Be Worthy of Me

Yesterday evening we read and discussed chapter 3 in Sacred Influence, "Be Worthy of Me." I read through the verses that were referenced regarding walking a life that is worthy of the Lord. Oh, how I desire to live toward my children, my husband, and my Lord in a way that is worthy of Him and of them! And oh, how I fail every day!

The verses that especially challenge me are Ephesians 4:1-3. In the version I've been using for my devotional time, it says, "Therefore I, the prisoner united with the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Always be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of peace" (Complete Jewish Bible).

Humble ... gentle ... patient? I wouldn't really use those words to characterize me yesterday toward my children. "Bearing with one another in love"? Hardly. I was mostly frustrated and impatient. Thankfully, I never totally lost it with them yesterday, but I was certainly close many times.

This is so much more than I can possibly do! I cannot live worthy of Him! At least ... in my own strength I cannot.

But thanks to the Lord, He lives to make intercession for me (Hebrews 7:25)! When I am weak, I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). He is able to keep me from stumbling (Jude 1:24). He works in me both to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)!

Lord, have Your way with me! Work Your character in me. Cultivate the fruit of Your Spirit in me. Renew my mind. Purify my heart. Keep me from going astray. On my own, I am but a foolish, wayward sheep. You protect and keep me. I place myself in Your hands.

Psalm 51 is the prayer of my heart today.

Update for Monday, August 23

Hi, Moms!

I hope that you are doing well! I want to remind you that we are meeting this Monday, August 23. We are starting a new book, Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas. This week we'll be on chapter 2, " ." There will be copies available to purchase for $10 if you don't already have one.

This week, the beautiful Ruth Givens will be leading as we read and discuss chapter 2. As a reminder, we will be in the prayer room from 8-9pm, during which time you are welcome to read the chapter on your own and bask in the Lord's presence. from 9-10pm we will meet in the Rock'N Kids room for discussion and prayer.

My family will be camping this weekend, so I won't be able to make it this time, but I will miss you all! It is always such an encouraging time. I hope that you can come and be refreshed by the Lord and fellowship with like-hearted women.

Many blessings!

Update for Monday, August 9

Hi moms!

Just want to remind you that we are starting a new book this Monday, August 9. We will meet from 8-9pm in the prayer room (check downstairs in the auditorium first - if not there, it will be in the Birch room). Then we'll meet from 9-10pm in the Rock'NKids room. The book is $10 (yay for free shipping!). If you'd like, you can pick up a copy of the book from me when you arrive and pay when we meet together.

The book we are reading is Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas. We will cover the Introduction and Chapter 1, "The Glory of a Godly Woman: Understanding Who We Are in Christ."

Hope to see you!
Michelle

Update for August 2010

Hi, moms!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted an update. I can't believe how quickly the summer is flying by!

We are planning to resume our meetings in August. We will continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, from 8-10pm. I am excited to announce the new book that we will be reading together. It is Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas. For those of you who went through Sacred Parenting with us, you will recognize the author. This book is focused on marriage and how God uses us to influence our husbands in a Biblical way. It is inspiring and includes ideas for application. One thing I really appreciate, too, is how he's connected with reality in marriage, that it's not always going to be easy or get the results we hope for, but that the main goal is growing closer to Christ ourselves. I could go on and on about how much I like this book, but just come study it with us and find out for yourselves!

I will be ordering the books in the next couple of days, so please let me know if you want to reserve one. The cost will be between $10-11 (depending on shipping costs).

We are going to tweak the way we spend our time together slightly. First, from 8-9pm, we will spend an hour in the prayer room so that we can have more time to relax and soak up the Lord's presence, talk with Him directly and hear His heart for us. We will also read the week's chapter on our own during that time. Then, from 9-10pm, we will meet in the Rock'N Kids room to talk about the chapter and pray together.

Two last announcements: First, Sarah Mahieu will be stepping down from leadership in the group due to an increase in commitments in other areas of her life. Hopefully she will be able to continue coming sometimes. Sarah, we will miss you! Your insights and the beauty of your perspective have enriched our times together. I love your heart!

And finally, Nicola Sinclair will be joining Ruth Givens and me as a co-leader of Moms Pursuing God. Nicola has been a member of this group for many years, often bringing guests along. She is so real and down-to-earth, so loving and accepting of others. I am confident that she will be an amazing group leader too!

I think that's enough for now ... I hope to see you on Monday, August 9!

Moms Pursuing God - Future Plans

I hope that your summer is off to a good start. Mine is! I am enjoying a break from school, time to do fun stuff with my kids and get caught up on stuff that's been piling up. Had a week off with my husband in Baltimore while he attended a business conference, and next weekend we're going camping as a family.

So about our group. I noticed that another moms group has started up for the summer during the time that we usually meet. So I am wondering whether there is interest in meeting during the summer, or would you rather wait to resume our times together in late August or September? I am looking for input, because I am fine with it either way.

