Surrendered Hearts {Book Review}

I first met Lori Schumaker online in 2016 when we were both asked to contribute to a new Christian website called Blessed Transgressions. Although I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her in person, I enjoyed getting to know her through her blog, where I found encouragement and hope that transferred into my own life.

I knew Lori had an adoption story and I had read portions she shared with her readers. But when I read that she was looking for help in launching her new book Surrendered Hearts: An Adoption Story of Love, Loss, and Learning to Trust, I was happy to sign up. I knew I wanted to read more about her story.

I am not an adoptive parent, nor has my family been blessed by adoption. However, I know how hard it can be to trust God with everything you have, including your child. I’ve felt the emotions of not being able to see how a situation can possibly work out, and of struggling to let go of what I want for what He wants. I imagine you know the feeling too.

Different stories. Different situations. Different outcomes. Different seasons of life.

Same wonderful loving God who loves His children more than we can comprehend. {Tweet this}

What I found as I read Surrendered Hearts is that Lori’s transparent story of love, trust, and patience isn’t just for adoptive families…it’s for everyone. Her story kept me engaged, and the Biblical truths she shared spoke to my heart.

A few of my favorite quotes from Surrendered Hearts:

“Control and trust do not exist simultaneously. Life is a series of taking control of the situations we can and letting go of what we cannot.”

“Peace would follow when I walked God’s journey instead of my own.”

“Sometimes we get to see the why behind the wait. But other times we don’t. We must surrender any right to know the why and choose to unconditionally accept life as it is. We must believe that even in situations that feel desperately unfair, God is making all things right.”

And…

More about Surrendered Hearts (from Amazon):

A lifetime of knowing. Decades of praying. Years of paperwork, research, and planning. Lots of tears. And the growing of faith in the waiting.

One look into a pair of sparkling brown eyes, and Lori and Bryan Schumaker fell head-over-heels in love with a beautiful young girl in Bulgaria. Certain this was the child God intended for them, they stepped confidently into the adoption process they'd been preparing for. They thought they knew what to expect, and they did—but there was so much more.

The application process moved smoothly ahead, and they began making plans for their daughter--only to be informed she'd been adopted by a family in Italy. Heartbroken, they struggled to move on, until, through a series of incredible events, they learned their daughter still languished in her Bulgarian orphanage. Turning heaven and earth, the Schumakers started over. Mix-ups, red tape, inexplicable delays, and a difficult judge threatened the adoption, but they were determined to bring their child home.

In a true story of learning that trust means surrendering your version of how the story should unfold, Lori and Bryan finally let go—of their dream, of their daughter, of their fears and frustrations. And in that relinquishment, God began to move.

For more information and to order Surrendered Hearts, please visit Lori at LoriSchumaker.com.

What are you currently reading?

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: Lori Schumaker]

Linking up with: Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, #GracefullTuesday, Trekking Thru, #TellHisStory, #RechargeWednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, #DestinationInspiration, #porchstories, Moments of Hope, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, Faith ‘n Friends,

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6 Verses to Start Your Day

How we start our day makes a difference—in how we feel, in our attitudes, and in general, how the day will progress. Today, I’m sharing six Scripture verses that make a difference in my morning. {Tweet this}

6 Scripture Verses to Start Your Day

Psalm 92:1-2 NLT

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening….

Praising God first—before we’ve seen what He will do, takes practice until it feels natural. Not sure how to do this?

*Start with praising God each morning for His love, with an openness to wherever He might lead you during the day.

*Praise Him throughout the day for the beauty you see around you.

*At the end of the day, reflect back. Thank and praise Him for His closeness throughout the day, His work and beauty you saw around you, and for His promise to continue to be with you through the night and into the next day.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

No matter what happened yesterday, last week, or what might happen today, God’s love and compassion for us will never run out. No matter what comes our way and how crushing it feels, we can trust Him to help us through it.

