Live Generously

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."  Luke 6:27-30 (The Message)

Teaching my kids how to love their enemies is hard sometimes cause the "mama bear" in me feels their hurt and inner struggle, and it's our natural tendency to want to fight back, to defend, and to make right the wrong. But God's Word commands us differently.

Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. (The Message)

Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  (NIV)

My son has been struggling with a couple of teachers in school this year.  His struggle (as far as I can tell) is mostly internal and he hasn't actually acted out in rebellion, disrespect, and anger.  It's just the little things these people do that make him feel picked on and disliked.  Sure, there are two sides to the story and Kyle's perception could be skewed, but still when my son feels these things, he feels them. And this mama's heart feels them. 

The world teaches us to stand up for yourself or disrespect back, and I'm trying to encourage my son that there is a different way that God calls us to.  Because we are followers of Christ we want to be like Christ to the world around us...doing good, blessing, and praying for the one who offends.  It means going above and beyond to be better than our enemies expect, being kind, showing humility instead of pride, and becoming stronger through the trial instead of weaker.  It's hard to "let them bring out the best in you" when it goes against everything we feel. 

The Message translation concludes this passage in Luke 6 (above) on loving our enemies, by challenging us to "live generously".  Giving to others when they don't deserve it. As my kids go out in this world today, that is my prayer for them, as they face unkind and difficult people.

Live generously, sweet ones, cause God will see.  He will be your defender.  He will reward and love. 

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to love their enemies and do good to those who mistreat them.  Praying for those who cause us to struggle is the harder, but better, thing to do.  Oh to let these situations bring out the best in them, and not the worst, is my prayer.  Holy Spirit, speak tenderly to Alyssa and Kyle's broken and hurting hearts, when people don't treat them with kindness and respect.  Remind them that you are their Defender.  Instruct them on how to respond in a way that brings you glory and turns around the circumstances they are in.  In this world we will have troubles, but through them I pray that Alyssa and Kyle trust you and follow your example to live generously, especially to those who don't deserve it.  Encourage Alyssa and Kyle's hearts today and remind them that they are dearly loved by you!


 

Belated Monday Post

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Thankful Thursday!

 Lyssa this week enjoying her freedom.

Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
    His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
    His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
    His love never quits.

Thank the miracle-working God,
    His love never quits.
The God whose skill formed the cosmos,
   His love never quits.
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations,
    His love never quits.
The God who filled the skies with light,
    His love never quits.
The sun to watch over the day,
    His love never quits.
Moon and stars as guardians of the night,
    His love never quits.
The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
    His love never quits.
And rescued Israel from Egypt’s oppression,
    His love never quits.
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand,
   His love never quits..
Split the Red Sea right in half,
   His love never quits.
Led Israel right through the middle,
    His love never quits.
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea,
   His love never quits.
The God who marched his people through the desert,
    His love never quits.
Smashed huge kingdoms right and left,
    His love never quits.
Struck down the famous kings,
    His love never quits.
Struck Sihon the Amorite king,
    His love never quits.
Struck Og the Bashanite king,
    His love never quits.
Then distributed their land as booty,
    His love never quits.
Handed the land over to Israel.
    His love never quits.

God remembered us when we were down,
    His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
    His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
    His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
    His love never quits.

(Psalm 136 The Message)

Kyle attended a church leadership camp this last weekend.

Your love never quits, precious Savior.  Thank you for the many ways I see your loving hand at work in my little family.  Thank you for my beautiful daughter, Lyssa, and my handsome son, Kyle.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My heart is full of gratitude and awe knowing that you will love them always.  You will never quit loving them, no matter how far from you they may become.  I pray, Lord, that Alyssa and Kyle will always be near you and know the depths of your love for them.  You will be the One who will never quit on them.  Amen!

 

Praying Scripture

"Love one another deeply, from the heart."  1 Peter 1:22
 

Cousins (Christmas 2012)

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to love one another, for love comes from you. Everyone who loves has been born of you and knows you.  But Lord, whoever does not love does not know you, because you are love. This is how you, dear Jesus, showed your love among us: You sent your one and only Son into the world that we might live through you. This is love: not that we loved you, but that you loved us and sent your Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I pray that, since you so loved Alyssa and Kyle, they also will love one another. No one has ever seen you; but if they love one another, you live in them and your love is made complete in them.  (1 John 4:7-12)

 

A Precious Friend

"I praise you
    because of
the wonderful way
    you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
    Of this I have no doubt."  Psalm 139:14

I had some special time with my friend this weekend.

We dangled our feet into the lake.
We splashed one another...in fact, she started it!
And giggled.
We tossed and skipped rocks.

Smiles galore.

I love my friend because she always has a smile,
always gives me hugs,
and calls me her "buddy".

What joy she brings to life!