Also, I am considering some possible changes to the way we spend our time together. I know that I personally crave more time in the prayer room to sit in God's presence and have deep, meaningful conversations with him (kind of like a date night with God). And I have always wanted this group to be an opportunity for moms to enjoy some time alone in the prayer room (a rarity, I know). So, after having discussed this with our co-leaders, we are thinking about changing our format a bit to allow more time in the prayer room. To that end, we would meet for at least an hour in the prayer room, having a designated section of the Bible or chapter of a book to read/study/meditate on during that time. Then we would meet for a shorter time at the end to talk about what God has been speaking to us and pray together. More time with God! I like that!

So ... what do you think? Any thoughts?

I'd love to hear from you.

Deceptive Fantasy

A deceptive fantasy has been my constant companion. Whispering sweet nothings in my ear. "You can do it. You have to do it. You can slow down once you get it all done. Then you can play with your kids. Then you can take them to the park. Then you can relax."

The elusive then.

And recently I realized something profound.

Then will never come.

The fantasy shifts, elusive. Some days it looks like a spic 'n' span house. (Most days.)

Some days it looks like six baby books all updated and full of pictures (ha!).

Some days it looks like all the kids' school work done and all our goals met for the week.

Some days it looks like all the laundry caught up [hysterical laughter].

The fantasy changes, but one thing is consistent. Whatever I have accomplished, it tells me that I must do more. There is no time to be, for it always demands more.

So I have made a decision.

No more fantasy.

I am going to live my dream life now. Right in the middle of the mess, piles of laundry that are never caught up, toys that are never all picked up, dishes that are never completely done, baby books that may never be caught up, and goals that may rarely be met.

I will enjoy my life and enjoy my children. Today.

Goodbye, deceptive fantasy. Hello, beautiful reality.

Update for Monday, May 24

Hi moms!

This Monday we will be wrapping up our study of Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver. Woohoo! We made it! :) I will also be bringing a couple of books that are under consideration for our next study. One is Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands by Gary Thomas. The other is The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson. I have read both recently and have been greatly challenged and encouraged in my walk with the Lord in these two areas of my calling. Here are the links if you would like to check them out ahead of time.

Sacred Influence: http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Influence-Wives-Shape-Husbands/dp/031027768X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274591941&sr=8-1

Mission of Motherhood: http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Motherhood-Touching-Childs-Eternity/dp/1578565812/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274592108&sr=1-1

After this week, we will take a break and begin our new study on Monday, June 28.

I hope to see you Monday!

Update for Monday, April 26

Hello, dear fellow moms!

Just a quick reminder that we will be meeting tomorrow evening from 8-10pm. Yay! We will be in the prayer room (downstairs I think - check before you come upstairs) from 8-8:30, then in the Rock'n Kids room from 8:30-10pm. Of course, you may feel free to come earlier to the prayer room if your schedule allows. It is open from 6pm.

We will be reading and discussing chapter 13 in Having a Mary Spirit, "The Flesh-Woman Diet." Hope to see you there!

Michelle

Stop

A few weeks ago, my husband got a ticket for not coming to a complete, four-wheel stop at a stop sign. Since then, though I thought his stopping technique was just fine, I have been paying more attention to my own stops while driving. I have been discovering how hard it is to make myself stop that completely. Sure, I pause to look around and make sure it's safe to proceed, but to come to a complete, absolute, dead stop seems like a pointless waste of time. Especially when there are no other drivers or pedestrians in sight.

But one night as I drove home from church recently, I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit in my soul, "You don't come to complete stops in life, either." At first I thought He was talking to the wrong half of my blessed marriage union. My husband is the one who identifies himself by the name of a high speed race car, the salt racer. I am more the pondering, meandering type, comparatively.

However, realizing that the Holy Spirit may have more insight than I have, I asked Him, "What 'stop signs' have been moving past too quickly?" This was His answer:

"I have put stop points in Your day. First thing in the morning, nap time, and in the evening, for example. During those times, put aside all your doings and stop. Be with Me. Rest in Me. Let me fill you, refresh you, invigorate you, envision you. There are times for doing. But take the time to stop with Me."

I am happy to report that I have been doing a bit better in this area. This morning when I woke, I used the five minutes I had before getting the kids up to sit down and pray (instead of getting dressed - did that later - much later). I asked for wisdom and direction and that my words, tone of voice, and facial expressions would reflect Him today. (Not that I succeeded perfectly in this - not even close - but I figure if I keep asking He will surely help me to get closer each day.) Then, halfway through the morning when I started to feel "a quart low" (a favorite quote of my quotable son from the Pixar movie, Cars), I went into my walk-in closet, closed the door, and just lay on the floor for a few minutes, asking to be refilled and re-envisioned. And He did that, in spite of the fact that the door was opened several times by inquisitive children wanting to know why Mommy was lying on the closet floor!

So I encourage you to take some time to come to a "complete stop" today too. It can be really hard to do. It may seem like a waste of time. But you'll be glad you did.

Update for Monday, March 22

Hi moms!

I hope your weekend was good. Mine was a bit rough - at least Sunday was. Suddenly I've started having brain fog again, and that day it hit me the hardest. But I am trusting that His strength is sufficient for me.

