I am completely undone. My heart is beating so hard I can literally hear it. I've been communing with the Spirit through the Word and the edification of my amazing husband, who is also my favorite brother in Christ. There are moments like these that literally make my heart want to burst. As I got up from the couch to come blog I actually felt the heaviness of the Spirit on me. Lord, thank You for Your undeniable presence.
As we all know Easter is coming shortly and Wade and I have been doing the Resurrection Eggs with the girls. I will admit, they are a bit gnarly for the age my kids are at, but I want them to know the truth! I am overwhelmed by the truth that has proceeded from their lips. Kaesyn the other night said, "Mommy, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We were in sin jail and when He died it set us free." The next day Zoey calmed Kaesyn during a thunderstorm by reminding her that God tells the thunder where to go and we are safe because He is in control. Oh, I wish I could stop time and relish the faith they wield. Friends, our children are the future warriors that may have to actually battle for their faith. What kind of weapons are we equipping them with?
In Sunday School we've been in John, and it has brought to the forefront of my mind my absolute desperation for a daily fellowship with the Word. Do we truly understand what we have... some of us in multiple copies?? Do we know that Jesus is calling us from these pages?? Some of us are currently searching for answers to parenting problems, marital problems, or friendship problems and we hit the pillow every night distraught without answers... never having looked to the King of Kings! He has given us SO MUCH in His Word and yet we ask Him to solve our problems without ever having looked at what He's already given us!! I don't say this because I have something to lord over you... I'm saying this because I, like you, am on this journey through life and I NEED His help every step of the way. There have been times lately that I don't recognize myself because He has changed so much of me... GLORY TO HIS NAME... NOT MINE!
I could weep right now because of my thankfulness to Him in turning my life upside down. I am UNDONE. I am SO unworthy of His love but that's NOT what He says. I am CONSTANTLY making mistakes, but His mercies are new EVERYDAY. I am filled at times with uncontrollable emotions but He says, "Cast your cares on me." Oh my, we serve a God that is truly worthy of our praise and adoration, not just on Sunday but in every moment of everyday.
My prayer for each of us is that RIGHT NOW His Spirit would call to us in the depths of our souls. I pray we would hear His voice and run head long into the unknown of a life dependent on Him and His word. My friends, NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR HIM. Wherever you are, whatever you're tied up in, or tied down by, He is the answer. Seek Him, seek Him, seek Him, and you WILL find Him.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Familiar in every way...
Well, I've been thinking about writing this post since Saturday morning and haven't been able to manage the time until now. And, there couldn't be a more appropriate time than this. A great friend of mine and I just spent the afternoon at a park and dinner at Fuddruckers with 8 children 4 and under. Needless to say, I'm EXHAUSTED! In that 4 hour time frame I don't think there was one second that I wasn't looking for a child, helping a child, or trying to keep things out of Jett's mouth. However, as I look back at the afternoon I have a feeling of accomplishment. We did it... and without too many melt-downs. God is so faithful to meet us where we are. Ugh... let me get on to what I feel like this is all about.
I've been doing my daily reading and I'm in Matthew right now. Chapter 9 hit me in a whole new light this time around. At this point, Jesus' work of healing has already begun and, of course, people are starting to bring their needs to Him. The start of chapter 9 is the healing of the paralytic, followed by Jesus' calling of Matthew. While Jesus is still trying to help untangle the thinking of Matthew's crowd, a man approaches Him begging for His healing touch because the man's daughter has died. Jesus immediately goes with the man but on His way is touched by the woman who had bled for 12 years. "Jesus turned and saw her, "Take heart, daughter," He said, "your faith has healed you" (vs. 22). He then continues on to heal the daughter. "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David" (vs. 27). Yes, of course, He does show mercy and both of them were healed. "While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus" (vs.32). And wouldn't you know it... He healed him too!
I could not read on I was so overwhelmed. This season in my journey is so busy and my children are constantly bringing needs to my feet... because one of them can't even walk yet. But, it hit me straight on... Jesus is familiar in every way with my lifestyle, my burdens, my exhaustion. He has been there before only the needs brought to Him were life changing. The gospels constantly describe Jesus' heart of compassion on those around Him. He saw their need and was filled with so much emotion that He was driven to action. It made me wonder... what is my attitude? My children don't come to me for help just because they're lazy. They need me. There are things they literally cannot do for themselves yet, but at times I sigh because it's the fifteenth time that hour that they've asked for something. Lord, would you help me be filled with compassion for my children!
