Messengers

“For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”—Matthew 10:20 (NLT)

I know it can be intimidating to share your faith, but Jesus tells us in Matthew 10, the Holy Spirit will speak through us. For me personally, it does give me some anxiety about having the right words to answer if someone asks me difficult question. Will the right words come to me?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:20 that He will give us the right words at the right time. However, for that to happen, we need to spend time with Him to discern His voice.

Because Jesus knew we would have these fears, He promised the Holy Spirit to help us. Sharing my faith isn’t about having the perfect words or to convince someone to believe.  It is me being obedient sharing my story that might change one person’s eternity. Jesus’ desire if for every believer who feels nervous or unprepared to speak about Him to others to feel more comfortable believing His words to us in Matthew 10:20.

I am definitely more confident with writing about my faith because I am able to prepare. However, I know God wants me to get outside my comfort zone. I can’t wait until I feel as if I am ready. In fact, over the next two weeks, I plan on getting outside of my secure bubble.

Our church has an annual event on June 2nd at 7 pm called, Summer Splash I have been making some of my pocket prayer cloths with an invitation to this event. The beauty of this is, I don’t have to keep it local. It can also be watched online for free.

However, because it is such an amazing event with a guest speaker as well as an after party at each of the church campuses, attending in person would be fun. Cost is $25 per person which includes, the after party with music and dancing, food trucks as well as other goodies for the attendees. It is a great night out for young moms needing a break too. It does sell out fast, so if you are reading this and live locally, sign-up now!

I am going to trust the Holy Spirit will give me the words each time I give away one of my pocket prayer cloths over the next two weeks. Before I hand someone one of my knit gifts, I will say a quick prayer to myself for God to give me the words to say when I hand it to them.

Overthinking is a tactic of the enemy to keep me from giving away one of my gifts. After I feel that nudge, I will question, is this who You want me give a pocket prayer cloth to? Many times, I walk on but am convicted to turn back around and give it to them. Other times, I just keep walking. Once I get home, I beat myself up because I know I wasn’t listening to the Holy Spirit.

I ask God to forgive me and for another chance to get it right. In hindsight, even if I was wrong about that nudge, what is the worst thing that will happen? The person might throw away what I gave them? Is that really something I should concern myself with? I don’t think so.

The Holy Spirit does speak through ordinary people like you and me. We are not alone. We have Jesus by our side. As Christ followers, we are empowered with the task of evangelizing….however that may look for us.

As you know, for me, it is through my writing and knitting. How someone responds isn’t on us, but it is our responsibility to faithfully share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Father God,

Forgive me when I ignore Your nudges to invite someone to church. I ask for courage and wisdom when sharing my faith with others. May Your Word move from the pages of scripture to my heart flowing into my conversations You place in my day. Empower me to be bolder in my faith with both those I know and those I don’t. I ask for You to place people in my pathway who are searching to fill a void only You can fill. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

May Verse

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.     

Trust in all Times

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.—Psalm 62:8

I’ll be honest; this past week I haven’t been good about trusting God in all times. I have no problem pouring out my heart to Him, but letting it go and trusting God with the outcome has been more of a challenge for me.

My head tells me to God is omniscient. His plans and purposes are beyond my own human understanding. I know this, but I have been letting my emotions fuel my actions.

My mom’s move to memory care near my brother all fell in place. I was so at peace with her move knowing the background of some of the key people. However, the facility was recently bought out so now there are some major staffing changes as well as staff shortages in the memory care area.

Up until March, my brother also had a job where he was able to check on her every morning around breakfast. He unexpectedly had a career change which has him on the road traveling so he is unable to make a daily appearance. I feel as if the staff isn’t as attentive with my mother now since they know he won’t be checking on her in person daily.

My most recent visit with my mother was quite unsettling. She was still asleep in bed at my early afternoon arrival. They told me she hadn’t slept well and wanted to let her sleep.

Had they checked on her, they would have seen her beet red face. I felt her forehead and it was hot. I had them take her temperature. It was 102. I made sure they gave her medicine for it as well as fluids.

And…her room reeked of urine. Dirty laundry overflowing in both her hampers as well as dirty sheets thrown on a chair. Thankfully my mother has no sense of smell, but it hurts my heart to know she is living in such disarray, especially with her personal appearance. She would be mortified.

