Becoming a mother was an unexpected event for me. We were married 3 weeks and I was hit with heavy neasua all day. The first was born 5 weeks early. We learned I had an abnormal shaped uterus with a wall of skin growing down the middle. In effect making my uterus 3 pockets.
With the birth of this child my life sped up. Now I was living with a husband and a child’s ADHD. And the exhaustion! No one told me having a baby would exhaust you for years to come. I wasn’t just tired from busy days and interrupted nights. I felt a bone weary tiredness.
Looking back from here, where I know I’m an introvert, I know I recharge in quiet, peaceful environments, preferably alone. I understand why I was so exhausted. Other mother’s complained about always being touched, I didn’t mind that. I just needed time to think!
In all of the hustle, exhaustion, and constant doing, I lost my connection with Abba. I could not think, I could not connect 2 sentences of prayer. I would fall asleep praying. But I knew God was there, He was faithful. When fear for my children gripped my heart with cold fingers and took my breath away, I would focus then, long enough to pour it all into my Heavenly Father’s hands.
I held on. He brought me into this busy, hustling, going going bit of life. He would sustain me. He would see me through.
In 2023 I discovered prayer journaling. This helped me hold my shattered focus. Day by day I drew closer to the LORD. And soon I saw that through all those bustling years He had been there. He had been there! He doesn’t walk away from us when life gets hard. If we drift away from Him he doesn’t walk away, he doesn’t turn his back on us. He holds our spot, if you will. He calls us back to him with a gentle, coaching voice. He calls us by name.
Have you ever looked back on a difficult season and realized He was there all along?
I use the Quick Bible app. It’s very simple, just the Bible in any of 100 + translations & languages, you chose what you prefer. You can highlight and bookmark verses, passages, and make notes for your self. If you want to highlight you chose from 12 + colors! It’s a very simple but useful app.
One thing I love about this app is it’s devotional. There’s only one. Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. The more I read from this devotional, I begin to feel my opinion of other devotionals slip. Mr. Spurgeon most have been a man after God’s heart.
Charles Spurgeon lived in England, 1834 to 1892. Inside note: He died around the time my grandparents were born. He was a Baptist Preacher.
I’m not sure when this devotional was printed. But today’s morning devotional must have been written for our past week!
The scripture is from the book of Judges.
Judges 7:20 (ACV) And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow. And they cried out, The sword of LORD and of Gideon!
https://alkitab.app/v/ae95a824d2f3
I’m not going to repeat the whole passage from the devotional. You’ll have to find a copy of Mornings and Evenings or download the Quick Bible app.
This is the part that got my attention: Take the gospel to them; carry it to their door; put it in their way; do not suffer them to escape it; blow the trumpet right against their ears. Remember that the true war-cry of the Church is Gideon’s watchword, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” God must do it, it is his own work.
Spurgeon’s message connects the physical battle of Gideon’s small army to our spiritual battles today, reminding us to rely on God’s power rather than our own.
Further down he writes: We can do nothing of ourselves, but we can do everything by the help of our God; let us, therefore, in his name determine to go out personally and serve with our flaming torch of holy example, and with our trumpet tones of earnest declaration and testimony, and God shall be with us, and Midian shall be put to confusion, and the Lord of hosts shall reign forever and ever.
Reading it again, I feel like the battle cry is echoing thru the ages and is just as meaningful today as it was almost 200 years ago.
Be encouraged weary one, God will win the battle for you. You need only hold the torch, break the vessel, then Shout!
Just like God fought for Gideon, he also fought for Moses and the Israelites. Want proof? Read Exodus 14:13-14
Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Somewhere along the walk with God I hope you begin to see and understand all the goodness He wraps us in.
And while we’re here, I’ll share what I’ve been learning about God’s faithfulness.
in short, His faithfulness is everything, it’s life and living, it’s loving and giving. It’s there when we give up, or forget or lose hope. He’s there holding on for us, keeping our place right there beside him.
Where do you find your worth? In what you do? Where you live? Or who you know- here on earth? That is not where I find mine.
Late 2024 I picked up on a ripple of buzz. You’ve heard of the Fruits of the Spirit? In Galatians 5:22-23 is where Paul writes about the goodness of life. Earlier in the chapter he lists out the evils and sins of life. Paul is strongly encouraging the Christians in Galatia to “Walk in the Spirit” so as not to wallow in the lust of the flesh.
Paul says to get your heart right with God and you will see freedom from your fleshly desires. Then Paul reminds them that he told them before that if they choose to walk in sin they will not inherit the Kingdom of God. And then, to be extra sure that Galatia got his message, Paul list the Fruits of the Spirit. Verse 22 & 23:
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24:And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with [it’s] affections and lusts
25: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26: Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
I always read this passage as through my own works I could produce joy, peace, and love, and be longsuffering and meek.
Wait a minute. If I believe the salvation from Jesus Christ is a free gift, I can offer nothing worthy of it. I cannot work for the approval of salvation. Then how do I work for the fruits of the Spirit?
This is where the ripple comes in. I heard the suggestion that the fruits of the Spirit are not gained by our devotion, our piousness’, our efforts or strivings. BUT the fruits of the Spirit are developed by the Spirit as we turn our walk to be walking closer with Jesus.
Paul says in verse 18: But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.
That’s it! Right there. When Jesus died on the cross He cancelled the law. Grace was born. Forgiveness was come. New Life was offered. And that is the way we are to walk, even today. Walk with grace and forgiveness in this new life.
And so, I believe, our worth isn’t to be found in our profession. Our worth is found in how we do what ever it is we do. When we wrap our heads around the goodness of God. When we accept that life is completely dependent on Him. Just as salvation is completely dependent on the blood of Jesus Christ. Then we can begin to loosen our grip, and let God work through us to do his good work.
