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Happy Belated Father’s Day–to all you Dads! :)

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou22 Comments

We have earthly Dads to show us what our Heavenly Father is Like.

When my husband and I were first married, I observed that whenever he would call his dad, (his dad owned his own law firm in Boston, MA), his calls were put right through—-every single time.

However, when we visited the law office, I heard his assistants take message after message, and very few people got right through to my father-in-law.

So what is my point here?   My point is that in the same way that my husband had immediate access to his dad, —whoever is a child of God–has access to Him as well.

One of the passages of scripture that has been resonating with me lately is Psalms 37: 1-5: Do not fret because of evildoers,  Be not envious toward wrongdoers.  For they will wither quickly like the grass, and fade like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD,  Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

 Psalm 37: 23-25: The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Or his descendants begging bread.

 These verses are powerful weapons for me in fighting against the feelings of anger, anxiety and powerlessness. Life is really, really hard. Circumstances are really, really hard, and frightening and overwhelming.

I need help remembering that I have access to God–the Creator of Heaven and Earth as my Father.  He holds my hand, and I will not be hurled headlong in this world.  He will walk me through.  He will walk you through. 

Please pray with me–that the next time I’m tempted to fret, I will remember that God wants me to delight myself in Him–(don’t you love the mental image of–“delighting” in the Lord), and He will place the desires He wants me to have in my heart. This is how He will order my path and establish my steps. I will be praying for you too!! 

May We Be Encouraged!! Hope you Dads are still being celebrated! 🙂

Thank you for your service!!

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou19 Comments

A friend of my husband sent him this post a few years ago, and I thought how true it was of my husband and all the guys he works with in the fire department.  This month, my husband celebrated his 30th anniversary of working as a firefighter, and he was celebrated by the other firefighters at his retirement party for his many years of service.

Usually the guys roast each other when one of them retires, however, there was very little roasting of my husband, and a lot of thanking him, for being such a hard working, dependable, knowledgeable, skilled firefighter who was usually the first one on the scene.  The younger men thanked him for being a leader, a mentor and an advocate for them.  

When it was my husband’s turn to talk, he said that while he will miss the job, (maybe not the middle of the night calls), he will miss the men he worked with the most.  I know that he was speaking the truth.

My husband really loves those guys with whom he worked.  He would ask me to make cookies for them, or bring them food if they had been at a fire for a long time.  He was continually thinking about taking care of the guys.

My husband was a really skilled firefighter, and I think it was God’s grace to me that I didn’t normally worry about him while he was fighting fires.  He just seemed invincible to me. However he was not invincible–once–a roof dropped on my husband’s head, resulting in a compression fracture to his neck.  Another time– his leg went through the floor, resulting in a shredded meniscus.  

During the first accident—the City really had his back, providing medical care and worker’s comp, til he was fit for duty.  The second time, it seemed we had to fight each step of the way, for medical care and worker’s comp.  My husband was willing to fight those battles—again, for the sake of the others.  He did not want other firefighters to have to be treated in a similar way–knowing that it was bad for morale, but also would put others’ livelihoods at risk, if they were unable to pay their bills while recovering from accidents.  My husband risked being fired, and unable to do the job he loved, for the sake of fighting for others’ sakes.

When I think about firefighters—I realize that they do many things for others’ sake.  They put their lives on the line, for others’ sake.  

In another week, we will be celebrating Easter.  We will be celebrating Jesus, the visual image of the invisible God, because He laid down His life for us.  He died for us.  He rose from the dead.  He suffered for us, to end suffering for us in the life to come.

Firefighters are not gods, they are real people with real problems—yet they show me character qualities that are truly god-like.  They serve.  They put their lives on the line for us.  They suffer to help alleviate suffering.   

So  to my husband, to all firefighters—thank you so much for your service!!  We really, really appreciate you!!  May you be encouraged!!

Christmas Smells

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou28 Comments

This is the time of year our family does a lot of Christmas baking, and with Christmas baking comes Christmas smells!   Recently, my daughter and I got into our car, and the whole car was filled with Christmas smells—of carmel, and chocolate and ginger, cinnamon and cloves!

