A Mom's Conversation With God

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Sometimes it’s hard to trust God to do what’s best for my kids. Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Recently my daughter got injured while preparing for a big gymnastics meet. She's had an amazing time the past 10 years, winning several titles. But this year has been hard. Just when things finally seemed to be clicking along, she got injured. No amount of rehab could get her ready in time. So, with tears and disappointment, she forfeited.

In Ashley's world this was huge. So, I cried out to God. “You could make her better, God. Please fix this!”

Eventually what God impressed on my heart is that the lesson Ashley learns from this will be good for her now and in the future. I only think I know what’s best for her. But God has a plan. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was what I needed to hear.

For more encouragement visit proverbs31.org

Related Resources:
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Check out the P31 Woman Magazine

What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

Made To Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

Her Secret

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Amy Carroll and Renee Swope

There's a woman who works at a nearby grocery store that just makes my day. She’s ALWAYS positive and cheerful. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I know it’s hard working with the public and spending long hours on her feet, so I asked her for her secret. She smiled, and told me that she has to be at work at 6 am so she gets up at 3:30 to spend time with God.She admitted it isn't easy. "By the end of the week I'm very tired, but God is my secret." She said. WOW, this precious woman wakes up while it’s still dark to have time with God so she can make a positive impact on every customer.

I don’t know about you, but getting up early and starting my day with prayer, isn’t easy for me. I want to start down my checklist the moment I wake up. But this woman reminds me that prayer is crucial if I want to give my best and reflect God’s love to others.

For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

If I Could Go Back In Time

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I wish I could go back in time to my wedding day! Hi, I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Remembering back I see a young couple that had no clue what the vows they took meant. It’s just what the pastor said so they repeated it. They felt in love. It felt right.

If I could go back, I’d warn that bride that you don't feel your way into love. You choose it. I’d tell her to look at the Bible passage from the ceremony not as a wish list of how she should be treated by her groom, but as choices to make. Instead of, “Love is patient; love is kind; it keeps no record of wrongs…"

I’d have her think this, “We’re deciding that our love will be kind. We’ll work toward making our love patient. And we’ll choose not to keep a record of wrongs."

But, time travel isn’t an option. So, I’ll just start from here and choose to love my husband the way I want him to love me. For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

Check out Lysa's Resources

Check out the P31 Woman Magazine

What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

Made To Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

Pretty, Pretty Princess

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Renee Swope and Micca Campbell

Do we ever get too old to play Pretty Pretty Princess? Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. My friend’s daughter Peyton has always loved playing dress-up, so much so that her mom bought her a game called “Pretty, Pretty Princess.” The players could put on earrings, necklaces, or a crown, according to which card was drawn. It was Peyton’s favorite game.

She’s not alone. No matter how old we get, most women long to be as pretty as a princess. It’s a God-given desire. However, we often try to fill that desire in unhealthy ways. The world says we have to the perfect size and have a flawless face. No one measures up, but we sure try to with millions spent on cosmetics, lotions, and surgeries every year.

You know, we’re children of God, which makes us daughters of the King, so we’re already princesses and He loves us all! So, who cares what the world says? God thinks we’re BEAUTIFUL!

For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:
Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Thank you note Dilemma

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

I want to get better about consistently writing thank you notes, but sometimes I feel like such a failure in this area. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Every birthday I vow to get better about writing thank you notes. I really appreciate it when someone gives me a gift or does something thoughtful for me. I just don’t always remember to sit down and write a note to express my appreciation.

So, the other day while I was spending some time with God, I asked Him to help me with this. Instantly couple different people popped into my mind that I should send a note to. I pulled out the stationery, wrote the note, and sent them that very day. Maybe if I asked God a couple times a week who needs to receive a few words of gratitude from me, it could really help with my thank you note dilemma. It worked this week anyhow.

For more life encouragement check out our free daily devotions by visiting Proverbs 31 Ministries, at Proverbs 31.org.

Related Resources:
Check out Lysa's Resources

Check out the P31 Woman Magazine

What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

Made To Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

Misunderstood

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Wendy Pope and Renee Swope

Misunderstood: that’s how I’ve felt many times in 15 years of marriage! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. I remember in our pre-marriage counseling hearing how important communication is. So, JJ and I have tried hard to communicate, but I still feel misunderstood sometimes.

Not long ago we had a great talk. I thought I was making headway in helping my husband understand me. He responded with a big hug and I was sure my thoughts were understood and appreciated. Later that week, I made the mistake of asking my husband if he really understood what I was saying the other night. Well, instead of getting upset because he didn’t remember our conversation, I summed it up for him and we laughed.

If being misunderstood is the problem, what’s the answer? The answer is to show grace even when I don't feel like it and demonstrate love when it seems I have none to give. After all, Jesus offers both to me everyday.

For more encouragement, visit proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31

Moms Judging Moms

Radio Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Have you ever felt the weight of another mom’s judgmental glare? Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. A few weeks ago I heard an amazing speaker challenge moms to decide to support each other rather than judge each other.

Working moms were encouraged to think of ways to encourage a stay at home mom like bringing her take out during your lunch break. And stay at home moms were encouraged to do things to help a working mom like offering to make her family a meal on a night when she has to work late.

The reality is that motherhood has its challenges whether we stay home or have a paying job. Imagine what things could look like if all moms came together in this way. Instead of judging each other, we could become each other’s greatest cheerleaders.

Speaking of people who want to cheer you on, Proverbs 31 Ministries has free daily e-mail devotions for ALL women. Why not get you and your friends signed up today at Proverbs31.org.

Related Resources:

Check out Lysa's Resources

Check out the P31 Woman Magazine

What Happens When Women Say Yes To God, By Lysa Terkeurst

Made To Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

Feeling Emotional

Radio Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Renee Swope and Rachel Olsen

Yesterday I woke up to find my child was sick, again. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

He’d been sick for 5 weeks. I thought we were finally done with germy tissues and Clorox wipes. I was so frustrated as I thought about all I was supposed to accomplish. But, I also felt sorry for my son. And I felt guilty that I wasn’t handling it well. My emotions were controlling everything.

Later as I looked through the Bible for some help, I found these words Jesus said to His closest friends: Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.

Jesus was about to die and He knew His death would make his friends feel sad, scared, and doubtful. So, he encouraged them to trust GOD. You know, Jesus speaks the same words to us. He tells us to not let our emotions create a troubled heart. Instead, He tells us to trust Him and focus on Him.

For more encouragement in balancing your emotions, visit proverbs31.org

Related Resources:

Connect with Renee on her Blog and Facebook

Order Renee’s book, “A Confident Heart.”

Check out Renee's other Resources at P31