Humanitarian Godly Hands…

A Word from God.

“I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic.

I’m here with you.

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

I’ll give you strength.

I’ll help you.

I’ll hold you steady., keep a firm grip on you…

Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.

I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end- because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

THATS how much you mean to me!

THATS how much I love you!

I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” (Isaiah 41:9-10; 43:2-4 MSG).

Gods Spirit keeps stirring within me on this subject…

Hands.

God took His hands and placed them into the dirt and formed man with His hand..

Jesus’s nail scarred hands hammered to the cross…

I carry that image in my mind daily…

He still feels the nails, every time I fail.

And every time I fall, those same hands pick me back up.

When I need comforting, His Hands pat me on my shoulder, embrace me in warm hugs.

When I’m sad and my eyes leak the emotions in my heart, His hands wipes every year, and collects them into heavenly bottles for Heavens purpose- never is a tear wasted.

When I’m in need of companionship, He places His hand in mine.

When I achieve a goal or reach a milestone, Gods hands applaud me, cheers me on.

When I’m sick, His hands are laid on me to heal me.

God said ‘See? I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. I have written your name on the palms of My hands… I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands….” (Isaiah 49:16 NIV, NLT, ESV, NAS, MSG)

God loves me.

So much that He permanently inscribed my name on His Hand as a remembrance.

He says “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’ll never forget you— NEVER.” (Vs 15-18)

(And for the record- THIS momma can NEVER forget or walk away from her children she bore!)

God can never forget those He has engraved on the palms of His hands.

Every time He sees His own scarred hands, He sees you.

I’ll always remember the feel of my babies hands holding onto mine, and patting me with their hands.

That precious innocent complete act of trust…each one special to me- My mind replays thousands upon thousands of scenes in my memory bank of them… as infants, as toddlers, as preschoolers, as school aged children, as preteens, as teens, and as adults… That reassuring feel of comforting touch that hands bring-so special!

I wrote this three years ago as two different posts- on two different dates-yet today they have deeper meaning, more profound meaning for us today.

Today, we said ‘see you later’ to our daughter and son-in-law, who are missionaries heading to Africa for 2 years., serving in the Peace Corp. Watching MY baby, put her hands in her husband’s… Knowing their hands are firmly planted in God’s hands regardless of where, brings me comfort and peace.

This past weekend, watching all the gathered immediate family and extended family hold hands, shake hands, embrace in tight hugs with hands, patting love taps on backs with hands, reinforced to me how amazing and perfectly formed are our hands.

Seeing our sons shake hands with tears overflowing in church… seeing our daughters hold each other tightly in the tightest embrace while trying to be brave fighting off tears, losing because of a sibling love so strong LOVE wins…

Seeing grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins hands interact with loving touches-

It is its own love language-

The language of Hands.

Today, these hands waved a proverbial farewell… but never a goodbye. Only see ya later.

As we trust in our God, who formed us with His guiding Hand, and protects us with His Hand- we know we send them off AS the hands of Christ.

In the months to come, their hands will become calloused from fielding the bush for food, carrying water buckets to and from the well for mile’s each day, forming a daily fire to cook and boil water, scrubbing their laundry, doing the work they were created and called to do.

These hands will encourage one another., and will work together.

These hands are anointed.

They will be used to praise and worship God high and lifted up. These hands will be used to clap as they sing with the locals. These believers hands will be used to lay on the sick, and the sick shall recover.

These hands will be used in acts of service- consecrated and dedicated to each other and to God.

Someday, these hands will hold our grandchildren, but for now, they hold all of our hope, love, and prayers.

But no fears, and no cares- Those were all cast to the Father God.

Little Children’s Imaginary ‘Friends’ Have Spiritual Purpose

Often times, little children have imaginary ‘friends’.

To them, they ‘see’ their ‘friends’ as real people. They confide in them. They are content for hours spending time with them.

They talk with them, eat with them, play with them- as if they are REAL people.

Little children are given great imaginations by God! They love to sit on the floor and pretend real life situations and act them out.

They make up stories, acting out with dolls, or toy cars, or they ‘play’ house or doctor, policeman, cowboy etc.

Many times when my children were little, they’d say “Mommy, come play with me!”

And quickly they’d assign me a position-a role to act out “You be the mommy, I’ll be the baby.”

Without effort on their part, they’d come up with the most natural conversations as they play-acted. But for me, it was not as easy to ‘pretend’ anymore as a grown up.

I loved watching my children play alone content with their ‘imaginary friends.’

They’d be oblivious to me standing in the doorway,observing their conversations, lost in play as if I was the invisible one and their ‘friend’ was more real than me.

