Sunday the Anne girl told me that she asked Jesus to come and live in heart. I wasn't sure if she actually knew what this meant, and was hoping that we would get a chance to talk about it.
Today the opportunity presented itself. We were eating lunch, and as often happens, we have great conversation at the table. We were talking about what we are Thankful to God for, as we think about Thanksgiving. I told the girls that I am thankful to God for each one of them, that I love them, and I love how each of them are different. I said I am thankful to God that He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth as a baby, that he lived and he died to save us from our sins.
Anne chimed in with something like this, "I'm thankful to God that when I die I will get to go to Heaven because I asked Jesus to come and live in my heart." We had more conversation about why she needed to do this, because we are all sinners. She enjoys saying, "Even Mommys and Daddys sin sometimes." And I really believe that she "gets it". She prayed on her own that Jesus would come in her heart and that He would help her to obey Him. I told her that Mommy and Daddy are so happy that she did this, and that we prayed that she would one day accept Jesus even before she was born. I told her that the Bible tells us (Mark 16:15 NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." I explained that that means we need to tell other people about Jesus so that they can love Him, too, and that they can go to Heaven when they die.
She immediately turned to Abbey and said, "Abbey, did you know that Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins? You should ask Him to come and live in your heart!"
Abbey responded matter-of-factly, "I already did!"
I know that they are only 4 and 2 and 1/2, but I really do believe that they understand to some degree, and I promised Annie and Abbey that I would try to help them to continue to follow God and love Him all the days of their lives.
A little later Anne ran upstairs. I assumed that she went to the bathroom, but before long I heard loud singing. As I went to investigate, she was lying on her bed with her arms up in the air singing praises to God that He is living in her heart.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to God that two of my children have dedicated their little hearts to the Lord. And even little Maggie raised her hands to heaven to "Praise God" with us!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Devil's Lies and a Sign
In case you couldn't tell, I was not my normal, happy self earlier this week. I'm very thankful to be feeling much better now and to have fresh perspective on life and what really matters.
In my last post I said "I am beginning to feel like I'm not doing anything of value currently, and so need to be doing something."
Can you see how this is (in the words of Trent) complete garbage?? These are lies that the devil whispers to us mothers. It may take the form of, "you're not doing enough," "you aren't a good mother," "you aren't a good housekeeper," "you aren't patient enough," etc. etc. In the depressed mood I was in I began to buy into the lie that I wasn't doing anything of value. WHAT?? Raising three daughters IS of value! Even if my house isn't clean, or I at times lose patience, or it is noon and I haven't brushed my hair, I AM BUILDING GOD'S KINGDOM. And that, my friends, is always of value, and always enough.
In my strange mood, I also prayed an odd prayer. I had prayed that God would reveal to me in a dream what I am supposed to do. Now, I have never before had a "vision" of what I was to do. But I thought it would be worth praying for. No, I did not have a dream, but God spoke to me as He usually does, through people and Scripture.
Yesterday I took the girls to McDonald's after Anne's 4 year well-child visit. Annie had to get 4 shots, Maggie got the flu shot, and Abbey and Anne both got the nasal-spray flu vaccine. I had told them if they were good girls we would go to McDonald's for lunch. Typically if we do this, we drive through and then take it home to eat. But for some reason, Anne really wanted to eat inside, so we did. And for some reason, they wanted to play in the play-area instead of having ice cream cones. And wouldn't you know, there was one woman out there with her two little boys, a four year old and a one year old. As this woman and I talked while the children played, she revealed to me that the sweet boys are actually foster-boys. So I took this "chance encounter" and accepted it as my sign from God that foster-adopt is indeed what we were to do.
Our devotions last evening shared this timely verse:
Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"
I hear you, Lord!! Thank you for revealing yourself to me.
In my last post I said "I am beginning to feel like I'm not doing anything of value currently, and so need to be doing something."
Can you see how this is (in the words of Trent) complete garbage?? These are lies that the devil whispers to us mothers. It may take the form of, "you're not doing enough," "you aren't a good mother," "you aren't a good housekeeper," "you aren't patient enough," etc. etc. In the depressed mood I was in I began to buy into the lie that I wasn't doing anything of value. WHAT?? Raising three daughters IS of value! Even if my house isn't clean, or I at times lose patience, or it is noon and I haven't brushed my hair, I AM BUILDING GOD'S KINGDOM. And that, my friends, is always of value, and always enough.
In my strange mood, I also prayed an odd prayer. I had prayed that God would reveal to me in a dream what I am supposed to do. Now, I have never before had a "vision" of what I was to do. But I thought it would be worth praying for. No, I did not have a dream, but God spoke to me as He usually does, through people and Scripture.