We carried the smells with us—they surrounded us and clung to us, as we had been surrounded by them in our baking.

I told my daughter that it reminded me of a verse in the Bible

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;   2 Cor 2:15

When I was a freshman in college, there was a young woman that lived on my floor, who had a huge smile on her face, she was always so happy—and she really irritated me.   I could not stand being around her.   I found myself wanting to slap that smile off her face.  I thought, “No one can be that happy, she must be faking.” 

Then my roommate—my best friend at college—talked with her and another girl, and understood how to have a relationship with God from talking with them.  Spoiler Alert–that other girl would become one of my bridesmaids at my wedding–and remains one of my best friends.

Suddenly, my roommate really began irritating me as well.  I avoided being around her.  I would snap at her about silly things.

These people were the fragrance of Christ to me—but I was headed away from God, not to HIm—and they really irritated me.

Then after snapping at my roommate, about a silly thing, she looked at me and said, “you know Katie, I’m not perfect, I’m just forgiven.”  

Oh how I wanted that–I wanted to be forgiven.   

I share this story–because maybe in the process of being the fragrance of Christ—someone is snapping at you, someone is irritated by you.   Just keep walking close to Jesus, and who knows—you may say something—something so simple—but so profound–that it makes an eternal difference.

May you be encouraged!!  May you keep giving off all those Christmas smells!!

**This blog was originally published last year—we have yet to start our Christmas baking, but I’m publishing it again in anticipation of all those Christmas smells. 🙂

Donna?

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou9 Comments

I met a young woman, in the summer of 1987, in Wildwood NJ.  Let’s call her “Donna”.  I can’t remember what her actual name was, it could have been Donna.  I can’t even remember what she looked like.   Here’s what I do remember:  Donna was a young woman–and she had run away from home.  She had gotten a job down on the boardwalk, in one of those places selling t-shirts.  I was introduced to her by some college students with whom I was on a Campus Crusade for Christ summer project.  

When I met Donna, the college students told me that they had shared the “Four Spiritual Laws” with her, and that Donna had received Christ as her Savior.  They told me that Donna wanted to learn how to grow in her relationship with God, and asked if I would help her.   So Donna and I met to study the Bible together.   

We would read, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”  Ephesians 2: 8,9    

Donna’s eyes would get round and she would exclaim, “What!!  You mean I just have to believe and God saved me!!  This is too good to be true!  How could God be so good!  How could God be so loving!!” 

Then we would read, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.” I Peter 3:18  Donna would begin to cry, “Jesus died for me, Jesus died for me—He suffered for my sins, so that I could know God.”

Then we would read:  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”  John 10:27-30

Donna’s eyes would start leaking — “Oh, I can’t believe this–but I do believe this.  Jesus gives us eternal life.  We won’t ever perish.  Nothing can snatch me out of His hands.  Nothing!  And Jesus is telling us, that He is God here–right?  He and the Father are One!  That’s why He could pay for all our sins with His One Death–He had to be God to do that for us.  Can You believe that He did that for us?”  

Then Donna went on to tell me that she had done a lot of drugs, and slept with a lot of men.  She was so grateful to Jesus for dying for her.  She was so thankful to God for forgiving her. She was so grateful that now she had eternal life.    She loved God back so, so much.

Donna reminded me of the woman in Luke 7 who loved Jesus so much, as Jesus had forgiven her so much.  You can read the story yourself, if you click here.

Every time I met with Donna, I realized that she was showing me what a heart of thankfulness and love looked like. 

I saw Donna transform before my very eyes.  At the end of that summer, Donna went home to her family.  She got involved with a good church.  We wrote for quite a few years–and in her letters–Donna continued to express her love for Jesus.  

 Since I can’t remember what Donna looked like or what her name was, our conversations may not be exactly as written here due to my hazy memory.  However–what I remember so very, very clearly is the emotion, and Donna’s reaction of wonder and amazement to God’s Grace.  When I think about Donna, even after all these years, I remember a girl who loved God so much, and was amazed at what God had done for her.

