If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! I’m so glad you are here.
In today’s devo I shared how my oldest granddaughter Elle, (who is nestled in my right arm, but on your left), walks into a room and is so delighted to see me that she places her hands on my knees, looks into my face and says, “There you are.”
It’s as if she wants me to know that, even in a crowded room, that her eyes are only on her “Gaga”.
Can I be vulnerable with you?
There are times that things cause me to take my eyes off of God.
It’s not my family. It’s not play.
It’s my work. My work for God.
Ironic, right?
No matter what I do for God, I don’t want to let that get in the way of my relationship with God.
So, there’s a few things that this girl has to do.
Remember
I fell in love God because He changed me, and I fell in love with ministry because I desired that others understand the power of what God could do.
I still am in awe of what takes place when we become believers.
We receive a new identity. 2 Corinthians 5:17
We become God’s masterpiece — His building project — old things pass away and we are made new in Christ. Ephesians 2:10
We become a friend of Christ. John 15:15
We become a child of God. John 1:12
We are given a spirit of power, love, and self-control, and fear is no longer our enemy. 2 Timothy 1:7
Isn’t that amazing? How can I get so busy doing things for my God that I fail to say “there you are” as I thank Him?
Make time for Him
My life is crowded. Is yours, too?
When Elle stops and climbs on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck, she doesn’t care how many people are in the room. She may stay there for a moment or for a while, but she carves out time in the crowded room just for me.
And there’s nothing that delights my heart more.
She’s still not quite three, so in the next few minutes she may be delightful or she might throw an unexpected tantrum, but I know her heartbeat, her sweet and feisty personality. I know that she’s growing into a beautiful woman of character.
Maybe you are a work in progress, too (just like me).
If I can see Elle with my human eyes and heart in this way, how much greater does God know us?
Carve out time in your day — a moment or more. There you are, my Heavenly Father. I see you. Thank you for seeing me. Really seeing me.
Clear the Clutter
To be honest, sometimes people make faith very complicated. Sometimes “those people” are our own selves.
The message of the Gospel is truly simple.
God created us in His own image to be known by Him and to know Him. Genesis 1:26-31
Man messed up. Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 3:23
We tried to fix it and it didn’t work. So Jesus gave Himself up to pay the price of sin. Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 1:3
When we believe, our lives are changed. John 5:24; Romans 10:9-11
Clearing the clutter means that we stop making our faith or relationship with God complicated.
We meet His expectations rather than that of a person or even a tradition.
When we clear the clutter, we are free to rediscover the joy of our salvation and that in itself is a HUGE “there you are” moment.
What gets in the way of your “there you are” moments with God?
Today I am sharing a copy of my book, The Unburdened Heart, with one of you.
And as always, I am so excited to share a free Chapter with you of the book.
Just share your thoughts below. Please leave your prayer requests. If you have questions about Christianity, I’d love to listen to them, and perhaps together find the answer.
Or share a “there you are moment” that you’ve had recently.
I can’t wait to see what you have to say.
PS: If you want to tell me how gorgeous my four grandbabies (all under the age of three) are, you get extra points! ♥
Thank you for your words today, and the Scripture you quoted. Your words touched my heart, and the quoted Scripture was a message from God’s Word to my heart – through you. It never ceases to amaze me how God works through people. You were his chosen vessel for me today, and I am thankful for you! Sometimes I get caught up in trying to fix situations that are hurting those I love. I get focused on wanting to make the heartache go away, rather than seeking God and praying to Him. I feel my loved one’s hurt, and want their hurt to go away desperately. I seek to find a way to do this, only to realize I cannot, only God can. So, today I am realizing that I myself sometimes get in the way of my need for moments with God. Your words today helped me realize this sooner rather than later. And today I am seeking out God & His strength, and relying upon Him & his strength, and His presence – because aha – He is there! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
We sometimes confuse what we are capable of, with what only God can do. Put that burden in His hands today. Let Him carry it. He says He will!
Your grandbabies are adorable! I loved the devotion for today! It brought me to your blog. I can”t wait to read it.
How I NEEDED this devotion this morning. I was just sharing with a dear friend last night how much I have been struggling in this area. Life has been extremely crazy and stressful and I have been finding myself running from the Lord instead of to him. I am completely humbled by this devotion. Thank you so much for sharing today.
Thank so much for this devoition this morning. What a great reminder that God is always with us, but I need to remember that He does want me to stop all during my busy day and simply say “There You are”….I need HIm so much.
You do have beautiful grandchilden and God has so blessed me with 5 and I love them all dearly!! Aren’t they so much fun and delightful to have around!!
It makes me happy that across the world today women are stopping and saying, “There you are!”.
