Practicing Honor, Day by Day 84

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

^{Today, honor a mother in your life.}

^{Perhaps it has been awhile since you have called you own mom, checked in with her or shown her your appreciation.}

^{Today is the day.}

^{Maybe you know a mom who is struggling, one who faces sleepless nights with her infant or one whose child is incarcerated.}

^{Do you know a mother who is watching her child face sickness and death?}

<sup>Today, let a weary mother know that you care.

Mothers carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.</sup>

^{Help to bear that burden today.}

Heavenly Father, I lift up mothers today. I think You for providing this world with women who tenderly care for others Fill each one with the strength and power she needs to face this day. Provide for every need, surround each one with Your presence and peace. Let each woman know that her life makes a difference and that this world is a better place because You created her.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 83

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Be still.

Know that He is God.

Easier said than done?

Are we ever truly still?

This verse has been coming up in many conversations lately.

I recall this passage in my mind often throughout my day.

I am making some deliberate changes, ones that seem minor but my hope is that I will begin to grasp this important command.

When I get into my car to drive somewhere alone, I do not turn on the radio.

I dock my cell phone.

Silence.

When I am at home, I try to find moments here and there to be quiet.

No TV, no music, no laptop, no Facebook, no Instagram, no Twitter.

Stillness.

Recently, the second part of this verse grabbed me.

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nation, I will be exalted in the earth.”

If I am not being still, I am not exalting Him.

In constant motion and commotion, I am exalting myself, my plans and my ways.

When I am not being still, I am saying that I am god and that if I do enough, say enough, plan enough or strive enough, things will get done.

He’s calling me to be still, to bask in His presence, to cease striving and to let Him be God.

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for running around and doing things my own way. I am sorry for exalting myself and my agenda rather than You. Today, I choose to still myself. I choose to sit at Your feet and rest in Your presence. I choose to breathe in and breathe out and take moments to acknowledge Your presence and goodness in my life. Teach me to be still, to be at rest, to be peaceful. I want to abide in You, to know You and  to please You with my life.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day—Returning

It has been months since I have written for this project.

Life has been spinning around me and for many reasons I have not taken time to sit and write.

I began this journey almost a year ago.

At the start, I stated that I was writing from a deficit of honor in my life.

I was not giving honor as I should, nor was I the recipient of honor in many areas of life.

I stated then and I reiterate now, I do not write about honor because I have obtained it or because my family has “arrived” in this area.

I write about honor because I need to grow and become more like Jesus in this area.

The main reason I stopped writing is because the voices (human and otherwise) have been screaming at me.

”You're not worthy.”

”You’re not good enough.”

“People who like you do not really know you.”

”Your family would be better off without you.”

”You make people miserable.”

”You are not a good mom.”

”You are not a good wife.”

“You are ugly.”

”You are worthless.”

Paul spoke of a thorn in His flesh, something that would not relent, “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 (NIV)

Sometimes I wonder if the voices, the doubts, the insecurities are my thorn.

Will I always struggle with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy? 

Will I also assume people do not want me around?

Will I always ache with the longing to be loved, accepted and wanted?

I don’t know.

As I talk to others, especially women, I find that most of us struggle in this way.

Most of us feel that we are failing.

Today, I am coming back.

I am putting up a fight.

I am digging into God’s word and finding the truth of who He is and who I am in Him.

I will not lay down and die.

I will not give in.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, I am choosing to run to Your open arms today. You are the One I can depend upon. You are the only One who is worthy of my devotion, my attention, my passion and my trust. I thank You for being faithful and for standing with me in the raging storms of life. I know that You will always be with me, through life and death. Help me to love myself as You love me. Help me to see myself through Your eyes. Help me to believe you and to take You at Your word. I put all of my hope and trust in You, for You alone are worthy.