Growing Up Secure

"But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you." Ephesians 4:20-24 (The Message)


It was kind of a tough weekend in the baseball world. Suffice it to say, the mama bear is coming out in me.

Kyle plays on two baseball teams right now. I'll tell you what, we are busy, busy, busy with ball!
One coach encourages Kyle's potential,
And suffice it to say, one coach doesn't.

We all have both of those kind of people in our lives.
Encouragers and discouragers.

Often, however, we hold onto the negativity others pass on to us,
Our minds fix on someone's complaint, laughter, or attitude.
Our hearts believe the worse about ourselves.
Our ears hear the words of ugliness,
and we tend to live in the discouraging "truth".
Insecurity takes root, and spreads rampantly.

Today, my prayer is that God helps dig out the roots of doubt, fear, and insecurity in our children's lives. And in their place, He plants the seeds of confidence, strength and dignity.

Alyssa & Friends Gardening...2006

God, grow up children who stand firm in who you've made them to be!

Lord, you have fearfully and wonderfully made your children, and you love each one of us in individual and special ways. I pray, dear Jesus, that my kids rest in that truth, and believe with all of their hearts and minds that you love them, and have great things planned for their lives. Lord, diminish the volume of insecurity and discouragement that they hear from other people's words and actions. Help them to focus their eyes on your truth, to fix their minds on your promise, and to rest their hearts in your love. Remove any insecurity and negativity, Lord, and replace it with your strength and dignity. Send encouragers into our children's lives that build them up, and not tear them down. In turn, make Alyssa and Kyle encouragers to the people in their lives, reflecting you with their words, actions and thoughts. Lord, thank you for loving your children with an everlasting love, and being the greatest encourager of all.