Many of you know Kristen from We Are THAT Family. God has gifted Kristen with the ability to write and the passion to help change the world. After her trip to Kenya with Compassion last March, Kristen came back with a heart forever changed. She and her family are embarking on an exciting adventure to minister to some of the young girls who live in Kenya. She can't do it alone, though. Please check out The Mercy House to learn more about Kristen's plan to minister to some of the people who need it the most and expect it the least.
While you're there, won't you please prayerfully consider how you might contribute, or pass on the word of this new ministry?
Showing posts with label prayer request. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer request. Show all posts
September 14, 2010
September 6, 2010
Anger
This past week has found me as an observer to events that make me mad. Events that I had nothing to do with, and physically can do nothing about. Still, the events affect me in a roundabout way and more importantly, the events hurt countless people.
In some ways, the events came as no surprise. But there are some details that caught me completely off guard. After the initial feeling of shock, I have felt anger. The person responsible isn't a Christian. But I am. So where does that leave me in my reaction?
The Bible frequently mentions God being angry over His people pursuing idols. In those instances, the people were denying God what was rightfully His. In some way, I feel justified at being angry. The person's actions will be denying others what is rightfully theirs. But how does God view my anger?
There are other places within the New Testament that are along the same lines, and many more in the Old Testament. This situation is something that I'm not going to pray over just once. I know that this is something I am going to have to give to God over and over as the events continue to unfold. I do know that it is hard to be angry with someone if you are praying for them. While I can't see how things can end in any good manner, I know that I serve a God of miracles. I know that God can make good come out of any circumstance.
Pray with me?
In some ways, the events came as no surprise. But there are some details that caught me completely off guard. After the initial feeling of shock, I have felt anger. The person responsible isn't a Christian. But I am. So where does that leave me in my reaction?
The Bible frequently mentions God being angry over His people pursuing idols. In those instances, the people were denying God what was rightfully His. In some way, I feel justified at being angry. The person's actions will be denying others what is rightfully theirs. But how does God view my anger?
James 1:19-21 (NIV)My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Anger is not something that I should give in to easily. "Anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." Chances are, if I'm angry about something, I am not focusing on God and I am instead focusing on me. I think it's interesting to note that the next verse talks about moral filth and evil. If anger is left unchecked and allowed to run wild, it can lead the way to all manner of things taking hold in one's life.
Ephesians 4:26-27;31-32 (NIV)
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Anger is something to let go of quickly. If I get angry, I am to still remain in control of myself. I am still held to the same standard of behavior. My anger is to be short-lived - most likely to prevent grudges and plans for revenge. If I'm not going to hold onto something, I have to let go. Who better to give it to than God? The importance of forgiveness is addressed, along with a reminder that we have all been forgiven.
Corinthians 13:4-6 (NIV)Love is patient... it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Anger is something to be forgotten. When someone messes up, I'm not supposed to hold their wrongs against them. Before last week, I held out hope that the situation would be rectified. Given the recent developments, though, it looks as though that isn't going to happen. Now that the person has chosen their course of action, I'm not supposed to hold it over the person's head forever. I am not the judge.
There are other places within the New Testament that are along the same lines, and many more in the Old Testament. This situation is something that I'm not going to pray over just once. I know that this is something I am going to have to give to God over and over as the events continue to unfold. I do know that it is hard to be angry with someone if you are praying for them. While I can't see how things can end in any good manner, I know that I serve a God of miracles. I know that God can make good come out of any circumstance.
Pray with me?
June 14, 2010
Faith and Feelings
Sometimes it can be really hard to believe. To have faith. Long time readers know I have wanted another child for the past 3 years. A desire that has not gone away, or diminished. As I approach my personal deadline to get pregnant with another child, I find myself questioning the situation once again. In the past 3 years, I have never felt called to stop being open to life. I have, however, felt called to keep having faith. Fragile, finite person that I am, I find this upcoming 3-year mark very frustrating.
About 6 months after we started being open to another child, I felt like God spoke to me about the matter. I felt like I had been told that I would have a daughter whom I would name Grace. That experience was very similar to other times when I know that God spoke, which led me to believe that it was Him. Especially the fact that I was told to name the daughter Grace. Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I've had a different name than that picked out for a girl since high school. So why Grace?
