Author: Linsey Driskill

Thomas was unsure, and Jesus met him where he was. Martha asked questions, and Jesus welcomed them and told her truth. Jesus asked God a question when he cried out in prayer, and God met Him there. 

Sometimes we think spiritually feeding our kids only means to give more and more information. But, sometimes, I think it means to simply give an open space for our kids to ask questions or to release doubt. It can be scary to hear our kids share doubts with us and to seem unsure about things, but if we don’t hear them they will either share with someone else or lock them up deep inside. 

When Thomas doubted, Jesus listened, invited him to come and see, and told him truth. When Martha asked why Jesus let her brother, Lazarus, die, Jesus didn’t scold her, but instead shared truth with her. And, Jesus Himself, asked God, ‘Why have you forsaken me?” after he took the sin of the world upon Himself.

Questions are okay. 

Sharing things we’re uncertain of is okay. 

I would say it’s even a good thing. Because it’s being honest. And, God is truth and He loves truth. He knows our hearts and our thoughts, and He wants a true, honest relationship with us. 

Jesus constantly asked reflective questions – He asked about 80 questions just in the book of Luke. I wonder why? Maybe because when we think through things ourselves, it helps our faith to be our own and to grow even deeper. 

The next time your child asks you questions, don’t be afraid, but listen. Be there for them. Let them know it’s okay and that we all have questions sometimes, and then point them to truth…that Jesus loves them, and meets them right here in this and loves them more than they could ever imagine. 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

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Lord, be with us today. Fill us up today. Lead us today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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You might have heard this verse many times: “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) I understood it in a new way after reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom.

She was a Christian evangelist who hid Jews during the Holocaust and was imprisoned because of it. When Corrie and her sister, Betsie, entered one of the filthy prisons infested with fleas, both starving, they cried out to the Lord.

As they lay side-by-side on a bunk with several other women, 1 Thessalonians 5 came to Betsie and she shared them with her sister: “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Corrie asked what on earth they could give thanks for. Betsie said that they were actually able to be together in prison and that their Bible miraculously had not been confiscated.

Then, Betsie prayed, “And thank you, Lord, for the fleas.” Corrie said she could never give thanks for fleas, but Betsie insisted that it is God’s will to give thanks in all circumstances.

So, while lying on their flea- and lice-infested straw beds, they gave thanks for the fleas.

After some time, they noticed that the soldiers rarely came into the barracks where they slept. Betsie and Corrie did not know why, but it allowed them to share the light of Jesus to other women for hours during such a dark time.

One day, Betsie asked a supervisor to come to the barracks. Betsie said to Corrie, “'[The supervisor] wouldn’t step through the door and neither would the guards. You know why?’

Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice: ‘Because of the fleas!’ That’s what she said, ‘That place is crawling with fleas!’”

Corrie wrote, “My mind rushed back to our first hour in this place. I remembered her thanks to God for creatures I could see no use for.”

Hours of ministering, changing lives, and offering hope in a dark time, all came because of the presence of fleas.

What is the hard thing in your life that God can use for good? To help someone. To bring comfort to someone. To point someone to the light of the Lord, and to finding hope in Him.

This daily shift of giving thanks always, can be hard and it takes discipline. But when we change our outlook, it moves our eyes and hearts upon things eternal and puts God’s purposes over ours.

Corrie writes,

“Side by side, in the sanctuary of God’s fleas, Betsie and I ministered the Word of God to all in the room. We sat by death beds that became doorways of heaven. We watched women who had lost everything grow rich in hope.”

Whatever is happening in your life, be encouraged by these words that relate to us even now:

“In everything God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8:28

Whether this season is a seamless or difficult one, let us keep giving thanks, knowing that the Lord is right there with us, walking with us, loving us always.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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You can find my Mother-Daughter devotional for moms and their 6-10 year old daughters at: Amazon,  Barnes & Noble,  ChristianBook.com,  Books-A-Million,  Target,  Mardel’s &  Focus on the Family. 