Thank you. I’ve been struggling with this for some time now. I know I need to put God first. Everything always seems to get in the way. It’s always something. I loved the devotion for today and then I read your blog. It’s what I needed. It gives me a different perspective on spending time with Jesus. He delights in us! We need to delight in Him. We need to pour our love out on Him like He does for us. Thank you so much. Pray that I will learn how to do this and stay consistent and obedient.
Tami, we can shift it even a bit more. We get to spend time with Him. We get to delight Him. We get to pour out our love on Him like He does us. What a privilege. What a gift! Love your comment.
Thank you for sharing. It comes at a time I needed the reminder. Yes, your grandbabies are cute!
I love the verse from Acts about us living in Him, moving in Him, and having our very being in HIM!!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Me, too. One of my favorites!
Honestly, this was just what I needed today. Thank you so much.
And, yes, those are some beautiful grandbabies! 🙂
ineed to start putting god first in mylif more often. and pray more often I need to seeken him to help me out in the times of my troubles or happinesss. theres always a lot to do and a lot going on. but I do need him as much as he needs me. ineed his strength everday in everyway of my life. and I know hes there saying im here seek onto me. I like to feel his prsece and something always commeing over me.
Wonderfully encouraging devotion. Thank you so much. I struggle to keep my eye on Christ many days. I wake up in the morning with every intention of handling every situation with grace. But I fall short almost always. I either forget to take the time to ask for God’s grace or just plain forget that grace doesn’t come from me..I HAVE to ask for it. That means seeking Him all day and in every way!!
In the process of learning that lesson, yet again! God is good ~ All the time….All the time ~ God is good !
I know this age well, I have a new 3 yo and she is a ball of fun and fire. I get it and you know how busy my life is with four kids, a cooking ministry and new business that I pray God would guide and direct. Thank you for your reminders through your deco. Blessings to you and your grands.
I just resuntly been feeling the Holy Spirit inside giving me like a literal hug on my heart and just feeling His presants more inside of me.It is amazing how real He fills in me and helps me stay focused on Him more throughout my bizy day.I will be a grandma in January for the first time!!!
Rene, it’s pretty spectacular! Congratulations!
Thanks for this devotion. It is such an encouragement to me today. I know I sometimes forget that the Lord is always there for me. Then I get anxious instead of trusting Him. You certainly have beautiful grandchildren. I am about to become a grandma for the first time (Dec) . I can’t wait. Have a great day. GOD bless!
Rene below is also going to be a first time grandma. I hope you love it so much! It’s pretty amazing.
Thank you for the reminder to find Him during the day. It is so easy to get distracted. I have felt Him telling me lately that I need to get up earlier, and spend sunrise with Him…please pray that I can make that a reality! I am not a morning person…but I NEED time with Him daily! Thank you for sharing your heart…and your adorable grand babies!
Beautiful devotion today and so timely. My life is nothing but clutter: getting used to a new agenda, 4 kids out of school, a wayward step- daughter demanding, draining, straying and turning our world upside down, a husband who can see nothing but fixing and enabling the wayward one as she mirrors him and his childhood struggles and leaves no time for any of us. As a widow of 2 I was hoping that this man would be a father to my very young children, the man he said he wanted to be – he is emotionally, physically and spiritually absent. I am torn, I am tired and can’t think through the clutter. Pray that I will hear God and have the strength to follow where He leads. I am just plain broken I wanted so much more for my children for me!
Your picture makes me cry, longing for smiles from children and not pain from the yelling, the crisis of a wayward 17 year old, longing for peace! Blessings, Karen g
Dear Sister, I praise God for your desire to want to hear God and asking for his strength to follow where He leads. Remember no matter how you are provoked to get angry, bitter, hurt, it is your choice to choose those things. We live our choices, that is our lives. The beauty of God is that He warns us that we reap what we sow. Through Jesus Christ He forgives us but what ever we have sown, we shall also reap. Our actions is what speaks, not our words. My children do as I do not as I say, even my husband. I’ve learned that through many bad choices I have made out of my life, but I praise God for His healing touch, we now have healed through Gods amazing mercy. I will commit to pray for you Karen, because it is not easy, our flesh can over power us, but when we choose to take the fire escape not to get angry, or be bitter it’s like pouring water on a head with coals. Call on Him when tempted. He will make a way out. Proverbs 3:5-6 is the verse that helps me to Trust Him. I will pray for the young girl. My 18 yr old daughter counsels girls on twitter if ever interested, she is blessed with helping others through their growing pains. I will pray for the Lord to open your husbands eyes, to see how he is hurting you and the children. Don’t ever give up. The Lord will never fail you, He says seek and ye shall find. He is a God that shalt not lie. Persevere, be consistent, diligent, and faithful. Your loyalty to God is powerful. Look at Job:)
Denise, these same babies cry, struggle to sleep, have been held in arms as we rocked them through cranky times, have had tantrums, and one has a serious genetic disease that is scary. The picture shows our love and it was a beautiful, fun moment, but there’s so much more to being a family than the sweet or good times. My prayer for you is that you’ll seek God first to find what you need, and what your husband isn’t able to give. That releases Him from being your need-meter (which we all need, and God gladly steps into that role). But also that you’ll consider seeking godly counsel to help you as bring a blended family together. One of the most powerful blogs I’ve seen on marriage (when you don’t see eye to eye and it’s a faith issue) is Dineen Miller’s blog https://www.winninghimwithoutwords.com/. I hope you’ll check that out. She can offer even more resources. Praying for you today, right now.