May We Be Encouraged!!

Delight

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou10 Comments

“Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

I was in college when I first heard this verse–Psalm 37:4.   I was involved in a Christian group, and was spending time with one of the group leaders, talking to other students.

This leader, named Debbie, was a beautiful blonde southern belle.  She had been transplanted up to the harsh north with its frigid temperatures.  She spent time with me every week in a bible study, one-on-one, and in a large group meeting.

Debbie was on staff with this Christian organization.  She taught me about being inwardly motivated by God’s spirit.  She taught me about being transformed from the inside out.  

I was used to trying to do the right thing because of guilt, or shame or trying to live up to what others would want me to do.  I knew very little about being inwardly motivated by God.

As Debbie and I met with a fellow student, this student explained that she was dating someone that she wasn’t sure was the best choice for her.  She went on to tell us all the things she had doubts about.  I was expecting Debbie to take her to places in the bible that clearly gave this woman advice about “not” dating this man.  Instead, Debbie read this verse to her,  

“Delight yourselves in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Debbie explained to the young lady that as she spent time with the Lord, being soft towards Him in her heart, and opening up her heart to the Lord, that God would change the desires of her heart, and place the desires in her heart that He wanted her to have. 

** (The biblical definition of this word delight is: to be soft, dainty, to be happy about.  The implication is to open oneself up to the Lord, and to be soft-hearted towards Him, to be happy about the Lord and happy with the Lord).

Debbie did not give her the answers of what to do about her boyfriend, instead, she pointed her to the Lord–the One who knows all– the One that promises to direct our paths, and place within us the desires He wants us to have–as we are soft towards Him.  As we surrender ourselves and our hearts to Him.  As we “delight” in Him.

Big Daddy Weave – Overwhelmed [Official Music Video]

May We Be Encouraged!!

Pivotal Moments

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou27 Comments

Pivotal moments in life.  Moments that change the entire trajectory of one’s life.  I had some pivotal moments my freshman and  sophomore years in college.

At the end of my freshman year in college, I began a relationship with the Lord.  I accepted what Jesus did on the cross as the sacrifice for my sins.  I accepted God’s forgiveness.  I asked God’s Spirit to come into my life and make me the person He wanted me to be.

Wow, did He answer that prayer!  Suddenly, when I went to the bar with the girls, and I was tempted to overindulge, I could sense God’s presence and guidance leading me away from those situations.  As I spent time with the Lord, He changed my desires, and I didn’t desire to put myself in those situations anymore.

When I messed up, and did not yield to God’s guidance, I felt such guilt and unworthiness.  I had walked away from the One, who loved me so perfectly.

I messed up majorly a few times in the beginning of my walk with the Lord and experienced such remorse.   I don’t think the guilty and unworthy feelings came from the Lord.  I think they came from me, from Satan, and from believing the lies–Satan told me–first to draw me into sin, and then to beat me up–after I sinned.

In my fall term of my Sophomore year in college, I went on a Fall Retreat with the christian group that had been a part of me hearing the gospel, and trusting Christ to be my Savior.  At that retreat, I was asked to be in a discipleship bible study, where I would be learning to share my faith, and I would also be learning how to lead bible studies.  Eventually I would teach others how to share their faith, lead others in bible studies and teach others how to lead bible studies.

I felt so unworthy to be in this study.  I felt scared to be in this study.  I desperately wanted to be in this study.  

I remember going off by myself to have a quiet time with the Lord, and asking Him what He wanted me to do.  Now, I was a very young believer, and I knew God’s Word had the answers for me, but I didn’t know God’s Word very well.  So, I prayed, God, I don’t know what you want me to do.  I am going to open this book of Yours, and just read whatever it says when it falls open.  Please speak to me, and tell me what you want me to do?