Fast forward 2.5 years from that encounter, and I'm skeptical of what I heard, if I heard. Yes, there's the name thing. But maybe that was just my mind playing tricks on me. Cruel, horrible tricks. Tricks that get my hopes up every month only to see them crash and burn.
I remember how I felt when I stayed pregnant with BB. I was so excited. I thought I had been healed, that more babies would be a given. I have never felt called to remain open to life all of my child-bearing days, and I have said in the past no kids past 30. As I find myself at 29, with a (almost) 4 year-old only child, I am questioning that. I don't feel led to call it quits. But I don't feel hopeful, either.
Did I really hear God? Or do I just want something so much that I thought I heard? But if I just imagined it, then what's the explanation for the name?
I try to console myself that God's timing is not my timing. I know that God sometimes has us wait for things because He's knows we're not ready. I'm okay with that explanation until I wonder what exactly I'm being prepared for.
About 6 months after we started being open to another child, I felt like God spoke to me about the matter. I felt like I had been told that I would have a daughter whom I would name Grace. That experience was very similar to other times when I know that God spoke, which led me to believe that it was Him. Especially the fact that I was told to name the daughter Grace. Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I've had a different name than that picked out for a girl since high school. So why Grace?
Fast forward 2.5 years from that encounter, and I'm skeptical of what I heard, if I heard. Yes, there's the name thing. But maybe that was just my mind playing tricks on me. Cruel, horrible tricks. Tricks that get my hopes up every month only to see them crash and burn.
I remember how I felt when I stayed pregnant with BB. I was so excited. I thought I had been healed, that more babies would be a given. I have never felt called to remain open to life all of my child-bearing days, and I have said in the past no kids past 30. As I find myself at 29, with a (almost) 4 year-old only child, I am questioning that. I don't feel led to call it quits. But I don't feel hopeful, either.
Did I really hear God? Or do I just want something so much that I thought I heard? But if I just imagined it, then what's the explanation for the name?
I try to console myself that God's timing is not my timing. I know that God sometimes has us wait for things because He's knows we're not ready. I'm okay with that explanation until I wonder what exactly I'm being prepared for.
January 11, 2010
A Year of Prayer
Father,
Thank you for my son. Help me to always be thankful for him, to be patient with him. Help me to be the type of mother that he needs in order to grow up to be the man that You want him to be. Help him to live up to his name's meaning, "faithful that the Lord is God." Help him to be strong in his convictions, to have courage to stay the course. Help him to resist temptations and the lure of acceptance. Make him fearless, Lord, when it comes to his faith; for standing up for what is right. Mold him into a leader, an honorable man. Help him to become a good husband, a good father. Be with his wife. Shield her. Give her a happy childhood. Help her to come to the marriage with a joyful heart, without any baggage. Help my son to avoid the mistakes made by his father and I. Break the generational yokes that have been passed down, both known and unknown. Watch over and protect. Hold him in the palm of Your hand.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
June 15, 2009
Honesty
I'm happy for all of the new moms, and their adorable babies. Really, I am. And hearing news about a baby on it's way makes me smile. But there is a lingering sadness underneath it all as I wonder if I've had my one chance and that's it for me. I've bought a new "I'm a big brother shirt" for BB. He's outgrown the first one without ever having a chance for it to be worn. I think I'm going to stop buying clothes on faith.
This past weekend with my sister was SO hard. I've dreaded it ever since I heard she was expecting. I know part of it was jealousy, although I don't want her baby; just another of my own. In my current mindset, it is easy to fall into the habit of thinking that many people who have kids don't deserve a kid like I do.
However, on the flip side of that, I often hesitate to ask God for another. There is a thought in my head that tells me that I don't deserve to have another because of my past. The thought goes on further to say that I would have another child if God saw me doing a better job parenting the child I have. I don't believe this thought, but it doesn't stop me from having the thought.
