Mom Monday!

Happy Mom Monday.

"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a FATHER/MOTHER DEALS WITH HIS/HER OWN CHILDREN, ENCOURAGING, COMFORTING, AND URGING you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:11 & 12

This is a great verse teaching/reminding us of one of our major responsibilities as moms.  It is our job, our honor, our responsibility, our joy to use our time with our children to "encourage, comfort, and urge" them to LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF GOD.

WHY???
    *It is why we are here.
            "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, FOR WHOM AND THROUGH WHOM                         EVERYTHING EXISTS...."Hebrews 2:10
       
            "All things were created by him and FOR HIM."Colossians 1:16

    * Because God deserves it. He is worthy of our best.
        *"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am             a master, where is the respect due me?....For I am a great King,' says the Lord Almighty, "and my name         is to be feared among the nations." Malachi 1: 6 & 14

    *It communicates love and thankfulness to God and all he has done for and given us.
            *"If you love me you will obey my commandments."
            *"The world must learn that I love the Father and do everything he commands."
            "Therefore in view of God's mercy offer bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God."
                Romans 12:1

    * For his name's sake
            * "He guides me in paths of righteousness FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE." Psalm 23: 3

    * We will be held accountable for our lives on this earth
            *"For we will all stand before God's judgment seat: It is written: "As surely as I live,' says the                         Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."  So then, each of us will give             an account of himself to God." Romans 14:11 & 12
         

ENCOURAGE (you to live a life worthy of God)- inspire to continue on a chosen course; impart courage or confidence to ; embolden; give support

    Here's what this looked like for me this morning with my 12 year old:  He knows he needs to come over to me before he gets on that school bus at 7a.m. so I can give him some "daily bread." I read to him from Ephesians 5:1 that says, "Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." I told Jake as he sees the flag outside our home with the "L" on it for "Link" to let it also remind him to "Live a Life of Love." It was a 2 minute interaction where I simply sought to inspire him to continue on seeking to love.

COMFORT- to soothe in time of grief or fear; to ease physically; relieve , as of pain, give well-being
       

URGE- to entreat earnestly and repeatedly, plead with. To advocate persistently; to request or pressure a person to do something that one advocates; making an earnest appeal for such action.

I'm running out of time. Let me encourage you, comfort you and urge you as moms. We have the greatest privilege in life. We only have a limited time to pour into these precious children of ours and we are never promised another day. It is HARD to be a mom. It requires so much of us, more than we often have to give. We fail, we feel lilke bad moms, we feel alone.....................................every mom who has walked this earth KNOWS EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL.............God knows how we feel. Let him quiet you with his love and his promise to be with you. "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you." May I URGE you to keep the end in view. The end where you can honestly say before God and your children that you gave it your all, and although you may have failed at times, you earnestly sought to love them and teach them about God.  The end where "her children arise and call her blessed." Psalm 139: 28 We can do this! It is a holy calling
that deserves our greatest attention!  Now, may you go and encourage, comfort and urge your little sheep. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link   

 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

"Then they will know...."

Today is my son's official 8th birthday.This will be short because we have some celebrating to do and everyone is excitedly  waking up early around here today. Since my son's name is Ezekiel, I'd love to share something from that great book. 
It says countless times in this book,  "Then they will know that I am the Lord."

God is continually seeking to make himself known. He is bringing things, circumstances and people into our lives to open our eyes to the truth  that He is the one true God. His heart is for us to KNOW that He is who he says he is and we can trust him. May we use our life to know him and make him known! Blessings from Birthday Bombadil. Kristy LInk

 
 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

Invited!

We have a tradition in our family that our children get birthday parties every 4 years (4 yrs., 8yrs, 12 yrs....) So last night we celebrated Zeke's  8th birthday at Chuck E. Cheeses with just a few  (I wish we could have invited all) of his friends. While Zeke opened his presents, whoever's gift he was opening had to share something they appreciated about Zeke. One of the boys said, "I like/appreciate that Zeke invited me to his birthday party."  As soon as he said that, my thoughts drifted to these two verses:

" This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1John 4:9 & 10

This boy appreciated/loved Zeke because Zeke appreciated/loved this boy. We love God, because He first loved us.

" Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, "Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' But they paid no attention and went off- one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find,
both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes? The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are invited, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:1-14

THINK WITH LINK:

    * Think of the best wedding banquet/reception you've ever been to. We cant' even begin to compare it to what God has in store for us in heaven. God LOVES to celebrate and is the most generous host we'll ever know. I personally don't want to even think about missing out on the party he will be throwing in heaven.