You most certainly DO have a lovely bunch of grandkids!! I know, first hand the wonderful love that is between the “grandhearts”. But, in the midst of lots of difficult things happening to attack my family over the past year, I have felt the need every day to pull myself back into God’s presence. I try to start each day with at least a “Good morning, Lord”, and thank Him for at least one thing right then. That’s one place and time that I know I can always find Him and say “There You are”. He is always right there to help me start the day out with Him first on my mind. That seems to help me remember, throughout the day, that I long for that presence. It’s wonderful to know that The Lord who loves me so much (even more than MY precious grandchildren ever could) is right there waiting for an opening in my busy day.
Your grandbabies are beautiful!
Thank you for this reminder. I’m starting to understand that recognizing that the Lord is close is how I’m going to make it through life. So often I’m overwhelmed by my own attempts to take on everything myself and I panic. I have 3 little boys (4, 2, 5.5 months) who by their nature keep me pretty distracted, but when I stop judging myself for how I’m parenting in the moment and just notice how much joy is packaged up in their little bodies or when God gives me an opportunity to love them (my oldest asking for prayer when he’s having a tantrum, just holding my second when he’s sad, or scooping up my little guy and watching him just bubble over with joy), I remember that God is indeed near. Why do I try so hard to do it on my own when He’s always there to help?
Great question!
And we need each other, too. I host a group for Moms on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MomsTogether — come hang out with us! <3
Girl this was right on time today!! We get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to take time other than prayer time to just remember He is there…He lives in us! He is wanting us to constantly have time with Him and to just know He’s there. We need Him…and He wants us to realize that! He loves us so much…and sometimes we just forget or don’t think about it! I pray that I never forget how much He loves me, and how much He has changed my life! And that amidst my crazy life, I need to be focusing on Him and remembering that He is always there!
BTW your grandbabies are precious!!
Your grandbabies are adorable! Thank you for sharing them with us. Your devotion was very timely for me. I the hustle and bustle, mothering for 3 (including 2 teenagers), working … I love sight of the HIS presence . Thank you for reminding me to put first things, first. Thank you for reminding me that my relationship doesn’t have to be complicated.
I love this devotion. I was definitely an aha moment for me! I have been trying to become more intentional in spending time with God but of course like you said life gets in the way. You have encouraged me to know that even in the few minutes I have if I spend time with God just praising or whatever my heart will be blessed. Thank you!
And definitely what adorable grandchldren! I can see you must have your hands very full!! I have one granddaughter who just turned 3 so I know that wonderful, busy, curious age!
Thank you for today’s devotion. It touch my heart. I spend everyday in the morning in God’s word and sometimes still feel anxiety. I’m going through mid life changes with four kids 13, and under plus homeschooling them with my husband. There is a lot on our plate. Thank you for reminding me to bring everything to Him. One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Plus you have four precious grandbabies. Can’t wait be to the loving Nana someday(I have sometime to go before that). And that is o.k. I’m waiting on God’s timing. Thanks again.
Hi Suzie,
The devo today was just what I needed. I tend to get busy do good works and forget to say ” oh their you are father” I’m trying to spend more time with him personally .I know how you feel about your grandkids, I have a 4 year old niece that my husband and I are helping raise, and every time she comes in a room where I’m at she yells there is my” Meme” and runs to me and stays right by my side no matter who is there with us. Your grandkids are a delight to see and hear about anytime, they are all beautiful. I would love to win one of your books to read and study to get closer to my savior.
In Christ Love
Angela
Hillsborough N. C.
I love this! I’ve been intentional in spending time with God and praying because I’m in a difficult place. But I’m trying to clear the clutter and learn to recognize God. I am trying to learn how to know Him, not just know about Him. Am I making it too complicated? 🙂
Thanks!!!