I stroked her arm and told her, mom, you know it is okay if you want to go be with Jesus now. I know you wouldn’t want to be living this way. She didn’t know who I was either. One of the resident’s wives that is there every day visiting her husband, said to her, do you know who this pretty young lady is? Her response was, no, I don’t know her. I said, that’s okay. I’m your daughter, Lisa.

The following morning, one of the outside aides that has been visiting her told me, They are not caring for her like they should. The reality is, it isn’t just my mother. There are other residents being treated the same way She also said to me, if it was my mother or grandmother, I wouldn’t want them living here. I told her, it wasn’t that easy because any kind of move is going to make her disease progress.

Of course, that was when my emotions went into high gear. After a few days, I was making phone calls about moving her back here. I was having some sleepless nights trying to figure out what I needed to do. Let me tell you, was I convicted when I woke up after one of those nights and read Psalm 62:8.

Before I started my morning quiet time, I said, Lord, let the Holy Spirit speak to me through Your Word. Well, that is exactly what He did! I felt as if God was telling me, Lisa, you are having no problem crying and pouring out your heart to me, but you aren’t trusting me. I know the bigger picture. Stop trying to control this.

Shortly after that, I spoke with her hospice nurse after she visited my mother. She recommended we hire a private caregiver for a few hours a day until the new management makes some changes. That does sound like a better plan that having to get hospice to make a 3–4-hour drive transfer setting her up somewhere closer to me.

I did put out my feelers for a few places in my area, so we have a back-up plan. I forgot to mention, we also got a letter from her facility preparing us that they may no longer be able to meet her care needs due to her needing so much assistance now. The next level of care for her is skilled nursing.

This has all been a lot to process, but thankfully, I have two brothers and their wives who are also part of this decision making, so it isn’t all on me. What sustains me is knowing one day my mom will be at home with Jesus and no longer in pain and suffering.

 Father God,

Forgive me when I let my emotions guide my actions rather than trust You with the outcome that You already know. I may not understand it, but I know You have a plan and purpose in all of this. Thank You that I don’t have to carry this burden alone. Thank You for blessing me with supportive family and friends. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

April Verse
“The LORD is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him.”—Psalm 145:18 (GW)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.     

Glimmers of God's Goodness

“The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.”—Psalm 145:9 (NASB)

We can look around us and see God’s glimmers of goodness. As I am sitting here writing this, if I look up, I see my ceiling. Thank You, Lord, for a roof over my head. Not only do I have shelter, but you have provided me with electricity to cool my home in this Texas heat. I have internet which enables me to write and post this weekly blog.

When I look around me, I see a furnished home with a fully stocked pantry and refrigerator. Gazing out my living room window, I see a beautifully landscaped yard and pool. Thank You, Lord for all You have blessed me with this in this moment of my day. Honestly, there is so much more I could add to my daily blessings, but you get the idea.

Looking around ourselves, there always tiny moments of God’s beauty, joy, or goodness. By focusing on these little things, no matter what negativity may be in my day, it shifts my attitude to one of positive feelings.

Was I little sad, I wasn’t with one of my children on Mother’s Day? Yes, but they now both have families of their own as well as live in another state and country. Did it make my day yesterday when my son and his family Facetimed me for Mother’s Day? Of course, it did! Do I smile each time I used my mug that says, Gigi? You bet I do! More glimmers of God’s goodness in my day.

And of course, while not his mother, my husband always honors me each year as well. Since our children now have their own lives, my husband and I don’t get our feelings hurt if we aren’t around our children for special days.

My mother would get very upset with us (my brothers and I) if we wouldn’t drop everything and be where she wanted us on certain holidays. I remember that feeling and vowed to never do that when I had children of my own.

We don’t have to look far to see how God has surrounded us with His grace and goodness in our lives. I was able to do it without even having to leave my house.

When you set your mind on things above, your perspective changes. As you focus on the God’s goodness, your mindset shifts to things that are good in your life. We have a choice on where we set our eyes. I’m choosing to set them on my Lord and Savior who has filled my life with so many blessings. As Psalm 145:9 tells us, “The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.”

Father God,
Forgive me when I fail to recognize Your glimmers of goodness in my day. Thank You for the gift of motherhood. I thank You for a loving family who love You and are raising little disciples for Your kingdom. I lift those up to You who are having a hard time to see Your blessings in their day. Open their eyes to see where You are at work in their lives. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

May Verse

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.