Resources for Christian Women, Encouragement for Families
Blockbuilder
It’s January 6 and some of the grandkids are still here.
Things so forgotten from when mine were tykes come to the forefront.
The little tuft of hair as I rock the tired babe who woke up due to wetness.
Last night, I chose the privilege of changing the diaper and the soggy double layers of pajamas – in the wee hours of the morning.
How did those times so quickly pass and bring me to this stage with hoary head?
I recall the exhaustion of my time as a young mom, feeling so blessed to do this task now.
Whimpers in the night echo, beckoning me to put the blanket back on or pacifier back in mouth.
Morning comes. Soft whimpers change to exuberant cries for refreshment.
Breakfast – what will it be?
The shiny green watermelon that caught my eye at the store disappoints with its soggy texture and dull taste.
Oatmeal, steamy warm, yogurt; cheerios dance to the floor awaiting the broom or perhaps the tot, later, looking for a quick snack.
Later, the multicolored letter blocks appear.
The mama of the tots reminisces of times past when she so gleefully stacked them.
Yet it seems like yesterday we brought the blocks home.
Now, Oma me watches the newest blockbuilder, stacking, pushing, crying out with glee.
DeJaVu? Am I thinking I’ve done this all before? How? When? It clicks, poignantly and plain. But how could this be? I feel as though I just completed high school.
Mind races…There I am a toddler, crawling upstairs with my bottle, made of glass.
Over 5 decades have passed. On the ceramic honeycomb floor, the bottle breaks. Papa comes. My finger’s bleeding. And it hits me, hourglass of time has sifted, decades have passed.
Biblical Prayers for Your Children
I’ve been collecting resources to help with the wonderful ministry of prayer. Here is one resource that I came across some years ago. Please feel free to print this out and use it in your prayer time. Did you realize that even if your children and/or grandchildren live 1oo’s of miles away, you can pray for them regularly!
Assurance of salvation. Lord, lead my children to trust only in Jesus’ sacrifice for their eternal salvation; assure them that their souls are secure in Your hands. (In. 3:16, 10:28- 29; 1 In. 5:13)
Intimacy with God. Draw my children face to face with You, that they might taste Your goodness and long for more of You. (Ex. 33:11; Ps. 27:8, 34:8,42:1-2)
Spiritual blessing. Father, remind my children that You have adopted them in love. Enable them to experience all the spiritual blessing they have in Christ Jesus, especially Your measureless love. May they act, speak, and think in ways fitting for a child of God. (Eph. 1:3-14, 3:17-19, 5:8-10)
Confidence in prayer. Assure my children that You hear their prayers and that you always answer as a caring Father, even when they do not receive what they want. (1 In. 5:14-15; Mt. 7:7-11)
Repentance. When my children sin, quickly lead them to confess and repent so that they
might enjoy a clear conscience and unbroken fellowship with You. (Ps. 32:1-2; 1 In. 1 :5-9)
Sanctification. Transform my children into Christ’s likeness. Use whatever circumstances You, in Your perfect wisdom, deem necessary to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace in their lives. (2 Cor. 3: 18; Jas. 1 :2-4; Heb. 12:5-11)
Hope and rest. Bathe my children in restful, confident hope as they trust You with their self-worth, relationships, life’s work, and (other concerns). May they overflow with Your peace. (Jer. 29:11; Mt. 11:29-30; Ro. 15:13; Phil. 4:6-7)
Comfort. Through every hardship, may Your Spirit bring tangible consolation to my
children so that they will know that they are not alone. Right now, they need Your comfort
to get through (pray for specific trials or losses). (Mt. 5:4; In. 14:16-18)
Freedom. Guide my children into truth so that they will enjoy genuine freedom. (In. 8:31-32,36)
Friendships. Provide my children with friends who are supportive and truthful. Keep them from relationships that would draw them away from You. (Eccl. 4:9-12; Provo 27:5-6; 1 Cor. 15:33)
Effective parenting. Help me (and my spouse) to be the influence my children need at every stage of their growth. Keep me willing to listen to anything they want to discuss. (Prov. 20:7; Eph. 6:4)
Marriage and children. If it is Your will that my children marry and have children, guide them to godly spouses with whom they will enjoy flourishing relationships. May they pass along a rich heritage to future generations. If they are to remain single, may they experience the joy of living in undivided devotion to You. (Ps. 127:3-5, 128:1-4; 1 Cor. 7:32-35)
