To All the Mothers in My Life

Mother's Day this year has me reflecting on all the women who have played a pivotal role in my life. Starting with my mother, grandmothers, aunts and cousins who all helped raise me and shape me into the woman I am today. It truly takes a village to raise a child and I am blessed to have experienced the love of so many beautiful and inspiring women. I have had the love of God shown to me through these women. Thank you for raising me and showing me what it is to be a woman of God. Thank you for loving me even when I didn't love myself. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for praying for me in my darkest hours. Thank you for emulating to me the relationship a mother should have with her child.

Trusting God

Do I really trust God? This question was raised when having a conversation with my boys about trusting God one morning while riding in the car on the way to their grandmother's house. We often pray and have devotion on the way. On this particular day the topic was trusting God in all things. My seven year old son said very matter of factly, without any concern or extra thought "I trust God." He said it with such conviction that I was in awe and immensely inspired. As children if we are raised by loving parents who treat us well and provide for us, we have an unfailing trust for them. We know that without a doubt we will be taken care of. Their word is truth and doesn't need or have to be challenged. That is the kind of trust we should have in God. But more often than not we worry and overanalyze every situation or problem that comes up rather than handing it over to God. I am very often guilty of praying about a situation and then worrying about the solution. God revealed to me that when I do that I am saying that He is not able, that my worrying is going to produce better results than simply trusting Him. But as I look at every situation that has come my way, whether I trusted God or not, He was always in total control. I have come to the realization that God will not allow more in my life than I can handle. If I just trust Him I will have peace within my storm and will be able to recognize and appreciate His presence during the process.

My prayer for today:

Lord help me to trust you in everything I do. Help me to look to you for understanding and wisdom in all that comes my way. Help me to remember your faithfulness and power when going through trying times. Increase my faith and help me to know that whatever the test it will work out for my good. Thank you for using my children to show me the areas that I need to ask and allow You to work in my life.

He promises to strengthen us in all our difficulties. ~Isaiah 41:10

He promises to never leave nor forsake us. ~Hebrews 13:5

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord, that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you."