Eeny-Meeny-Miney-Mo

The memories of my childhood - not unlike yours probably - are filled with moments in which I found myself huddled among my peers, our feet or knuckles forming a sloppy sort of circle while one of us sets about the formidable task of determining who was going to be "it". No matter if the rhyme was "Eeny meeny miney mo.." or "Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish...", the goal was to keep it random so no one could be accused of playing favorites. Anticipation was just part of the fun.

As a child I didn't mind that things were arbitrary. For the most part my days weren't planned. Other than organized sports or piano lessons, my days were pretty much my own. Pretend my dolls are having a giant slumber party which include a giant pink and white puppy dog? Sure. Lip synch the entire Muppet Movie album for hours on end? Why not! Hakuna Matata, man.

However, most people they see chaos as their mortal enemy. Our days are planned. Our trips are planned. Our meals are planned. Not much is left to chance these days. Don't even think about being spontaneous, we've got things to do, right?

Guess what - and moms know this more than anyone - our plans are worthless. Our plans are overwritten by an almighty God. And thank goodness because we'd get it all wrong. God has a great plan for us, and when we do things our way we are only getting in His way. That doesn't mean you leave everything to chance. I'm pretty sure none of us are going to buy a house on the Eeny-Meeny-Miney-Mo Method. Instead talk to God about His plan. Listen to what He has to say about your life. Trust me, He cares enough He'll tell you.

Heavenly Father,

Please forgive us for doing things our own way. Please forgive those times when we thought that we knew best and made decisions without you. Give us the ability to be still and know you. Open our ears to hear your word and your desires for us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a fool-proof plan if only we would listen to you. Throughout the bible you have revealed that your guidance is patient, kind, and loving. Help us to trust in your word and to not worry when things go awry. Your plan is better than our plan. Your ways are better than our ways. 
Amen

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."" - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Prayers For Oklahoma

Our hearts are saddened by the devastation that was left in the wake of the deadly tornadoes recently in the Oklahoma City area. Please continue to diligently pray for everyone in that area.

Heavenly Father,

We lift up the people of Moore, Oklahoma and those immediately affected by the tornado. We ask that you bring comfort to those who have lost friends and family and to those who are desperately searching for lost loved ones. Please be with any survivors that may be trapped or waiting to be reunited with their family. Send your Holy Spirit to give them peace and hope during this time. Lord we ask that you be with those who have lost their homes. As they sift through the rubble that was once their lives, we ask that you put your arms around them. Lead them in the direction to find shelter, warmth and solace. 

Lord we ask that you send your angels to comfort the children in that area. Give them loving arms to cling to, send them love and joy when none seem to exist. Also, preserve their innocence Lord, shield their eyes to the horrors of death and tragedy. Take away any fear or trepidation that overwhelms them. Fill their hearts and minds with Your love, Lord.

And Father, please be with the rescue workers who work tirelessly to uncover survivors. Give them the stamina and wisdom to seek life out of the horrific debris. Thank you for those that run to the devastation to lend a helping hand. Thank you to those who see a need and strive to fulfill it.

For those of us who stand from afar feeling helpless during times like these, may be hug our children a little tighter today. May we appreciate those little annoyances in life as we remember those who have lost so much.

Amen

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

On Our Hearts: Journey of Faith

This particular blog post and prayer is going to be a little personal. Here Micki will share with us an event that changed her life forever. Although Micki's circumstances may be a bit different from the rest of ours, I believe that we can all see a little of ourselves in her faith journey.

Ten years ago today, my life changed. At the time, most would have said for the worse given the circumstances, but I will just say it changed. On that day, I suffered many physical injuries as well as a traumatic brain injury. The memories I have are choppy at best. I had many physical injuries to deal with that left me at times unable to care for myself. Of my four limbs, only my left leg was un-injured, this made it hard to get around as you can imagine. The healing process was difficult and long. There were numerous surgeries, months and months of very limited mobility. I don’t have very many clear memories of the time, and have very fuzzy memories of my sisters wedding. I do remember laying flat on my back unable to care for myself and thinking ‘God, did you really need to get my attention that bad? Was I that lost that it really took you putting me here on my back unable to move, to get my attention?’ Now, I am not saying He created the accident to get my attention, but wow, it got my attention and I was in a position to do nothing but listen and seek.

The physical injuries and recovery took well over two years, but that was the easy part of the recovery as I look back. The hardest part was the brain injury. It is easy to describe to someone a broken arm, leg, or knee surgery, but it is hard to describe the mental and cognitive injuries. It is hard for someone to grasp the concept of not being able to read and comprehend what the words mean anymore. When I say my head felt like it was wrapped in cotton balls and I was trying to find my way out, not many can relate. The emotional volatility I experienced was so severe. I was unable to multitask, read and comprehend it, or hold a normal conversation. Often the words that came out of my mouth did not make any sense and I could not ‘find’ the words that I was looking for.

A few years ago someone asked me how I got through it. It sounded so ridiculous to me. Why would I choose to lay there and write my life off? Just because I had challenges didn’t mean that I couldn’t get some sort of life back. I basically had two choices: to lay there and let it get the best of me or try to be myself again. When I say get myself back it was more about accepting who I had become as a result of the accident and in a way grieving the loss of my old self. I had to realize I would not and will not ever be who I was, or have the exact same personality. But I know now that is ok.

