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The Simple, Beautiful Gift Right Before Us

Linsey Driskill

I didn’t realize what a gift a facetime call from my dad could be.

My birthday was April 11th. And, it was bittersweet. Some tears fell as I realized that this would be the first time in my life I wasn’t able to hear from my dad on my birthday.

But, you know what God did?

Let me rewind. As some of you know, my dad has been in the ICU since December because of covid. He has been covid free for a while now, but the pneumonia affected him greatly. He’s been a marathon runner, has been working full time, and is the most positive person I know.

He had to get a tracheostomoy a month ago so he could rest his lungs and build up his strength. He just moved to another branch of the hospital to get weaned off the vent. We can’t hear his voice yet and can only read his lips until he gets off the trach., so I haven’t been able to talk to my dad on the phone for a few months now. They’re weaning him off of it now and he’s doing well and is started to gain strength. I’m praying for God to continue working a miracle in my dad. I know with God all things are possible.

So fast forward to my birthday. My family was gathered around the dinner table.

My phone rang.

It was my dad.My dad.

Facetiming me.

On my birthday.

Mouthing, “Happy Birthday.”

Wow.

It took my breath away.

That he remembered my birthday with all he has gone through and that he made sure to wish me a happy birthday.

That was the gift I wanted for my birthday, and I am so thankful the Lord gave it to me.

It sure is easy to take for granted the “little” things: being able to talk to loved ones, hearing their voices, being in the same room with them.

But don’t take it for granted. Take it in. Relish it. Enjoy it. Give thanks for it.

Let go of more, more, more, and ungratefulness, and give thanks for what is before you.

May we always give thanks for these simple gifts the Lord has given us.

Lord, we are so grateful.

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Have you ever felt like you just don’t know what to do, or how to handle something, in parenting, in life, or whatever it is on your plate?

I read this beautiful excerpt this morning that tells us just what to do, from 2 Chronicles 20. 

When a vast army was coming after Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and his people, Jehoshaphat said to the Lord: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

When you don’t know how to handle a situation with your kid, with work, with emotions, with whatever it is going on, we are reminded here to shift our eyes from that onto the Lord. 

While I was reading 2 Chronicles 20 this morning, I listened to Phil Wickam’s beautiful song, “Battle Belongs” and realized it comes straight from this story.

As the vast army was out to pursue them, all the men, women, and their children stood before the LORD and they were told: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”

Then, Jehosophat told his people to have faith. To get through their situation, the people all:

Bowed down and worshipped the Lord,

Gave thanks to the Lord

Sang and praised the Lord

And, as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes up and that day Jehospohat was victorious. 

Then, Jehosophat and his people rejoiced and praised the Lord. “And the kingdom of Jehosophat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.”

In your situation, find rest, by turning your eyes to the Lord. He will guide you a moment a time. 

Oh, Lord, would you give us rest on every side? When we don’t know what to do, Lord, help us look to you. Our eyes are on You. Please show us the way. Thank you, Lord, that you are victorious, that you are powerful, that you are above all, and that all things are possible with you. We praise you for going ahead of us, giving us your strength, your heart, your wisdom, and for showing us the way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Not Always Rescuing Our Kids

Linsey Driskill

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Sibling arguments are inevitable. But, if there’s a way to limit them, I sure want to.

Yes, my kids still argue, but this verse has been a wonderful motivator to not repay insult with insult, but with blessing.

When one of my kids chooses the latter, I celebrate it big time. When our kiddos have these words in their minds and hearts, they are more likely to pause before paying back and to repay with blessing instead.

I love how the end of the verse explains why: “because to this you were called.”

I shared with them that as followers of Jesus he has called us to love one another deeply. With a love that doesn’t always make sense. When we repay evil for evil, it stirs up anger and hatred, but when we repay with blessing, it stirs up love, goodness, peace, and “the life that is truly life”.

When we walk in love like Jesus tells us to, we are a light for the Lord, experience more of his kingdom, his power, and him.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus (John 8:12)

Lord, help our kids and us to love one another like this. When we want to repay with anger, harsh words, and frustration, Jesus, help us to repay with peace, kindness, and love. Thank you for filling our minds and hearts today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Happy Easter!

Linsey Driskill

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I don’t know what it is you’re going through right now- that big thing, small thing, hard thing, exhausting thing, whatever it is.

But, what I do know, is that Easter morning shows us that God is greater than all. That no matter what you’re going through, you can take heart that Great is our Lord and Mighty in Power.

He walked through the darkest places of all and rose above them so he could lift you up to be with him, so he could connect with you, to heal your heart, to carry you, to strengthen you, to pull you through this, whatever it is.

He knows. He cares. He loves you.

We praise you, Lord, for your great miracle today. We praise you for raising Jesus from the dead to life so we could have full and forever life with you. We praise you for being the Miracle worker, Lord and for how you’re going to meet our needs according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

3 Life-Changing Books to Read to our Kids

Linsey Driskill

These are three life-changing books to read to our kids. I read these to my nine-year-olds and they loved them.

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“The Lord says,

‘Forget what happened before.
    Do not think about the past.
Look at the new thing I am going to do.
    It is already happening. Don’t you see it?
I will make a road in the desert.
    I will make rivers in the dry land.'”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Great News For Us Parents…

Linsey Driskill

Great news for us parents… in Luke 18, the one who was justified and lifted up by Jesus was the one who admitted he wasn’t perfect.

Isn’t that awesome? We don’t serve a God who tells us to show off in our parenting and get all our ducks in a row and have everything nailed down precisely and perfectly before the Lord meets us and connects with us. Nope.

We serve a God who gets that we are flawed and human and imperfect, and need Him. A God who longs for us to simple come to him to find forgiveness, refreshment, restoration.

That doesn’t mean that we get a free pass to not care and not try to be the best parents we can be, but it does mean as we try our best to love the Lord and our kids, that Jesus will

pick us up when we fall,

give us strength when we feel rung out,

refresh us when we are weary,

forgive us when we fail,

and guide us when we feel lost.

When we fail in parenting, in life, remember that THAT is why Jesus came – to cover our imperfections in his love, his grace, his forgiveness, his perfection.

We simply need Him.

The Pharisee, the one who showed off, who had it all figured out, who bragged to everyone else about having it all together, was actually Not the one who Jesus said was justified before God.

I love Jesus’ thoughts on the man who humbled himself and desperately cried, “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Lord, we need you. When we are so imperfect in parenting our kids, please forgive us, lead us, and give us your wisdom. When we feel self-righteous or above others, please forgive us. In humility, we come before you Lord – we are SO in need of You. Have mercy on us and show us your grace. Please uplift us as we parent, love, and guide our children. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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On National “Single Parent Day”, let’s take a minute to pray for these parents and to help in a simple way like bringing a meal, helping out with carpooling, a play date, or asking how we can help.