A healthy church. Provide my children with a unified prayerful, Bible-teaching church family that will draw them into community, give them a hunger for Your Word, and involve them in Your work. Bless them with spiritual leaders who are trustworthy and humble. (Acts 2:42, 4:32-35; Eph. 4:15-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-13)
Holy Spirit. Fill my children with Your Holy Spirit. Show them how to exercise their spiritual gifts, and enable them to bear all the fruit of Your spirit – love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Eph. 5: 18; Cor. 12:4-31; Gal. 5:22-23)
Influence. Lord, may my children attract many to You as they influence the world with truth and righteousness. (Mt. 5:13-16: Mk. 1:17; 2 Cor. 2:15-16)
Success. As they study and apply Your Word, may my children bear much eternal fruit. Grant them success in (specific God-honoring endeavors). (Josh 1:7-8; In. 15:8; Jas. 1 :25)
Wisdom. Bless my children with wisdom, and give them a constant hunger for more. Fill them with the knowledge of Your Word and Your will. Grant them a life-giving fear of You, for that is where all wisdom begins. (Prov. 3: 13; Jas. 1 :5; Col. 1 :9; Provo 9: 1 0)
Guidance. By the Holy Spirit’s power, lead my children along paths of righteousness. Specifically, guide them in (circumstances your children currently face). Prov. 3:5-6; In. 16:13)
Protection. Keep my children physically safe and healthy, and guard them from the evil one. Help them resist (specific current or future temptation). (Jas.5:14-16; In. 17:15; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Cor. 10:13)
Provision. Supply my children’s earthly needs. At the moment they need _____ (Mt. 6: 11, 25-33; Phil. 4: 19)
Eternity. Remind my children of the eternal rewards You promise. Let this perspective motivate them to lay up treasure in heaven. May they seek first Your kingdom and righteousness by living with integrity and investing generously in the lives of people. (1 Cor. 3:12-14; 2 Cor. 5:1,10; In. 14:2-3; Mt. 6:19-21, 33)
The unimaginable. Gracious Father, shower my children with blessings that exceed my
dreams. May Your love flow abundantly into their lives. (Eph.3:17-20)
Blessings with Laura Story
Laura Story and Jane Vos
I had the privilege of attending a brunch and concert at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church, June 2013. I was attending the PCA General Assembly as an exhibitor with Five More Talents. A few months ago, I had signed up for the concert and brunch, not realizing Laura Story was going to be there.
Driving in the rain a couple years ago, I heard the song Blessings playing on the radio. I began to cry and wondered who wrote it and if I could ever find all the words.
God had a bigger picture and I was totally surprised to have the privilege of sharing that time with Laura Story. I had my picture taken after we talked a few minutes. Laura also autographed my CD.
When Laura Story penned her now-famous song “Blessings,” she could hardly have imagined the way it would affect people from across the globe; or the acclaim it would bring. Laura won a GRAMMY award for the song – Best Contempary Christian Song in 2012.
At the brunch that morning, Laura shared about her husband’s diagnosis of a brain tumor going into the second year of her marriage. She explained that his vision and memory are still impaired. In the midst of disability, in the context of going through this, Laura sings the song, “Blessings.”
Secret to Freezer Jam Making
Alas, after a nudge from one of my son-in-laws who savors my homemade freezer jams, I decided it’s not too late to use up the frozen fruits I stashed away in the freezer many months ago…blueberries, pears, apricots, kiwis, and more. Thinking about his encouragement in the final product (most recently having some of the pear jam on toast) I had an aha moment. Although I had initially badgered myself for the past couple years in not getting jams made in the summer, I realized that the oohey, gooey smashed fruits that sat in the freezer a few months longer are the secret to my successful jam making! When I thaw the frozen fruit and mash it up some more, it’s like marinated fruit, soft and gooey and just waiting for the Certo syrup to be mixed in. If anyone reading this is lamenting the fact that the jam isn’t made yet, pull out that frozen fruit you stashed away and get some Certo! Enjoy! I had so much therapeutic fun making blueberry, apricot, and pear jam this morning! It was therapeutic – one of my sisters and her family live in Newtown and the tragic events touched them very close to home. My nephew had just been with one of the children who died the night before. When you’re making jam, there’s lots of time to pray.