The devotional is a fun way to connect mothers & daughters with Jesus & one another! The 40 devotions include a prayer, story, Scripture, questions within the stories, action prompts, & creative fun activities!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

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When the perfect morning we planned unravels, when the day turns out just as we hoped, when our kids argue incessantly, and when our kids play seamlessly, let’s ponder and treasure the moments right in front of us just like Mary did. All is well because a Savior has been born to us, Christ the Lord!

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While we all are experiencing different things in this moment, let us remember that Jesus is the One who will fill our souls in it all. No matter the depth of pain or height of joy, He is with us always and will walk with us when we ask Him to.

In this world, just as we experience both joy and pain, Jesus did too.

Jesus spent quality time with friends.

Jesus suffered terribly.

Jesus walked along the road with friends.

Jesus was left in darkness on the cross as he carried the sin of the world.

Jesus broke bread and fellowshipped with friends

Jesus connected with those sick and outcasted and rich and poor and lonely, and offered Life to them all through Him.

As we are all experiencing different things this Christmas – some great and some difficult – let us pray for each other and not forget one another. And no matter where we find ourselves, know that we can ALL find hope in Jesus always.

In this world, as we experience trouble and joy and heartache and contentment, let us remember to seek Jesus first. There we will find peace, joy, and rest for our souls.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jesus (Matthew 11)

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I started teaching this phrase to my triplets when they were very young. I wanted them to have in their hearts that more, more, more won’t make you content. I know that family and friends can disappoint us, but the premise of this saying is simply that material things won’t make us happy, but what will bring more contentment is relationship and things that last – time with family, time with friends, Jesus. There is a lot more fullness in life when we aren’t continually longing for the next thing. A great reminder this Christmas season.

I try to remind my kids (and myself!) that even when you get that thing you’ve always wanted, it will soon lose its appeal and you’ll long for the next thing. We should absolutely enjoy the gifts God has given us, and I sure love exchanging gifts at Christmas, but let’s always remember where our true treasures lie because that is where our hearts will be also.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

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Some of you might have heard the phrase, “Give It to Jesus,” if there is something you have been struggling with.

You’re venting or expressing your heart, and then you hear, “Give it to Jesus.” As though you haven’t done that because you’re still struggling.

I’ve thought about that phrase, and I think it can mean a number of things.

Yes, you might experience immediate freedom from something when you “give” it to the Lord, sharing it with him with open hands.

Or, the freedom might come for only a moment once you “give” it to Him, or pray about it, only to find yourself struggling once again with that thing, that heartache, that pain.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you haven’t “given it to the Lord.” It could just mean that you’re human and feel and have emotions, and that some things just take time.

And that’s okay.

If the Lord thought we didn’t need to come to him daily about things, he might have said, “Give us this year our yearly bread.”

But, that’s not what he says at all. Jesus says, “Gives us THIS DAY our DAILY bread.”

We are meant to come again and again to Jesus.

So, then, what does it mean to give it to Jesus? I think it means that when that heartache, that pain, that struggle rises in our minds and hearts, we ask the Lord to walk with us, to help us, to free us, to restore us, to strengthen us, again, and again and again. And, that, is where the healing comes.

And, that, is giving it to the Lord.

Yes, the Lord can work a miracle by setting you free in an instant, but he can also work a miracle by setting you free a moment at a time as you walk step by step with the Lord, and that is beautiful.

And, that, is giving it to the Lord.

Even if some pain and struggle remain.

That is just what he wants of us – to keep coming to Him.

Oh how the Lord wants you to really live by letting him into your heart to become your Savior, your peace, simply by asking him to. How he wants to walk with you because He loves you, in whatever you are dealing with, to set you free…

Day by day.

Moment by moment.

Jesus, set us free. Thank you that you have set us free to live in eternity with you when we ask you to be our Savior. Lord, set us free here and now too. Moment by moment, we give our pains and struggles and heartaches to you. Lord, release us. Help us experience the freedom you have come to give us. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“It is for freedom that I have set you free.” Jesus