Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Day 562 Prayer Request

Please pray that an opportunity that I have to spend alone with my daughter will be used to break down barriers.

Ann (Momma to 6)

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Parallelism

I welcomed her into my home and she made herself comfortable, resting her back on my festive Christmas pillows.

I know she saw You.  

Your name.  

Your presence.  

You, celebrated boldly within these walls...

...because that is my primary focus during precious Advent.  You...  


I tried to make her feel welcome, with the water, the smiles, the thankfulness for her time....

...but she must have felt threatened.  

She grilled me hard for at least 20 minutes with unquestionable questions, inappropriate and accusing; in a fine passive-aggressive manner.  

And in the shock of those moments, I felt my enlarged heart swell with pain.  

I have cried out to You these past two weeks, and You have comforted my hurt down.  In retrospect You have revealed my choice clearly.  I do not walk a gray line.  My words that day marked the defined black line I wobble upon.

Every choice has a consequence.

And then the phone call yesterday.  Just a few last details to complete her task.  Just a few more questions to be asked.  And my overly enlarged heart grew more as her questions rolled out.  The pain almost unbearable in the lashing.

Her words stung as she questioned the choices I have for 14 years brought humbly before You.  She belittled my existence, giving the enemy a target to pierce once again. 

And I am on my knees praying the pain of my swollen heart is due to increased pooling of blood, and not the cold start of a hardened heart.

I open Your Word randomly to p. 876.  I see stains on Your words this morning.  Stains of splashed coffee.  Stains of bleeding ink. A wrinkled, weakened page from tears that have spilled.  Through blurred vision I read in the commentary:

"The first line makes a statement that the second line sharpens or heightens."

And Lord, I know it isn't Your inspired Word.  Just a note from the commentator giving me direction in reading the book of Psalms more effectively.  But this a.m., these words pop.


"A fuller appreciation of the eloquence of the Psalms can be gained by understanding the basics of Hebrew poetry...     
....Although Hebrew poetry contains some rhythm, it primarily makes use of repetition and recapitulation.  One line of a verse is followed by another that gives a variation of the same idea."

Parallelism.

Saying I believe is just the first part; the first statement I make.  It does not keep me balanced on Your black line.  The second part of my belief is demonstrated in how I live, how I trust, how I act, how I hope.  All of this sharpens or heightens the point.  

Please Lord, may my life point to You.  Not just my words.  Not just my face.  

My whole life.

Even when my choices threaten my family.

She does not understand my choice, but Lord she is Yours too.  I pray she witnesses synonymous, climactic, and emblematic parallelism within me.  I pray Your light will lead her to Your glorious Word and she can read it for herself.

I know it is not my job to lead her to You, but I humbly thank You for the gift You have graced me with in leading these precious little ones.  I do not comprehend Your plan in all this accusation and hurt.  Please give me sensitivity.  Maybe the sight of me-still standing firm, even with trembling knees, is part of Your precious plan for her. 

"...Not only do the psalmists use this poetic technique, but the authors of proverbs use it as well.  The second line of a proverb usually reinforces the meaning of the first line.  This reinforcement of the thought is not mere tautology, but the graceful artistry of a poet...

...The first line makes a statement that the second line sharpens or heightens."

And Lord, thank You for the choice of the gray or black line.  I pray my presence on Your black line is marked with graceful artistry.  

You are holding my heart tight.  Please keep it from hardening.  Please catch all the bleeding drops and use them for Your glory.


I love You.

  

Day 561 Prayer Request

Please pray for me to keep my eyes pointed like a flint straight towards Him and release all my fear to the One whose sovereignty reigns.

Reagan (Momma to 5)

Monday, December 29, 2014

Day 560 Prayer Request

Please pray for my daughter who is working so hard and making the best of her circumstances right now.

Annette (Momma to many)

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Day 559 Prayer Request

Please pray for my child to seek positive attention.

Reagan (Momma to 5)

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Day 558 Prayer Request

Please pray we can get our child back over the school break.  She has regressed due to a tough child in her class. 

Danielle (Momma to 3)

Friday, December 26, 2014

Day 557 Prayer Request

Please pray for the holidays and for our family to make it through.