During this time, I can only credit my faith for this success. I truly believe without it, I would have not made even one-fourth of the recovery I have made. Why? It was hard work. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. Marine Corps boot camp was easy compared to the rehab and battle I did. It was day in and day out with no or very little progress. Week after week of the same thing wondering if I improved at all, days and days of crying because I couldn’t stop. ‘Brain storms’ where I was so overwhelmed I could not do, think, or function. Through the fuzz, I had to keep holding on to the fact I could ‘get better’. My then boyfriend, now husband was amazing. He accepted me exactly how I was. It was ok not to be the old Micki.

Before the accident I was lost, a bit of a risk taker, I had a career but no real commitments. I only had as many possessions that I could pack up the car and leave. If I felt like moving I could, where I ended up I would. Of course that is not what happened. I have been married for almost 8 years and we have 2 young girls. I am so thankful for my life; for my experiences. I still struggle and am reminded daily of my injuries. Many days with physical pain and every day the cognitive challenges that remain. I have recovered well and adjusted. I have been taught many modifications, but daily I have to work at them.

I am no longer bitter, I am not sorry it happened. I am grateful for my faith. I am grateful for my family. I am thankful for each day and the challenges they present. For the gift of my family and for my husband accepting me for who I am today. I look at the world with a grateful heart and I am grateful to my God for my second chance.


Father God,

So many of us have our story, our battles we have fought. Today I just want to say thank you for mine. At many times in the past I have not been as forgiving or compassionate as I should have been. I am now ready to give it to you. It has taken years of you working on my heart to lift some bitterness. You are my God. I thank you for standing by me and being my companion during this journey.


Amen


"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

On Our Hearts: Growth

I am always amazed this time of year of just how much things can change. The trees are rapidly turning green and flowers are sprouting up. It is as if there is new growth all around us. As if God touched His hand to the ground and encouraged each blade of grass to reach for the sun. Chances are as your children prepare for the end of the school year you're noticing just how much they have changed over the course of the year. Maybe you've noticed how much her hair has grown, how his feet are two shoe sizes bigger, or just how much more grown up they have become. And although we are adults and we don't tend to think of ourselves as growing (unless it's our midline), God is calling us to grow. He wants us to grow in Him, in our faith, and in our service. Take a moment to look back and see just how much you've grown. Are you stronger in your relationship with God? Are you relying more on Him? Have you grown in spiritual maturity? No matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, you can be assured that you have new growth just waiting to blossom.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the new growth that surrounds us in nature. As we look around we are reminded of Your grace and mercy in the renewal process. Through You all things can be made new again. We can have new perspectives, new desires, and new hope. Lord, we thank You for the growth that we have experienced in You. And although You have not finished Your work in us yet, we can see the growth that has taken place. You have planted the seeds of our faith and Your love has nurtured us. Lord, show us the areas in which You want us to grow more. May we be a vessel for Your nourishment and teaching, Lord. Reveal the dry, withered places of our heart that need tending. We are yet a tender flower waiting to bloom.

Amen


"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." Isaiah 58:11

On Our Hearts: Don't Worry, Be Joyful

I once heard it said that happiness is based on happenings, but joy comes from the Lord. Think about that for a second. We need people, places and things in order to be happy. But to be truly joyful all we need is Jesus. When we think about it that way, it is much easier it is to be joyful than to be happy. People will let us down, places will deceive us, and things will deteriorate. But the joy that God gives us never expires, never dissipates, and never fails. Oh sure, we will experience sadness now and then. But once you discover the inner joy that the Lord brings, your life will never be the same again.

Heavenly Father,

Please forgive us for having looked to the world to bring us joy. We may have found happiness, but it was only temporary. Fleeting pleasures that may satisify us in the interim, but they are no comparison to Your joy. This world is filled with so many disappointments and disillusion, and yet we continue to seek after the empty promises the devil would have us desire. Father, turn our hearts toward You so that we may receive Your magnificent joy. Only You can fulfill our deepest desire to be truly happy. We long to know what it feels like to have true inner joy and peace within our spirit. Help us to overcome any sadness that we may be feeling. Show us how to replace anger with forgiveness and grace. And let us pass this joy on to our children. May we be an overflowing vessel of joy to them. Lord, despite what may be going on right now in our lives, may we put a smile on our face and a sweet song in our voice to show the world the only way to find true happiness.

Amen

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." Psalm 4:7

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

On Our Hearts: Hope

Heavenly Father,

There are days when we just feel so alone. We're tired, we're stressed, and we're running on empty. It's so easy just to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for ourselves. The devil tells us that we are the only ones going through what we're going through, that no one else understands us, and that we're never going to get out of the pit of troubles. We feel that we're not good enough, not smart enough, and that no one could possibly love us. But Your word tells us different.

Lord, we ask that you pick us up. Dust us off and wrap Your loving arms around us. Just as You were able to make the blind man see, You can open our eyes to the beauty that You have created us to be. Just as You made the lame walk, You can transport us from pity and despair to joy and hope. Lord, You are capable of what feels like the impossible. We can rest in You and have hope that we are not alone, we are bound for greatness, and that we are lovable. Lord, the next time self-doubt and pity creeps in we ask that You replace those feelings with confidence and hope.

Amen

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13