I opened to:  ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,  to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:16-18

I can’t really explain what happened, but it was as if the Lord Himself was speaking to me through the words I was reading.  The words leapt off the page, and I heard them being spoken in my head, but not by my voice.  It was a voice of power, authority, and yet love.

This was a pivotal moment in my life–from which the rest of my life had direction.

I went on to be in that discipleship bible study.  I went on to lead others and disciple others.  I went on to go on full time staff with that christian organization, and then later volunteer on staff with it.  I met my husband when I was on staff with this organization, as he was also on staff with it.   

In writing this blog, I am seeking to fulfill God’s purpose that He gave me, so, so many years ago.  I am seeking to tell my stories–because they point to Him.  He is the author and perfecter of my faith.  Hebrews 12: 2

It helps me to look back and see God’s hand in my life–to see that after all this time He has not let go.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  John 10:27, 28

I hope this story encourages you to look at your own life, and see your own pivotal moments.  I hope my story encourages you to remember that even though we may be tempted to feel unworthy and guilty, we have been given worth and forgiveness and love.  

May We Be Encouraged!

Girls on my Floor in Dorm–Freshman Year

I looked up every verse that had the word Praise in it or Praises.  I was trying to get a handle on why God likes us to praise Him.

I know why I like to be praised.  I like to be noticed for a job well done or a character quality I have.  However, it matters who praises me.  It means more coming from someone with whom I have a close relationship.  In fact, being praised by someone can strengthen the relationship, and cause me to want to draw closer to that person.

Does God have the same reasons for liking to be praised?

I know God is pleased by my faith and by your faith–according to Hebrews 11:6. 

 Is praise an expression of faith?

I think it is.

When my son Sean died, we had a funeral and we sang, “I’ll praise you in the storm.” at his funeral, and “Who am I”.  My husband and I found ourselves, holding hands and lifting them up to the Lord, and praising Him at our son’s funeral.  

That was an act of faith, that in the midst of the worst thing that had ever happened to us,  we were trusting God and we were going to praise Him in the midst of this terrible circumstance of our life.

Recently, we almost experienced another tragedy in our family, but this time, God intervened and saved a family member.

I have been thanking God profusely.  Yet, the fact that calamity was averted has me feeling shaken and insecure and anxious about the future.

God has told me to write a blog about Praise.  I think I know why.

Praise gets my eyes off myself–and onto Him.   And when my eyes are on Him, I can walk through the raging seas.

Right now, so, so many of us are walking through the raging seas.   

God isn’t telling us to Praise Him, because He is an egomaniac and a narcissist and He needs to be Praised by us.

No–He is telling us to Praise Him to strengthen our faith in Him.  We take the time to Notice Who He is and What He has done for us–and we thank Him.  We thank Him.

So let’s thank Him now:

Thank You Lord that You are with us as we walk through the raging seas.  Thank You that You hold our hands and You won’t let us go.  Thank You that we celebrate that You came into our world as a baby, and You bore our sorrows, and You experienced death for all of us—so that we would live with You throughout all of eternity.  Thank You for being the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.   Thank You that You have given us the gift of a relationship with You.   Thank you for the great, great love You have for us.  Thank You that You are the God of the heavens and the earth, the Creator of the universe, and yet You care for us.  We praise You, Oh our God, our Lord, our King!!  We praise You!!

 Let Us Be Encouraged!!

Advice???

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou4 Comments

This week our homeschool co-op started up.  I found myself talking to a couple of young moms who are just starting to homeschool.  One of them started homeschooling because of Covid.  The other one heard a definite call from God to homeschool.  I started homeschooling because of my husband.  He had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) as a child–and school felt like a prison to him.  It was becoming increasingly clear that our oldest son had ADHD, and we decided to homeschool because of this.

I found myself telling these young moms some of our story—I think because I hoped to allay some of their future trials with homeschooling–although honestly–my parents and probably yours–tried to teach us from the wisdom of their experiences–and I have found that I usually learn from my own experiences not others.

