Tag: Autism Parenting

An encouragement for you

This sweet memory popped up for me today out of my Facebook photos, and I can do nothing else but think of all the ways the Lord has been faithful to us these last five years. 🙏 I had no idea what the path ahead would be – but HE did.

Me changing my sweet son just before he turned a year old

“God’s grace to sustain us through painful circumstances is stronger and is mightier and is much better than any deliverance out of those circumstances.”
-Joni Eareckson Tada

🙌 Amen!

God’s grace these last 5 years as I have learned more deeply what it means to be a wife, a mother, and most importantly a disciple of Christ – has been life giving!

God’s grace is greater than any diagnosis, financial difficulty, broken expectation, or hurt. Insert your own hard into this fill in the blank:

God’s grace is greater then my ——————-!

God has great compassion for His children 👇

“but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God allows for us to suffer for a little while so that we will be strengthened and so that our HOPE will rest in Him 👇

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭71‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God answers prayer 👇

“Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭50‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Share His hope and testify of His goodness 👇

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Experience the Joy that is ONLY found in God’s presence 👇

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

While everything else will fail you and waste away –
Jesus can be trusted 🙌

REST in HIM!

👉 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.❤️ My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Friends, be encouraged!

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Standing Firm

Such a comfort this morning! I am doing a chronological study through the Bible and this last week I read about Hannah who dedicated her child to the Lord and David who followed the Lord at a great cost. And – examples not to follow like Saul who willfully disobeyed God’s word. (1 Samuel 1-24; Psalm 59; Psalm 91).

One of the things I find really interesting contrasting David and Saul, is that although both of them used religious language to discuss their surrounding circumstances – David’s conscience was sensitive to the Lord and doing what was right in various circumstances. On the other hand Saul was spiritually insensitive, and even allowing him to order the execution of the Priests of the Lord.

A great example of how “saying” the right things is meaningless – if the Lord does not have your whole heart. “He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Reading Psalm 91 in light of scripture as a whole – brings me to Thanksgiving! Thanking the Lord for His protection in many ways at different times in my life. I can trust Him to bring great things in times of suffering because HE is faithful. He continues to shape and develop His great plan for His people!

A note in my Bible points out that it was Psalm 91 that Satan used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Lk. 4:9-12), “God won’t let you get hurt will he?”…
Evaluate this idea in light of the cross…

So today when the world is looking to “signs and wonders” of the eclipse or the chaos of what seems like everything…

Look up ⬆️

The Lord God is a God of order. From the vastness of the universe to the simplicity of a flower there is evidence of a divine organization. Haphazardness and chaos are not part of His government. Symmetry and harmony are His ways. Randomness and disorder are never His modes of administration.

From creation to the end of time, God has had a plan and has worked that plan. He is timely, precise, and true to His Word.

These are His characteristics and they are to be ours. We are not to come and go whenever we want to, but whenever we are to.

Spontaneity may be exciting and have an appearance of freedom, but in reality, it more than often proves to be the cause of harm and misfortune. Our God is a God of order; therefore, we are to be a people of order.

“God doesn’t want me to play with religion. He doesn’t want me to dabble in church. He wants me—body and soul.”

R. C. Sproul (1939–2017)
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Wait for the Lord

Yesterday, well really for several weeks, work has been even more difficult, frustrating and heartbreaking. This morning I felt led to repent of the anger that I have felt and how that has impacted those closest to me. Righteous anger is a real snare for me. As the Lord is so faithful to do, He gave me a few reminders this morning from Psalm 27.

”The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:1) Fear can be a prison. We conquer fear by trusting in the Lord. To dispel fear I need to REMEMBER that God is my light and my salvation.

”When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27: 4) This verse reminded me of Psalm 23 & Psalm 1. David’s greatest desire was to live In the presence of the Lord EACH day of his life. In the presence of the Lord is comfort, joy, protection and praise. What is it that I DESIRE the most?

”For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:7) Since David sought the Lord’s presence EVERYDAY, when times of trouble came, David was already in the presence of the Lord. It is shortsighted to only call out to the Lord in times of trouble or need.

”You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

( 27:10) This verse was like a balm to my spirit this morning. 😭👆🏻 His love is sufficient to meet ALL our needs. While many of us and many of the children I see daily will have lasting scars from the hurts caused to us by those who should have loved us, like our Mothers and Fathers BUT God! God can take and fill any place in our life of anyone who has abandoned us. He can fill the voids and heal the hurts. He can and does lead us to those who take on the role of Mother and Father to us. He has done it for me and He is faithful to continue to do it for others.

”Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:13) Place your confidence in the Lord. He is holy and His plans are good, this is the only thing we can have true confidence in. A HOLY confidence.

”Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:14) Waiting for God is not easy. Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to HOPE and WAIT for the Lord.
Often we can “feel” like God is not answering our prayers or understanding our urgency. However, this kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or fair.
BUT God Is worth waiting for.

God often uses times of waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. We make good use of waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to do is us while we are in them.