And in answer to your unspoken question, no, I still haven't actively pursued any medical avenue about this. Which is frustrating to me, because I am a "now" person. I don't want to wait for things that I want. But I'm also an afraid person. As long as I don't question the doctor about why it has taken so long, I don't have to get an answer that I don't want to hear. Yes, I know that "perfect love casts out fear," but I'm still human. I'm not perfected yet.
Also, there is the fact that every time I think about taking a more aggressive approach, I get the verse "By faith, Sarah* herself received power to conceive." stuck in my head. Not that I'm old like Sarah, but I often think that if it was going to happen, it would have happened by now. I'm sure that Sarah must have thought that many times herself as she waited for Isaac. Really, that whole reference is interesting in itself to me. Prior to BB, and all through my pregnancy with him, I never thought of Sarah, I thought of Hannah. In fact, BB's verse is 1 Samuel 1:27. So I wonder if Sarah comes to mind for a reason. I wish I knew.
I love being the mom to only one. In every way, my life is easier now than if I had another child. I just can't help feeling that something is missing. I realize that I have posted about this topic before, but it really is a pressing thing with me. I'm trying really hard to not get down about all of this, but it's hard. I'm having a hard time praying about it, which doesn't help. On one hand, I find myself just wanting to whine to God and go, "Please? Please? Puh-leeeeeese?"
I try to keep Romans 5:3-5 in mind through all of this. There are two endings to this situation. One, God will give me the peace to give this desire to Him and parent only BB, being grateful for what I have. Or two, God will use this time to perfect my character, which undoubtedly needs much work, especially if I am to have more than one child.
So when you post about your new baby, or your baby on the way, I'm happy for you. I truly am. I try to remember to pray often for all of the new mommas and mommas-to-be. But I might not always comment on your post. And more likely than not, I'll have to stop and have a cry.
*Hebrews 11:11, ESV. Most versions list Abraham, however, with Sarah receiving an aside, if any, mention.
This past weekend with my sister was SO hard. I've dreaded it ever since I heard she was expecting. I know part of it was jealousy, although I don't want her baby; just another of my own. In my current mindset, it is easy to fall into the habit of thinking that many people who have kids don't deserve a kid like I do.
However, on the flip side of that, I often hesitate to ask God for another. There is a thought in my head that tells me that I don't deserve to have another because of my past. The thought goes on further to say that I would have another child if God saw me doing a better job parenting the child I have. I don't believe this thought, but it doesn't stop me from having the thought.
And in answer to your unspoken question, no, I still haven't actively pursued any medical avenue about this. Which is frustrating to me, because I am a "now" person. I don't want to wait for things that I want. But I'm also an afraid person. As long as I don't question the doctor about why it has taken so long, I don't have to get an answer that I don't want to hear. Yes, I know that "perfect love casts out fear," but I'm still human. I'm not perfected yet.
Also, there is the fact that every time I think about taking a more aggressive approach, I get the verse "By faith, Sarah* herself received power to conceive." stuck in my head. Not that I'm old like Sarah, but I often think that if it was going to happen, it would have happened by now. I'm sure that Sarah must have thought that many times herself as she waited for Isaac. Really, that whole reference is interesting in itself to me. Prior to BB, and all through my pregnancy with him, I never thought of Sarah, I thought of Hannah. In fact, BB's verse is 1 Samuel 1:27. So I wonder if Sarah comes to mind for a reason. I wish I knew.
I love being the mom to only one. In every way, my life is easier now than if I had another child. I just can't help feeling that something is missing. I realize that I have posted about this topic before, but it really is a pressing thing with me. I'm trying really hard to not get down about all of this, but it's hard. I'm having a hard time praying about it, which doesn't help. On one hand, I find myself just wanting to whine to God and go, "Please? Please? Puh-leeeeeese?"
I try to keep Romans 5:3-5 in mind through all of this. There are two endings to this situation. One, God will give me the peace to give this desire to Him and parent only BB, being grateful for what I have. Or two, God will use this time to perfect my character, which undoubtedly needs much work, especially if I am to have more than one child.
So when you post about your new baby, or your baby on the way, I'm happy for you. I truly am. I try to remember to pray often for all of the new mommas and mommas-to-be. But I might not always comment on your post. And more likely than not, I'll have to stop and have a cry.