I believe God gave little children the gift of imagination, and especially imagination friends for a reason.

It teaches them at a young age to be comfortable with themselves talking out loud to an ‘invisible’ yet very important figure in their life they believe to be real.

Colossians 1:15 (NLT) “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation”

The gift of a childlike imagination is from God. Children have innate unquestionable faith. They ‘see’ with the pure, undefiled eyes of faith.

Playtime for a little child with an unseen ‘real’ friend, is prayer preparation time with an unseen REAL God!

I believe God gave little children the gift of imaginary friends to allow them to grow comfortable talking out loud to their unseen friend/s, so that without question they will be able to ‘see’ Jesus, and talk with God whom they can’t see, but know is there.

When we ‘see’ Jesus as our real, personal living friend- when we become comfortable as as child talking with Him openly and anything and everything- we will ‘become as a child.’

“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

Found on Josie’s Pinterest

Many people have opinions that social media is a tool of the enemy, so they avoid it like a plague. 

I have  come to believe that Satan has no creative abilities, only those that may corrupt, pollute or distort something beautiful that God created, because I believe God is the almighty Creator- and that all things were created BY God and FOR God (Colossians 1:16).

No one person can ‘create’ something totally by scratch.  They can use the creative abilities bestowed upon them and inspired by God.  

However, in order to do so, they are using ingredients or supplies or materials…already created by the Creator.
It is humanly impossible to create something that never before existed, using a substance that they alone created, out of nothing.  
Only a Creator can do this, and only God is the true, one and only, Creator.
For something to be made, reproduced, invented, etc, something had to already previously existed or be created- then, using the creativity one possesses, an individual could potentially assemble something unique… using materials already created by the Creator.
Everything has potential to be used for the good, or to be used for bad.

Jesus said this:  ‘The thief comes only to kill, to steal and destroy, but I have come so that you might have life more abundant.’  (John 10:10)

We choose to use social media for either good, or bad.  
  
We can promote good (God) in all we do and say, or we can promote bad (Satan) in what we do and say.
I think you understand my point.
This morning, I read a post on Facebook from a friend.  

This friend suffered a tragic, sudden, unexpected loss of her beautiful, young, carefree, talented, full of life, full of God, daughter, 7 months ago. 
We lost our youngest daughter in a tragic, sudden, unexpected bizarre hurricane related accident 6 years ago next month from severe brain injuries when a tree fell on our van, but only for 6 minutes…somehow, supernaturally, God restored life and healing to our daughter…, whereas for my friend- her daughter’s death was sudden, complete- yet her daughter is complete, healed, restored, and alive as well, only living in Heaven.
So I can relate, to a degree, of the emotions a parent feels seeing their own child lifeless…& my heart still aches for my friend… Sonya… and for all of her family who each one is still affected by the shock, still grieving from the unexpected, so I am still covering them in prayers for God’s supernatural comfort.
But back to the post I read this morning on Facebook…

It simple said ‘found on Josie’s Pinterest’ and included a picture of a beautiful poem that brought my friend, this grieving parent, an unexpected positive memory… 
I’ve since googled this poem.   I wanted to read the whole poem, and to learn who penned it.
It’s called ‘After a While’ by Veronica A Shoffstall.

Simple.  Yet profound.  Healing balm to a wounded soul.

Intrigued by these beautiful words, I was prompted to research more about the poet, and this particular poem that captured Josie’s attention on Pinterest that my friend shared this morning on Facebook…

And in doing so, discovered the rest of the poem.

It’s called “After a While You Learn” and actually is part of the authors wordpress blog, copied below in the link.  
I encourage all to read, as it’s beautifully written and contains more gems of wisdom.  Here’s a link to do just that, if you’d like.

https://purenourishment.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/after-a-while-you-learn-by-veronica-a-shoffstall-1971/amp/

Social media was used in a positive way this morning.  It gave my friend a glimpse into the past of her precious daughter’s life- and shared a precious moment of a mutually appreciated poem…

Through Facebook, a Pinterest ‘like’ temporarily connected a departed daughter, now living in Heavens eternity,  with a grieving mother, still passing through life’s journey here on earth, in a beautiful God moment. 

All because of social media.  
Something God created to be used for good, not evil.  It’s up to us to choose how.   

Today, I choose for good.

Wonder Woman- WHO?