Trish, just get to know Him day by day. Just like any relationship, it deepens over time. The fruits of that relationship come as you are “grafted into the vine”, a scripture that shows how we are His, and as we abide (or stay close to) in Him, that we become a part of that larger vine. His strength becomes ours. His wisdom guides us. We find a new identity as His. One day at a time, sis. And I love that you are intentionally walking into a deeper relationship with Him. There’s a scripture where God says, “I have looked all over the land for a man of faith”, and it’s a picture of God sweeping to and fro searching for those who are looking for Him. It brings our God joy! You bring Him joy. <3
Thanks for this today! Just what I needed to hear.
Great reminder! Thank you so much! I live in a mountainous area full of visible reminders of God’s amazing creation. There have been many times where I was caught up in some problem. A glimpse of light playing over the jagged edges of a mountain or a beautiful cloud formation always seems to pop in front of me as if God is reminding me that He is in control, or He is with me, or He wants me to go to the Word to change my perspective. Using His creation as a reminder helped me practice this throughout my day, and it makes my days so much more peaceful and filled with His presence.
Your grandkids are about the most gorgeous I’ve seen in a while! 🙂 Thanks again.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I really needed them today. My husband is in between jobs and it is very very hard to wait for God to show us what the next step needs to be, I have definitely not been looking for him lately, Instead, I have been angry and frustrated with our situation and with my husband. Thank you for reminding me to look for God.
Thank you for this post. I like honest and open communication. Would love to enhance my relationiship with Christ by reading your book. And your grands are cute, especially the little one your husband is holding.
It’s funny. I was kidding (kind of) when I said you get extra points for saying my grandbabies are gorgeous. : ) But I am grateful for your kind comments. So glad you stopped by.
Your book has my interest! I need to learn/practice how to walk with our Lord consistently. I am messing that up all the time! I am thankful that he forgives me over and over when I don’t make time for him! I can’t do life day by day on my own. I think we all struggle at least some with this! What gets in the way, just the simple (and not so simple) day to day activities, things that have to have our undivided attention. I have have a difficult time slowing life down. Thank you for writing your book and offering it as a drawing! I look forward to reading it!
What a wonderful looking family you have! 🙂
You are so right. It’s the day-to-day stuff that gets in the way.
I needed the devotion & blog very much. I must remember to take time to just be with my God & not let life get in the way of “there you are” moments. You & your family look very happy in the picture-how much happier is God when we stop & listen to Him,read His word & just say God I love you & I am so glad you are there for me ready to cover me with your amazing love. Excellent post & devotion may God bless you.
Suzanne: Thank you for sharing your heart and your beautiful grandbabies with all of us. I appreciate your transparency and perspective. Sometimes our ministry gets in the way of our relationship with God and it is something I fight all the time. I am working to begin a new ministry to women and often get so caught up in planning that I forget to just spend time with God and seek His direction. Blessings to you and your beautiful grandchildren.
You know Mary, nothing I do is more important than my relationship with Him. Everything I am flows out of that, or the lack of it. I need Him. Daily. Filled up. Poured out. And back again for more of Him.
Life gets so busy and my Lord gets told to wait until I do one more thing. Thank you for reminding me.
Life does get in the way of my time with my precious Lord. Thank you so much for the reminder to seek his presence. And you have very beautiful grandchildren!!!!
I am truly moved to tears and I thank you for that. The Lord has definitely touched my heart through your devotion. I have had a very, very difficult year. A large part was because of my own actions. I filled my days and nights with doing all these things that I felt God wanted me to. I spread myself so thin with being busy for God that I let my heart be filled with other things as I felt so empty and alone. I knew what I needed but chaos and fear kept me bound. One major one was taking care of my terminally ill sister, who just passed in March. A lot of good came of my care for her, Maegan came to find Salvation only after her diagnosis. I leaned on God so much but to be honest there were many days that I fell into His arms after I had reached the end of me. After Maegan’s passing I have felt I have nothing to offer. I still have so much to do and know that the Lord has to direct me. I am a wife, and a mother of three, and have just finished the final things that had left to do for my sister. I want to be a woman of God like I have never been before. I just want to be filled with Him and be forever in His presence. THERE YOU ARE!!!
There you are, indeed! <3
Please understand how powerful it is that you loved and ministered to your sister in her last days, and that you led her to Christ. Oh my goodness! What a beautiful testimony to God's presence inside of you. Let that lead you to anticipation of what God does in you, even in the hardest moments, rather than listening to the lie that you have nothing to offer. You led a sister to Heaven. I am celebrating with you over that beautiful gift, but also grieving with you over such a loss.
Thank you for your post today, it spoke to me on how good GOD truly is! We live in him and he lives in us, what a wonderful promise. I want to share this with someone I love today who is suffering with illness and pain. Just a reminder that God is always with us and there to comfort us. You have a beautiful family! God Bless!