Philippians 4:13 CEV

Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

I usually read this verse in other translations that read, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (NLT) But I like the slight difference in how the CEV reads…the strength to face anything. Before I have to do anything (even getting up in the morning), I know that whatever comes that day, I can face it or approach it—because Christ gives me the strength and ability to do so. {Tweet this}

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Where our thoughts go, our hearts and emotions will follow. When we focus on all that could happen in the world, our thoughts go to frightening scenarios, most of which are not our current reality. But, when we focus on Jesus, we will find peace through Him—peace we can’t find anywhere else. Even when life throws us a curve ball, we can experience peace because we have fixed our eyes and minds on Him.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Some mornings I just don’t even want to get out of bed or face the day, especially when I think of doing it alone. But, we are not alone. God not only walks beside us in everything we have to go through, but He personally walks ahead and plans the way. There is nothing we go through that He is unaware of. Where we see no purpose in what we’re walking through, God knows. He knows what’s ahead of us and around the corner, and promises us we don’t have to be afraid…because He won’t leave us.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

All we can see is what we’re facing and what surrounds us, and some days, it looks pretty bleak. But, that doesn’t mean it will always be like that. God knows His plans for us long before He reveals them to us. He knew Jesus would walk this earth long before His people saw it happen. No matter what we see today, God’s plans are full of Hope—hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for our future. Because of Jesus, there is always Hope. {Tweet this}

What Scripture verses help you begin or walk through your day?

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, Moments of Hope, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Recharge Wednesday, #ChasingCommunity, Faith on Fire, Porch Stories, Grace Moments, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Grace & Truth

The Glory of God

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John 1:14, 17-18 NIV

God’s glory is a visible expression of who God is—His absolute reality. In the Old Testament, God’s presence among His people was in the very specifically constructed Tabernacle. No one could fully see God’s glory and live, but sometimes God would give veiled glimpses of His glory.

Moses specifically asked God to see His glory. God agreed, but Moses could not see God’s face and live.

Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Exodus 33:21-23 NIV

God protected Moses while allowing him to witness His glory.

Where in the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelled in the Tabernacle, in the New Testament, God’s glory was now in Jesus Christ. The Word—Jesus—became human so He could live on earth with us. {Tweet this}

Isn’t that incredible?

God Himself came to this dark and sinful world so He could make His home among us.

Amazing!

With the birth of Christ—Son of God and Son of man, God allowed his people to see His glory and still live.

Jesus is our Light and new life. In Him, we can see the glory of God—the absolute reality of who God is—and live in Him. {Tweet this}

In God’s grace, the birth of a Baby Boy brought us life, light, and hope for all nations, for all of our days.

Lord God, You allowed Moses to see glimpses of You while protecting Him in the cleft in the rock. Thank you for allowing us to see You through Your Son Jesus, not only protecting us, but giving us new life. Through Jesus, full of grace and truth, we see the reality of who You are and how much You love us. May we fix our minds on Your glory and Your love for us during this blessed Christmas season. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: Give Me Grace, #DreamTogether, Purposeful Faith, #SmallWonder, #glimpsesofhisbeauty, Coffee for Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday

I Want to Be Frustrated With God

Last week I wanted to be frustrated with God.

I’ve grown tired of one-step-forward good days being followed by three-steps-backward bad days. And I want to know why.

Why God?

I told God I was frustrated with Him. And as I stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes, I asked Him, Where are You?!?

At that moment I saw new purple flowers had bloomed on the African violet that sits in my kitchen window. Five perfectly formed violet flowers with tiny yellow centers…and I saw Him there.

It’s not where I’ve been begging to see Him, but it’s His beautiful work regardless. And, it reminds me that His ways are not my ways, and His time isn’t mine.

I want to be frustrated with God, but somehow I can’t be. My emotions say I am, but my head and my heart refuse to agree. Because I know better.

I know it’s what the enemy wants—for me to think God is not for me, but against me. That assumption can happen quickly when discouragement and anger grow.

I look at the purple blooms and realize it’s not God I’m frustrated with, but rather life and our humanness.

It’s illness and disease.

It’s strained and broken relationships.

It’s trauma and tragedy.

It’s that we often turn to God as a last resort, instead of our first thought.

I don’t understand His ways or His timing, but it’s not for me to know. He’s working on things I can’t even imagine, and I can only see what surrounds me.

What I know is I believe in miracles and the impossible…because that’s where God works.

I know I believe in Hope because I believe Jesus died for our sins and conquered sin and death when He rose from the grave.

I believe Jesus is Hope.

I want to be frustrated with God because He knows and sees it all. He is in control.

But, it’s really life and this world we live in that I’m discouraged with.

I know I can’t be frustrated with God because He does know. He sees what we’re going through and He cares. He is in control, and through Jesus, there is Hope.

