A Father's Love

As I spent time with my dad this past Father's Day, my mind was filled with memories of him from over the years.  One particular memory was when I was around 4 years old.  My dad was a farmer and was preparing to put pesticides on the crops.  As I stood by his side he said to me, "Tonya, do not touch this because it is poison." So, what do you think I did?...Yep, you guessed it!  I dug right into it with my hands.  My dad had turned his back just long enough for my curiosity to get the best of me and I gave into the temptation of doing the opposite of what daddy told me not to do.  When he noticed that I had disobeyed, he done as any father would and frantically yelled at me to get my attention.  By this time he was headed straight toward me and I knew just what was about to happen to me.  I took off running up the driveway and then onto the dirtroad with dad chasing behind.  When he finally caught me...well, you guessed it, I got a good old fashion spanking.  My dad was disappointed in me for disobeying him but he was more fearful of the harm that the pesticides could have caused me.  That day serves as the only time I can remember my dad spanking me.  From then on, all my dad ever had to say to me was my name (you know you are in serious trouble when your parent calls you by your first and last name).  Let me confess to you that even though this was the only time my earthly father spanked me...my Heavenly Father has had to discipline me SEVERAL times. 

Often times God is warning us of things that may bring harm to us in our lives.  And regretfully, we let our curiosity or fleshly desires take over and we give into temptation.  Even then does God continue to call out to us.."My child, you know this is wrong...Please turn away from your sin...Trust that what I am saying to you is for your own good...trust Me in your struggles!"  But yet we still continue to run as fast as we can away from our heavenly Father just as I did with my dad.  Why do we run?  We run because we are trying to escape the guilt and conviction that is deep within us.  We think if we run far enough away, we can escape the pain of disappointment or the discipline that may come to us for our wrong doing.  Stop running away from God but run toward Him! Be showered with his love, receive his correction and turn from your sin.   

Hebrews 12: 5-6 "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 

Be encouraged in your time of discipline from the Lord by knowing that He loves you!

The Lord may give us much correction; It is all out of love because He wants the best for our life's direction!
    

Just for Moms!

Forgive me for not blogging much lately.  I was explaining to a friend the other day about how busy and crazy our lives have been lately.  We have a son who is a senior in high school and will be graduating in just a few weeks, graduation parties to plan, a son who is 15 and constantly putting me under stress while riding with him as he learns to drive, 3 sons playing baseball (two on high school level and one in T-Ball), sports and academic banquets to attend, a husband learning a new job in a new position, working a job outside the home on top of my wife/mom duties (which is very rewarding but with no pay), I teach a ladies Sunday School class every other month (thank you Jennifer for teaching the months in between), and I could just go on and on with other daily tasks!  Whew!  That took the breathe out of me just typing it! 

Now, let me tell you what makes all this worth while...a husband that loves and works hard to provide for his family as God would have him to, an 18 year old who still gives his mom and dad hugs and is not afraid to say I love you, a 15 year old with a LOT of personality that brings so much laughter to our home and a 6 year old that said to me last night "Mumma, will you always love me?  Even when I am grown? Even if I break something?" And mumma replied "Yes, baby..I will always love you" and then a big hug and kiss from him. And also, what a blessing to watch women from the sunday school class grow and allowing God to transform them before our eyes! As I thought about just how much I love my husband, children and others, I was reminded of the unconditional love that God gives each of us.  When we grow, He continuously shows and tells us how much He loves us, He alone brings so much joy into our chaotic lives, and even when we mess up He is always there to forgive and comfort us as He corrects us. So, whatever chaos your day may bring to you as a mother or wife...trust in the Lord and sit at His feet while He feeds the one spiritually that "literally" will be feeding others today!

It may be a crazy life....but it is our life and with Christ that strenghtens us, we can do anything!

Weakness is Our Strength

How many of us actually like to admit our weaknesses?  We think it will somehow make us less of a person or show that we may not be as strong as others in certain areas of our lives. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."
 
Just like Paul, there are times in my life when I am going through a  hard situation or dealing with my thorn in the flesh and I just cry out to God to fix it or plead for Him to take the hardship from me.  Through these scriptures God showed me that our weakness is our strength through Him.  To be weak means that one can get stronger. This reminds me of an example of my son.  I have watched my oldest son over the past year get in the gym and work really hard everyday to produce muscles and be stronger. He has strived to work harder in the gym to improve his abilities in baseball. He now throws harder as a pitcher and his batting has improved greatly. You see, Ryan's weakness was his strength. Instead of being captive to his weakness, he was determined to conquer it and become better.  The same goes for us in our weaknesses.  We can choose to be captive or we can choose to receive God's power to overcome.  It will take effort on our part just as it did with Ryan.  We have to work hard in becoming stronger.  We have to trust and seek God, allowing His power to work in our lives. 
God's grace is sufficient for you and me.  His power is made perfect and known in our weaknesses.  We know that without Him, we are weak....But with Him, our weakness can be made strong.

So, whatever weakness you may be dealing with, trust and seek God to grow you stronger.  Be more open to share your weakness with God and let His power rest on you to shine to others. 

I am weak, but He is strong!