This evening we'll be reading chapter 11 in Having a Mary Spirit, "Rooting Out Bitterness." This is a chapter that has really impacted me. I am looking forward to revisiting it for the Lord to do a deeper work in this area of my heart. I hope that you can join me!

Also, there will be a slight change to our schedule. We will meet from 8-10pm as usual, but the first half hour will be in the prayer room (Birch room) enjoying a Worship in the Word set. Then we will meet in the Rock'N Kids room at 8:30 for our discussion and prayer time.

Hope to see you tonight!

House Rules

Yesterday I followed Stephanie's lead and asked my children to tell me some of our house rules. I was curious what would stand out to them. Here are their responses.

Laughter:
1. To not whine, fuss, or fight.
2. Don't stop cleaning.
3. Don't play with water or in the bathroom.
4. Do not fight, or kick, except when you're outside you can kick a ball.
5. Don't stop cleaning.

(You would think we make her clean 24/7!)

Little Tree:
1. Do not panic.
2. Don't do something without asking.
3. Don't feed babies without asking.
4. Don't play with Thunder in his crib without asking.

(I guess this explains why he always asks permission to do anything!)

Rainbow:
1. No going into the boys' room before breakfast.
2. No swinging on the banisters.
3. No climbing on the furniture.
4. No standing on the toy chest.
5. No being rough with the babies.
6. No waking up Mommy during nap time. (You got it!)
7. No pulling hair.
8. No putting blankets over babies.
9. No snatching.
10. No putting things in babies' mouths.
11. Be generous. (Awwww ...)

(And she reminds her siblings of these and many other rules regularly.)

How about you? What do your kids say the house rules are in your home?

Getting Real

If you want to know more about me and the real, sad, funny imperfectness of my life - and (or) if you want to share about yours - read these posts on my personal blog!

Let's Get Real

Let's Get Real Some More

Meeting - Monday, March 8

Hello favorite ones!

I am so looking forward to our meeting tomorrow. Since we only meet twice a month, it always feels like we're having a reunion! :)

We will be reading chapter 10 in Having a Mary Spirit, "A Fearless Beauty." If you are just joining us, please feel free to jump right in. While we are a little over halfway through the book, each chapter is really good on its own. I will also have a few books available for those who would like to pick one up.

As a reminder, we are now meeting in the Rock'N Kids room from 8-9:30pm. If you are able, come enjoy the prayer room (in the Birch room) for half an hour or more before. It's so awesome to have a little time to just be with the Lord with no distractions.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Dangerous Road

"O Lord my God, in You do I take refuge ... deliver me" (Psalm 7:1).

The pits yawn on either side of me as I tread this narrow path with You. Precipices steeply beckon. When I feel misunderstood or judged unfairly, will I fall into despair, anger, resentment, or self-pity? Or will I plunge into self-righteousness, pride, and judgment? Protect me from them both! You walk this narrow road in complete humility and absolute love. Keep me close to You, Lord, or I am utterly lost!

Repetition

day after day
hour by hour
over and over
again and again

the laundry, the dishes,
the diapers, the breakfasts,
the laundry, the dishes,
the diapers, the lunches,
the laundry, the dishes,
the diapers, the dinners
the bedtimes, the prayers
then do it again

what does it mean?
does it all matter?
what am I doing?
wasting my life??

do all these dishes
and laundry and diapers
and lunches and dinners
get me anywhere?

whispers in quiet
voice always speaking
if I can listen
past all my doubts

"Each act of love,
each act of giving,
really does matter
I really do care.

"Every time that
you wash the dishes,
every item of
clothing you fold,

"I add a jewel to the
gown that I'm making
for you to wear
on our wedding day.

"So don't be discouraged,
My beautiful bride,
I see you and notice;
you will be repaid."

Getting Up

For a few months after the birth of a baby (or babies!) my schedule is completely disrupted. I am sure you can relate. The past few weeks it's been sputtering back into some semblance of order. Now I am starting to feel ready to start my day before the kids get up, but I am having to be reminded why. Why give up an hour of sleep when it seems like tiredness is my constant companion? What should I do with that time when I do get up? This morning I journaled my thoughts, speaking to my soul and trying to listen to the Holy Spirit. I hope they encourage someone that you are not alone in the struggle.

My thoughts get so confused sometimes. Why do I get up early? To be with You. Then why am I so easily distracted? My warm bed lures me to stay even though I know the day will be so much harder if I don't have this quiet time with You first. Baskets of unfolded laundry stare at me. The kitchen pulls with its multiple tasks. Before I know it, this precious hour could be whittled away to nothing. I have the rest of the day to do those things. I have only this hour to be with You.

Why are the best (and, really, most pleasant) things sometimes the hardest? Both laziness and responsibility pull me away from a place of simple trust and obedience. Help me to find the place of rest in You, the place of faith. Here I am, Lord, at Your feet. Putting the first thing first. The rest of the day is for others. This part is Yours. Have Your way with me.

Then, as I put aside my journal and waited on the Lord, I heard His whisper in my soul, "Give in to Me, beloved. I am here. I delight in you. Don't strive. Rest in me."

I pray that you will find a place of rest in Him today.