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: FreeImages.com/African violet]

Linking up with #RaRaLinkup, Give Me Grace, #SmallWonder, Playdates with God, #TellHisStory, #SDGGathering, Coffee for Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Faith Filled Friday

Change and Vulnerability

It's been a long time since we've had someone who couldn't basically take care of themselves living in our house. We don't have small children, our elderly cat passed away years ago, and fish don't count, although they lived into their senior years and are gone now too.

We don't make decisions willy-nilly. We discuss, think about, research, and discuss some more...often to the point of ridiculousness. And...we've finally decided it's time to get a kitten.

Funny thing is, despite all the preparing, I'm finding myself a little scared with all of the what-ifs. What if she gets sick? What if she doesn't like it here? What if she destroys the house?

Like with anything, there are questions and particulars to be worked out. I'm used to the way things are, and now there will be changes and someone new to take care of.

Change can be worrisome, but it can also be awesome.

Maybe the scariest thing about change is that it leads to vulnerability...the unknown, the what-ifs, and all of the feelings and emotions that go with that.

Open hearts are vulnerable. Closed hearts are safe.

Open hearts grow and experience life. Closed hearts wither over time.

Open hearts risk getting hurt. Closed hearts are already hurting...they just don't always know it. [Tweet this]

Living vulnerable can be scary, but I think the alternative is more frightening.

So, we're making this little change, and despite the inevitable things we’ll do wrong, there will be so many more things we do right. And it will be good.

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: Stock photo: Heart of Stone

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, Grace & Truth, Give Me Grace, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Testimony Tuesday, #SmallWonder, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Blessing Counters

Sometimes a Tree is More Than a Tree

We had a 20-foot pine tree cut down yesterday. It used to be beautiful. But last year it died, and every time I looked at it I saw a fire hazard—dry and brittle, next to a wood fence, leading straight to the house.

Until yesterday...when the lower branches were being cut off. It caught me by surprise and I almost cried.

In those moments I remembered its fullness and beauty.

I remembered my daughter as a young child running around it giggling with delight.

I remembered how it sparked in the sunlight after a heavy snow.

I remembered the needles sticky with sap and the pine cones that had to be picked up.

I remembered the night we saw bats flying around the very top branches...and got a little freaked out.

And I remembered our cat, who has been gone for a few years now. She loved that tree. If she could sneak out the back door, that's where she would go—deep under the tree where we couldn't reach her.

And when we finally got her back in the house, she would get sick—every. single. time.

Good memories...and some not so good, but all pieces that make up life.

Isn't that the way it is with everything? The good, the bad, and the unexciting moments that make up every day. Moments we don't think much about until they're gone.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

One day passes so another can begin. But the memories...they become a part of us.

And sometimes those simple moments last a lifetime.

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Grace & Truth, Playdates with God, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Give Me Grace, Testimony Tuesday, #SmallWonder, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday

I Want to Be Like Mary

Are you familiar with the story in John 11 when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead?

I used to summarize it this way: Jesus receives word that his friend Lazarus is very sick. Lazarus’ sisters want Jesus to come to see him, but Jesus waits two more days before heading their way. When He finally arrives, Lazarus has been dead for days and his sisters are distraught. But Jesus, knowing the plan all along, brings Lazarus back to life…all for the glory of God.

Obviously, that’s a crude, in-a-nutshell, summary of the foreshadowing of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

But yesterday morning, I realized there’s so much more to the story.

So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” John 11:5-7 NLT

Although Jesus loved them, He allowed them to walk through this time of grief and loss.

Not because He wanted to be mean, but because there was a purpose.

Although Jesus loves us, He allows us to walk through particular storms in life.

“Because there’s a purpose” is hard to swallow much of the time, especially if you are the one living in pain, sorrow, depression, loneliness, or some other trial. Believe me, I know.

Martha and Mary wouldn’t fully see the purpose until they saw Lazarus walk out of the tomb.

Like them, whatever the purpose may be in our trials often can’t be seen until we’ve made it to the other side. And sometimes, we may never see it if God was working it to reach someone else.

______

I particularly wonder about Mary and what she was thinking and feeling. Jesus was a close friend. She was drawn to Him and had sat at His feet listening and learning from Him when women weren’t encouraged to do that. (Luke 10:38-42) In her grief and deep loss at her brother’s death, I wonder if she might also have felt abandoned, not knowing why Jesus hadn’t come.

Perhaps she even asked the same question I’ve asked before…Where are you, Jesus?!? Why aren’t you here with me?

…she [Martha] went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:28-29, 32 ESV

Mary was distraught and desperate to see Jesus. I can relate—I’ve been there. You too?