Thanks, Michelle. Family means so much to me. It’s a gift to this girl who was once broken.
When I ready your Devo I was reminded of my Lucy, my oldest grandchild and namesake, who seems to have put me in a place of high honor in her life by expressing her love to me in many of the same ways that your little Elle does. I felt this sense of “ooooohhhhh” when I read what you wrote, not having applied her deep love and affection for me in any other way but the obvious. Thank you for giving me another way of looking at my own response to God and how I can look at my heart toward Him. I have been longing to go deeper, higher, and into a new place with Him in my heart and life. It’s a season of transition and change and yet if I remember “there you are!” And stay amazed….I will be ok!
I have found that these sweet grandbabies teach me so much.
Thank you so much for sharing this simple message. It was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I have been craving quiet time with God without much success. My life IS so cluttered, and it’s all of my own doing! Just in the past 2 weeks I have begun to take steps to de-clutter and weed out all of the unnecessary things that I have been doing for God, things that I may not be called to do, but feel that I need to do to “earn His approval and love”. I know this is not His Truth, but it’s a hard habit to break. And I do struggle to find God in the midst of it all. I loved your post about your grandchild, how she just stopped whatever she was doing to “check in” and delight in your presence. It was inspiring and made me realize that while I do enjoy an extended quiet time with God, reading His Word and praying, I also really need those moments throughout my day to check back in with Him, to find Him in the midst of all the chaos and clutter, just to delight in His presence, love and peace, and receive His love and grace, not because of anything I do for Him, but just because I am His child. It will be a life-long journey, I’m sure. Peace and Blessings to you, and may God’s Spirit continue to work in you and through you to reflect His Light and Love to those who need it!
It sounds like God spoke a true clarifying word in your heart today. I love it when that happens. That’s a “there you are” moment right there, when He stops us to speak and we realize what we are missing. How gracious He is toward us that He leads us to what we crave, even when we fail to realize how much we need and long for it. <3
Beautiful babies! I have a 5 year old and an almost three year old. I know how hectic life can be and until recently I was letting everything else get in the way of my special time with God. I am more at peace when I take the time to really think about everything he has done,is doing and will do in my life. I feel blessed more than ever with the devotionals I have been reading such as this one. My eyes have been opened and now I want to know him more and understand how I can help others. Thanks for all of your words of encouragement and helping me understand the scripture!
I love doing it Susan. Thank you for taking time out of your busy mom schedule to drop by and share your heart with me. I treasure that!
Thank you so much for today’s devotion. It brought sweet memories to mind of moments when I had that same feeling for God that your granddaughter expressed. But it also brought the sad reality that I haven’t gone there in a long time. I still do all the things that would reflect a relationship with God; I have a relationship with Jesus, just I don’t take the time to show him the love that is there, but often not expressed because it is buried under the business and day to day that I have surrendered to in my life. Many of those moments with God were in the growing newness of my faith and I realize that I stopped doing many of those things because I felt I had grown enough in those areas. I should be past that. But I think some of those things are necessary for keeping awake and alive the relationship that makes your heart quicken when you come into sight of God and you find yourself saying, “There you are!” I will keep pondering this and taking an inventory of my life and activities to see where I can revive more of that time with Him. Blessings!
David prayed in the wilderness, “Renew the joy of my salvation”. It sounds like this your prayer as well. Father, hear her prayer. It’s beautiful when things are new, but so much more beautiful and deep and safe and challenging when we grow older together. Reignite that flame inside of your precious daughter, in Jesus’ name.
Thank you Suzie!
I am mom to a 22 mo old little boy & stepmom to an 8 yr old girl. My life is full & hectic especially since we just moved into our new house. I have struggled in the last few months feeling like I have not been spending that quality time with my kids due to the flurry of packing & organizing this move. I have also felt the same way about my relationship with God. Your post today spoke right to my heart. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to take a break from the “clutter” in our lives & delight in God!
You are welcome, Whitney. <3 Have fun with those beautiful babies.
Thank you for your post today. Also, thank you for the email prayer encouragement you sent the other
week. It was so exciting to see how God directed your prayer! I find myself “taking God for granted”.
At times I feel like the lukewarm Christian in Revelation 3. 🙁 I have to confess my sins and I pray that
He will change me. Your grandchildren are beautiful blessings. I’m looking forward to that day.
Pam, we don’t have to remain in that lukewarm place. God offers so much more, and it’s an intentional move toward him. I pray that you begin that right this moment.
I receive Proverbs 31 devotionals daily and always, always get something amazing out of everyone’s messages, and yours is no exception!
