LET GO!

When life isn’t going so well for my friends, it comes naturally to me to give them a hug and a word of encouragement.  Sometimes we’ll share stories of God’s faithfulness over coffee. I might send them a card or an email and remind them that no matter how dark their situation, God is in control.  And I’m not simply tossing out platitudes here--or trivializing what they’re going through. When I pray for them, I release them into God’s care with total confidence. 

But when the winds of trouble blow at home, the situation gets a bit stickier.  I can believe it for my friends, for my husband, for me, but what about my kids?  Why is it so hard for me to just hand it all over to God when it’s about my kids?  

As our children grow into adults, their problems and concerns are more serious than when they were children.  They’re facing things like heartbreak, disappointment, career decisions, choosing a life partner, health issues.  There’s no possible way for me to fix those kinds of things!  Still, I’ll lie awake at night mulling them over, worrying, exploring every possible outcome.  You know what?  That’s CRAZY, and here’s why:  God’s promises are not something I can pass down to my children like a family china pattern. Those promises already belong to my children.  I’m not the one sitting at the right hand of God, pleading their case for them--Jesus is! 

What a relief, it’s not up to me. Certainly, I’m going to continue to encourage my girls, to pray for and with them.  But ultimately, God’s got it all in control and they are in His tender care. 

And as for me, I need to let go! 


What about YOU?  Is it hard for you to let go?

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.  1 Timothy 2:5 

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.  1 Corinthians 3:7

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:5-7

Thank you Tori for the cutest thing I've seen in like FOREVER!

My friend Tori posted this on her blog today and it is SO awesome I had to share it.

I'm sure all you parents can TOTALLY relate.




PS: Click on the link below and check Tori out, she is AMAZING and I love her so much--when I'm not being absolutely green with envy because she is so stinking funny AND beautiful! Dang it!
http://www.babybloomr.com/

Adventures in Babysitting

Growing up as I did, in a gospel music family, I was surrounded by a very colorful cast of characters. There were singers, musicians, writers, music executives, bus drivers, concert promoters and booking agents, but to me, they were all a part of my wonderful extended family. I remember sharing bowls of soup with Uncle Les (Beasley, founder of the Florida Boys Quartet) from the hot soup machine at WSIX where my family was taping The Gospel Singing Jubilee. Ms. Dottie (Rambo) was always so glamorous and her voice was like warm syrup. I would sit on her lap for hours listening to her stories while she made me baby dolls out of her hanky. But one of my most unforgettable experiences took place on a cold winter’s afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee.

My family had been called to Nashville for some meetings about their upcoming recording project with Canaan Records. Mom and I tagged along and spent the afternoons doing a little shopping and relaxing at the Travel Lodge Motel while dad was working. While we were in town, another business matter cropped up and my mom and dad needed to attend to it. Unfortunately, there was no one available to keep an eye on their rowdy 5 year old while they were out for an hour or two. Uncle Marvin, a family friend, kindly volunteered for the job. He offered to hang out with me at the motel while my parents were away and then we’d all get together for dinner later. Mom and dad rounded up a few things to keep me entertained and reminded me to be on my best behavior and off they went. Uncle Marvin stretched out on the bed to watch a little television while I occupied myself with some story books. Just about the time that Marvin dozed off, I got a little bored. I decided it would be much more exciting to jump on the bed, an activity that was forbidden at home, but hey, we were in a motel! Suddenly, Marvin’s nap was cut short when I bumped into the huge picture hanging over the bed and it came crashing down on top of him. Suddenly, Uncle Marvin was WIDE awake, and thankfully laughing his head off! When my parents returned, he told them all about my antics with the condition that I didn’t get in trouble. Oh, did I forget to mention that Uncle Marvin was Marvin Norcross, the Vice President of Word records and the President of Canaan Records? I guess it’s a good thing they’d already signed those recording contracts…