Annette (Momma to many)

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Day 556 Prayer Request

Please pray for my family in a particularly tough time right now.

Anne (Momma to 4)

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

His name is Emmanuel....

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel...God with us."
Matthew 1:23







May Emmanuel be with you and your family and fill your home with light and love.




Merry Christmas

Day 555 Prayer Request

Please pray that we will have favor and mercy in the courts and with DHS.

Jane (Momma to 2)

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Monday, December 22, 2014

Day 553 Prayer Request

Please pray for peaceful holidays and children that can control their excited bodies.

Marie (Momma to 5)

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Happy 1st Little One....










Little one, you are loved beyond measure.  The miracle of you has changed our lives forever. 

God is so good. :)





Day 552 Prayer Request

Please pray for all the children and families touched by your prayers each day as you pray.  Christmas season is so tough for so many of us.  Please pray He will shine brightly through all the celebrations.  Please pray He will touch and meet the needs of wonderful Mommas in the thick of the battle each day. 

Mandi (Momma to 5)

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Day 551 Prayer Request

Praising Him for a such a blessing in our lives!  Our little one is one year old today.

Reagan (Momma to 5)

Friday, December 19, 2014

Day 550 Prayer Request

Please pray for my anxiety to subside as I meet with a caseworker today.

Reagan (Momma to 5)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Day 549 Prayer Request

Please pray that court matters can be settled.

Annette (Momma to many)

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Day 548 Prayer Request

Please pray for our family to focus on our Savior and place all our anxiety into His precious hands. 

Reagan (Momma to 5)

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Day 547 Prayer Request

Please pray that our child will be convicted to speak truth so she can receive help.

Ann (Momma to 6)

Monday, December 15, 2014

Day 546 Prayer Request

Please pray that I can get through the end of the quarter at school and that I make the right choice for next year - full time or part time teacher.

Danielle (Momma to 3)

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Day 545 Prayer Request

Please pray that I can know I have truly forgiven with my whole heart.

Jane (Momma to 2)

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Day 544 Prayer Request

Please pray for our child.  She's getting more controlling (maybe because of the holidays?).  Please pray for us as parents to have patience to redirect her and calm her down before she gets too worked up.

Marie (Momma to 3)

Friday, December 12, 2014

Day 543 Prayer Request

Please pray for our child to understand obedience better and for us to have patience with her disobedience.

Anne (Momma to 4)

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Day 542 Prayer Request

Please pray for our family as we are getting ready to travel for a wedding.  Please pray for safe travel and for health.  We are struggling right now with colds.

Marie (Momma to 5)

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Day 541 Prayer Request

Please pray that we will encourage our child well. 

Ann (Momma to 5)

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Day 540 Prayer Request

Please pray for our son to have strength emotionally to make it through the next couple of weeks of school before break. 

Ann (Momma to 5)

Monday, December 8, 2014

Day 539 Prayer Request

Please pray for my girls who are hurting with many changes and huge feelings of hopelessness.

Annette (Momma to many)

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Day 538 Prayer Request

Please pray our new little loved one will get to stay with us forever.

Reagan (Momma to 5)

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Day 537 Prayer Request

Praise Him for a smooth family time over Thanksgiving.

Anne (Momma to 4)

Friday, December 5, 2014

Day 536 Prayer Request

Please pray that we can get an appointment with a specialist soon for our child and for our hearts to heal.

Ann (Momma to 5)

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Day 535 Prayer Request

Please pray for my health as I deal with many issues with my children at this time and need to not be sick.

Annette (Momma to many)

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Day 534 Prayer Request

Please pray for my child as he grieves the loss of a friend.

Susan (Momma to 1)

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Happy Birthday Meekia Joy!

Happy Birthday Meekia Kayan! 
You are our not-so-little-any-more Joy! 

We love you!

Day 533 Prayer Request

Please pray for safe travel for me and my husband as we are leaving town for a few days.  Please pray for peace and safety for the kiddos here.

Marie (Momma to 5)

Monday, December 1, 2014

Day 532 Prayer Request

Please pray that God will speak to our daughter's heart and bring her peace and truth.

Ann (Momma to 6)