Father, thank you for shifting the focus off of myself this morning and onto YOU. 🙌

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Pay attention to your fruit…

In today’s world I have unfortunately found that in my desire to make things orderly, I often have my “self” at the center of that need. Not desiring to make things orderly for the glory of God but to minimize my ordinary workload. I will admit much of this is not original to me, but it has blessed me and continues to sanctify me…

Looking back in Genesis – Adam and his helper, Eve, brought order to God’s earth with goodness, thoughtfulness, and authority. They imaged God and brought Him glory. There was dignity in their everyday lives because their work found its origins in God’s command.

As mothers, we continue to reflect God’s character in each moment as we conform to to His likeness. Ordinary moments existed before the fall and they were not demeaned or dismissed by God. Instead they were good and valuable for the flourishing of life.

Unfortunately, Eve wasn’t satisfied with the fullness of God’s provision in Eden or the knowledge and responsibilities He had given her. Instead she listened to the serpent, who tempted her to seek the extraordinary… becoming like God himself. 🍎

She was the first human who wanted to step outside of the ordinary, human, limited bounds of God’s command into something greater, godlike and unlimited.

This spills over into our lives today when we want to skip over todays mundane – wiping counters, cleaning messes, sweeping, diaper changes, emails, bills, and so on…

When we do this we stop finding our identity in who we are (image bearers of God) and start trying to find it in what we do. But when we start to rank the value of our lives in external circumstances, we will NEVER be content with our day-to-day lives.

As long as we pride ourselves in being able to speed through normalcy so we can get on to the better parts of life, we’re walking in the faithless footsteps of Eve. 🦶 🚶‍♀️

God works in both ugly, and the mundane to bring new life, redemption, and his sovereign plan to fruition, and such is the same for those indwelled with the Holy Spirit. All the moments of our lives – ordinary and extraordinary- will give us reason to fall before the Lamb on the throne, worshipping HIS worthiness in ALL things.

Being thoughtful with our time is a good thing but my/our deepest longing for glory and purpose is found in Christ.

👉🏻It might be mundane to fold laundry, but its extraordinary to do it patiently with joy and a heart of love.
👉🏻It might be mundane to sit on the couch and read another book to a whiny four-year-old, but it’s extraordinary to show kindness and mercy to an undeserving sinner.
👉🏻It might be mundane to fill the fridge with groceries, but it’s extraordinary to praise God for his provision.
🙌Our everyday moments might be ordinary, but when we accomplish them while displaying the fruit of the Spirit, they reflect our extraordinary Savior.

(Gen. 2:15,19) (Gen. 3:5-6) (2 Cor. 5:21) (Col. 1:27) (Gal. 5:22-23) (Rom. 11:36)

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When you feel not enough…

You ever have those moments where the fear of not being good enough creeps in? The fear of not being qualified enough to do the things the Lord has appointed you to do? Maybe it’s just me -but I have struggled with this… sometimes I still do and I need to constantly STOP 🛑 and remind myself:

I am not enough but GOD is…

Moses was also someone who felt he wasn’t good enough. When God spoke through a burning bush and called Moses to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage, he had a big case of the “not-good-enoughs”

That’s when he had a one-sided argument with God. Moses told God he was the wrong man for the job.
He wasn’t brave enough, strong enough, smart enough, eloquent enough, charismatic enough or confident enough.

At one point, Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” And God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you'” (Exodus 3:13-14. NIV).

Moses was 80 years old when he argued with God. But even the weakest knees in the hands of I AM can become a mighty force to be reckoned with.

You can fill in the blank with a number of qualities. False beliefs such as …
I’m not strong enough.
I’m not experienced enough.
I’m not talented enough.
I’m not brave enough.
I’m not pretty enough.

But here’s what we need to remember:

👉🏻Whatever positive characteristic we feel we are not, God is.
👉🏻Whatever we need, God is. He is the God who fills in our gaps; He is I AM who fills in our blanks.
👉🏻When we say, “I’m not strong enough,’ God says, “I AM.”
👉🏻When we say, “I’m not smart enough, God says, “I AM.”
👉🏻When we say, “I’m not good enough, God says, “I AM.”

Once we let go of the lies that we’re not enough .. and take hold of the truth that we’re more than enough because of Jesus’ presence and power in us… then we’ll be set free from paralyzing insecurity and on our way to experiencing courageous confidence to do everything He calls us to do.

Did you know one of my greatest struggles has always been speaking… publicly, small groups, you name it! I would experience debilitating anxiety for days leading up to the event. And yet, the Lord has placed me in roles that require frequent speaking to all sorts of people, often about really hard things.

Many of my greatest weaknesses the Lord has used to do great good and HE has provided everytime! He is Faithful! I stand with Paul, who lamented about his weakness: “But he [God] 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”‘ (2 Corinthians 12:9).

That’s what happens when we allow God to fill in our blanks. He turns what we perceive as our greatest weakness into our greatest strength.

What is God calling you to do today? Where do you feel you’re not enough? Oh friend, because of Jesus finished work on the cross, and His power in you, you are more than enough! He who has called you is faithful! 🙌

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Wives, the Gospel gives us a better way…

Social media has impacted our lives in so many ways – the lie of comparison dramatically impacts us (especially women) in the areas of how we keep/style our homes, how we dress, and how we parent. But it also impacts how we view and treat our spouses. The expectations that we have for our spouses.

