The Beginning Of a New Adventure

GRAVES GROCERY 

A COMMUNITY REST STOP

"A Place to Satisfy Your Hunger and Your Heart"

     I never dreamed I would be a store-owner, in my community, reaching out in ministry to those in need.  However, because I desire to do more ministry in my community, I kept believing there needed to be a physical place to meet to reach more women and children.

     Eighteen months ago, when the opportunity arose to buy a local store, the price was too high. I proceeded to take a job at the local YMCA ministering to 120 kids daily, along with their families, and supervising eight counselors.

     I began Mom Heart, a local community outreach, to women and children in September, 2012. We meet weekly at a local church and engage in gospel storytelling, children’s literature, practical life skills, and play.

     We are seeing transformation in the lives of the two families attending, as the power of God’s word takes root in their hearts and minds.  As change occurred, we all kept asking how can we grow and impact more families in our community with the life saving message of redemption.

     I truly thought this ministry was enough to last a while. It became evident at the end of March, 2013, my job at the YMCA was coming to a close. God used significant health issues to cause me to consider whether I was to stay.

     Just a short time after my thoughts began to wander about other jobs, I noticed the same store I desired 18 months earlier was now up for sale again.

     This time it was half price.  Fearful questions arose,

“I have never run a business. How will I know what to do?”

“Should I do something so risky?”

“Will I have enough money to take care of my kids.”

     Then hurling accusations came from the enemy….

“You will never make it..You are crazy….”

Then fear showed up. So I reached out.

     I knew a God who rescued me out of addiction, abuse, and neglect. Although I am a single mom with five children, he restored and redeemed my life. He had given me a strong community of believers to walk with through life. He had given me a strong testimony and heart for ministry.

     I went to God’s word, spent time in prayer, and asked for prayer from trusted friends regarding this life changing decision.

And God came through again. He is faithful.

     Psalm 90:17 “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.”

Psalm 37: 3-7 “Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord

And he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

Trust in Him and He will do this;

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

      I meditated on the faithfulness of God and recounted the story of His redemption in and through each and every trial in my life.  As I embraced His call on my life to live missionally, to believe God to be all of who I know Him to be, I came to a place of perfect peace and faith to walk through this new and exciting adventure.

     Yes, God answers prayers and gives us the desires of our heart as we trust, delight, and commit our ways to the Lord.

     May He be glorified forever in and through me, my children,…..and now, our little PLACE to gather, share, eat, and fellowship in His glorious name.

     I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. I WILL GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. HE IS WITH ME ALWAYS.

     I want my whole community to know this glorious truth of redemption, the saving grace and love of Christ…that they too may experience the fullness of life the Father has for them.

 In Wonder,

Pam

When Our Older Kids Hurt

There are times when sweet platitudes fall upon deaf ears of a hurting child. For the early years of life it seems a tender touch, a hug, a piece of candy, or kind words are enough to fill the hurt stops of a child's heart.

Yet, as they mature and begin reasoning out the things of life, including their faith, these quick and easy fixes miss the mark.  No older child wants to hear, "Awe honey, it'll be ok. Just have faith."

Today I am sharing "When a Band Aid Is Not Enough" at Mom Heart Online. You can hear the rest of how this story played out there.

It is so important we have an answer for our faith when our kids are hurting. They are counting on our faith.

Be blessed,

Pam

When You Are Longing for Rest

I have been sick for what seems like forever. At first I blamed it on my new job at the YMCA. There are germs from 5 public school systems, plus my own children's school...so six schools. There are over 100 children every day that I am in close contact with.

However six months into the job, I cannot continue to blame work. So after blood work and doctor's visits, we are addressing the health issues as adrenal fatigue. An uphill climb has begun with supplements, dietary issues, and LOTS of rest.

Don't we all long for "rest". You know the deep rest that settles in the deepest part of our souls. The rest that lets us know all is well with our world regardless of our circumstances. The rest that Horatio Spafford penned when he wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" in spite of losing his children to tragedy.

I found these verses recently which the apostle John penned. His words address our longing for rest. They bring clarity to us and confirm exactly how to find the "rest" we so long for in today's world where we can never seem to do enough, be enough, have enough, and certainly not rest enough.

"Dear children (I love that God addresses me this way), let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

THIS THEN IS HOW WE KNOW THAT WE BELONG TO THE TRUTH, AND HOW WE SET OUR HEARTS AT REST IN HIS PRESENCE."

So, loving with action and in truth sets my heart at rest in the presence of God.  Thankfully, I have found I can actively love from the bench at the kitchen table by scratching my son's back. I can listen while children share their views of injustices from teachers at school while thanking God they will even talk to me...the old mom who is tired from work. And I can laugh with them all as they remember silly times together at ball games or some other unusual place we've found ourselves as a family. 

There are thousands of self help books, blogs, tutorials, and more to help one find rest. But they won't be truth. Truth is a person. Jesus. These are His words.

May you embrace Christ and His truth today.

Because we all need a little rest.

In Him,

Pam

River of Life Lesson on Miracles

I have seen transformation occur in the lives of others because I believed the following truth:

"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?' 1st John 3: 17 

When I have believed the truth that God wants me to care for the physical needs of those who are without, and act on this truth, transformation can occur.

I have seen dignity restored to young moms in families who made poor financial choices, when the body of Christ came together to provide beds, a kitchen table, and more.