*Hebrews 11:11, ESV. Most versions list Abraham, however, with Sarah receiving an aside, if any, mention.
April 4, 2009
Prayer Requests
I follow a lot of blogs, with many of the blogs listing prayer requests as needed. I try to remember and keep track of each requests that I hear about, but it can be difficult. I thought that I would have this post (and also a page - see above this post) up on my blog for people to inform others and to give a way to share.
If you have a prayer request that you would like to share, please add your request in the comments for this post, and I will add it to the list here. If you give a prayer request for the list, please feel free to comment with any updates about the request. Seeing the power of prayer in action is an encouragement to all believers and especially for those who lifted the item up in prayer.
To keep the list somewhat manageable, I will sort the new requests by week, running from Sunday through that Saturday. The current week's requests and updates will be posted at the top of this post, immediately following this paragraph. Each previous week will be below the current week. I initially planned on posting prayer requests that I knew about from the blogs that I read, but I felt that I should perhaps leave that open for the person with the request. To start off, I'll just give mine:
Prayer Requests, Week of 4/12/09 - 4/18/09
1) from Kim: please pray that the second round of fertility treatment is successful for Kim.
2) from Faye: please pray for Faye's daughter as she hosts an autism conference today (4/15) in Rome, GA. Her daughter became involved in autism after her son, Noah, was diagnosed with autism. UPDATE: conference was a success!
Prayer Requests, Week of 4/5/09 - 4/11/09
1) from Heather: direction regarding the church that my family and I should attend. DH and I have been going back and forth about church since BB was born. We're not pleased with the current direction SB churches in our city are taking, yet we believe more closely with SB than we do other denominations. We're tired of looking around and debating; we'd like to find a church home.
2) from Heather: our government. We probably all have this request. Regardless of your political beliefs, there's no denying that our country is in trouble. We need our leaders to make the right decisions.
3) from Heather: our troops. I live in a military town. Apart from college, I have always lived in various military towns. I know many military members. Deployment is rough not only on the person deployed, but also on the family and friends left behind.
If you have a prayer request that you would like to share, please add your request in the comments for this post, and I will add it to the list here. If you give a prayer request for the list, please feel free to comment with any updates about the request. Seeing the power of prayer in action is an encouragement to all believers and especially for those who lifted the item up in prayer.
To keep the list somewhat manageable, I will sort the new requests by week, running from Sunday through that Saturday. The current week's requests and updates will be posted at the top of this post, immediately following this paragraph. Each previous week will be below the current week. I initially planned on posting prayer requests that I knew about from the blogs that I read, but I felt that I should perhaps leave that open for the person with the request. To start off, I'll just give mine:
Prayer Requests, Week of 4/12/09 - 4/18/09
1) from Kim: please pray that the second round of fertility treatment is successful for Kim.
2) from Faye: please pray for Faye's daughter as she hosts an autism conference today (4/15) in Rome, GA. Her daughter became involved in autism after her son, Noah, was diagnosed with autism. UPDATE: conference was a success!
Prayer Requests, Week of 4/5/09 - 4/11/09
1) from Heather: direction regarding the church that my family and I should attend. DH and I have been going back and forth about church since BB was born. We're not pleased with the current direction SB churches in our city are taking, yet we believe more closely with SB than we do other denominations. We're tired of looking around and debating; we'd like to find a church home.
2) from Heather: our government. We probably all have this request. Regardless of your political beliefs, there's no denying that our country is in trouble. We need our leaders to make the right decisions.
3) from Heather: our troops. I live in a military town. Apart from college, I have always lived in various military towns. I know many military members. Deployment is rough not only on the person deployed, but also on the family and friends left behind.
March 23, 2009
Waiting Develops Character
Do you ever wish to have this conversation with God?
When I prayed for God to allow me to have BB, I sincerely meant that I'd be happy with only one child. However, around the time BB turned one, I started having a change of mind. Fast forward 1.5 years, and BB remains an only child. In this age of technology, when humans can make so many things happen, I don't feel led to pursue any treatments or procedures. I feel impressed with a definite "No, wait." I also don't feel led to adopt right now, even though adoption is something that I have always planned on doing someday. The proactive solutions are, at least for now, a door closed to me.