All of this thinking brought me to another conclusion... and this was even more profound to my current situation. Maybe God is giving me these examples everyday because it's exactly what He wants me to do with Him! My children come to me when they need help with the smallest thing. They are constant in their requests and unceasingly ask until I help them. This reminds me of the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18. I want to become a child of God that looks to Him for help in EVERY situation, big or small. He is filled with compassion for us and wants to be there.
So, where are you... exhausted? lost? empty? overflowing? content? He wants to be your everything... in every season. Will you let Him? Will you give up control, even if your control seems to be enough? If this is the case, imagine what heights He wants to take you once you loose the reigns! I am so excited for this time in my life to have the living example of my children in my daily life. Lord, would you allow us to see Your hand at work in our lives always. Bring us to your feet and remind us of Your compassion for us. We truly need You. Amen.
I've been doing my daily reading and I'm in Matthew right now. Chapter 9 hit me in a whole new light this time around. At this point, Jesus' work of healing has already begun and, of course, people are starting to bring their needs to Him. The start of chapter 9 is the healing of the paralytic, followed by Jesus' calling of Matthew. While Jesus is still trying to help untangle the thinking of Matthew's crowd, a man approaches Him begging for His healing touch because the man's daughter has died. Jesus immediately goes with the man but on His way is touched by the woman who had bled for 12 years. "Jesus turned and saw her, "Take heart, daughter," He said, "your faith has healed you" (vs. 22). He then continues on to heal the daughter. "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David" (vs. 27). Yes, of course, He does show mercy and both of them were healed. "While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus" (vs.32). And wouldn't you know it... He healed him too!
I could not read on I was so overwhelmed. This season in my journey is so busy and my children are constantly bringing needs to my feet... because one of them can't even walk yet. But, it hit me straight on... Jesus is familiar in every way with my lifestyle, my burdens, my exhaustion. He has been there before only the needs brought to Him were life changing. The gospels constantly describe Jesus' heart of compassion on those around Him. He saw their need and was filled with so much emotion that He was driven to action. It made me wonder... what is my attitude? My children don't come to me for help just because they're lazy. They need me. There are things they literally cannot do for themselves yet, but at times I sigh because it's the fifteenth time that hour that they've asked for something. Lord, would you help me be filled with compassion for my children!
All of this thinking brought me to another conclusion... and this was even more profound to my current situation. Maybe God is giving me these examples everyday because it's exactly what He wants me to do with Him! My children come to me when they need help with the smallest thing. They are constant in their requests and unceasingly ask until I help them. This reminds me of the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18. I want to become a child of God that looks to Him for help in EVERY situation, big or small. He is filled with compassion for us and wants to be there.
So, where are you... exhausted? lost? empty? overflowing? content? He wants to be your everything... in every season. Will you let Him? Will you give up control, even if your control seems to be enough? If this is the case, imagine what heights He wants to take you once you loose the reigns! I am so excited for this time in my life to have the living example of my children in my daily life. Lord, would you allow us to see Your hand at work in our lives always. Bring us to your feet and remind us of Your compassion for us. We truly need You. Amen.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Come Down to the River...
So, I think I've decided that preschool days are when I will try and blog. I have a pretty good chunk of time available and I want to be able to concentrate when I do this. I am certainly praying for anyone that reads these words and I want to make sure that I'm posting what I feel like God has poured out to me. Basically, I don't want to waste your time. To go along with that, I would love to have other authors writing on this blog. I want this to be a collective. If you feel like you have a word from the Lord for other mothers out there and want to share that, please email me at dianecopeman@yahoo.com. I do want to keep this Christ centered instead of sharing parenting techniques as those can create distractions and dissension sometimes. Let me know if you're interested.
With that said, the last two days have been amazing and God is showing me that when we take time out for Him, He will show up. We just have to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to something other than our will. I've started a year through the Bible reading plan. The last time I did this was March 2010 and I only made it through December... ugh!! This time I'm hoping I can stick to it even through Jeremiah and Ezekiel... they were some crazy dudes, eh?! Anyway, I'm starting in the New Testament to really get things off the ground. Yesterday was Matthew 1-4 but I love Romans so I flipped there when I was done and read chapters 4 and 5. SO GOOD!!!