The great news for Christian women – we acknowledge a higher calling placed on us as wives AND the Gospel gives us a better way!

Creation: Imaging God in unique ways, Adam and Eve were created differently from one another but those differences were not divisive – they were assets. They needed one another to complete the tasks given to them by God. In Eden they were unified, two becoming one, as they selflessly worked together. Living out a beautiful picture of love and harmony through worship of God alone.

Fall: When Eve doubted God had a good design for her life and union with Adam, sin and division entered the world, forever changing the marriage relationship. Now instead of being unified as husband and wife, we can act like two individuals sitting opposite of each other. Instead of out-loving one another, we look to our marriage to fulfill our own selfish desires. And if we’re Mothers – we can have the tendency to hide behind our children who we grant unconditional love to while holding our Husbands to an unattainable standard. We often live as an “I” instead of an “We” because being in a union requires us to die to self.

Redemption: Jesus loved us more than any earthly Husband ever could. Living a perfect life and purchasing our union with HIS Life. Through this sacrifice, Jesus displayed only what marriage can shadow – the Covenant love between God and His people. This love paved a way so that we could die to our selves and this happened when we were justified before the Throne. This is then played out over and over again as we are refined and sanctified for our future glory. Through Jesus’ death we are made right with God and we are one in Christ.

This is great news for believers! The same love that was in Christ to motivate Him to be patient with needy people. Kind to those who hurt Him. And long suffering for those who didn’t follow His instructions – this love is in us!

His love took Him all the way to death on the cross for us.

In Christ – this is the same love a wife can have for her Husband!!

No matter how your relationship may be with your Husband today – Let him see the work of Christ in YOU! Let Christ’s love in you be greater than your own prideful heart.

What are some things you can prayerfully work on in the way you view and interact with your Husband?

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He Sets the Captives Free

So thankful for these moments; everyday moments the Gospel meets us in…

We need Jesus’ sacrifice and hurt so that we can sacrifice for others.
We needs His death to give us life.

GOD IS FAITHFUL 🙌
He will be an ever present help to the Mother who is longing to live out the Gospel in her everyday life, (Psalm 46). Side note: Great news, this is available to all who believe, not just Mothers.

“ In Christ we are not left without hope. God overcomes the curse by giving people another way to experience birth- not through a physical womb, but through the Holy Spirit.* While a mother gives birth through physical groan-ing, sweat and tears, her water breaking, and the shedding of her blood-
Jesus makes a way for life through his physical torture, sweat and tears in the garden, water pouring from his side, and his pure, perfect blood shed for us on the cross.
The story of the crucified Christ is the best birth story ever told, with elements that parallel the gospel picture in each labor and delivery room.
But Jesus doesn’t deliver babies he delivers captives.
Through his death and resurrection, Christ has perfectly fulfilled everything expected of us as mothers.”

Risen Motherhood Book, page 46

I am so thankful that Jesus set this captive free 🙌
Only in Jesus is my discontentments, bitterness, groanings, and complaining turned – towards the Cross. Towards laying down my life.

Jesus has us bring these sins to the cross.
They are washed in the blood of Jesus.
And there – they can be offered up, what may seem like crumbs to us are quiet acts of obedience, and worship, and are refining and preparing us for a future weight of glory.

He turns my moanings into:
A deeper love of Him
A fuller hope in salvation
A greater motivation to be obedient
And what He is really currently working on in our home life, a greater need to be in community with other believers.

God is our refuge and strength
An ever present help in trouble

Psalm 46:1

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More lessons from my Son

Kind of bittersweet Jackson is now old enough, that his favorite alpaca lovey is breaking down. It’s amazing the comfort this little raggedy, falling apart alpaca gives to him. To some it would be time to put this little stuffie in the trash, but not Jackson. As the last pieces of leather and stuffing fall out he gently picks them up and stuffs back in what he can and discards the pieces he cannot – but to him this is the same lovey that he met as a newborn coming home. His place of safety, familiarity. I pray that Jackson’s care for his alpaca is an indicator of how strong his faith will be. I pray he will grow to be a man to follow after God’s own heart. I pray Jackson’s life and personality will be a testament of God’s glory.

Jackson’s tattered alpaca

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This morning as I look at this little tattered thing I think of our Savior. I think of Mary seeing her son whipped and beaten beyond recognition. And I think of how dark it must have felt those hours during the crucifixion. I wonder did Mary see her baby boy up there, the child she had given birth to and nursed and raised. Did those watching begin to doubt Jesus being their Savior as they watched Him being broken and poured out? Did those with faith a little stronger still see the strong Rabbi they had come to love and believe to be the Messiah.

“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭5‬, ‭7‬, ‭10‬, ‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And likewise, I think of how God sees us. What we see as the least of us, the broken, the utterly sinful – when God sees us He sees us made in His image. When we come to Christ and accept Him, God sees us through the righteousness of His son. We are made a new creation. We put on our new selves and take off the old.

“throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What an amazing love.

““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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