My friend is fearfully and wonderfully made and I give God thanks for her preciousness.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle look beyond differences and disabilities and find the blessing of every person they encounter.  May they be like my friend in always finding joy in everyday life.

Thanks, precious friend, for the time we had at the lake!

Lord, you are an amazing Creator, making each of your children so unique and wonderful.  Teach Alyssa and Kyle to find the wonder and delight of the people that come into their lives.  It may just be a small interaction in their day, or it could be an individual they work with, go to church with, or live next door to, and I pray that they show your love and kindness in word and deed.  There is great joy to be found in the preciousness of these relationships.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for my dear friend and the fun we had together.  May my children know that kind of joy!

 

Wanna Know A Secret?

"The Lord your God

    is with you,
   he is mighty to save.
He will take great 

 delight in you,
   he will quiet you 

with his love,
   he will rejoice over you 

with singing.”

--Zephaniah 3:17

A father's love is precious...especially the love of our Heavenly Father.  Oh how I hope and pray that my kids grasp how wide and long and high and deep His love really is for them.

Kyle and I used to have a little game we'd play.  I would grab his little attention by asking the question, "Wanna know a secret?"  With big eyes he'd say "What?"  I would always respond with a big "I love you!"

When he was little, it always made him smile, but as he grew older and caught on to the question, he wasn't so impressed.  With a roll of the eyes, he began to respond with a "I already know."

One day, I said "Okay, if you already know my secret, what is it?" 
(I smile ever time I recall what he said next.)

Looking proud at knowing the secret, he said, "I love you!"

"You love me?!?  Oh, Kyle, I love you too!"

We both laughed at the turn around that happened in our conversation.  Now, that he's almost 16 he doesn't think the game is so impressive (ha!), but I'll tell you what, he knows the secret!

May Alyssa and Kyle always "know the secret" of their Father's love for them.

Lord, show Alyssa and Kyle the wonders of your great love, and may they begin to grasp how wide and long and high and deep your love is.  It is not a secret that you love your children.  On what a wonderful truth!  Your Word says that you love them so much that you gave your one and only son, so that they may spend eternity with you.  Help them to believe this real truth, dear Jesus. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle never live in the fear that they are not good enough to be accepted and loved by you, but always rest in the security of being your child.  I also pray that they never look at themselves with self-hatred, loathing, and feel unlovely, but will always relish that you are enthralled with who they are, inside and out.  You are God, and your love abounds to a thousand generations.

 

Cousin Love

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."  1 John 4:11

Lyss and I are hanging out with family this weekend.  I love the fact that the cousins enjoy each others company.  There's lots of laughter and love when they are together.

I see them following one of Jesus' greatest commands in beautiful fashion.

Love one another.

Lord, thank you for the people in our lives who love us unconditionally and accept us right where we are at.  Thank you for family.  I love that Alyssa and Kyle have cousins that adore them, and that they adore in return.  What a blessing it is to have time together and the laughter that comes as a result. Continue to teach Alyssa and Kyle how to love deeply from their hearts, to forgive easily, and to build up those  you place in their lives.  You can be reflected in their words and actions towards others.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to love others, and love them well!

 

Praying Scripture: Love One Another

"Love one another deeply, from the heart."  1 Peter 1:22

Cousins (2010)

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to love one another, for love comes from you. Everyone who loves has been born of you and knows you.  But Lord, whoever does not love does not know you, because you are love. This is how you, dear Jesus, showed your love among us: You sent your one and only Son into the world that we might live through you. This is love: not that we loved you, but that you loved us and sent your Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I pray that, since you so loved Alyssa and Kyle, they also will love one another. No one has ever seen you; but if they love one another, you live in them and your love is made complete in them.  (1 John 4:7-12)

 

Praying Scripture: Holy Mouths

Alyssa and Kyle (2010)

Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to watch the way they talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of their mouths. It's so hard, but I pray that they say only what helps, because each word a gift.  Knowing that what they say has the potential to grieve you, God.   I pray that they don't break your heart. Your Holy Spirit, is moving and breathing in them, and is the most intimate part of their life, making them fit for you. Oh how I pray that they don't take such a gift for granted.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.  And prove themselves to be gentle with one another, and sensitive, forgiving one another as quickly and thoroughly as You forgive them. 

I pray that Alyssa and Kyle watch what you do, Lord, and then do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what you do is love them. May they always keep company with  you and learn a life of love, always observing how you love us. Your love is not cautious but extravagant. You didn't love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of yourself to us. May Alyssa and Kyle love like that.

(Ephesians 4:29-5:2 The Message)

 

Thankful Thursday: God's Deep Love

Today I am thankful for God's deep love. Oh how He loves me, and oh how He loves my children. I pray that they come to know and live in the amazing truth of that fact. Sometimes the love of others is fickle, and it comes and goes based on whether we are "good enough" or not, but God's love is unconditional, everlasting, and beyond abundant.