My current situation and mindset NEEDED to hear Romans 5. I just wanted to offer the word that was spoken to me through this passage. It will definitely mean more if you read through the first eleven verses before reading this.
vs. 1... We have peace with God NOT because of our own behavior or attitude... it is because of Jesus Christ... solely.
vs. 2... We "stand" in grace. I picture a waterfall. Not much can stick to you with that much water rushing over you. It's the same with the Lord. When we allow ourselves to stand in a grace waterfall our shame and self loathing will wash away. Also, "we rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God." We won't always walk around in the "glory" of God. We won't always be perfect. But, we must ALWAYS hope. We have to put our focus on Him (Colossians 3:2-3).
vs.3... We can't expect to live lives free of suffering. It will happen in may different ways. Instead of focusing on the suffering, let's focus on what God is producing in us... endurance. He wants us to be ready to stand the test of time. Everything in life is preparing us for His purpose (Ephesians 2:10).
vs. 5... We NEED to remain in the Holy Spirit. We need to take a moment, and sometimes frequently, to remind ourselves of our standing with God and allow His Spirit to lead and guide us rather than our own knowledge. We also have to remember that God's love has been poured into us and it's our job to pour it out to others. For me, this is currently to mostly my kids and my husband but we have to continually look for needs outside of ourselves and be Jesus to those around us.
I want to encourage you all today that if you're stuck in a rut... TODAY is the day to get out of it. God is so ready and willing to transform your life with your husband, children, parents, or co-workers. READ YOUR BIBLES... it will CHANGE YOU. I never thought reading my Bible was so important. I went to Church a lot, I lead worship, I did a pretty good job helping and following my husband. Things were going okay... then I started reading and God burst through my heart. He wants to do that for you. We just have to give Him our attention and read His word for Him to do that.
I'll end with this verse which has been so central to His work in my life. "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." Our knowledge of Him gives us the ability to overcome sin, build our faith, and be ministers of reconciliation. Let's start that today!!!
With that said, the last two days have been amazing and God is showing me that when we take time out for Him, He will show up. We just have to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to something other than our will. I've started a year through the Bible reading plan. The last time I did this was March 2010 and I only made it through December... ugh!! This time I'm hoping I can stick to it even through Jeremiah and Ezekiel... they were some crazy dudes, eh?! Anyway, I'm starting in the New Testament to really get things off the ground. Yesterday was Matthew 1-4 but I love Romans so I flipped there when I was done and read chapters 4 and 5. SO GOOD!!!
My current situation and mindset NEEDED to hear Romans 5. I just wanted to offer the word that was spoken to me through this passage. It will definitely mean more if you read through the first eleven verses before reading this.
vs. 1... We have peace with God NOT because of our own behavior or attitude... it is because of Jesus Christ... solely.
vs. 2... We "stand" in grace. I picture a waterfall. Not much can stick to you with that much water rushing over you. It's the same with the Lord. When we allow ourselves to stand in a grace waterfall our shame and self loathing will wash away. Also, "we rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God." We won't always walk around in the "glory" of God. We won't always be perfect. But, we must ALWAYS hope. We have to put our focus on Him (Colossians 3:2-3).
vs.3... We can't expect to live lives free of suffering. It will happen in may different ways. Instead of focusing on the suffering, let's focus on what God is producing in us... endurance. He wants us to be ready to stand the test of time. Everything in life is preparing us for His purpose (Ephesians 2:10).
vs. 5... We NEED to remain in the Holy Spirit. We need to take a moment, and sometimes frequently, to remind ourselves of our standing with God and allow His Spirit to lead and guide us rather than our own knowledge. We also have to remember that God's love has been poured into us and it's our job to pour it out to others. For me, this is currently to mostly my kids and my husband but we have to continually look for needs outside of ourselves and be Jesus to those around us.
I want to encourage you all today that if you're stuck in a rut... TODAY is the day to get out of it. God is so ready and willing to transform your life with your husband, children, parents, or co-workers. READ YOUR BIBLES... it will CHANGE YOU. I never thought reading my Bible was so important. I went to Church a lot, I lead worship, I did a pretty good job helping and following my husband. Things were going okay... then I started reading and God burst through my heart. He wants to do that for you. We just have to give Him our attention and read His word for Him to do that.
I'll end with this verse which has been so central to His work in my life. "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." Our knowledge of Him gives us the ability to overcome sin, build our faith, and be ministers of reconciliation. Let's start that today!!!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Everything that does not come from faith...
Yesterday was a hard day. Parenting at any point is hard. But, yesterday was especially difficult. My oldest daughter will be 4 in about a month and she is testing the limits of just how terrible three can be. Or, that was my perception of the situation. Honestly, I believe God was revealing in me a loyalty not to Himself, but to the knowledge I had recently gained.