    *Why would people NOT want to go to the best party ever thrown? Why would they be offended at being invited to a banquet? Why, like Zeke's buddy, wouldn't they love God more for  just being invited to this awesome place revealing that God's heart is for us to be with him in Paradise?

    * Who are the servants he has sent to you to invite you to the wedding banquet? How have/are you treating them? why?

     * God doesn't give up asking the people he loves to come to his party the first time. He sends more servants and asks again. He REALLY wants you/us at his party! He is SERIOUS about this.

    *Although God REALLY wants us to come party with him and he sends out a few invitations, there does come a time he will respect our wishes and give us what we want. He is not going to force us to come.

    *There will always be an excuse not to respond to the invitation.
        *stubborness ("They refused"), unbelief
        *paid no attention....didn't think it was serious enough, thought they had lots of time, busy w/ other things

    * THE WEDDING BANQUET IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHETHER YOU COME OR NOT!

    *At the party, God WILL notice what we are wearing- "wedding clothes vs. non wedding clothes

    *God called the man without the wedding clothes, "Friend."There will be lots of people that God LOVES DEEPLY seperated from him for eternity if they are not wearing the "right clothes"

    *WEDDING CLOTHES ARE NOT OPTIONAL FOR THIS PARTY.

    *If you were invited to a banquet and told "formal- suit and tie/dress required" would you doubt or disregard that message???? Would you be mad at the hosts, after they told you what was expected, if they didn't allow you to enter? Whose responsibility is it to listen and respond accordingly?

    *JESUS IS OUR "WEDDING CLOTHES." According to Scripture, only those who have received what he offers- believing he is who he says he is, receiving the gift he paid for with his life, and turning from our unloving ways - will enter the party. Our own good works ARE NOT APPROPRIATE DRESS. 

    *The only response when we meet the King and see that he was serious about the "wedding clothes", if we haven't dressed appropriately before the banquet, will be "SPEECHLESSNESS."

    *People who don't accept Jesus will be sepertated from God (love, light, everything good) and it will be the biggest regret of their life ("gnashing of teeth"... ie: "ahhhhhhh, why didn't I believe he was serious! Why didn't I respond!!! why? why? why? )

    * God invites all to his party. Only those who have embraced Jesus are picked to enter the party.

May we be like Zeke's buddy and love God more for inviting us. May we respond to the invitation and enjoy all the party has to offer! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link

    *If you are his servant, he wants to use you to invite others to the party. Who is he sending you to?
 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

"The least of these"

I was sitting with some friends at McDonalds yesterday sharing with them about my experience the night before at my friend, Sherry Galloway's, gymnastic meet.  This friend, Sherry, is so special to me. She has been my friend for probably at least 9 years now. She is my age, but because of her mental impairment I more often  than not take more the role of "mom"  with her. Throughout the years, I've taken her grocery shopping, driven her places, provided food and meals for her and have just been there to love on her. She, and her cat "Baby Bob" who has different clothes on every time I see him & whose birthday parties I try to attend,  are a source of delight for me. Well, Monday night of this week my girls and I headed over to WMU to support our special friend. I have often felt like I'm the only one Sherry has to help her, but again and again I am shown this is absolutely not true. As the girls and I headed up in the elevator with some
other people, I asked who they were coming to see. "Sherry Galloway," was their  answer. I couldn't help but smile and together we shared our joy in how we've come to know her. Upon entering the meet I sat down where the greeters directed me to go. I began chatting with the woman next to me and asked her who she was here to see. I shouldn't have been surprised when she answered, "Sherry Galloway." At the end of the meet, it became clear that us three "groups" of people were not the only ones there to support Sherry. That was just one of the many things that blessed me that night. I was also blessed by the encouragement that was given among the "special olympic's" teamates. They would yell and scream for each person who got up to do their event. After each person's moment of glory had ended, no matter how well or poor they did, they would run through a line high fiving and hugging each other. When the awards were handed out in the end, it
didn't matter whether they got first or sixth place, they were all elated with their ribbons and showed their joy in the most uninhibited way. I left there that evening believing deep in my heart that somehow that was a taste of heaven.  The love and joy that was in that place was beautiful.   So, I had just finished sharing some of these thoughts with my friends and encouraged them to, if they ever had the opportunity, to engage in a friendship/ relationship with someone who is mentally impaired. I simply shared they are a tremendous source of blessing.  Probably not five minutes after that, Mike, my mentally impaired buddy who works at Mcdonalds on Stadium  Dr. and who I've seen and chatted with every Tuesday morning for this past year,  approached me. Out of nowhere, Mike says to me in the presence of my friends sitting there, "You can use my 50% McDonalds discount when you come in here. I can pick one person to share it with."
Understand that I have been in there almost EVERY Tuesday morning and he has NEVER offered this to me. But just minutes after I had encouraged my friends to become involved with mentally impaired people because they will be blessed, this mentally impaired friend of mine offers me his 50% off discount showing that what I am speaking of is TRUE.

