This week I attended a woman's Bible study at my church. It wasn't my regular study group. I was surrounded by new faces. Each one took their turn sharing their prayer request and slowly they made their way to the young lady sitting beside me. She was an adorable mother of two, all smiles and sweetness. But, the moment she opened her mouth her voice cracked and her eyes misted over. “Could you please pray for my marriage?" She asked. "With our newest little one, I am finding no time for my husband. And quite frankly, I don't want any time with him. By the time I go to bed, I am exhausted. Could you please pray for me?” After our meeting, I made my way over to her. As the mother of four, I knew exactly what she was talking about. When I went home that afternoon, I ...
Category Archives: Joanne
She is His
My heart is breaking. Transition is taking place. Change is happening and I don't like it at all. I told the Lord she was His long ago, even reminded Him on occasion about our deal when she annoyed and irritated me. This day seemed so far off. Tucking her into bed, reading her stories, watching her dimples flash with joy over the simplest of things. A giggle. A word. A memory. My precious, precious child. My oldest is moving out on her own. At almost eighteen years old, she is too much like her mother. Now in college, she wants to experience everything, taste and see it all. I have done my best to hold her back, and my not-so-best to hold her back. She leaves happy, on a good note. Her father and I have helped her gather up belongings and will lovingly place her bed and dresser in her new ...
How Much Are You Worth?
Do you see this handsome young man here? (Please overlook the pink elephantine ears, they aren't really his.) Samuel had an important question for his father and I today. His 8 -year-old perfect timing = smack dab in the middle of The Dollar Store. Samuel: How much does a foster kid cost? Me: What??? Samuel: How much does a foster kid cost? My new friend in class is a foster kid. He doesn't have a family, Mom. Do you and Dad have enough money to buy him? Dad: Well, I'm not sure if we do son. Have you thought this through Samuel? If you had someone living with us your age you would have to share your room. Samuel: I don't care Dad. I feel bad he doesn't have a family. Me: (Trying to keep my composure.) So, how much do you think your friend ...
Are You an Encourager?
My husband is an attorney. From time to time, I tag along with him when he has to be in court. This week he was appointed to represent a mother who was trying to regain custody of her teenage son. After some poor decisions by this mom, her son was now in the care of foster parents. His name was Maverick. When Maverick sat down outside of the court room, dressed all in black, it was clear to me, his body language screamed, “Leave me alone and stay away.” Yet, his whole demeanor saddened me. I couldn't help but overhear as his social worker sat down beside him, and began talking with him. “I just finished reading your reports Maverick. I am so proud of you. You are doing great! You are my shining star.” she said, while smiling from ear to ear. It was almost as if I was watching a ...
Take Him at His Word
What Has God promised you? Is there something specific He has whispered to your heart He would do? Do you feel like His promise is so big and wonderful it couldn't possibly be for you? What is holding you back? Why aren't you taking Him at His word? Why haven't you finished what you started for Him? I have been feeling the sweet nudgings of my Lord to finish the book He put on my heart to begin last year. I have written eight chapters of a twenty chapter book, sent off book proposals and I'm far from finished. My friend Celia has offered to let me write in her home in the woods not too far from where I live. This means I will be able to head over there one day a week and sit on her wooden deck overlooking the most beautiful pine trees in our area. I am ...
I Double-Dog-Dare-You!
Why is it the moment our family begins to get ready for church my pathetic attitude rears its ugly head for all to see? My daughter had a little friend spend the night last night. With spatula in hand, my robe on and wet hair hanging around my face like the mythological creature Medusa, this child quietly comes up to me and announces she doesn't want to go to church with us as planned. Now, I am not one to force church attendance on anyone...but I was irritated. As adorable as this little girl is, I had only minutes left to get everyone fed, run this child home and head back to make myself presentable and get to church. Like Cruella Deville I sped through our little town to take this child home. After ringing her doorbell until my index finger was numb, I discovered her parents weren't home. Can you feel ...
While I’m Waiting
Wait. It's the spiritual exercise most followers of Jesus dread most. But from it comes the fruit of patience. Waiting builds a faith muscle of tremendous hope and perseverance for what lies ahead. Waiting on the Lord is never in vain. Has the Lord ever whispered to your heart, wait on me? Have your petitions and pleas been met by the quiet presence of a perfect God, reminding you once again that He is in control? When God handed me four children to raise up He had to of been chuckling to himself. Patience was never my greatest strength. As a mommy I needed it in abundance and I needed to teach it to my own little ones. Not easy to do when I get antsy at a red light after only eight seconds. From the mundane wait for a frozen burrito in the microwave, to the excruciating wait of a phone ...
God’s On the Phone and He’s Asking for You
...and has saved us and called us according to His holy calling, and not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. 1Tim. 1:9a When the phone rings what do you do? Do you let it ring and ring and ring or do you answer it? Hopefully you answer it. Hearing a constant ringing can be extremely annoying. And trying to live and move around your home with a ringing phone in the background is almost impossible. Ridiculous even. What about God? Has He ever called you? No, not on the telephone. But the example is the same. Has He asked you to do something for Him? Has He gently tapped on your shoulder trying to get your attention, all the while you ignored Him? Once you finally answer Him, you realize there are reasons you have been uniquely made. There are gifts you have been ...
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Genny Heikka
Managing EditorGenny started her career life thinking that the business world was where she wanted to be. But after her daughter was born and she began reading books to her, she realized that what she really wanted to do was be a writer...