Enjoying slowly reading through #lisaterkeurst #thebestyes … I thought this was interesting with recent release of remake #wonderwoman …

 Knowing #when to say #yes and #what to say yes to is vital to our well being as #women … there’s a difference between #confidence and #conviction… know God’s Word, and answer His call on your life… doing His plan will never wear you out, but will leave you fulfilled and content in serving 😇 
As women, and as moms, we tend to multi task.
Baby on hip, phone on the ear, hand on spatula frying ground beef for Hamburger Helper, broom on other hand sweeping floor… never a dull moment, that’s for sure!

Juggling choir practice, prayer meetings, soccer games, band practice, PTA meetings, bible studies, grocery shopping, bill paying, dog grooming, dry cleaning, laundry!!! And being invited to this party, that fundraiser, this meeting, that ministry- can generate stress, not success.

Learning the BEST YES needs to be prayerfully made, and that it’s ok to say no. 
We are not every one else’s answer to everyone else’s prayer.
Just because we are asked doesn’t mean we should.
Boundaries.  Self respect.  Honoring the temple we have been made to be- that’s wisdom.
Don’t let another’s opinion of you define your identity or determine your destiny.   
You were created with a purpose, and are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Find out who you are, and whose you are- by what the Bible says.
God has already determined your value based on His sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He determined your worth, and decided YOU are worthwhile.
Sometimes there are seasons in life. When busy raising children, that IS your mission.   Anything else be sure to pray over before committing…
Be joyful in serving.  Never stressed… 
Be a true ‘wonder woman’ and let the God of all wonder lead you where He needs you.
Be led by the Holy Spirit, with peace, not need.  Be moved by compassion and conviction, strong and courageous.
Be blessed AS you are being a blessing!
#iamjesusgal #iamjesusgalministries #balance #guardyouryes #timemanagement #womenempowerment #strength #wisdom 

Patience: A fruit to ripen

#Patience
Patience isn’t something most of us are born with. It surely doesn’t come automatically the moment we take a breath-it’s developed. It’s a process. It takes time.
Children are not automatically patient. As mom looking back, I can’t even count the number of times I told my children “just be patient” or “in a minute!” When you stop to analyze that statement it’s actually quite funny. A little child? Be patient? Most adults struggle with being patient, yet we expect our children to ‘be patient.’
Most people, including children, truly don’t understand what this word means. “Patience.” Yet we expect it from everybody. But are WE being patient?
Children learn patience when it’s demonstrated. They live what they see demonstrated. It is learned over time but so are other characteristics.  

I know as a mom, there were times when I demonstrated patience with my children, yes; but there were MUCH more times when I didn’t. I wish I could change that now. I can’t. I was still ‘fruit’ in the process of being developed at the time I was raising my children… 
Webster defines it this way:
Patience:
“the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. The ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.”
The word “patience” historically comes from the Latin, patientia, meaning suffering, which also gives us the word patient, referring to someone who is suffering from being sick or injured.
“Patience” is one of the fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Fruit takes time to ripen. So does patience.  
The Strong Concordance for the original Greek word translated to our English language for patience is:
#8318 pa’-shens (hupomone, makrothumia):
“Patience” implies suffering, enduring or waiting, as a determination of the will and not simply under necessity. As such it is an essential Christian virtue to the exercise of which there are many exhortations. 
We need to “wait patiently” for God, to endure uncomplainingly the various forms of sufferings, wrongs and evils that we meet with, and to bear patiently injustices which we cannot remedy and provocations we cannot remove.
PATIENCE: The quality of forbearance and self-control which shows itself particularly in a willingness to wait upon God and his will. Believers are called upon to be patient in their expectations of God’s actions, and in their relationships with one another.
Patience is often hard to gain and to hard to maintain, but, in Romans 15:5, God is called “the God of patience” as being able to grant that grace to those who look to Him and depend on Him for it. 
It is in reliance on God and acceptance of His will, with trust in His goodness, wisdom and faithfulness, that we are enabled to be patient, endure, and to hope stedfastly.
“Patience” is a form of #Love
In 1 Corinthians 13:4, “LOVE is patient.”
Ahhhhhh.
This is key.   
“God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
We are to walk in love. (Ephesians 5:2)
When we are patient with one another, 

we are demonstrating Gods love. When we are patient with ourselves, we are receiving Gods love.  
While we strive to be patient all the time, to be loving all the time, we fail.
Progress takes time. We’re all human.
Praise God that HE never fails! He is ALWAYS patient with us, ALWAYS loving towards us.  
Join me today to commit to exercise our patience with one another.
#FaithActs!

Mothers Day Front Porch Blessing

Mothers Day Front Porch Blessing
There’s something profound that happens when a seed is planted into the ground.

It’s not something we can easily explain because it involves faith, something we can be sure of, even while we can not see the end at the beginning.