And this was no miracle I pulled off on my own. I shared my heart for this family with friends, who shared with other friends. All these people believe the same truth as me. "Be not hearers but doers of the word." (James 1:22)

I am a single mom with limited financial resources but because I believe the truth of God and shared with others who believed, this young mom's physical needs were met which opened her heart to God's love and presence in her life on a daily basis. She is now serving regularly at the local Share House, the place where we first met, when she was present as a recipient rather than a giver.

Last summer one great read for me was Jim Cymbala's Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. The following quote came from him:

"One way to recognize whether we suffer from disconnection is to look at our concern for people who are dirty...people who are 'other"...people who don't fit the core group's image. The ravages of sin are not pleasant--but they are what Jesus came to forgive and heal. "The Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost" (Luke 19:10) Yet Christians often hesitate to reach out to those who are different. They want God to clean the fish before they catch them."

 There has been no greater joy than to see hearts opened to God for His filling. In fear I asked Him, "how could I ever give or be enough for any of these deep desperate issues. It seems so overwhelming and out of control." He answered me by reminding me only the truth of His word would free them and break down strongholds in their lives. I only needed to be obedient."

Weekly at Mom Heart we pour out the truth of who God is. And He is transforming lives. We take seriously the command from James to share the world's goods with those in need. Why? Because the love of God abides in us.(1st John 3:17)

Who can you help this week. Please let me know how quickly your heart is filled with joy because you have acted obediently.

And watch for the transformation to occur. It is a miracle, something only God can do. I am so excited about Easter, in spite of having three sick at home. Miracles are something to be excited about. I still can't believe, as believers in the living God,  we get to be a part of all this.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Pam

Easter: Christ Purpose and Message

We have preserved a few traditions in our family which are reminders of special events or holidays. As Easter approaches, I am preparing my heart to share with my children the reason for our celebration.

As we PRACTICE these traditions, I recollect reminders to practice throughout scripture. God was repeatedly telling Israel to set up these reminders, build an altar, and celebrate with feasts the provisions of God.

As believers we are privileged to get to pass on these stories of God's faithfulness throughout history to our children in creative ways. As I study 1 John 3: 8-12, we are encouraged again to practice the purpose and message of Christ:

"the Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." "For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another."

This Easter I want to remind my children by practicing traditions in our home of Christ purpose on the cross. I want them to know that His death created a way for each of us to fulfill His message for each of our lives...to love one another.

Last year I used Ann Voskamp's "Trail to the Tree" which made a lovely centerpiece for my table. This year I have been using John Piper's Lenten Devotion over the past few weeks. You can find out more about it here by placing "Lenten Lights" in the search window. We will use the same devotion as a family during the holy week. Each day we get to snuff out a candle as we prepare for Easter morning when each of the seven candles are re-lit because Jesus is alive!

I can't wait to celebrate with my kids...especially knowing how much my baby boy Thomas, who is 10, will delight in wetting his fingers and snuffing out that flame everyday.

Traditions help set the tone for truth for our kids to embrace what is right and holy. If each of us only walked in these two truths:

Christ destroyed the works of the devil

and

We should love one another

What difference would that alone make in how you face today's challenges?

It's the  main thing. It's the only thing that matters. When we fix that truth in our mind, everything else suddenly becomes less paramount in our lives.

Happy Easter, Happy Practicing, Happy Day

Love,

Pam

Fostering Gifts in our Children

Raleigh Mom Heart Conference 2013

I believe at times it is easy, especially in young moms, to feel like the day to day tasks of running children to practice, doing lessons, etc can often feel mundane. It is hard to see the difference you are making as noticing progress in character shaping, academics, or other talents and abilities is often slow...very slow.

Today I am sharing at MomHeart. It's my monthly opportunity to be a part of a larger network of moms encouraging one another to hold fast to their calling as mothers. You can find out here how doing the small simple things with your children can make an eternal difference in advancing the kingdom of God.

Recently Erin and I reconnected at the National Raleigh Mom Heart Conference. Once she shared her story about her son, I knew it was too good to keep to myself. If what your child loves irritates you or is out of your comfort zone, but is not morally or spiritually dangerous, ask God to stretch you so you can truly foster those giftings.

You can enjoy Tristan's music at the following site by copying and pasting the link into your browser:

https://soundcloud.com/eyesontheking/tristan-peace-till-they-know

Happy Day,

Pam

What are you practicing?

As a mom I am learning that to be good at something requires lots of practice.

We informally practice child training every day in our home when someone leaves their clothes on the floor or on top of the kitchen island or in my van.

John practices basketball twice a week because we recognize his gifts and abilities and want to help him improve.

I practice tidying up on a regular basis, regardless of how challenging, so that my children can feel content in an orderly home and I can continue to grow up in self discipline. I would much rather be having coffee with a friend or dreaming up some next big ministry adventure.

In 1st John 3:4-7, John, the disciple Jesus loved, encourages us to practice in another way.....to practice righteousness. Why so important?

Because unlike basketball, child training, or housework,

practicing righteousness identifies us as Christ followers. 

I do believe we can act righteous in all aspects of our lives...even basketball.

Because we have been issued the Great Commission to go and make disciples, we will find many more willing to follow us if we are practicing righteousness than otherwise.

John warns us this won't be easy. "Little children, make sure no one deceives you." There will be constant distractions to pull us away in our thinking and actions from pursuing righteousness.

The key is abiding...

I am so thankful God's principles for living presented in His word give us answers for how to please Him by walking in obedience.  I will spend time renewing my mind with God's truth to know Him more fully.

So, today, I will practice abiding, relying on the power of God within me, to pour out in righteous acts to those around me.

I want someone today to know just how great God is....don't you?

Love,

Pam