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. John 11:33-35 ESV

Jesus wept.

Jesus, who allowed Lazarus’ family to go through the grief of his death, was greatly troubled. Having compassion for His friends and the pain they felt, feeling angry at the state of sin in the world, and knowing the joy that was to come…Jesus was deeply moved—to the point of tears. Jesus wept.

Jesus never left Mary in her sorrow. He was right there with her—just as He is with us in our sorrow and struggles.

The sin in the world today, compassion for our suffering, and knowing the joy to come…Jesus is moved and troubled, maybe still to the point of tears.

Mary and Martha had to walk through the grief before they could they see the resurrection of Lazarus.

They had to walk through the storm to see the miracle.

And we do too. We can’t get to the mountaintop without walking through the valley.

______

The Book of John doesn’t describe the reactions when Lazarus walked out of the tomb after being dead for four days. We can only imagine the overwhelming awe and emotion they must have felt.

For Mary, who had sat at the feet of Jesus, her faith in Him had to have grown to level deeper than she could have dreamed—to a level deeper than she could explain to anyone else.

I want to be like Mary.

I want to sit at the feet of Jesus studying His Word.

I want unshakable trust in Him, even when I can’t see or hear Him, because I know He’s always with me. 

I want to know that as I walk through the hardest times of my life, He walks with me…and at the other side He’ll show me the miracle.

I want to be like Mary.

In Christ,

Laura 

Thank you Holly!

[Photo credit 1: Stock photo: Dolmen / Photo credit 2: Stock photo: rain / Photo credit 3: Stock photo: Sad & Lonely]

Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith ‘N Friends, Blessing Counters, Grace & Truth, The Weekend Brew, Faith Filled Friday, Give Me Grace, Playdates with God, Sharing His Beauty, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart

New Beginnings…All Year Long

A new year makes me think of new beginnings. The move to a new calendar feels like a fresh start—a blank page with all sorts of possibilities. It’s easy to think now is when everything can change.

Then as January progresses into February, the newness wears of. The New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten and life feels the same as it was.

Or have we just stopped looking for the newness in our everyday?

New beginnings don’t depend on the change of the calendar year. God gives us a new start every day.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions (mercies) never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV (parentheses NLT)

Because of His love, a bad day or a bad year won’t destroy us. We can start again. Over and over. He offers new beginnings—but if we don’t have eyes open to see them, we will miss them.

Please join me at 5 Minutes for Faith to continue reading, where I'm talking about God's timing, His way, and new beginnings.

Happy New Year!

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: K. Rath 2014

Linking up with Faith Filled Friday, Sharing His Beauty, Coffee for Your Heart

Trust Brings Peace

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34 NLT

There is an unexplainable peace that comes from trusting God.

The Bible tells us about it. I can imagine the peace Abraham felt after God reminded him that He would make Abraham the father of all nations, despite the lack of physical evidence that it could ever happen. (Genesis 15:1-6)

Abraham believed God…and believing that God keeps His word brings peace.

It’s overwhelming to experience it personally. When you feel God’s peace, you just know it’s from Him because there is no way to rationalize it.

And to watch God’s peace settle over someone else—it’s awe-inspiring.

My young, teenage daughter has had a rough year with ongoing illness. Between new and worsening symptoms and missed school, she’s had plenty of cause for worry. Overall, she’s really handled it well.

Until a few weeks ago, when there was one thing eating at her...

Please join me at Next Level Mama to continue reading the story of how my daughter found peace in the midst of worry.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. 

Matthew 6:34 The Message

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Everyday Jesus, Coffee For Your Heart, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, Recommendation Saturday, Sharing His Beauty

When You Feel Alone

Sometimes I feel completely alone.

I’m not talking about times I’m by myself; sometimes I need that. I mean that even with my husband, daughter, family, friends, and co-workers, there are times I still feel alone and lonely.

Maybe you know what I’m talking about.

When it feels like there’s no one to talk to.

No one who understands or has time for you.

No one who cares what you have to say, or is interested your dreams and goals.

I’m not trying to throw a pity party here, but let’s face it—sometimes the course of life leaves us feeling alone in this world.

Friends turn.

Children stray.

Loved ones pass.

Marriages crumble.

Loneliness is a part of life—a part we don’t understand. In fact, sometimes I wonder why it seems like God wants me alone.