I know that there are so many people out there who desperately want one child, and they swear that they won't ever ask for another. To those people, I undoubtedly seem selfish and ungrateful for what I have. I don't believe that is the case with me, but I know that most people are blind to their own faults. I find it hard to believe that this is a selfish desire. My past experience served to purge any foolish ideas about childbirth from me. I know what I am wanting to get into. I believe that because I want to go through all of that again, I must be meant to go through it again.
I can only assume that since God is all-knowing, He knows that there is something in me that can only be perfected through this experience. Perhaps He wants to make me aware of just how precious the gift of life truly is. Or perhaps this desire really is born out of selfishness and it is something that I will have to give to Him. I try to pray "Thy will be done," yet I find myself adding "but please make _____ Your will" to my prayers.
"I have come to the conclusion that my character has been developed enough. Thank you very much, but I'm good where I'm at, God. I'll just stop here and have everything easy from here on out. Okay?"The past few weeks have certainly served to develop my character, but that's not what this post is about. For me, I think that waiting for something to happen - or to not happen - can serve to develop even more character than an upset in lifestyle.
When I prayed for God to allow me to have BB, I sincerely meant that I'd be happy with only one child. However, around the time BB turned one, I started having a change of mind. Fast forward 1.5 years, and BB remains an only child. In this age of technology, when humans can make so many things happen, I don't feel led to pursue any treatments or procedures. I feel impressed with a definite "No, wait." I also don't feel led to adopt right now, even though adoption is something that I have always planned on doing someday. The proactive solutions are, at least for now, a door closed to me.
I know that there are so many people out there who desperately want one child, and they swear that they won't ever ask for another. To those people, I undoubtedly seem selfish and ungrateful for what I have. I don't believe that is the case with me, but I know that most people are blind to their own faults. I find it hard to believe that this is a selfish desire. My past experience served to purge any foolish ideas about childbirth from me. I know what I am wanting to get into. I believe that because I want to go through all of that again, I must be meant to go through it again.
I can only assume that since God is all-knowing, He knows that there is something in me that can only be perfected through this experience. Perhaps He wants to make me aware of just how precious the gift of life truly is. Or perhaps this desire really is born out of selfishness and it is something that I will have to give to Him. I try to pray "Thy will be done," yet I find myself adding "but please make _____ Your will" to my prayers.
March 10, 2009
An Update with Prayer Requests
I haven't been blogging much lately because 1) I have a 2-year-old in a body cast, and 2) my brain appears to be scrambled. Honestly, most days I am in a fog the entire day. I've been like this ever since the accident, and I think it's probably due to sleep deprivation. DH and I have been alternating spending the night in BB's room since the accident. I don't sleep well when it's my turn to sleep in there, and then when I'm not in his room, I still have trouble sleeping.
The sleep situation is hard on DH, as well. In addition to sleeping every other night in BB's room, he has been working major overtime for the past 4 weeks. He has a big deadline this Friday, so please pray that all goes well (since DH is a salaried employee, he does not get overtime pay, for those wondering about that).
As of today, we are 1/3 through this ordeal. I really wish that we were 1/2 or 3/4 through. I'm not trying to gross anybody out, but the cast is starting to stink. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to handle the cast smell for 4 more weeks. I've tried reading about solutions on Google, but I haven't found any. Does anyone have any ideas? I have a super sensitive nose, and I gag at bad smells. I'm pretty sure gagging every time I come near BB would have some sort of long-term negative effect on him.
Finally, my parents have come over every day since the accident. They're trying to help, and I appreciate it, but I kinda feel like I'm back in high school. My parents are not the type that you can say anything to, so I suppose I just get to count this as extra character building for me. Please pray for me that this time will pass quickly!
On the up side, BB is doing really well with his cast. He is hardly ever fussy about being so restricted. This could be due to the fact that the TV is on almost constantly right now. I think we might have a problem with the TV when the cast comes off, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
The sleep situation is hard on DH, as well. In addition to sleeping every other night in BB's room, he has been working major overtime for the past 4 weeks. He has a big deadline this Friday, so please pray that all goes well (since DH is a salaried employee, he does not get overtime pay, for those wondering about that).