What can you do this week to walk closer to Jesus?
(This will be a work in progress. Check back to see more. If you don’t see your #1 reason, let me know in the comments below. Working together there’s no telling how far we will go.)
1. You can’t find the off switch for your daily struggles. It’s effecting your sleep and stealing your joy.
You need Jesus. He is big enough to shoulder all your burdens. He says in His Word. “My yoke is easy, My burden is light” – Matthew 11:30 -. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus invites you and me to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him…and promises that we will find rest in our souls in Jesus!
Come to Me, all those laboring and being burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 from Green’s Literal Translation
Vocabulary time. Yoke – traditionally it is a heavy piece of equipment used to hold 2 oxen, or mules together, so as to encourage teamwork. Ideally, the ox would be matched up so neither pulled harder than the other, or one was more of a leader, the second more of a follower. The goal was a smooth pull, not a tug-of-war. Yoke – biblically it shows a joining up of two separate groups of people to work as one. It wasn’t always an equal match, it was often one country (usually the children of Isreal) being put into servanthood for another foreign, other god worshiping, country. With Jesus the yoke is a picture of Him working with us as we help Him to get the work completed.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, because I am meek and lowly in
heart and you will find rest to your souls.
Matthew 11:29 from Green’s Literal Translation
2. You feel like you’re not enough.
Well, you’re right. None of us is enough. If we were enough, it would be a cold, stark world with little love. God created us to need one another, to need Him. Because when we come to the cross, confess our sins, open our hearts door to Jesus – then Jesus makes us enough!! It’s that wonderful?! Once we have Jesus on board, He will give us comfort and strengthen us to meet the day head on. Jesus goes before us arranging all the interactions in our day. Jesus protects us from every side.
This doesn’t mean you will have no problems anymore. Problems are part of life on earth. It means Jesus will be right there with you in the midst of your problem. When you become overwhelmed you say, “Jesus help me” and He’s there, giving the assistance that will best help you. At the end of the day, you can think back over the events, and you will begin to see where and how the Lord helped you through your day.
3. Life is hard and sometimes cruel. You begin every day with trepidations. You really just want to crawl into a cave and never come out.
You really need Jesus. Fresh mercy every morning, along with the truth that we can’t outrun His love. His love fuels our love and when we walk in love, the whole world begins to look brighter. Jesus is there for us. Every day, every trial, every scary moment. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that His grace is sufficient. He has enough grace to make up for where we are short. First, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Second, begin each day by putting it in His hands. He is faithful, He will meet you where you are! He will make up the difference where you are lacking.
And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul speaking in 2 Corinthians 12:9, King James Version
4. You need Jesus, not a word of the year!
What is this word of the year? It’s really bugged me for a year or two. At first I couldn’t figure out what they were talking about. Then I did some reading up on it, looked into it, ya know, is this for me? So, what did I learn? It’s a lot of work trying to figure out where you are, what you’re feeling, what’s your weakness? I mean, who really wants to do all that work? And what do you get in the end? A word? what? really! Just a word. And this word is supposed to zoom my mind back into focus. I call this wishful thinking. Do you want something substantial to focus on? Try Jesus! Focus on Him, that is really worth your time. And I promise you will feel uplifted, encouraged, even energized when you focus on Jesus.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He according to His great mercy having regenerated us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in Heaven for you – the ones in the power of God being guarded through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time;
1 Peter 1:3-5 – Green’s Literal Translation
Focus on Jesus. That is worth your time. You are building a relationship with the One True God of all. This most vital relationship is all you need to stay the course and keep your focus.
#5 You have ADHD? You NEED Jesus!
Okay, getting real here. This is the nitty gritty of my life, in May it will be 38 years of living with ADHD. I used to joke with my children, that ADHD is contagious – but it’s no joke! It’s true! The habits of the people we live with rub off on us. Especially if you love the other person. So, I am speaking from experience here, you NEED Jesus! Jesus is the only one who accepts us, uglies and all. Jesus is the only one who laughs with us, not at us. Jesus is the one who CAN keep up with All. The. Things. we forget. Jesus invites us to throw it all on Him. He says, give it to me! I will carry you! I will be the giver of all the good things. All we have to do is receive, say thank you, I love you, and give Jesus a big smile. This is serious. Think about it. Do you want to travel alone through live with your ADHD burden? Or would you like company, that helps, and holds, and says, I got this! Personally, I am so glad I walk with Jesus. He’s got my life!
#6 You have no purpose.
Jesus will give you purpose! I taught my children this, all Jesus wants from us is to say thank you, walk with me, You’re the best! All Jesus wants from us is a relationship. Know Me, He says, I am your God.
Psalm 46:10 – King James Version
Be still and know that I am God!
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
So, in all your doing, and striving, and trying this year; stop, be still and sense God with You. Build a relationship with Jesus. Find a Bible and read the book of John first. Go find the app, Quick Bible, download it, read John. Reading the Bible is how we build a relationship with Jesus. His Word helps us to understand who He is. You will just be starting on this journey of knowing Jesus when you wake up realizing you have a purpose!
#7 Life isn’t working
If you are at the spot where no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to help, you need Jesus. Jesus accepts our pitiful efforts to fix our lives and makes life better. He takes our weakness and throws his strength into it, and we have victory! Victory in Jesus! Maybe you know Jesus. Maybe you’ve been ignoring Him? Come back! Jesus says that all of heaven rejoices when one lost sheep is returned to the fold. Come back and listen to heaven rejoice. Jesus is a burden lifter. He opens doors and brings good into our lives. I am not saying He will bring ease & laziness into your life. You will still need to work, but you will want to work, you will see a purpose to your work.
O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.
