Tag: #Faith

New Year, New Mercies: A Mom’s Reflection

Linsey Driskill

As moms, it can be easy to blame ourselves when our kids mess up and make wrong choices. 

One of the things I love about the new year is the reminder of God’s new mercies and how He restores. So even when we experience those days of disappointment in parenthood, we can have hope that God makes all things new.  

In these tween and teen years, our kids are trying to become their own person, which can create some bumps along the way. So, instead of blaming every one of their wrong choices on ourselves, it can be helpful to remember that our kids are not robots and that they will make mistakes. Just like we do.

And it can help to think back to our own childhoods, which were woven with wonderful, but also difficult moments, when we might not have made the best choices. 

This is where God’s grace comes in. We need Him. Our kids need Him. 

One of the hardest things about being a mom is opening our hands and not being able to control our kids’ choices. 

But one of the best things about being a mom is opening our hands and not being able to control our kids’ choices. 

Letting them have wings to fly and become who God has intended them to be—not who we think they should be. 

Release the control, and open-handedly trust the Lord with your kids, as you depend on Him to lead you. 

If you are blaming yourself, trust the Lord with your life as a parent, as a daughter of the King—your mistakes, your decisions, your joys. Release them to the Lord.

As the new year brings a fresh view of what’s to come, 

every. single. day. also offers a fresh experience of God’s grace and newness. 

With your child, He can make all things new. 

He can turn around things where you don’t see hope. 

That’s what God does. 

Keep pouring into your daughter. Your son. Lift them to the Lord again and again. Share the refreshing Word of God with them. Spend time with them. Instead of correcting all the time, listen to them. 

And trust the Lord–that He will make all things work for the good of those who love Him.

As this new year begins, be reminded of the glorious hope we have with Jesus, who makes all things new. 

As my friend, Paige Pippin, so beautifully wrote in her Christmas card:

“If you’re reading this, we’re praying for you. (We are!) Now and in days to come, we celebrate the love of God, who sent His sinless Son to die the death we deserve. For those who trust in the risen King Jesus, there is peace and fellowship with God as we wait for Him to set all things right. In Jesus, the best is yet to come. 

Let the new year be a reminder that in Jesus, the best is yet to come. 

Let the new year, remind you of God’s endless mercies, endless grace, endless love.

And that the best if yet to come. 

Happy New Year!

Linsey

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelations 21:5

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Linsey Driskill

Sarah longed to have a child but couldn’t. She was shocked when she overheard the news told to Abraham in Genesis 18: “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” 

“Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Are you “laughing” at the hope of something happening in your own life that you don’t think is possible, like Sarah did?

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old? ’Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Lord, when we don’t see something as possible, remind us of Your words: Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But [the Lord] said, “Yes, you did laugh.” Have you ever recognized God in the middle of your doubt and been afraid? Sarah was afraid and lied, but God set her straight and still brought about His promise to her. Our fears and mess ups don’t limit God.

“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised.Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” (Genesis 21)

What a beautiful conclusion to this story of sadness, unbelief, longing, hope, promises fulfilled, and restoration. 

Sarah laughed at herself when she saw how God came through. She was in awe of God’s promise fulfilled. 

What in your life are you “laughing at” that you don’t think is impossible? 

Is anything too hard for the Lord? 

The Lord fulfilled His promise to Sarah, and she laughed a joyous laugh, celebrating the good gift God gave her.

I pray the same for you. That you would see the goodness of God in the land of living. 

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

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Check out my book, Beautiful Hearted Women of the Bible: A Creative Mother-Daughter Devotional.

The devotional is a fun way to connect mothers & daughters (6-10 years old) with Jesus & one another! The 40 devotions include a prayer, story, Scripture, questions within the stories, action prompts, & creative fun activities. You’ll have a blast and make sweet memories together!

“I will sacrifice with shouts of Joy.”🌻

Linsey Driskill

Hi! This is the platform I’ll be using for my content from now on (WordPress). As I said before, I know it’s been a while since I’ve written–I’m so happy to reconnect. I have taken a bit of a hiatus as I’ve taken on a job with For Girls Like You which is a nonprofit encouraging tween girls with Godly content and resources. I’m excited to share some of my content with you again and hope to inspire you and encourage you in your walk with Jesus! Please let me know what resonates in comments. I’d love to hear from you. 😀

As our kids grow, along with their emotions and the ups and downs, having joyful hearts can set the tone in our houses. It can be good medicine for our kids and rub off on them. Let’s go to the Lord and ask Him to lead us in joy. These verses will help us do that too!

I love that God answers from His heavenly sanctuary with His victorious power. We DO have the victory. Whether the victory comes in things here, or just because we have everlasting life with Jesus, Believers have the Victory. Because we have life forever with God through Jesus.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew they had victory even though they were thrown into the fire for the name of the Lord, and Daniel knew He had the victory even though He was thrown into the Lion’s Den. Even though all four were rescued, beforehand, they didn’t know what the outcome would be, but regardless of it, they knew they had the victory because they knew God. 

Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome about 66AD during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Even so, Peter and Paul experienced victory as well because their names were written in the Book of Life. They would experience life forever with Jesus. That is Victory.

So, whether we’re going through heart-wrenching circumstances, or celebrating a wonderful moment, let us “shout for joy over our victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God” because no matter what, we have the victory!

*Written by Linsey Driskill and previously published by For Girls Like You

This spoke to me a lot. I love how David says that during trouble and enemies surrounding Him, He will seek the Lord and sacrifice with shouts of joy. Sometimes choosing joy is a sacrifice. When we go through difficult times, it is a fight to choose joy. It’s a sacrifice. For the Lord. Here are David’s words:

Lord, would you help us sacrifice with shouts of joy when we are going through something difficult. You see our sacrifice and You will honor that. Let my head rise above difficulty by singing and making music to you, Lord, and by sacrificing with shouts of joy. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

“The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.” Isaiah 51:3

Here’s a wonderful song with words of life to hold onto this week by Matt Maher: Alive & Breathing.

“Joy still comes in the morning
Hope still walks with the hurting
If you’re still alive and breathing
Praise the Lord. 

Don’t stop dancing and dreaming
There’s still Good News worth repeating
So lift your head and keep singing
Praise the Lord.”

What we can hold onto most of all is that Jesus walks with us and we will see Him again…

“I will see you again and you will rejoice, 
and no one will take away your joy.” – Jesus (John 16:22)

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.

The Power of Praying for Your Family

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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When we think the world is spinning out of control, let's breathe and remember that the Lord is above all, over all, in all-2

 

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed, turn to Psalms, and take time to praise the Lord.

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