the God who hears

Monday, we saw Tinkle's pediatrician for her chest pain. Her doctor felt it necessary to run some tests on her heart. As I clung to scripture and waited, I prayed. I prayed some more. And I prayed some more. We received news yesterday that all is well with her heart. Praise Jesus! To Him be the glory.

We also got news of another. A loved one who has had her share of spiritual attack lately. One that I've prayed for and over as if she were my own. Her news wasn't as happy. As I sat and pondered over my prayers and over my God, I was reminded and I am claiming the lessons I've been learning in my Precept Daniel 1 Bible study.

• God is the God of history. He created time. He knew then and He knows now what is to come.   Nothing comes to Him by surprise and He sets the paths of His people.
• He may not deliver His people from it, but He will deliver them through it. As Daniel faced the den of lions and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego faced the fiery furnace, their God could have removed them from their circumstances. He is all powerful. Instead, he allowed them to face the danger, and He chose to deliver them through it. And He received the glory from it.

So, the same God who gave us the good news about Tinkle is the same God who is in control of this sweet girl's circumstances. He will deliver her. I'm claiming it. And in the end, the glory is His. It already is.

And for the record, I hate Satan. His schemes on His church, His people. This enemy will not prevail. The battle has already been won. His church will rise up and continue to glorify Him through it all.

Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.
I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah
Psalm 44:5-8

when faith cries out

It was Saturday morning. We sat on the sidelines, watching her play. Me...not sitting so much...moving...capturing shots. 

She just wasn't herself. Not running with her normal pep to her step...slower...and then...grabbing her chest...several times. Then I stopped capturing shots...more focused on her. Half time, I moved in on  her. She, not wanting to be pulled from the game, denied anything..."I'm not hurting." Once in the car, she admitted to the chest pain.

She's had it before. When running. A couple of years ago. I've chalked it up to a pulled muscle, as she quickly recuperated, mentioned it to her pediatrician, but now...we need to know it's nothing more. We will see her pediatrician this morning. As I sit here and write this, I am concerned. I do have butterflies in my stomach. But I also have an unexplained peace in it all.

This peace. It doesn't come from a confidence in finding nothing. My hope is not in her wonderful pediatrician.  It doesn't come from quality testing, a multitude of treatments, or even good diagnoses. It's a peace that comes from Him.

This peace is simply from this mother's heart leaning on Him. The Unfathomable. Uncontainable. Unstoppable. All Powerful. All Knowing. Savior. Redeemer. King. Yahweh. Adonai. LORD. Regardless of what news we get, He is unchangeable, and she is His. You see, I know the true battle of her heart has already been won.

So, before I pick her up to take her to this appointment, I will, again, call on Him. I will fall prostrate before Him and cry out on her behalf. And I'll know, all is well. Regardless.

Psalm 121


A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.



3 He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;



4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.



5 The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;



6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.



7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;



8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Linking up with Emily for Tuesdays Unwrapped.

multitude monday

As I soak up the gifts of today, I am so thankful that this faith in the Living God is devouring up my focus on the to-do list, and instead, allowing me to see the gift of the moment.
#1...the amazing blessing of hearing "mama" 8,679,543,678 times a day...all from the same little guy

#2...a quiet moment that allowed my quiet time to soak in

#3...a set of chocolate chip muffin hands & face to wipe down

#4...a daughter who's enjoying her 4th book of the day

#5...a little guy who calls every color "yewow" (yellow)

#6...the bible study that deepens my knowledge and love for His Word

#7...the laundry that reminds me that I have these precious little bodies to care for

#8...the laundry basket that can hold the laundry that can wait another day

#9...the little tikes trike, sidewalk chalk, electric car, and jump rope that are calling my name...because these littles can't wait another day

#10...knowing that the day will end in prayer over them...because I can.

Linking up w/ Multitude Monday today.