Yesterday I took the girls to McDonald's after Anne's 4 year well-child visit. Annie had to get 4 shots, Maggie got the flu shot, and Abbey and Anne both got the nasal-spray flu vaccine. I had told them if they were good girls we would go to McDonald's for lunch. Typically if we do this, we drive through and then take it home to eat. But for some reason, Anne really wanted to eat inside, so we did. And for some reason, they wanted to play in the play-area instead of having ice cream cones. And wouldn't you know, there was one woman out there with her two little boys, a four year old and a one year old. As this woman and I talked while the children played, she revealed to me that the sweet boys are actually foster-boys. So I took this "chance encounter" and accepted it as my sign from God that foster-adopt is indeed what we were to do.
Our devotions last evening shared this timely verse:
Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"
I hear you, Lord!! Thank you for revealing yourself to me.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
An Unfamiliar Time
I know this will sound strange to many of you, but I have recently entered a foreign land. Baby is completely weaned at 14 1/2 months, and I'm not pregnant. This is the first time that I have been at this point in time since January, 2007.... almost 5 years.
So it is very strange for me. I'm going through this time where, to be honest, I feel a little lost. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing with myself and where I should be expending my energy. Obviously I have three young children, and they require energy, but I have so much more! I really feel like there is something missing in my life right now.
I'm excited for the future, but the future is just that. I am challenged to be useful and of value where I am. I am beginning to feel like I'm not doing anything of value currently, and so need to be doing something. I just don't know what it is. At the risk of sounding even more strange, I've been asking God to reveal to me in a dream what he wants me to do. I'd love to hear how God reveals himself to you all?
So it is very strange for me. I'm going through this time where, to be honest, I feel a little lost. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing with myself and where I should be expending my energy. Obviously I have three young children, and they require energy, but I have so much more! I really feel like there is something missing in my life right now.
I'm excited for the future, but the future is just that. I am challenged to be useful and of value where I am. I am beginning to feel like I'm not doing anything of value currently, and so need to be doing something. I just don't know what it is. At the risk of sounding even more strange, I've been asking God to reveal to me in a dream what he wants me to do. I'd love to hear how God reveals himself to you all?
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Four
Yesterday marked four years since Anne Margaret Hess was born. Four years. . .
*2 Days old*
*1 Year old*
*2 Years old*
*3 Years old*
*4 Years old*
As the eldest child Anne bears the brunt of my parenting mistakes. She has the unasked for role of "Guinea Pig". And she handles it so well. She is so forgiving and easily asks forgiveness. She has taught me much.
Anne and I have the joy of having very similar personalities. This can be great because we enjoy doing much of the same things (reading!). But it has caused some difficulty as well. We can both be stubborn, want things done our way, and are always right. I am constantly being challenged by this little one. I get frustrated with her sometimes. And yet, I love her so deeply. I value our mother-daughter relationship more than I value being right all the time. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm learning.
Anne has challenged me to be more vocal about my faith in Christ. She is always eager to share her love of Jesus with everyone we meet. She is forcing me to find creative ways to live out my faith and share the love of God with neighbors, friends and family.
The Anne girl has a beautiful motherly spirit in her. She dotes on her younger sisters, cares for them and protects them. I am thoroughly enjoying watching Anne grow up and slowly mature into a beautiful girl. I look forward to watching her grow up into a young woman. I am excited to watch the plan that God has for her life slowly unfold.
We have laughed together, cried together, prayed together and sang together. I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing Anne into our family in His perfect timing.
God is good.
*2 Days old*
*1 Year old*
*2 Years old*
*3 Years old*
*4 Years old*
Four years goes quick.
Anne and I have the joy of having very similar personalities. This can be great because we enjoy doing much of the same things (reading!). But it has caused some difficulty as well. We can both be stubborn, want things done our way, and are always right. I am constantly being challenged by this little one. I get frustrated with her sometimes. And yet, I love her so deeply. I value our mother-daughter relationship more than I value being right all the time. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm learning.
Anne has challenged me to be more vocal about my faith in Christ. She is always eager to share her love of Jesus with everyone we meet. She is forcing me to find creative ways to live out my faith and share the love of God with neighbors, friends and family.
The Anne girl has a beautiful motherly spirit in her. She dotes on her younger sisters, cares for them and protects them. I am thoroughly enjoying watching Anne grow up and slowly mature into a beautiful girl. I look forward to watching her grow up into a young woman. I am excited to watch the plan that God has for her life slowly unfold.
We have laughed together, cried together, prayed together and sang together. I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing Anne into our family in His perfect timing.
God is good.
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