A challenge for us: think of a mother to pray for by name today, then let her know you did. Maybe two-- a sister in the Lord, and a seeker? It's a prayer chain!
References from Philippians 4 today.
Creator God! Giver of life! from the tiny insects that can come alive from under the snow, to the birds that eat them, the blooming tulips, the budding trees, the baby calves, the life giving rain and warm sun. All breathe life from You. And You create us in the darkness of the womb, using a woman. All of us sparked in the passion of a moment, engulfed by Your love. Thank You Lord for life!
And help us to use this gift.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" We do rejoice in You. With thanksgiving we look back on our lives: how You were there at every hard moment, and in every triumph. All the moments we treasure are gifts from Your hand.
And we have joy today because of You. We live in such a beautiful place: thank You for the trillium blooming, the turkeys preening, the deer grazing, the trees greening. You know we love beauty, and You surround us with it. We are safe. We are housed and well fed and clothed. Our children prosper.
And we re-joy again because we know You hold the future. We step out in faith knowing You have never left us, never failed us.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Father God, this world is hard. It needs mothering. We all need gentleness. Help us to show it to our children, and each other. Help us to show You--are--near.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Oh God, how dare we ever doubt You! How could we? After all You've done, after all You've shown about how You love us. Thank You for forgiving us of our doubts. Thank You for wanting us to bring our requests to You. Thank You for understanding our weaknesses. And we do pray to You:
--to bring back the girls of Nigeria, and beyond that: all the women of the world who are enslaved to others, to self.
--for health. So much depends on the mom of the house. We pray for healing for our sisters who are hurting.
--for the Hinman family who have lost their mom.
--for new homes as some of us PCS, or need a new one for other reasons.
--for patience and long-suffering as the deployment continues on.
--for our relationships with our husbands, as each day we must decide to love again.
--for wisdom in training up our children.
--for courage to fulfill the mission You have given us, uniquely us, to fulfill.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Thank You! Peace that doesn't need more things. Peace in the forgiveness of sins--no more shame. Peace in the freedom from worry that can eat away and strangle us. Peace from having to control everything. Peace that doesn't have to work to be o.k. Peace with who You have made us.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Lord, help us rest in You. Cease struggling! Rest. No matter the circumstances.
Lord help us to be instruments in our homes and our world that exude "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
May these hands that rock the cradles be Your hands to rock the world. Amen!
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