Words

Words are so powerful. 

The words of my children have been some of the most moving ones I've ever heard.

Goodness, they get right at me.

It's as if God pauses time, grabs me on both sides of my face and says "Listen to this. Listen to me. I am about to speak to you through your kids. It's just what you need to hear, trust me."


Time resumes and my child says the profoundest thing. 



Words that cause me to smile, to feel His very close love...



words that sting, that make me so thankful for lavish grace...



words that make me belly laugh, that remind me how much joy there is to be found each day...



words that convict, that urge me to walk closer to My Lord.




The past few weeks, our son, Deacon, has been saying one particular thought a lot. Apparently, it is one I need to be reminded of frequently...daily.

Our oldest daughter, Shiloh, likes to point out to Deacon that he is the only boy in the house. She reminds him that the male to female ratio in our house does not swing in his favor. Even when Daddy is home, there are still two more girls than boys. 



It is quite the "give-up-just-stop-trying-to-fight-it-and-accept-that-you're-out-numbered-and-alone" sentiment. Not quite hopeful or encouraging at all.



Isn't this the very same message...the very same words that Satan throws at us all the time? The words the Liar wants us to believe with our whole being?



So our sweet son, just four years young has a reply to the negativity that just stops me. It is the perfect, beautiful reminder that I always need to hear.




"I am not alone! I am not the only one. God and Jesus are here too. They are always here, always with me. So there are two more boys here right now. It's not just me!"



He speaks these words with such passion, such confidence. I love him for that. 



Just when I am feeling so stinkin' alone. So out numbered.  My Father speaks to me through my child, and reminds me that He is always with me. In this very moment...as I feel lost, frustrated, discouraged, tired, joyful, peaceful, content. He is with me. He is with you. Don't listen to the lie that tries to isolate you...you are never alone.

"...absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."

 ~ Romans 8:39 (The Message) 

{He may very well live in the land of females...but I sure am thankful for our little man.}

Disclaimer

What I am pouring out here is only what I'm working on. 

These are the ways that God is working on my heart.

These are the stirrings in my soul that I refuse to ignore.

I could chose to show only my "best side" here. 
My "I've-got-it-all-together-check-it-out-I'm-blogging-doing-my-Bible-study-and-chugging-water" self.

I have not perfected anything.

 (Not marriage, not parenting, not friendship/home school/

home making...nothing.)

Probably because I am a far cry from perfect.

But, in reality...I'm eating mini Oreos on the side. 
(And there is a mess I've tucked out of sight behind the computer.)

I have a sink full of dirty dishes I'm ignoring while I write this.

I had several "pauses" during my intended quiet writing (kids supposed to be resting) time in the form of a sweet but loud baby, a big girl showing me how she beat a hard level on her game, and a brother being generally goofy.

I am just like you in more ways than not.

I am a bit of a beautiful mess.

I am a simple, sin-rescued-but-still-sin-enticed woman.

Satan wants to mess me up. He wants to see me fall flat and feel too shamed to lift my head and try again. (You too, actually.) I refuse to let him have a foothold in my life. But it takes vigilance...relying on My Father's strength time and again.

This place is where I am choosing to honor my Lord with giving words to what He is burdening my heart with.

God is constantly challenging my thoughts, urging me to walk closer to Him. 

He has placed a desire in me to use my life, my ups and downs to encourage others. Even if one person...one time...hears a bit of God's heart in this place...if one person senses that God just might be talking to them...then all praise to God! 

I pray that as I wrestle with what I am in the midst of, you might be encouraged in your walk too. Not because I have it all together and am encouraging you from a place of perfection...but just the opposite. I am working through my faith, experiencing very real growing pains along the way. Perhaps you feel the same. May you listen closely to the whispers of The Savior.