A Time for Everything

3 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

² A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
³ A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
⁴ A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
⁵ A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
⁶ A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
⁷ A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
⁸ A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

⁹ What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? ¹⁰ I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

¹¹ He has made everything appropriate in its time.”

My oldest son turned 4 last Tuesday and for the last month he has asked me over and over and over again, “When is my Birthday party going to be here? Is it today? What are we doing tomorrow? Is my Birthday tomorrow?” He never stops talking and right now he’s going through a phase where he never stops asking questions. Gotta love it!

I guess you could say he was a little excited about his birthday. Apparently 4 is the marker for “Big Boy Status” in his eyes.

However, shortly after his birthday, he told me he couldn’t wait to be 38… (no idea where 38 came from)

Keep in mind, he’s 4 years old.

But somehow, he got it into his mind that at age 38 he could get a motorcycle and take me on a ride then buy his dad, G-Pa, and Aunt Jessie a motorcycle too. So now his big thing is “When I’m 38 I’ll…” then he fills it in with some crazy story about buying a motorcycle, chasing t-rexes, and becoming a ninja turtle. I told you this kid has an imagination!

But my point is…at age 4 he’s already dreaming about the future.

As teenage girls, I’m sure you’ve dreamed about the future at some point in time. Maybe you’ve met someone special, considered how your future may look with them, and possibly even how their last name would look beside yours…

Or maybe you’ve just dreamed about the day you turn 15 and can finally drive or 18 and you can do whatever you want (that’s a devotion for another day)

As young ladies, it’s easy to plan your life before it even happens. If you’re like me…you like to plan and know what’s going to happen next. If you’re like my husband, you like to play it ear and hope for the best.

Whatever your personality may be…always remember that God has a “time for everything.” God’s timing is not always your timing, but I promise His timing is always right for you.

Be patient and trust in Him.

Just a few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend that had hit rock bottom several years back. About 5 years ago, he and his wife both lost their jobs about the same time, they had young babies at home and some health issues in the family that were causing them a lot of stress.  Finding a job was not easy with two young babies at home. We continuously prayed for this family and couldn’t imagine the turmoil and stress that it had caused for them. Every now and then I would run into them and see them smiling and making it through the day, but I never really knew how things were panning out. They always looked happy, and any time I asked how they were they would reply, “trusting God.”

5 years later, I sat down and talked with them. God has taken their mess, their stress, and all their anxieties and blessed them with a new home and a new career path where they can live without worries. It took over 3 years in the valley for them to see the mountaintop but they trusting in God and He blessed them in many ways. It’s amazing how God works things out when His people trust in Him.

Sometimes to see God’s blessings you have to sit back and realize that it’s all in His timing. If you could wave a magic wand every time you wanted a blessing, you would never truly trust in God. In an “instant satisfaction” world, you have to remember that God is still God of the Universe and you are here to serve Him, not for Him to serve you. With patience and trust…you can truly see God’s timing work out for your good.

Whatever “time” of life you are in right now, realize it is only temporary. God is still with you, and He’s just waiting on you to trust in Him.

Praying for you always!

May God Bless you and Show you His Grace every day!

 

• Sunday was Mother’s Day. It’s the one day out of the whole year where everyone honors their mother.

  One Pastor put it this way…

  “Whether you have a good mom or not, the Bible still commands you to honor her. We don’t honor our mothers because she’s a good parent…we honor her because she is our source of life. Being a parent is her job – being your mother is what she did for you. She gave you the gift of life. Without her giving birth to you – you wouldn’t be here! So honor your mother, just as you honor the Lord for being the ultimate source of life.”

  Mothers aren’t always perfect, but if you are honest with yourself, you aren’t perfect either. As teen girls, I can imagine you don’t always see eye to eye with your mom. (Maybe never) but the Bible tells us, to honor and obey our fathers and mothers. It may not always be easy, but we are called to obey.

  As a teenager, my mom and I butted heads on everything. To be honest, I was a terrible teenager. We argued, we fussed, and I know time after time I put my mom in tears and never thought twice about all the pain I was causing her.  I was cold hearted and only cared about myself. I remember catching her off guard one day crying in the laundry room as she folded clothes. She wouldn’t tell me what was wrong but I knew she was hurting. Despite her pain and hurt from trying to raise two teen girls, she stayed strong in our eyes and did all that she could. She even held back her tears so we couldn’t see her pain.

   

  Its now that I regret every year, every argument, and every tear I made my mother cry. I’ve apologized to my mom thousands of times since I’ve become an adult but there is nothing I can do to replace the painful memories that scar our minds.

  It’s a regret that I’ll always live with but I’m thankful to say that my mom is now one of my best friends…and the best Nana’s a kid could ask for. She spent years on her knees, crying at the alter to God for her daughter’s hard heart to be softened … and one day… her prayer was answered. My mother’s prayers are the reason I’m alive today, saved by the Grace of God, and living for God above. She never gave up on me – despite how mad I made her.

  I tell you all this now to simply say… love your mom. (Yesterday, today, and always)

  Love, respect, and honor the mother God blessed you with.

  She may not be perfect in your eyes but you’ll always be her child.

  What you may not realize now is that your life is just beginning. When you step out of your home, away from you parents, and finally taste freedom…you’ll realize how much your parents really did for you. You’ll see why they disciplined you and gave your curfews and rules.

  It takes time to develop an understanding love between mother and daughter, but I promise in time she will become your best friend. In time you’ll apologize for being a teenager…and you’ll realize how much she actually loves you.

  Every day…

  Love, respect, and honor the mother God blessed you with.

  Happy Mother’s Day to each and every one of your moms!

  May God bless you and show you His Grace every day!

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

With school reaching an end and exams every week, don’t let stress get you down. Exams will come and go, school days will be over before you know it, but one thing you can be certain of, God will never change or leave your side.

As you go through exam week, seek the Lord for wisdom.

As you wait for the last day of school to come, seek the Lord for patience.

When times get tough, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and pray.

Here are a few of my favorite verses to help you through these next few weeks. Praying for you daily!

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” Luke 21:34
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” Luke 6:48

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 55:22

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

May God bless you and show you His Grace every day!