As we celebrate July 4th, let’s pray with our kids for the men and women who serve our country, as well as their families.
Thank you to each of you who has served, is serving, or has a family member serving. We are so very grateful for each of you and that because of your commitment, service, and sacrifice we can have freedom.
Lord, we come together to pray for each man and woman serving our country, as well as for their spouses, children, parents and friends. Please fill them with your peace, your presence, your power, your Spirit, your comfort, your truth, your love. We pray your words from John 17:11: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name.” In Jesus’ name, amen. ❤️
A simple way for our kids to think about and love others is through donating their hair. My daughters and I just donated our hair – it was awesome getting a chance to give together, even if it was in a little way.
I gave them the choice to do it or not. When they saw the video of how it helps kids who have cancer, they were excited to do it. (let me know in comments if you’d like the link to the 2-minute video.)
The person cutting my daughter’s hair said she’d have to cut more than originally thought. It was going to be very, VERY short. The lady asked her, “Do you still want to donate it?
My daughter thought for a second and said, “It’s more important for someone with cancer to get my hair for a wig than for me to not have really short hair.”
I about cried right then and there.
When I gave her the free choice, she chose selfessness. I know this doesn’t always happen with our kids, so when it does, isn’t is so beautiful?
Let’s big time celebrate those moments when our kids choose love above everything, even if they’re small moments like this one.
Lord, help us to raise our kids in the way of love through everyday moments. In Jesus’ name, amen. ❤️
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa
Thinking of Nathan, and Amy and her mom, as we donate our hair. Lifting y’all up in prayer. You. Are. Strong!
Sometimes figuring out how to start a relationship with Jesus can appear like a magic formula and seem confusing or unattainable.
But, in Luke 23:39-43, Jesus shows how we can have a relationship with Him.
The three crosses stood on the hill called the Skull – Jesus was being crucified between two criminals.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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Jesus doesn’t say – sorry, you believe in me, but your past is too bad.
He doesn’t say – sorry, but you didn’t say the five-step, exact word prayer you needed to, so you don’t make the cut.
No, Jesus knows the repentant heart of the man.
Jesus sees how the criminal acknowledges his own guilt.
That the criminal saw him on the cross, innocent, not deserving of this.
The criminal recognizes Jesus is the Messiah – the one offering the way to God’s kingdom.
And, Jesus says, “TODAY you will be with ME in paradise.”
Not that he would think about it and consider what he’s saying.
The man reached out to Jesus and Jesus accepted him – right then and there.
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Right now, wherever you are in your faith, Jesus wants you to turn to him.
To choose him.
To believe in him.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus (Matthew 7:7-8)
Jesus is there for you.
He came to this earth for you.
He died on the cross for you.
He rose again for you.
Because he loves you and wants you to come into his kingdom.
So you can have life now and forever with him – the life that is truly life.
This world is limited. But life with Jesus is everlasting.
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Here are some other verses that talk about starting a relationship with the Lord.
I’m praying for you. That the Lord would speak to your heart, comfort you, and connect with you.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” Jesus (John 5:24)
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
“For God so LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 2:21 & Romans 10:13
Don’t look at that Mama over there and compare.
God made you the Mama of your kids for a reason.
Your approach to parenting might be different from hers, but that’s okay.
What works for her kids might not work for your own, and what works for your kids might not work for hers.
Let’s stop comparing, envying, and feeling less than because of another Mama’s ways.
We all want the best for our children.
Sometimes we fall short.
Sometimes we’re rock star moms.
Sometimes our kids don’t behave and sometimes they do.
Life is not always so clear cut.
Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes it’s hard.
That doesn’t make someone better than the next mama.
It just makes them different.
So, when we want to evaluate another mama’s approach to parenting, let us stop, and remember that we all have stories.
Her story influenced her to be where she is.
Your story influenced you to be where you are.
And my story influenced me to be where I am.
It’s what makes us unique. What makes us who we are.
When another mama is struggling, let’s not judge, but ask how we can help, walk with her, lift her up.
Or just listen. Learn her story. Because we care. Just because we care.
And, when we’re struggling, let’s ask for help and not wallow in pride or loneliness. But reach out. Because sometimes we all just need someone to lift us up a little.
So mamas, sometimes we might not feel like it, but let’s choose to cheer each other.
Because we are indeed all in this together, and boy am I glad to be walking this journey with each other.
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30
“Therefore encourage and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Lord, would You be with each person reading this today. Would you fill them with your grace, love, Presence, wisdom and strength. Help us to look to You always and to love those around us with Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hope you have a wonderful week, ❤️
Linsey
But hostility just makes things worse, strains our relationships with our kids, & leaves us with oozing guilt.
Linsey Driskill 