Loved how you brought the cute little story of your granddaughter and aligned it w/how we should feel about God! That was so unique and such a blessing to my heart! How sweet that she feels that way about you as her grandma and how special that must make you feel! We should feel that way about God, but we sometimes forget and need a nice reminder such as yours! Thank you!
Hugs,
Tanya
Tanya, I didn’t know my grandparents well. One lived far away and wasn’t really the “grandma” type. We only saw her a couple of times as we grew up. The other was really nice, but again, not necessarily a grandma type, and I saw her once a year or so.
So, my heartbeat has always been to be a grandma that is intentional. That I support my grown children, because parenting can be tough. To connect with these babies from day one, so that the word “Gaga” (they chose the name) means something special. And to be their prayer advocate, their cheerleader, and an extension of the word “family” for them. What I didn’t know is how much these little human beings would fill this girl up. I love, love hanging out with them.
What a beautiful Grandma you are! You are just glowing in that picture 🙂 Thank you for such a great reminder.
You know, Heather, I absolutely LOVE being a grandma. It’s so amazing to have the ability to impact these tiny little lives, but more so just to love them. The joy you see is genuine. It’s my favorite role!
Beautiful photo! Thank you for the reminder …
Prayer requests: Home sale to go through without hitches, Daughter’s insurance to be “fixed” properly, Son needing direction and to seek the Lord, other son at Scout Camp, relationships that need mending, family members who don’t respect boundaries no matter how nicely I try to say things, my own weakness … so many more, and yet I thank you again for the reminder that He is there in the midst!
Thank you Lord for Holly. Lord, you said that when we need wisdom, we can freely ask and you will give it to us. I pray for wisdom to cover the thoughts, heart, and mind of Holly as she loves her family. You give us what we need. Thank you that we can address conflict with grace, but also strength. Be in the midst of this situation, in Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
This is me too: ” fell in love God because He changed me, and I fell in love with ministry because I desired that others understand the power of what God could do.”
Pray for me to God’s will to trust and have courage, to have mentor and friends to join me in the journey of reaching out to other mom’s and starting a community Bible study.
Truth!
It hurts my heart to think of how many times I’ve neglected my Father….even while doing the “good” things. Thankful that His mercies are new every morning and I can start again!
PS: Your grands are truly GRAND! 🙂
I signed up for the emails yesterday, this is the first one i received. I loved it so much it started to bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for wonderful encouragement.
YES, your grand babies ARE beautiful. 🙂 And, yes, my life gets cluttered too. I was just thinking this morning about how I don’t want my service TO God to get in the way with my relationship WITH God. Bless you!
What get’s in the way? Me!!! My interests, problems, joys, & anything else I allow to take my thoughts & attentions! Your book looks refreshing & needful. In a world & day when we’re told me that our “rights” make us hold things over other peoples heads instead of holding God’s love for them in our hearts!
God spoke through you today. I have been feeling quite distant from our Lord. I know I am the one who has moved. I know I am the one making it so complicated. I know I am the one who is letting my issues interfere with the relationship with my God. Thank you for your words, His words, calling me back.
Thank you so much for this reminder today! With a full-time job, my girls first moving out, now coming back, preparing for She Speaks, and a whole lot of other things that are crowding my plate, I really need to be intentional about my time with God. I’ve learned that I will not grow in my faith by accident. This was a great reminder of that again. Thank you! And yes, your grandchildren are very cute!
Currently I feel like a boat at sea being hit on all sides by the waves. I believe I am standing firm in my faith and beliefs. Sometimes it seems that the more cemented I stand the harder they hit. It has been said that my views are right on but my delivery is off. My passion gets the best of me. I wish that my communication came across more loving than harsh because that is not the intent. How do I stand up for what is right without being beat up? How can I change my words to calm the storm instead of stir it up?
Wendy, I think it changes when we simply communicate our needs, but don’t try to force the other person to feel as we do or take it personal when they don’t get it at first. It’s working through conflict in a healthy way. My prayer is that God will fill you up, girl. That you will sense fresh all over again His love for you, and His plan. We can’t change anyone else. We simply aren’t big enough, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be transformed. That’s my prayer for you today, Wendi. That as you are being hit on all sides, that you’ll see Him walking toward you in the waves. He’s got you. He’s got this.
“But do I ask Him to shine His Light on my troubled thoughts?” I sometimes forget to pray in this way and default to worry. Focused on His presence all through the day would keep worry at a distance. Thanks for the reminder. Four beautiful angels.
It is a powerful way to keep worry, which adds nothing to the equation of life or happiness, at a distance. <3
Your grandchildren are beautiful and I had to do a double take because you do not look old enough to have grandchildren, I was thinking Wow how did she have all of them when they look different ages. 🙂 God bless you Gaga!!