God's words says,

" WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME." MATTHEW 25:40

Was that God, confirming what I had just shared with my friends? Did God move through Mike, prompting him to bless me like that as if to say from God, "Do this! Love all my people, especially the "least of these" because I love them soooooo much and when you are kind to them you are kind to ME." I believe it! May you love the "least of these" today and every day and may you be blessed! Kristy Link
 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

"ALL THE PEOPLES"

Yesterday, as I was pushing my almost 3 year old around in the jogging stroller, she spent her time making up songs and then talking on her pink pretend phone.  During both activities she used this phrase, "all the peoples."  First, when she was singing her song about Jesus loving her, her sister, her brothers, her mommy, and her daddy and "all the peoples.." Then while she was talking on her phone to who knows who, she was telling the person on the other end, " Thank you for Reese, Jake, Max, Zeke, etc,.... and "all the peoples." She mentioned to her "friend" that she likes "all the peoples."
    As her mom, I was soooo happy to hear that she had on her mind and in her heart, "all the peoples," because I believe that is the heart of God. Listen to some of his words:

" For God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life....." John 3: 16

"EVERY LIVING SOUL belongs to me, the father as well as the son- both alike belong to me." Ezekiel 18:4

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, NOT WANTING ANYONE to perish, but EVERYONE to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

"Which is the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' ...and the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes HIS SUN (I love that!) to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:44- 48

May we, as women who are serious about doing what Jesus commands and thinking like he thinks, love "all the peoples." May those who experience us everywhere we go take note that we show no favoritism and may we see every living soul as one that is precious to God, belonging to him. May "all the peoples" from Kalamazoo and beyond come to believe that God loves them and sees them through our lives. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another soul. Kristy Link

p.s. For those of you who know the stories of my daugther Reese and her fascination with scissors.......the haircutting bandit has struck again.............for the 4th time! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 
 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

"mere words"

Happy Mom Monday. I hope you all had a peaceful and joyful Mother's day. Taco Bell was as delicious as ever for the12th year in a row.

    Have you ever told your child to do something and they haven't done it? Have you ever just used your words, your nagging, your complaining, or just getting angry to try to correct their behavior? How has that worked for you? I know way too well how that has worked for me- IT DOESN'T  (well, for at least 4 out of my 5 children)!
God's word says:

"A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond." Prov. 29:19

A few verses before that it says,

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." Prov. 29:15

As you are teaching, training, disciplining your children, remember that (controlled) pain (with much love) is a great teacher. 

The best example I ever heard of this is when you get pulled over by a police man b/c you were speeding, he doesn't have to come and yell and pour out his anger on you. Police men usually are very calm and kind, but they give a harsh "rod of correction" through the ticket they give you. It's not our anger that will get our children to change their behavior, in fact, God says,

"Man's anger doesn NOT produce the righteous life that God desires." James 1

A good, painful consequence will be helpful in getting our precious children's attention.

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with a rod, HE WILL NOT DIE. Punish him with the rod (not in anger, of course) and SAVE HIS SOUL FROM DEATH." Prov. 23:13 & 14

May God's words be useful in helping us train and teach our children that they may grow up to be a delight to our souls. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link

 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

A rich welcome!

Last night, my 4 children and I went to the airport after church to welcome home my almost 8 year old son, Zeke, and my husband, Rob,  who were returning from Washington D.C.  Rob's grandpa passed away a few months ago and it was scheduled for this past Wednesday for him to be buried and have a special service at the National Arlington Cemetary.  Since it is a tradition for Rob to take each of our children on a special "Just dad and me," trip when they turn 8, this seemed like the  perfect trip for Zeke.
    We arrived at the airport just minutes before they arrived . As we waited, the anticipation grew. We all stood staring through the doors scanning the crowd for the 2 faces we know and love. Finally, after minutes of waiting, we saw the ones we were looking for. As soon as we spotted them and before they could get through the doors, my 2 girls (4 yrs.& 2 years) began jumping up and down squealing with delight. As soon as Zeke and Rob made it through the doors, there were 5 people attacking them with hugs, kisses, and lots of joy/laughter. There is NOTHING like receiving a "RICH WELCOME."

