I’ve talked about it before, but I’m going to say it again … it’s worth repeating … I’m forever thankful my girls are growing in their relationship with God.
Piper’s heart has been heavy since we’ve moved. Not all the time. But it’ll surface from time to time and we’ll pray, talk, and do our best to work through it. She came home from church a few weeks ago with a prayer request so dear to her heart. It moved me to tears. She made two copies and I keep one in my Bible so I can help her to pray over her need.
She’s also taken to writing on her hand a daily reminder that God has a plan for her life.
Last week something came up that troubled Piper and I asked her if she’d like to pray about it. I don’t know if words can adequately describe what I saw … her big, brown, sad eyes immediately flickered with joy and came to life as she said “yes,” she’d like to pray with me.
It fills me with absolute joy to know my girls believe in the power of prayer.
Taylor will often text me asking for prayer for one thing or another that’s on her heart.
As I’ve said many times … sometimes I feel like I’m failing in having “great big teaching moments” with them, only to realize it’s in these precious quiet times … requests for prayer or something as simple as playing Christian music through the house … that I’m reminded again and again … relationship deepens with everyday walk, everyday talk … an everyday way of life.
Taylor said to me recently that one thing she loves is that I play the music I do through the house.
And Piper told me recently that she likes to lay out a blanket on her bedroom floor and lay there to rest because she can hear the music coming into her room from the kitchen below her and it makes her happy.
Taylor also said something recently that stopped me in my tracks … the words buried deep into my heart. Taylor has been faced with some very difficult life struggles {putting it lightly}, yet because of a relationship with her Savior, yet because at her core she knows what grace and forgiveness look like … she said to me {regarding her circumstance}, “You know, in a way I’m kind of glad it happened … because it’s brought me closer to God.”
Her heart is pure. God has shown up and wrapped Himself around her … in ways I’ll never understand. It’s taken me 38ish years to get here and she sees Him at 16!?!
Because most people are looking at our situation through the world’s eyes … they don’t believe or understand how she could be looking at her situation through eternal eyes. I suppose, though, that’s not for me to try to understand.
And then I have my little 5 yo … we were in the middle of devotion recently and it was pressed upon my heart to ask Hunter if she’d like to invite Jesus to live inside of her. I explained what it meant and she said yes … she would like to invite Jesus to live inside of her. And as she repeated the words back to me, it was the sweetest, most precious prayer a mom could ever hear! Her sisters were there, ready with the high-fives, while sweet tears welled in my eyes.
Yes … ours is an eternal perspective. A perspective that makes me one happy mommy! But more importantly … our Father must be one happy Daddy!
Um, wow. No words. Taylor’s response is incredible!!
Traci, I know you don’t know me…but I know of you and your circumstances. I wanted to let you know that I enjoy your blog…AND that I am very impressed with you for the grace you have shown while facing many difficult situations and decisions. You are a wonderful role model and an outstanding and supportive mother. You are an inspiration to many, and I believe you make a difference in the lives of those you touch with your blog. I will continue to pray for you and your family, and send hope your way for happy days ahead.
Traci, I, like Susan, know of you and your circumstances. Your life’s journey has been filled with many highs and lows. Your current journey shows to many that you have grown into a strong and courageous woman. More importantly, you are showing that strength and courage to your 4 girls. Many times, when difficult challenges present themselves to us, we wonder if there is a God and how could he put us through these struggles. It is only when we truly look to him that we understand he is holding us up. You have offered hope to many who only saw despair. You continue through your challenges by putting one foot in front of the other and relying on God to keep you steady. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Stay strong, stay courageous, and continue walking down the road with your head held high and with your strong faith in God.
Yep, my eyes are filled with tears (again!) and all I want to do is wrap my arms around you & your sweet girls. You are all an inspiration and I’m sure MANY people could learn from your & Taylor’s example. Because you are walking the walk (not just talking the talk) your girls are going to follow in your shining example. Love you friend!
That is amazing. I was 16 when I asked God to live in my heart. I stood up in front of church and made my profession of faith. Ever since that day, I have felt him physically inside me. That may sound crazy but it provides me with the greatest comfort especially when things are difficult. God bless u and your girls!!