As of today, we are 1/3 through this ordeal. I really wish that we were 1/2 or 3/4 through. I'm not trying to gross anybody out, but the cast is starting to stink. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to handle the cast smell for 4 more weeks. I've tried reading about solutions on Google, but I haven't found any. Does anyone have any ideas? I have a super sensitive nose, and I gag at bad smells. I'm pretty sure gagging every time I come near BB would have some sort of long-term negative effect on him.
Finally, my parents have come over every day since the accident. They're trying to help, and I appreciate it, but I kinda feel like I'm back in high school. My parents are not the type that you can say anything to, so I suppose I just get to count this as extra character building for me. Please pray for me that this time will pass quickly!
On the up side, BB is doing really well with his cast. He is hardly ever fussy about being so restricted. This could be due to the fact that the TV is on almost constantly right now. I think we might have a problem with the TV when the cast comes off, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
February 27, 2009
BB Prayer Request
Tuesday evening, BB fractured his left femur in what can only be described as a freak accident. While DH and I were eating dinner while sitting on the couch, BB took a flying leap onto the couch. DH grabbed him to keep him from colliding with my plate and fork. Somehow the angle of BB's body, the position of the couch cushion, and the way that DH grabbed BB resulted in BB's accident.We spent Tuesday evening through Thursday morning at the hospital. BB is in a body cast for the next 6 weeks. He cannot sit up, walk, bathe, etc. This is hard for anyone to do, but especially hard for a previously very active 2-year-old.
DH, of course, feels terrible about the accident, as do I. Since BB is only 2, the ER staff reported it to the police, who in turn contacted DFACS. So between the ER staff, the 2 cops, 1 police detective and the DFACS social worker, DH and I felt like the world's worst parents. As a teacher, I know that any accident with a minor is cause for concern. But seeing how we have never had to take BB to the ER or the doctor for an injury before makes me feel like they overreacted.
To make a long story short, please keep BB, DH, and I in your prayers over the next six weeks. I don't know how often I will be posting, but I will try to keep everyone in the loop. If I don't comment on your blog posts, it's not that I don't care. I am just trying to do only what has to be done, at least this first week or so.
September 1, 2008
Aunt Cindy
Aunt Cindy was removed from the respirator this afternoon. She passed away shortly thereafter. She leaves behind 3 daughters, 20, 15 and 13. She would have been 44 this coming December. She had no immediate family, but many friends and a large extended family on her husband's side. I do not know if she was a Christian or not. She and her family did not attend church on a regular basis, but that in itself is not an indication of her heart. Please pray for her husband, her daughters, and those that remain. She always had a kind word to everyone she met. I never heard her complain, even when I knew she would rather be doing something else. She was always looking after people. Her departure will leave a big hole in her family and her community.
August 31, 2008
UPDATED: Urgent Prayer Request
DH's Aunt Cindy was critically injured Saturday night. She and her husband were at the local car race when a crash occurred. A piece from a racecar flew off and went flying into the stands, striking her in the head. She is in extremely critical condition right now. Brain injury is expected. There is a lot of swelling, and doctors have had to remove part of her skull to relieve pressure. Please keep the family in your prayers, and add her to your church's prayer list. She has 3 daughters, 2 of which are still in school.
UPDATE: When the doctors went in to relieve the pressure and swelling, they found massive brain damage. There is no sign of brain activity. Currently, Cindy is on a respirator. No further plans have been made at this time, although it is safe to assume that her passing is imminent. Her husband and her youngest daughter were also injured in the accident, although not seriously. Her husband has a heart condition that is aggravated by stress. As you can imagine, this is a very stressful situation. Please keep his health in your prayers as well.
UPDATE: When the doctors went in to relieve the pressure and swelling, they found massive brain damage. There is no sign of brain activity. Currently, Cindy is on a respirator. No further plans have been made at this time, although it is safe to assume that her passing is imminent. Her husband and her youngest daughter were also injured in the accident, although not seriously. Her husband has a heart condition that is aggravated by stress. As you can imagine, this is a very stressful situation. Please keep his health in your prayers as well.
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