It also involves different elements and conditions.  The type of soil the seed is planted into, the surroundings that are around the seed, even the expectations of the one who planted the seed.

The seed- it’s just a seed.

And- there are MANY  different types of seed.

It’s full of possibilities.  It’s full of potential…

Potential to ‘be’ what it was designed to be. 

But a seed unplanted?  It is just a seed… it’s unborn potential of what ‘might‘ be…

But imagine for a moment how far reaching that one tiny seed could travel once it IS planted! 

You see, the ‘seed’ was programmed to reproduce after its own kind.

Every single form of life, God created uniquely and miraculously within itself, the potential seed to reproduce after its own kind. 

The tomato plant bears tomatoes.  Within the tomato are… you guessed it…seeds. 

Seeds of potential that, if planted, will reproduce more tomatoes.

But what would happen if, say, the tomato seed was never planted?  
Let’s say, for purpose of illustration, the tomato seed was placed inside an envelope, and stored away in a dresser drawer for years…

The little seed, intended for so much more life to bring… remains only just a seed… a seed of possibility, a seed of potential… but never realized it’s purpose.

Today, I want to suggest the amazing POWER that is concealed with the seed of our thoughts, our words, and our prayers for our children.

As a mother of three different, uniquely individually talented and gifted children, I was challenged.

I was challenged in planting the seeds of hope for my children in the garden of my heart.  

See, I had to realize the gifts within each of my children, and recognize each one is unique in their own right. 
And I had to weed out the garden of my heart with prayer. 
I had to protect and nurture the environment in which the seeds of their lives were planted…

And like each seed we plant in our gardens, each child take time to grow it’s roots into the soil of life, even before the ‘plant’ from the seed raises to the surface!

When a seed is planted, it’s thrust into the darkness of the soil. 
It’s covered up.  
It’s not seen.  
It’s seemingly isolated, and alone.  

But just like when the fertilized seed is planted into the womb is unseen, in a dark place… the seed planted in the soil is unseen, in a dark place.

But it’s the thoughts, words and prayers we give towards the seeds that help them develop.  

God’s Word in Jeremiah 29:11 says “for I know the thoughts I have towards you, sayeth the Lord, thoughts of good and not of evil, thoughts to prosper you and not to harm you.”

When we put our faith in the Word of God, cling to it, trust in it, BELIEVE it, no matter what we see, hear, think, imagine, feel… and when we keep confessing what God’s Word says, the unseen realm changes the seen realm.

Something happens in the soil of our heart.  

A confidence in what God is doing takes over the uncertainty of what we are not seeing.

When we add in the POWERFUL fertilizer of prayer, oh my!  

God watches over His Word and performs it!  GOD  is the miracle grow for our seed!

He will cause those things that are not as though they are!

His plans that He alone deposited into the seed of our children’s life begins to unfold, and our family garden begins to bear much fruit, bursting with flavor and variety!

This Mothers Day,  May 2017, my three blessings demonstrated their love towards me in their own unique way.  

I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The seeds planted into the lives of our children when they were babies have grown into a beautiful, loving, blooming garden of life.

Our son, who is self employed with a busy Handyman business that specializes in flooring, ceramic tile and bath remodels,  hand delivered me beautiful flowers.  

And he spent time with me. For him, the sacrifice of time away from his growing business was a huge gift!  
I’m STILL enjoying the beautiful flowers!

Our last born daughter Morganne Grace and her husband Asa blessed us with invitation of their college graduations on the same day.   They are newlyweds of 17 months.

They graduated from BOTH colleges debt free!  They treated us to lunch with them afterwards… gifted me with a meaningful card and thoughtful practical gift that was on my ‘wish list’.

And our first born daughter, Helen Page, who lives four and 1/2 hours from us- oh my- it’s hard on a momma being separated from your child- even though they are grown and independent!

She sent me a Mothers Day blessing that greeted me today on my front porch… which inspired me to write today’s blog… 
When I arrived home from healing service today, a package that was assembled by Helen awaited me with much forethought, time and creativity…  and will keep reproducing…

Each gift of love came from seeds of love that were planted years ago, watered with thought, God’s Word, and much prayer.

And these seeds?  Our children? 

They continue to reproduce after their own kind.

I’m grateful to God for a full garden. 

I’m grateful for the variety of uniqueness in my children.  

I’m thankful to God that He directs the seeds of our children to grow, prosper, bless, and bring in a rich harvest, each in their own individuality, uniquely special way.

And I’m eternally grateful to stand beside this incredible man, my soul mate and high school sweetheart, ministry partner and husband to watch God’s love continue to reproduce in the seed of our marriage.