You were speaking to me this morning as I read what you wrote. Life goes so fast and we get so caught up in the twirl wind of it all. The clutter, the family and making my ministry a success and allowing God to lead me so that I can give back to the ladies in the ministry. Then I remember I need to just go sit in his presence and say “There you are- waiting for me and just me and not all the other stuff I bring to you. MMmmm what a wonderful feeling that is, it is almost as good as sitting in Gaga’s lap. 🙂 Have a wonderful day! Be Blessed Theresa
Love this, Theresa! And thanks for the sweet compliment. When you have all of your children close together, then grandbabies one day simply seem to drop from the sky like rain drops. 🙂
Looking into the future for “the one” event, person, experience, etc. that I’m anxiously anticipating has always been my biggest obstacle to experiencing “there you are” moments with The One.
Oh Cheri, that’s when our ministry can get in the way of that one-on-one that we first experienced with Him. It’s such a trap, right? I would rather put my ministry down than lose that, and yet it’s a constant battle. One that God shines a light on so that His girl can run after Him, instead of just “doing for Him”. <3 Thanks for taking the time to comment. I know you are a busy girl!
I enjoyed reading the chapter on forgiveness, thank you.
Suzie, God bless you for the courage and the heart of compassion to write this book. Forgiveness. It’s a biggie. Jesus gives it; He commands it; we receive it, we must give it too. I can’t wait to read this book. I know it will be a blessing. And speaking of blessings! Your grandchildren are adorable and I know they just fill your hearts with love. Thanks for sharing.
And it frees us!
Hi Suzi,
I’d like the opportunity to read your book.
I loved the picture of your beautiful grandchildren. We have three beautiful grandchildren and when you shared how glad your granddaughter was to see you, I could relate. Often, when we go to visit they are lined up at the windows watching for us and clap when we arrive. Your post really convicted me. He has shown me such an abundance of love and I sadly do not let Him know often enough how He delights me with His presence. Thanks for the reminder!
I love that image! Let’s wait for Him and clap at His arrival!
I would love a copy of your book. First of all you do not look anywhere near the age of grandmother. Secondly those grandbabies look too precious to be here on Earth. Such blessings as your beloved lil angels!!
Definitely old enough. : ) But three years ago I had no babies, and today I have four. It happened nearly overnight, it seems!
Suzie, I know just what you mean about ministry getting in the way of those precious moments sometimes. I am a worship leader and sometimes, ok most of the time, am so focused on getting things “right” and not missing cues that I forget to worship the one I most want to do my best for. There are Sundays when everything falls into place perfectly and I just know that God gave me a special blessing that day. How much I treasure those times!! What a perfect age old lesson that God is in control if I would only get out of His way! I know He must shake his head at me and sigh quite often with a smile on his face wondering if I will ever just trust Him to handle all the details. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing your lovely family with us. They are indeed as beautiful as you feel they are. Enjoy every precious moment with them!!
Once you’ve practiced, then let it become worship. Even as I write these words today, my prayer is that they are worshiping God with every syllable!
Suzie,
I must admit your grand babies are so stinking cute! They look like such fun and so lovable. Thank you for the reminder that its better to spend time with God and being in his presence than to spend more time doing His work. Sounds weird to stay, but I’m learning the difference. I own your book, but I haven’t started reading it yet. Will you have an online bible study for the book? That would be awesome!
If you go to the categories on my blog (see sidebar) you’ll find “online studies”. I have some in there!
2 Timothy 1:7
So powerful! Such a great reminder throughout each day!
Cute grandbabies! I am also a life that is changed, and would love to tell other women, “If God can do it for me, He will do it for you”. I’m so in awe of Him and what He has done for me…oh yes, I have a new identity…would love to read your book!
Janet you are the winner of today’s giveaway. Can you send me your mailing address at tseller@daretobelieve.org. Thanks!
I’m looking for a book to take a women’s group at church deeper. We’ve been studying about the love of God. Now He is telling me to show them more about Him being our healer. So that we can recognize what is separating us from being All He created us to be. After reading the first chapter I am asking God if this is the book. Thank you for your heart to help others. JOYce
This is a great book to do that, Joyce. Let me know if I can help you in any way, okay?
I would love a copy of this book! We loved having you in Naperville last April and I agree with the comment that you don’t look like you are old enough to be a grandmother…that is what we thought when we saw you in person! It’s so much fun to have the kids so close in age to one another. I bet you all have a blast! We recently read “The Mom I Want to Be”. At First, I thought I couldn’t relate…but as I read more and more so many things started to resonate with me. Thank you.