How sweet the love of God is!

“I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” --Isaiah 49:16

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” --Jeremiah 31:3

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” --Ephesians 3:17-19

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” --John 3:16

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” --1 John 3:1

“The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” -- Galatians 2:20

Precious Father, what an amazing thought that you love us this much. You gave up your Son on our behalf, so that we might find eternal life with you. I pray, that my children will be rooted in your love, and that they may have the power to grasp how wide, how long, how high and how deep you love for them is. When they feel unloved, I pray that they can find the truths written in God's Word that speak volumes of love. When friends walk away, or don't act in love, I pray that they can lean on a Savior that will never turn His back on them, nor remove His love for them. May your promises live in their hearts and minds, forever and ever. Thank you, Lord, for your deep, deep love.

 

Praying Scripture: Loving Deeply

"Love one another deeply, from the heart."  1 Peter 1:22

Cousins & Grammy (2007)

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to love one another, for love comes from you. Everyone who loves has been born of you and knows you.  But Lord, whoever does not love does not know you, because you are love. This is how you, dear Jesus, showed your love among us: You sent your one and only Son into the world that we might live through you. This is love: not that we loved you, but that you loved us and sent your Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I pray that, since you so loved Alyssa and Kyle, they also will love one another. No one has ever seen you; but if they love one another, you live in them and your love is made complete in them.  (1 John 4:7-12)

Wordless Wednesday

Praying Scripture: How Wide, Long, High and Deep

Oh Lord, I pray that out of your glorious riches you may strengthen Alyssa & Kyle with power through your Spirit in their inner being, so that you may dwell in their hearts through faith. And I pray that Alyssa & Kyle, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is your love, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that Alyssa & Kyle may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of you.

Lord, you are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within Alyssa & Kyle, to you be glory in the church and throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

--Ephesians 3:16-21

Thankful Thursday: Your Hands and Feet

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35

God showed His love to our family through other people this week.  This list is not exhaustive, but my heart is full of thanksgiving.  These people were in many ways His hands and feet.

• I met a couple of friends for coffee/lunch and though I thought I was meeting them to offer them encouragement and support, the encouragement actually came to me.
• I watched an adult in our church give my daughter a hug and ask her how she was doing.
• Another friend took my daughter to lunch, spent some time with her and got her involved using her gifts for a ministry in our church.
• A sweet note from a church member just saying "thank you."
• An email saying "I'm praying for you" from someone I hadn't seen in awhile.  
• The gift of a manicure from a another friend just to say "I appreciate you."
• Coffee, lemon cheesecake and prayer with another friend in the midst of a hard day.
• A sweet phone call with my mom.

I'm thankful for the many ways I felt loved this week...and the many ways I saw God's love in action!




Oh Lord, thank you for the many ways you love your children.  Thank you for loving Alyssa and Kyle.  I pray that they in turn can love the people around them because they live in the knowledge that they are deeply loved by you.  May they be your hands and feet to the hurting and lonely world around them.  Move their spirits to reach out and spread your love and compassion to those that may even appear to be unlovely and unwilling to receive your love.  Lord, because we are loved we can give love freely to others.  Thank you, Lord, for the precious ways we saw you active in our lives this week.

Pencils or Not

"For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."  Romans 5:5 (NLT)

There is something that comes over me when I pick up Kyle from school.  I've missed him through the day and I just want to SQUEEZE the dude.  Of course at 14 he is way beyond needing his mother's love and affection.

But yesterday something came over Kyle when I picked him up.  He just HAD to go to the store to buy a mechanical pencil.  A special mechanical pencil. We've taken the time to stop at the Walgreens just around the corner from our house, but unfortunately they didn't have the right one.  The next store is a bit further away, and with busy schedules and the cost of gas, we haven't yet found these magical, joy-giving, perfect pencils...much to his dismay.

So as I'm squeezing Kyle's knee in saying "hello", and he's begging to go to the store, he calls out "My love language isn't touch!"  So, I came back and asked him what was.  His response made me laugh:  "My love language is quality time.  Like us going and finding my mechanical pencils".

This little conversation made me think.  I want my kids to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are loved...not only by me, but by their Heavenly Father.  This love, however, won't always look like they want it too.  It's sometimes hard to believe in their hearts their true value and importance when it looks different than they had hoped or expected. 

I pray that their eyes are open to seeing the many ways they are loved, and believe in their hearts that God (and their parents) really does do what's best for them...pencils or not.

Oh Lord, you so love both Alyssa and Kyle that you sent your one and only Son so that they can have everlasting life with you.  Daily you are wooing them, and showing them how much you love and adore them.  May they believe this with their whole heart, mind and soul, and rest in your many promises of love.  I ask that your Holy Spirit fill them, dear Jesus, with the knowledge and truth of your love.  Keep the enemy from leading them away from you, and down the path of doubt, fear, and feelings of inadequacy.  May they know how wide, how long, how deep and how wide your love is for them.  Thank you, precious Father!