Being a mother is not always an easy ‘job’.  
Pain is associated with the joys that come with the title ‘mom’… 
Iamjesusgal Ministries
When we open our hearts to a newborn baby, we become vulnerable to heartache.  
Sacrifice begins, and never truly ends. 
As the baby grows, into an active demanding toddler, we wonder if we will ever sleep.  
Then toddler grows into a school aged child- and we wonder how we will survive the separation of child leaving us, if only for a few hours a day- and hold back the tears, adjusting to ‘sharing’ our child with the teacher…
Then teen years come- and for some, additional children may follow the one- so that the juggling of emotions become more skilled- how can we possibly love another child the same?  
We realize we can’t.  Our love for each is unique.
Many of the child-rearing milestones we reach come with a price… 
They fall. They get hurt. They become sick. They get rebellious. They make mistakes.  They grow into people.
You spend sleepless nights when they are late coming home, waiting for the phone to ring or the front door to squeak open… holding your breath until they are finally home. 
They exhibit a strong will, sometimes a stubborn streak, and they go a different direction than the plan you envisioned for them…
You cry yourself to sleep many a night, until you realize it’s better to trust God for them, and then you spend much time on your knees, in prayer.  
Then they grow up. 
They leave for college, but you soon realize they never really come ‘home’ again. 
You were not prepared for this.
Or were you preparing for this allaling, from the very beginning?
They move on and move out.   They come home to ‘visit’ and leave again. 
They get married. They move away. And they get busy living their life, independent and successful. 
And as proud as you are of them, you miss them. 
 You miss the sounds of their little feet running up and down the stairs… you miss the slamming of doors and sweet hugs and goodnight kisses. 
You miss them climbing in your lap, asking you to read the book ‘just one more time, mommy!’ 
You miss the walks in the parks, the swings and the slides.  You miss their mastering accomplishments, beaming with pride.
You miss cheering for them at soccer games, encouraging them at cross country meets.
You miss the squeaky missed notes of instruments & voice while rehearsing a song, and applauding them at band concerts and choral concerts. 
You miss all of their friends coming by the house, some staying overnights… 
You find yourself adjusting from a full, boisterous house of five + to a quiet home of two… 
And then somehow, you adjust again to how it all began…just the two of you, only different.  
Part of yourself is no longer nearby.
But the joys of motherhood, with all the heartaches, is only one part of my life, indescribable. 

I come to realize that motherhood IS joy.  Joy is a state of being, not a feeling.
Joy doesn’t change because if our emotions, or circumstances.
Being a mother, with all the hurts, and fears, brings indescribable joy.
A joy that is not to be wasted.  A joy that is a privilege and a cause for praise.
I have dear friends who long for this experience & my heart aches for them. I pray for them, and try not to take my blessings for granted. 
I am far away from being an expert, or a ‘perfect’ Mom.  I have made many mistakes as a mother, tried to ‘figure it all out’ while raising our three, while trying to figure out life in general. 
Not easy. But- I have come to realize, as imperfect as I am, that I was the ‘perfect choice’ as mother to my three, because you know why?
Because God chose me.
And that???
THAT is the main thing I’ve never figured out- 
God, You have given me the absolute BEST gift ever- of being chosen to be the mother of Douglas Roundy Jr, Helen Roundy and Morganne Skinner, and now You’ve given me another son, through marriage, Asa Skinner.  
I can’t comprehend the love of God, in that He blessed me, undeserving me, to marry my high school sweetheart, Doug Roundy…
Or how God blessed us to grow an amazing family, with each of our quirks, and shortcomings, yet also with each of our unique talents and abilities, and hearts desires.
God, You somehow created us imperfect people perfectly, and formed us together into a family, to do life together.  
It’s part of Your perfect plan, even though in part, we don’t really understand.
As Mothers Day 2017 comes to a close, I ponder all the myriads of emotions, and memories collectively over the years of being a mother- and I say Thank You God, for choosing me for the best ‘job.’
The best ‘job’ in all the world, is being chosen by God to mother my children, the 3 +1.  
As a mother, I’ve learned what unconditional love looks like.
It’s the picture of God’s love.
It endures with patience and serenity, its being kind and thoughtful.
Unconditional love is not being jealous or envious;  does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 
It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked nor overly sensitive and easily angered.
Unconditional love does not take into account a wrong endured. 
It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth when right and truth prevail. 
Unconditional love bears all things regardless of what comes, believes all things, looking for the best in each one.
Unconditional love hopes all things-remaining steadfast during difficult times, endures all things without weakening.

Unconditional love never fails, it never fades nor ends.