Suzie,
I’m a little late reading my devo, it’s a 2 in 1 day today! I get them through Proverbs 31 and I have to tell you that this one was poignant for me. I am a relatively new Christian. I was baptized 3 years ago after being away from the church since childhood (where our relationship with Christ was superficial at best). My love, trust, and faith have only grown since then. I long to learn and grow in my relationship with my Heavenly Father and delight in the time I spend with Him. The changes I have seen in myself have been amazing. For some years, my husband and I have struggled in our relationship, due to alcoholism and other obstacles. Recently, thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit, support from our church family, and prayer, my husband is now in a rehab program and receiving therapy. The change has been amazing. God is truly at work, and I can not thank Him enough for the work he is doing in my husband, my marriage, and my family. It has caused us to make some hard decisions in our life, we are having to put our house of 12 years into foreclosure and are moving into a rental property that is significantly smaller. Our children will be changing schools and leaving friends behind. But for the first time in a really long time…..we are doing it together, as a couple, praying, talking, and trusting God. I would love a copy of your book, as I find I do tend to get sucked into the “daily grind” sometimes. Though I have found little ways to help…..I walk nearly every day, I converse with God as I do. I also pray as I stand in line at places…for the people with me, the employees, what I am grateful for….if I’m stuck in traffic….you see where I am going. This has helped expand my time—-and help with patience! And yes…..All your babes are adorable—-those blond curls everywhere—-pure cuteness!!!!! In Christ, Jamie
This really caught my attention, when you wrote: “We meet His expectations rather than that of a person or even a tradition.” Both my husband and I were raised in families that believed in God but neither oof which lived out the Christian faith in our everyday lives and practices. Both my husband and I accepted Christ shortly after we were married and as we began to learn about and understand the difference, we knew we wanted to change this in our new family; especially when we had our daughter. This has proven to be a tough road for us and we have often found ourselves clinging to old traditions that don’t belong in our new walk. So that would be my prayer request – that we would aim to meet His expectations only and that we would remain strong in this decision.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you put yourself back into an abusive relationship, on the contrary, it means that you release yourself from the grip that abusive relationship has had on you. Jesus was the ulitmate example of good Boundaries – “Your sins are forgiven you – GO and sin no more”. Forgiveness is for us – it is for freedom. Thank you for your free chapter – I’m getting the book, well a couple of them. I can’t wait to read it and give it away!
Thank you for sharing these great thoughts today. I am really trying to clear some clutter from my life right now and these words and the verses you shared really spoke to me!!
PS your grandkids are adorable!!!
Clear the clutter… not just of schedules, but of how we approach our own time with God. It really can get rote and stiff and cluttered with rules, can’t it? Good reminder for me, Suzie. Thanks for the faith refresher today.
I agree withTheresa…You don’t look old enough to have four grandbabies. They ARE really cute…. Latley i have been a mess. I think I need to understand again that God is with me and He loves me and that He has a good plan for my life. I know that taking time to be with him and listen for his voice is where I need to start. I really like what you shared about falling in Love with God because he changed you. Although god helped me in many ways in the past and helped me to grow in my faith’ I am at a place in my life where I really need him to change me too…I have tried to do it myself and I know I can’t. thank you for sharing.
Suzie:
Thanks so much for this reminder that we need to focus on God and be intentional in setting time aside to thank him for all he has given us and I am working on making time for him and trying to clear the clutter of everything that gets in the way. Bless you and your lovely grandchildren.
your grandkids are simply georgous and you don’t look old enoff to be a gaga. Am so happy for u and pray to be like u someday. Loved ur writeup. It was so inspiring and did make me realise dt I needed moments wt God even though I feel so low at times. Most especially now am home doing nothing. I do believe in his power to do miracles and am very expectant that mine is already around d corner.thanks once again for been an inspiration to me. Love u.
I’m really amazed in how God works. I came upon your site by someone that I wanted to be like. She won the heart of the man that I have loved since I was 21. I’ll be 53 in a couple of months. They are apart now and he is seeing me again, but I know that there is something missing. I know I have so much love inside of me and so much to give and I want to stop trying to make things happen and allow God to do this for me. I have a long way to go. I am a mother of two wonderful grown children and two small grandsons. I have both of my parents and two sisters that have really got their lives together. I am the middle child and I am very blessed. I have a degree in English, but while working on my masters I had several mini-strokes that led me down the wrong path. I lost the love of my life temporary and I lost myself. I live alone and I have nothing but time on my hands. Please guide me to be who God wants me to be. I am here and ready to listen and pray. Thank you for your time.
I have served the Lord in small ways, in CYC, Awana, church nursery , substituting Sunday School helpers. Now I am very old, still work in the church nursery once a month. Have several health issues, my husband has advanced dementia and I am his only caregiver. Don’t have possibilities to hire a caregiver, so I don’t think God wants me to do something else now. Please pray for me