Linsey Driskill

Martha Gets a Bad Rap & 3:00

September 27, 2020 Linsey Driskill

Martha gets a bad rap.

We often hear about how Martha was busy and distracted in Luke 11, while her sister, Mary, chose what was better and sat at Jesus’ feet and listened.

But, do you know which of the two sisters was the first one to greet Jesus after her brother, Lazarus, died?

Martha, but “Mary stayed at home.” (John 11:20)

That’s the part about Martha that often gets left out: Martha listened to Jesus and changed.

Jesus cares deeply about us changing and turning our hearts to him.

Martha wasn’t distracted this time. She went out to meet Jesus right away.

What we see in this story is a beautiful testimony of change.

Martha didn’t worry about preparing her home for Jesus like last time, but went out to meet him.

Martha was given another chance and chose what was better: Jesus.

And I think that was pretty honoring to the Lord.

Friends, that’s the gospel.

Change.

Hope.

Newness.

Redemption.

In Jesus.

Through his death and resurrection.

We are given new life and new hope, when we turn to him.

In our mess-ups, our mistakes, our less than, Jesus meets us there.

He lets us know where we can have real life, and then wants us to choose that. To choose Him.

Martha might have chosen jealousy and bitterness at first, but later she chose what was better.

When we seek the Lord, he transforms our hearts and also gives us a chance to choose what’s better.

We will fall short time and time again since we’re human, but Jesus longs for us to choose the better way: Him.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live.” Jesus (John 11:25)–_________________________________

Thankful that His grace and mercies are new every morning. ❤️

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During WWII, people all over the world prayed for peace at the same time every day. It is called The Silent Minute.

At 3pm each day, my friends and I are praying for our country and the world, and we’d love for you to join us! I set a daily reminder for 3pm to remind my kids and I to pray for 3 things:

1. Healing, peace, & reconciliation for our country and world,
2. Wisdom for leaders, and
3. For people to turn to Jesus.

I hope you’ll join us! There is power in praying together. ❤️

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

More Good, Less Great & Letting Our Kids Be Where They Are

September 20, 2020September 17, 2020 Linsey Driskill

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“Letting Our Kids Be Where They Are”

Why do we push, push, push our kids to reach an invisible line we draw?

We of course want our children to thrive and do their best, but when we push them too much, what’s our end-goal?

If we think they’re ahead or behind, what’s the standard? What’s that line we NEED to get them to?

Why?

Our kids are at the level where they are because that’s where they are.

It’s not necessarily bad or good, it just is. It might look one way to the world, but to the Lord, it just is.

Drive and determination are big to me, but I’ve also been trying to breathe easier and release that invisible line I draw.

If the frustration or tears arise in our kids, that’s a great time to take a break, a breather, and then see where they are, so we can meet them there.

Right where our kids are, instead of pushing them ahead when they’re not ready.

When we loosen our grip on that line, our kids’ determination might even improve because they’ll be at their own pace and feel more capable.

What are your deepest hopes for your kids?

What matters most?

I want my kids

to have integrity,

to have drive,

to love learning,

to love Jesus,

to love others.

But, to be the best?

To be number one?

To always rise above the next kid?

I’m okay if that’s not the case because my goal for them is not to be “the best”.

What I want to know is

are my children only looking out for themselves or are they considering others?

Are they reaching out to kids who are left out?

Are they serving with love?

That matters deeply to me.

The Scripture that seeps into my mind is Matthew 20:16 when Jesus says, “the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Those who choose to love and serve others really live.

Are we directing our children toward what matters?

Toward honesty?

humility?

perseverance?

compassion?

loving Jesus?

loving others?

Because at the end of the day, we take none of the temporal things with us.

What lasts are eternal things we’ve invested in.

Yes, instilling drive, perseverance, and diligence is important, but let’s also ask ourselves in parenting our kids, what are we prizing the highest?

If it’s to outshine the next person or to meet a particular standard just because, let’s reevaluate.

Let’s encourage our kids to work hard and do their best with a settling calm of letting them be where they are –

enjoying them right now, in the place they’re in.

As parents, while our kids mimic so much of what we do, let’s notice what we’re seeking after most,

and pursue the things that last…

Loving Jesus,

Loving others.

That’s what I want my kids to invest in.

That’s where the kingdom of God is found.

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I love this perspective by Emily Ley. Yes! ❤️

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Lord, no matter what’s going on, help us to find peace & joy in You. ❤️

A Prayer, Starting School, & Remembering

September 13, 2020 Linsey Driskill

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School looks different now. Sports look different. Our mudroom looks different as masks hang alongside our kids’ backpacks.

As anxiety and worry usually accompany the unfamiliar, they grew in my daughter’s mind the morning school started after being closed for so long.

We talked about how she was feeling.

I told her to take some deep breaths to calm her down.

I shared that I felt nervous going back to school when I was her age and that it was normal to feel that way. She was glad to know she wasn’t alone.

I told her she was strong and could do it.

And, then we prayed together.

After that, we sat squeezed together in my sunroom chair & my daughter said, “Mommy, instead of having 20 butterflies, I only have 3.” (:

There’s no easy fix when our kids feel this way, and some children need different responses than others, but if our kids are experiencing some anxiety or worry, those are a few tools that can help.

That morning, words came to mind by Sissy Goff, Christian author of “Raising Worry-Free Girls” and Counselor:
“Avoidance strengthens anxiety. She’s just going to have to do that scary thing. When you make all the scary things go away, it sends a message to her that she can’t handle them. Rescuing communicates that she needs rescuing.”

My daughter ended up having a good day at school and the next morning she was stronger, excited for school, and had a great day. I think doing the “scary thing” made her that much stronger – for her to see, for herself, that she could do it.

What a gift that we get to be right by our kiddos’ sides as they walk through the challenges and triumphs in their lives – the beauty of parenting. ❤️

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If you’re struggling with this below, New Life Ministries is an excellent ministry that can help: 1-800-New-Life. We’re praying for you.

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KIDS’ DEVOTIONAL GIVEAWAY!!!

September 3, 2020September 6, 2020 Linsey Driskill

*Giveaway Closed*

Congrats to Holly for winning the Giveaway!

TO ENTER Giveaway, comment on this post. You’ll automatically get 5 extra entries for being subscribed to my Blog. (:

For 5 EXTRA ENTRIES, share with friends – just let me know you shared this post in comments.

Start out the school year doing devotions with your kids! Each day takes 5 to 10 minutes. This is one of our very favorite devotionals to do together!

To enter giveaway, you must live in the continental United States due to shipping. Giveaway closes Sunday, September 6th at 3pm. The winner will be announced on my Blog. WordPress is in no way affiliated with this Giveaway.

The Power of Praying for Your Family

August 30, 2020August 30, 2020 Linsey Driskill

I pray that the following words would encourage you in loving Jesus with all your hearts and loving those right in front of you. Lord, would you lift up each person reading this – please meet their needs and give them your joy and peace today, Jesus. Give us eyes and hearts to see you, seek you, know you, and honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen. ❤️

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