Listen to this truth:

    "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For IF you do these things you will never fall, AND you will recieve a RICH WELCOME into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:11

I have no idea what this will look like but I KNOW the difference between a "rich welcome" and a "poor/lame/.....welcome."  I know which one my soul desires. 

So, how do we receive this "rich welcome?"  God's word says, "IF you DO THESE THINGS..."  

"These things?"  Hmmmmmmmmm....... What things??? "Tell me, tell me! I want a rich welcome!"

Let's back it up to the verses before. 2 Peter 1:5-9 says:

"For this very reason, make EVERY EFFORT to add to your faith GOODNESS; and to goodness, KNOWLEDGE; and to knowledge, SELF-CONTROL; and to self-control, PERSEVERANCE;  and to perseverance,GODLINESS; and to godliness, BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness, LOVE. For IF you possess THESE QUALITIES in increasing measure, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins....Therefore, my brothers......."

Are you and I making every effort to possess these qualities in increasing measure thus creating a "rich welcome' for ourselves?

If you've forgotten or don't know just how beautiful and good to the soul a rich welcome is, head on down to the airport to make you thirsty. Hold the image before you and live your life accordingly. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link
 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

Inspired!

Inspiration, the stimulation of the faculties through an agency such as a person, that MOVES the intellect or emotions, can come when you least expect it. The other day I was sitting at Lincoln Elementary  in Kalamazoo, Michigan watching my son's flag football game. I had chosen to sit next to a family that I knew a little, but not as well as I had wanted to. As the mom and I were chatting, her daughter, who happened to be the only girl on this all-boy team, came off the field as first-time quarterback and into her mom's loving arms as probably not the first time crying daughter. Sitting next to the mom, I couldn't help but overhear what exactly was causing these tears.  Let me tell you, it was NOT what I expected!  This was her very first time ever playing quarterback and as any firsttime anything, there was some room for improvement.  Some of the boys on her team began complaining and wanted to put in someone different. If that had
been me (and it wouldn't have because I don't even think I'd have the guts to be the only girl on an all boy team anyways!) my tears would have come because I wasn't doing a good job and I would have been full of self-pity hearing all kinds of "Failure"  & "Just quit!" whisperings.  That was NOT why this precious little girl was crying. She was crying because the boys on the team didn't want her to KEEP TRYING. She knew she wasn't the best quarterback, but she desired the opportunity to posssibly BECOME the best by being willing to fail, to keep trying and not give up, and to refuse to let her "failure" define her.

Maybe some of you are just like her and have this BEAUTIFUL tenacious spirit. If so, I'm "envious." I , personally, do not naturally have this spirit, but I see it and it inspires me. It breathes life into my soul. I believe it speaks of the truths of God:

1.  It's a NON- PEOPLE PLEASING spirit:

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Prov. 29:25

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would no be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

2. It's a FEAR-LESS spirit:

    " There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear" 1 John 4:18

    "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity(fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
     2 Timothy 1:7

3. It's an, "I CAN DO THIS!" spirit:

    "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4: 13

    " Everything is possible for him who believes."Mark 9:23

4. It's a PERSEVERING spirit:

    " For though a righteous man falls 7 times, he rises again." Prov. 24:16

    "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial...." James 1:12

Another definition of the word, "Inspiration" is - DIVINE guidance or influence exerted directly upon the mind and soul of man.

Oh my friends- Our God knows us each individually. He knows all of our strengths and weaknesses. He knows who we are now and who he desires us to become. He knows our deepest need at any given time. This situation may not have inspired you because perhaps it's not your "issue." But we all have "issues." We all have hidden thoughts, fears, ways of thinking and being that God wants to address. He is whispering to us all the time, sometimes through people or things that INSPIRE us and sometimes through other things/ways.  When was the last time you were inspired or " moved deeply in your soul being guided or influenced by God?" God speaks through people, nature, etc.... Pay CLOSE attention to your own soul and what affects it. Ask yourself, "Why did that just move me???  What is God trying to say to me?"

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and LEAD me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23 & 24

May you be inspired today. And may you hear God speaking to you through it. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

   

   

 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

A heart breaking bumper sticker.

 A few days ago I saw a bumper sticker that took my breath away and broke my heart. It said,

"Jesus, please save me from your followers."

