Becoming Bold

It started with a check that came in the mail fifteen years ago. I had given birth to my third child, my firstborn son. On a limited income, we hoped to nurse. Yet, quickly, John developed milk allergies keeping him from nursing. The formula needed doubled our weekly grocery budget.

I shared a prayer request during the weekly bible study I attended. The following week a fifty dollar check came in the mail from a bible study classmate. She knew we were struggling financially with this added expense. After receiving some birthday money, she wanted to share it with us.

It wasn't easy receiving the money at first.  I had grown up with the mindset of not sharing your personal struggles with anyone. So embracing  a new way of thinking, "that God might want to take care of me through  His people" was foreign. Yet, it was given with such love and joy.

That one act of giving began a snowball effect that continues to this day. Over the span of the last fifteen years our family has been the recipient of hundreds of gifts ranging from food and diapers to frequent flier miles to attend Mom Heart intensives.

Probably the largest reminder I have of the faithfulness of God to provide for my family is my home. About nine years ago my local church asked permission to do some home repair for me. Married at the time to an over the road truck driver made it hard to tackle repairs at home. I was a homeschooling mom of five ranging from two to twelve.

The church called it the Jerusalem Project. They sent us out of the house for two weeks to complete a "Hallelujah Chorus Task List" which my pastor had requested. What we returned to change our lives forever.

When we returned home there was a welcoming crew of at least 50 who walked us through each room which had been transformed from flooring, paint, to decor. The beauty was breathtaking. I nearly fainted when I saw the deck off the back door which overlooked the river. I had longed for a deck for six years as we could not use the back door because it dropped five feet off the house.

This is the verse the Lord gave to me during the two weeks of waiting while they worked on our home.

Psalm 13:6 "I will sing unto the Lord for He has dealt bountifully with me."

We suspected we were coming home to new flooring and possible painted walls. But we were in awe at the beauty and complete home makeover which became our new home.

We walked into this verse: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!" There is not a single day I live that I cannot walk into my home and be thankful for all God has done for me and my family.

This season I have realized that as we experience the tangible love of God we become bold.

As we receive and come to know the nature and character of God through the outpouring of His love for us, we are filled with the power of His spirit to walk out what He has called us to in our individual lives.

"For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. "Ephesians 2;10

Experiencing the love of God made me bold enough this summer to start a family business in our community. In June, Graves Grocery: A Community Reststop opened to serve breakfast and lunch to the people in our small community. We are completing our seventh month of business this month.

You can read more about our little place here http://www.waff.com/story/24098447/laid-back-old-country-st#.UqvUkmaw3PQ.facebook

Thus far, having the store has been the most rewarding experience in life other than being a mom. It's like something I waited forever for but did not know I was waiting.

It is an opportunity daily to show the tangible love of God through serving or a kind word. I am trusting God to use me in such a way that, as I share the love of God to my customers, they too become bold.

May you reflect this holiday season on how God has poured out His love for you in your own life. And if there is too much pain to see His love, ask Him to show you. If you belong to Him, He has never left you.

As you reflect on His outpouring of love, may you too become bold.

Have a bold and bright Christmas!

Love, Pam

The Benefits of a Meal Plan

There are nuggets of truth along my spiritual journey that stick with me. These truths I have incorporated into my life have strengthened my faith and the relationships with those I love.

One of these nuggets is the importance of planning meals for the men in my world...for today that means my two sons, ages 14 and 11. The girls are glad to eat as well. But truly it makes a world of difference for the boys.

I heard once and never forgot:

FAIL TO PLAN; PLAN TO FAIL

Today it's my turn up at Mom Heart online. You can read more about my nugget of truth I gleaned here.

Fondly,

Pam

It's My Turn but it's for His Renown

Sometimes I still battle with the someday story of great renown for myself or family.

Yet, as I had opportunity to write this month for Mom Heart Online, I was sweetly reminded that this life is really not about me or my great kids.

It's about our great God, who delights in using us...very normal people to be light bearers to the world. And why? Well, yes it's because He loves us and delights in us. Yet, there is more about the why.

Find out here online more about the why?

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