Oh my heart. That is just precious. Mine are still young but praying {believing} we will have similar moments in the coming years. Just precious.
I can’t wait to see God’s plans for each of their lives…they are incredible girls (and so is their momma)!
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing. It is so precious and amazing to see our children leaning on the Lord the way your Taylor is. My tween boy is having some issues right now as well. We talk about the Lord constantly. It is a difficult time, as he is questioning things that I always felt would be automatic. I am constantly reminding myself that I was his age once too, and had my share of questions. This too shall pass.
Congratulations on winning some more beautiful spirits over to Jesus.
I will continue to follow your blog.
I have no words… just tears streaming down my face. God is good.
Proverbs 22:6
Children learn from example and what a great example and inspiration you are, not only to your children, but to everyone you touch with your presence both in person and online.
God has wonderful things in store for you and your girls…I believe it!
It’s only when we see the world through God’s eyes do we truly begin to live. We can’t look through the world’s eyes to truly know and see the wonders and saving grace of God. We need to invite Jesus into our hearts and have Him as our daily filter to all the worldly views…
Wonderful post, my friend! ((( hugs )))
don’t ever doubt that He is happy with the way you are mothering these four beauties. i see it in laura, too… that at 17 she is so many years past where i was at that age. i thank Him for it…
and tay… oh my. without your example, living proof before her eyes and within her hero, it might have been years to reach a point like this. blessed, oh blessed.
Pingback: answer to prayer …
I simply want to say I’m beginner to blogging and honestly liked you’re web page. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You really have terrific stories. Many thanks for sharing with us your webpage.
Nice post. I learn some thing more difficult on diverse blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to see content using their company writers and rehearse a little there. I’d opt to use some with the content in my blog regardless of whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link on your own internet weblog. Many thanks sharing.
Hello.This article was really interesting, especially since I was browsing for thoughts on this topic last Monday.
Keep functioning ,great job!
Very good written post. It will be beneficial to everyone who usess it, as well as myself. Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and magnificent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is excellent, let alone the content!
I and my friends were found to be viewing the good points from your website while quickly got a horrible feeling I had not thanked the site owner for those tips. All the guys became totally thrilled to learn all of them and now have simply been using these things. Appreciation for being quite thoughtful as well as for choosing such brilliant issues millions of individuals are really needing to learn about. Our own honest apologies for not saying thanks to you sooner.
What i do not understood is in fact how you’re not actually much more well-preferred than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably when it comes to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be interested except it¡¦s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. All the time care for it up!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.
I am now not positive where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time studying much more or understanding more. Thank you for wonderful information I used to be looking for this info for my mission.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.
I¡¦ll right away clutch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me recognize so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
Good ¡V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..
http://homeservicecalifornia.us/
Terrific paintings! That is the kind of information that should be shared across the web. Shame on the search engines for now not positioning this post upper! Come on over and visit my web site . Thank you =)
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
Great paintings! This is the kind of information that should be shared around the internet. Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this submit higher! Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =)
http://businessinphiladelphia.info/
I and my pals happened to be studying the nice procedures located on your web blog and so unexpectedly got a horrible feeling I never expressed respect to the blog owner for them. All the young men are already totally glad to learn all of them and now have without a doubt been taking pleasure in those things. I appreciate you for turning out to be so kind and then for picking variety of perfect tips millions of individuals are really desirous to be informed on. My very own honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
I am constantly looking online for posts that can help me. Thanks!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just nice and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Hello.This post was really motivating, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this topic last Thursday.
As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
I happen to be commenting to let you be aware of what a fabulous discovery my child undergone checking your blog. She mastered a lot of things, which included how it is like to possess a marvelous coaching character to have the rest smoothly fully understand certain grueling issues. You really did more than our desires. Thank you for rendering those priceless, dependable, revealing and cool tips about the topic to Gloria.
Hello there, I discovered your site by way of Google while searching for a related topic, your website came up, it seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal web-site.
Keep working ,splendid job!
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect web-site.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.