I deeply desired to follow that truck until I could ask him "why??? What have you experienced from people who claim to follow Jesus??"   Not having the time to follow through on that desire, I made a right turn while he turned left and drove off into the distance with his incredibly disturbing heart on his window for all to see.

Immediately, my heart turned to prayer apologizing to God on behalf of his followers, myself included.

"Oh Father, I am sooo sorry. You are sooooooooooooo incredibly beautiful, sooooo attractive and winsome, you are love, you are light,  you are gooc, you are wise, etc.......everything I want to be.It breaks my heart that people might not want YOU because of our lives.  Show me where I might be turning people off from you. Show me where I might be walking in disobedience to your commands or in a lack of wisdom. I'm thinking of the truths you've given us:

" You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?.....You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed  (reviled, railed against) among the Gentiles because of you."

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for HIS NAME'S SAKE." Psalm 23

Oh God, your name is sooo awesome. May that bumper sticker NOT BE SAID OF US!"

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them but to show that they can be fully trusted so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior ATTRACTIVE.  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright godly lives..... Titus 2:9-12

May we love God and His name soooo much that we deeply desire to live for the sake of making his name great  May we understand that people may either be drawn to God or pushed away from him because of our lives.

"Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord MUST turn away from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19

As we go out today into our world, may we be wise in everything we say and do knowing that either our obedience to his teachings or disobedience is affecting those around us who God deeply loves and wants to reveal himself to. May we know Him and make him known .............NOT have people pray to him for protection from us. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy LInk

P.s. We all know we are not perfect, hence our need for God, but God's word does say to "aim for perfection."  (2 Corinthians 13:7-11). If we do something wrong making God's name less than desirable, for the sake of His name, may we be quick to apologize to whoever observed our ungodliness helping people see it's our "going our own way" that is unattractive NOT GOD HIMSELF.

 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26

"Behold wonder."

I've had these word stickers that I bought at Hobby Lobby (Oh yeah- good ol' H.L!) for 50% just sitting in my basement. Well- this week I decided it was time to finally put them up for all to see. The words I bought were:

                                    "BEHOLD WONDER."

As I contemplated just where exactly to put them, there really wasn't much thinking needed. I know that some of  the most "WONDER- FULL"  things in my home, are my children.  I agree with God's word when it says,

" And the Lord was GRACIOUS  (kind) to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to 3 sons and 2 daughters."
1Samuel 2:21

So, right outside by bedroom are the words, "Behold wonder" and baby pictures of 5 precious Link children.

After I put the words up on the wall, I made sure that my children knew what the word "WONDER" meant.

WONDER means "that which arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a monumental human creation regarded with awe."

Then I made sure they knew that these were not just empty, untrue words from the opinion of a "mom", but straight from the heart of God himself, words that are TRUE!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise YOU because I am fearfully and WONDERFULLY made; Your works are WONDERFUL, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

There are soooo many things we need to teach our children, but one of the deepest, most important & core truths we need to drill into their brains and hearts, is that they are soooooooooooooooo precious both to us and to God. They are 'WONDER- FULL" simply because God created them and there is no one else in the entire world like them. No one else ever has or ever will have their fingerprint.

I want my children to "KNOW FULL WELL," that they are a "WONDER." Of course, not more "wonderful" than anyone else, and not without their flaws, weaknesses, imperfections and sins that reveal their desperate NEED  for God and a Savior, the ONLY PERFECT ONE,   but at the core of who they are, "even the very hairs of their head are all numbered....they are WORTH MORE than MANY birds." (Matthew 10:31).

There are too many voices in the world and in our children's own minds and hearts telling them they are not worth very much and aren't too "wonderful." May we do all we can as moms, to fill our children's minds with the truth that they are a "WONDER."

This week I wrote a note to a friend who gave me some of his own homemade PURE maply syrup. In my note I expressed A LOT of delight  in and thankfulness for his gift to me. He responded with the words,

" I am likewise blessed by your delight."

His words came through to my heart like the voice of God, "who richly provides us with everything FOR OUR ENJOYMENT." (1 Timothy 6:17)

How Blessed God must be when we delight in our children, thanking him for his "gracious" gift given to us through them and praising HIM for the WONDER they are. Likewise, how sad it must make his heart, when we don't "BEHOLD WONDER"  that He has created and given us for our enjoyment. May we teach our children that they are a "wonder," and may we bless the heart of God by our delight in them. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

p.s. "DISCIPLINE your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul." Prov. 29:17

If you have forgotten that your child is a wonder, perhaps it's a discipline issue. It is our job to train our kids.

 "I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25 & 26