At the beginning of the year I was standing in Walmart trying to keep my children from grabbing every piece of candy at the check out. A woman turned and handed me a flier for a free parenting class here in Boerne, TX. She seemed kind enough and the flier boasted free child care and catered breakfast every Wednesday morning... enough said! I started attending these classes and was blown away by the knowledge being handed out. I started to wonder why the classes weren't booked months in advance with a mile long waiting list, but we'll leave that for another post. After nine weeks with our instructor I felt like a changed woman. I was no longer spanking. Ever. I was treating my children with kindness because I had gained so much information about their ages and stages. I had also started telling all my friends about this class and giving out as much information as I could to help with whatever situations I had heard about. I was feeling so confident... in myself. And there in lies the problem. I had gained so much information and been given so many skills that I began to think that this motherhood gig was something I could really excel at.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am forever indebted to my instructor and those classes for giving me practical, everyday solutions to situations I face all the time. I will use those tools and cherish the kindness of our instructor forever. But, as I faced yesterday, even with all the tools in the world, sometimes we fail. I think we can have so much confidence in ourselves or our skills that God allows situations to occur that will leave us questioning whether we have any skill at all. Truly, I believe God wants us to know our children and any information available about their development, but He wants us to guard our hearts and remember that at the basic level, HE CREATED THEM... HE CREATED US... and HE HAS A PLAN.
My husband is such an amazing leader and as I was venting my frustrations about my own actions he reminded me that no level of educational understanding can take the place of a life walked in the Spirit of God. I have to daily ask the Lord to use my understanding and step in when there's misunderstanding. I have to be at His feet for my children. I have to RELY on Him for EVERYTHING. I have to have FAITH that my ability is what He intended my children to encounter on this journey called life.
If you are in the same place I am... looking to carry the yoke of our Lord and Savior instead of the burdens I would heap on myself... I want to invite you to walk with me. After a wonderful conversation with a good friend this morning, I started realizing there are so many of us that simply need someone to walk with. I need your encouragement. I need to know that you're there too. I need to know that there are others that regardless of their circumstances are "committing themselves to their faithful Creator and continuing to do good" (1 Peter 4:19).
I would love to hear feedback and maybe see if this bog can become and integral part of us linking arms and holding each other up as we seek to train our children in the Lord. I will be praying for everyone who may encounter this blog. My prayer is that we could see 1 Peter 4:10 recognized in a tangible way. "Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
If you've come... welcome... let's start walking.
At the beginning of the year I was standing in Walmart trying to keep my children from grabbing every piece of candy at the check out. A woman turned and handed me a flier for a free parenting class here in Boerne, TX. She seemed kind enough and the flier boasted free child care and catered breakfast every Wednesday morning... enough said! I started attending these classes and was blown away by the knowledge being handed out. I started to wonder why the classes weren't booked months in advance with a mile long waiting list, but we'll leave that for another post. After nine weeks with our instructor I felt like a changed woman. I was no longer spanking. Ever. I was treating my children with kindness because I had gained so much information about their ages and stages. I had also started telling all my friends about this class and giving out as much information as I could to help with whatever situations I had heard about. I was feeling so confident... in myself. And there in lies the problem. I had gained so much information and been given so many skills that I began to think that this motherhood gig was something I could really excel at.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am forever indebted to my instructor and those classes for giving me practical, everyday solutions to situations I face all the time. I will use those tools and cherish the kindness of our instructor forever. But, as I faced yesterday, even with all the tools in the world, sometimes we fail. I think we can have so much confidence in ourselves or our skills that God allows situations to occur that will leave us questioning whether we have any skill at all. Truly, I believe God wants us to know our children and any information available about their development, but He wants us to guard our hearts and remember that at the basic level, HE CREATED THEM... HE CREATED US... and HE HAS A PLAN.
My husband is such an amazing leader and as I was venting my frustrations about my own actions he reminded me that no level of educational understanding can take the place of a life walked in the Spirit of God. I have to daily ask the Lord to use my understanding and step in when there's misunderstanding. I have to be at His feet for my children. I have to RELY on Him for EVERYTHING. I have to have FAITH that my ability is what He intended my children to encounter on this journey called life.
If you are in the same place I am... looking to carry the yoke of our Lord and Savior instead of the burdens I would heap on myself... I want to invite you to walk with me. After a wonderful conversation with a good friend this morning, I started realizing there are so many of us that simply need someone to walk with. I need your encouragement. I need to know that you're there too. I need to know that there are others that regardless of their circumstances are "committing themselves to their faithful Creator and continuing to do good" (1 Peter 4:19).
I would love to hear feedback and maybe see if this bog can become and integral part of us linking arms and holding each other up as we seek to train our children in the Lord. I will be praying for everyone who may encounter this blog. My prayer is that we could see 1 Peter 4:10 recognized in a tangible way. "Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
If you've come... welcome... let's start walking.
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