real me” is flawed. And so I painstakingly keep up the pretense of being as-perfect-as-possible. I keep my mask firmly in place. And I don’t let anyone get close enough to see what’s behind the mask. 

 

3.) Comparison breeds failure. Comparison is a habit. We often don’t just compare ourselves to a single person. Most of the time we are chronic comparers. We compare this weakness to this person, and that flaw to that person, this sin to the other person, and this blemish to that person over there. We compare ourselves to the best of so many people, there is no way on this side of heaven we could ever measure up. We are erecting an impossible standard for ourselves. And so we doom ourselves to feelings of failure. 

 

4.) Comparison looks a lot like Satan. I know that’s not fun to read; it certainly wasn’t fun to write. But who is the one who wasn’t satisfied with his role? Who was discontent with who he was? Who looked at Someone and felt less than (though rightfully, in his case)? Who wanted to be more than he was? Who looked at Someone else and said, “I want to be like Him”? 

 

It’s best for us all to just say “Goodbye” to that girl, and stop comparing ourselves with others. What are some other reasons to stop comparing ourselves come to your mind? 

 

I would love for us to expand on this by sharing your thoughts 

 

 

 Jessica Little Castleberry

Guest Blogger

 

I am Somebody

This is who I am 

 

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. 

 

For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NLT) 

 

You are not your past. 

 

You are not your failures. 

 

You are not your state. 

 

You are a child of the King. 

 

You already know who God is, now be reminded today of who you are in Him: 

 

I am smart. I am important. I am a world changer. I am brave and courageous. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am beautiful. I am called by God to do great things. I am strong. I melt in His presence, yet stand strong in the face of adversity. I can’t stop running because Jesus didn’t stop for me. I am a finisher. I am the right woman for the job. I am a winner. I am so loved. I am richly blessed. I am rooted and grounded. I am abundantly graced. I am my brother and sister’s keeper. I am empowered to lead. I am an overcomer. I am more than a conqueror. 

 

Greater is He that is in me than He that’s in the world. I am a daughter of the King no matter how I feel and no matter how it looks I will see His promises manifested in my life. 

 

I am patient and kind. I am truthful. I am hidden in Christ. I am an end time soldier in His army. I was born for such a time as this. I have what it takes. I am resourceful. I am wise. I wear God’s grace beautifully. I am who God says I am and I will do what He says I will do. 

 

Father, help me stay reminded of who I am in You. 

 

Help me not to let my problems define me. 

 

You define me. 

 

In Jesus name, Amen.

Jessica Little Castleberry

Guest Blogger

 

The Gift of Jam

The gift of food is always welcome.

 

An older person may not have the room or need for items that sit on a shelf.

 

A new neighbor whose kitchen is not in order yet for cooking.

 

A busy mom will be grateful for a special pantry item that she did not have to prepare.

 

A college student will appreciate a taste of home.

 

The list goes on and on....ask God to reveal to you who needs this blessing.

 

This recipe is sugar free so it should be suitable for almost anyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 http://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2013/02/22/strawberry-honey-jam-recipe-just-4-natural-ingredients-with-no-sugar-or-pectin/#