Perhaps it’s to draw me closer to Him so He can be the center of my life.

Not unlike He’s done before…

Joseph must have known loneliness as he sat in prison for something he didn’t do, wondering if he’d see his father and brothers again. But God never left him.

But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Genesis 39:21 NLT

Moses was surrounded by the Israelites as he led them from place to place in the desert. And yet, his wife and sons were not with him; they were living safely with her father, Jethro. And now the very nation he led to freedom was turning on him. But Moses knew God was still there.

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!” Exodus 17:4 NLT

David was alone and on the run from Saul, having had to leave behind his family and best friend Jonathan. But he knew God was there to answer and guide him.

“…will Saul actually come as I have heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.”

And the Lord said, “He will come.”

Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?”

And the Lord replied, “Yes, they will betray you.” 1 Samuel 23:11-12 NLT

Certainly, Jesus knew what it felt like to be alone and to have others turn on Him, even those He considered friends. But He knew His Father was with Him.

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. John 16:32 NLT

We may feel alone and lonely at times, but just as God was with Joseph, Moses, David, and Jesus, He’s here with us too.

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5b NIV

God wants to draw us close and promises to never leave us, no matter how alone we may feel. 

Maybe the question is whether we’re leaning into His embrace, or struggling against Him.

Has there been a time in your life when you felt alone, despite who was around you?

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with The Weekend Brew, Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Give Me Grace, Coffee for Your Heart, Whimsical Wednesdays, #TellHisStory, Everyday Jesus

A Little Bird Named Albert

“There’s a baby bird in the egress window,” my husband said Saturday morning, “and I don’t think it can fly out.”

My daughter and I ran to the basement window to see this for ourselves. Sure enough, the cute little guy sat in the cushion of leaves in the window well. My daughter immediately wanted to save it. Deciding it was a “him,” she named him Albert.

We watched Albert through the window, before doing anything, to see if his mom would come back. And she did.

She didn’t sit in the window with him, but she was never far away. She brought him food and she stood on guard.

She sat on the fence outside my kitchen window while I baked chocolate chip cookies. And she chirped. Over and over. Chirp (pause)…chirp (pause)…chirp.

Albert kept the same chirping rhythm. Chirp (pause)…chirp (pause)…chirp.

We decided they were communicating…

Mom?...I’m right here…Mom?...I’m right here…Mom?

…Albert scared and crying out, while his mom let him know she was there and hadn’t left.

My daughter said it reminded her of when she had an MRI and I stood next to her throughout it, with my hand on her leg. She couldn’t talk or move, but the couple of times I moved my hand, her leg twitched, as if to make sure I was still there. And I rubbed her leg to assure her I hadn’t left.

Throughout the day, we watched Albert as he attempted to fly out…without success.

We wanted to scoop him out, but like his mom, knew that he would eventually fly out on his own. So, we cheered him on.

Again, we realized how the mom-child relationship isn’t all that different. Sometimes, as moms, we can’t rescue our kids, but we can stay close and comfort them.

They will get themselves into predicaments that they have to figure out how to get out of, and all we can do is support them…and love them. So, Albert’s mom stayed.

First thing Sunday morning, we checked through the window. Albert was still there and looked like he’d gotten used to his new surroundings.

I went on to do other things, but received timely updates from my daughter. She was sure he was looking at her through the window. Maybe he was feeling supported and encouraged by her too.

And then…

“Mom, mom! I got to witness it!” she yelled as she ran to find me. “Albert got out!”

And he did. After the night’s rest, he was strengthened and refreshed…and he flew to the edge of the barrier to the window well. We couldn’t help but be proud of the little guy.

We snuck outside and watched as he sat on the edge chirping. Then, we spotted Albert’s mom, with breakfast in her beak, but still able to answer his cries.

Mom?...I’m right here… Mom! Look, I did it!...See? I knew you could do it!

We thought we were being sneaky, watching from a distance, but moms have a good sense about things, and we figured she was on to us. Albert wasn’t going to eat breakfast until we left.

Albert was gone when we checked back later, probably off somewhere with his mom. We were happy for them...but at the same time, we kind of missed the little guy.

Linking up with Unforced Rhythms, Soli Deo Gloria, Winsome Wednesday, #TellHisStory, Coffee For Your Heart, #EverydayJesus, Thought Provoking Thursday

What Every Daughter Needs to Hear

As a mother, there are certain things I want my daughter to know as she grows up. But I’ve realized that as I teach her, I need to remember the same lessons. I’m not just a mom—I’m a daughter too. Whether our earthly parents have been wonderful, or less than desirable, we are all daughters of our Heavenly Father.