Wanna Know a Secret?

"The Lord your God is with you,
   he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
   he will quiet you with his love,
   he will rejoice over you with singing.”

--Zephaniah 3:17

 A Father's Love...Dad and Lyss...1994

A father's love is precious...especially the love of our Heavenly Father.  I pray that my kids grasp how wide and long and high and deep His love really is for them.

Kyle and I used to have a little game we'd play.  I would grab his little attention by asking the question, "Wanna know a secret?"  With big eyes he'd say "What?"  I would always respond with a big "I love you!"

When he was little, it always made him smile, but as he grew older and caught on to the question, he wasn't so impressed.  With a roll of the eyes, he began to respond with a "I already know." 

One day, I said "Okay, if you already know my secret, what is it?"  I smile ever time I recall what he said next.

Looking proud at knowing the secret, he said, "I love you!" 

"You love me?!?  Oh, Kyle, I love you too!"

We both laughed at the turn around that happened in our conversation.  Now, that he's 14 he doesn't think the game is so impressive (ha!), but I'll tell you what, he knows the secret!

May Alyssa and Kyle always "know the secret" of their Father's love for them.

Lord, show Alyssa and Kyle the wonders of your great love, and may they begin to grasp how wide and long and high and deep your love is.  It is not a secret that you love your children.  On what a wonderful truth!  Your Word says that you love them so much that you gave your one and only son, so that they may spend eternity with you.  Help them to believe this real truth, dear Jesus. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle never live in the fear that they are not good enough to be accepted and loved by you, but always rest in the security of being your child.  I also pray that they never look at themselves with self-hatred, loathing, and feel unlovely, but will always relish that you are enthralled with who they are, inside and out.  You are God, and your love abounds to a thousand generations.

Cheeseburger Soup

"I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich"  2 Corinthians 8:8-9

As a mom, I am often trying to find ways to show my kids that I love them.  However, sometimes what I think shows love really isn't the "ticket" in my kids mind.  So, a couple of nights ago I made a special (and new) soup for dinner.  It was a new recipe, but I thought with a name like "Cheeseburger Soup" how could my daughter not feel loved?   She LOVES cheeseburgers.

So, I browned, chopped, sliced, diced, and grated my way into this gift of love.

Through this I am reminded to pray that my children learn to show love to others too. I want them to find joy in going to the effort and work of finding ways to show love to the people in their lives.  In turn, those individuals, whether it be their sibling, spouse, parent or friend, will feel utterly blessed and give God thanks for such joy those acts or words of love bring.

Showing love, shows God, to those in our lives.

Well, in case you wanted to know, the soup just went over so-so.  My family all said I could make it again, but it wasn't their favorite.  I pray they still know how much I love them.

Lord, you call your children to love one another.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle love one others, just as you love them.  You are love, and we can love others because you live in us.  Urge my children to love others deeply, in turn be your hands, arms and feet.  Remind them to love others better than they love themselves.  May they not hold on to their love and act stingy in how they give it to the people you place in their lives.  If a lack of trust, or an abundance of fear keeps them from healthy, loving relationships, intervene on their behalf, and show them how to live like you want them to live.  May love mark their words, their actions, their relationships, and their life in you, dear Jesus!

Love Deeply

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."  Colossians 3:14

I love watching my kids have fun together.

Spring Break...2007

Oh, how I pray that they will always be friends!

Not just have fun together, but love one another deeply.

Lord, I love the children you have blessed our lives with.  They are both so fearfully and wonderfully made by your hand.  You knew that Alyssa and Kyle would be sister and brother, and you gave them each other as a gift to be cherished.  Help them to love one another deeply.  Bind them together in unity.  Always help them to give forgiveness easily, keep no record of wrong, and believe the best about the other person.  I pray that "putting on love" will be easy and the goal of their every interaction.  Oh what a mother's delight it is to watch her children laugh together and love one another.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for the gifts Alyssa and Kyle can find in their relationship together. 

Praying Scripture: Loving One Another

"Love one another deeply, from the heart."  1 Peter 1:22

Cousins...2010

Lord, teach Alyssa and Kyle to love one another, for love comes from you. Everyone who loves has been born of you and knows you.  But Lord, whoever does not love does not know you, because you are love. This is how you, dear Jesus, showed your love among us: You sent your one and only Son into the world that we might live through you. This is love: not that we loved you, but that you loved us and sent your Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I pray that, since you so loved Alyssa and Kyle, they also will love one another. No one has ever seen you; but if they love one another, you live in them and your love is made complete in them.  (1 John 4:7-12)