So, in this month of Mother’s Day, I’m remembering that I’m the daughter of the King. And so are you…

To keep reading, please join me at Next Level Mama.

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: Stock Illustration: Handmade Collage 1

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesday, Coffee for Your Heart, Blessing Counters

When We Swap a Never-ending Story for a Fairy Tale by Melissa Deming {Comparison Series}

It's a pleasure to have Melissa Deming here today as my guest in the "Comparing Ourselves to Others...and what it does to us" series. Melissa and I met online this year when she led a Missional Women Discipleship Group I participated in. Both the group and getting to know Melissa are experiences I'm thankful to have had. You can find Melissa on her blog Hive Resources and writing for Missional Women. Please welcome her here today by leaving a comment. ~ Laura

If you held the pen, how would you write your own life story?

Would it be a love story? A drama? Some days I think my life reads like a comedy. As in, I have to laugh to keep from crying! I have five-year-old identical twin boys I affectionately call my ‘twinadoes,’ and every moment of my life seems like it was lifted straight out of a slap-stick film.

Sometimes we view our own life stories and wonder if we got the right script, especially when our plotline takes unexpected twists or turns.

It’s in those moments, when we seem to be stuck in the middle of our stories, that we become the most tempted to steal the pen from God’s hand and rewrite a chapter or two. It’s when our stories seem to derail that we are tempted to compare our stories to the stories of our sisters.

She found her prince charming – what about me, God?

You didn’t seem to write any conflict in her tale, God? Why did you write such a big part for me?

Why did you let such a horrible villain creep into my script, God? Were you not looking?

But swapping our story for another’s doesn’t guarantee us a fairy tale ending. That’s because, the apostle Paul says the story God has written for us is a lavish love story.

In Ephesians 1:1-14, Paul outlines the story of God. Verses 1-6 reveal the main characters of God’s story – God, Christ, and God’s children (you and me). Because of God’s story written in Christ, God’s children come to be called holy and blameless, adopted as his children, and accepted (vs. 4-6).

Our backstory as God’s children, however, is a sordid tale. We find it in chapter 2, where it is revealed that we formerly belonged to another father – the father of darkness. We once were “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:1-3).

But God, being rich in mercy and love, didn’t leave us to our dead-end stories. He wrote a new story for us – a story of redemption (Eph. 2:4-6). God’s story for us speaks of an eternal love and an eternal purpose.

Through Christ, God wrote for us a never-ending story. Our stories are never-ending for two reasons.

First, our lives are an eternal picture of God’s kindness in Christ (Eph. 2:7).

“…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7).

When we compare our stories to others we make one tragic mistake. We mistake love stories for fairy tales.

But love stories are not ends unto themselves. God has a purpose in lavishing us with His love – our stories are intended to be a stage for the whole world to view the Author’s kindness in Christ.

Ironically, all those twists and nose-dives in our tale have meaning – both today and “in the ages to come…” So, when we’re eager to swap our stories for another, we miss the kindness of Christ who has woven the events of life together in such a way that others are led to the Author.

Second, our lives are never-ending stories because we have an eternal purpose in Christ (Eph. 2:10).

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

In verse 10, Paul calls our stories God’s “workmanship.”

The word “workmanship” or “handiwork” in the original language is the word poiema. It is literally rendered “masterpiece.” You and I were masterfully created. Our stories – and how God rewrites them for His glory – are epic, eternal tales.  

And as a masterpiece, you were created not just as a good read, but for “good works” – works that were prepared and planned for you long before you were born. These “good works” are proof that God is at work in your life even when it seems he isn’t.

So, when it seems like your story seems to have skipped a page, you can trust that the Eternal God will show you kindness for all eternity. You can trust that the Eternal God has an eternal purpose for you.

When we choose to trust God as the sole Author of our lives, we can trust that our stories have a good end. But in order to get that good ending, we must guard our hearts against trading our never-ending story for the idea of a fairy tale.

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Melissa Deming is the creator of Hive Resources.com, a site to help women sweeten their walk with Christ through Bible study, missions & ministry resources, and more. She is the author of the women's Bible study, Daughters of the King: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Story. 

Melissa and her husband have five-year-old twin boys who are unwittingly and joyfully shaping them into the image of Christ.

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