However, in case any parents– are reading this—this is what I wish I could tell them–this is what I wish they could learn from my own experiences:

  1.  Homeschooling is a calling, and God will make it very clear if He is calling you–if you are open to considering it.  (So many moms have told me– “I could never do that”–  In other words–even if God was calling them to homeschool, they would not hear His call. )  Some of us fall into this calling by circumstances–like Covid–or in our case–a medical condition of our child that was best served by teaching at home.   However when my oldest was going into 5th grade, I decided to put him in public school.  God told me very clearly not to do this.  My son had 2 years of being bullied and lost a lot of ground scholastically because I decided to ignore what God was clearly communicating.  Just as a good parent will call out to their child, when the child is entering the street when a car is coming–so God was calling out to me—but I chose not to obey.
  1.  God may call you to homeschool some of your children and not homeschool others, or not homeschool at all.

A few of my children–when they were in the older grades of High School, went to public school.  God made it very clear to all of us that this was the correct decision for them.  My second son wanted to go to public High School because he wanted to reach other students for Jesus.  He wanted to run with the track and cross country team.  A few weeks into the fall term–our third son was killed as he was riding his bike.  Our second son had his cross country team to support him during this time.  They wore t-shirts and plastic bracelets in memory of my third son.  They loved on my second son.  Again–God made it clear to our spirits–before this son went to High School–that this was the right decision for him at this time.

  1.  If God is calling you to homeschool, He will strengthen you, even if you feel inadequate.  I have been homeschooling for over 25 years–and I still feel inadequate–I still wonder if I am going to ruin my child–and not prepare her well for her  future.  In fact, most homeschooling moms that I know, are plagued by the same doubts and fears.   I am only homeschooling one child right now–and guess what–it is not easy.  It has never been easy.  No calling from God will ever be easy.
  1.  God does not expect perfection from us, but He does want us to be honest—He wants us to be honest when we are at the end of our ropes and need help.  He wants to be honest, when we react in anger to our children and ask for forgiveness from Him and from them.  He wants us to be honest with other moms–and not act like we have it all together–because we are afraid of what they’ll think about us if they know how not altogether we really are.
  1.  The fifth and last thing I would suggest to those who are prayerfully considering homeschooling or are homeschooling, but are not in a support group—is to join a homeschool co-op.  

The first few years I homeschooled I had a best friend, (Becki Crain) who homeschooled.  Becki had been a school teacher before she homeschooled.  She taught me so much.  Then Becki died.  I did not have a support group.  So I joined a group.  Wow!!  There is so much power in joining with others!  First, my kids loved it!!  Second, other parents have abilities in different areas than my husband or I have.  It is and was wonderful to have my children learn from others who are teaching them from their strengths.

It was not easy finding this group.  This was before the internet.  However—if God is calling you to homeschool–He will also equip you to this task–and if a support group is what you need–God will provide one for you, be it one other person—or a huge group.

I guess the main idea from all these points–is that the burden of parenting–or homeschooling is not on me, and it is not on you—the burden is on God.  This is what God means when He tells us to abide in Him, for apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15)

It is also what He means when He says that we can do mighty things, but if we don’t do these things in love, it means nothing. (1 Corinthians 13)

I hope that the thought of the burden being on God–and not you–will encourage you!!  It does me. 🙂

Christmas Smells

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou8 Comments

This is the time of year our family does a lot of Christmas baking, and with Christmas baking comes Christmas smells!   Recently, my daughter and I got into our car, and the whole car was filled with Christmas smells—of carmel, and chocolate and ginger, cinnamon and cloves!

We carried the smells with us—they surrounded us and clung to us, as we had been surrounded by them in our baking.

I told my daughter that it reminded me of a verse in the Bible

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;   2 Cor 2:15

When I was a freshman in college, there was a young woman that lived on my floor, who had a huge smile on her face, she was always so happy—and she really irritated me.   I could not stand being around her.   I found myself wanting to slap that smile off her face.  I thought, “No one can be that happy, she must be faking.” 

Then my roommate—my best friend at college—talked with her and another girl, and understood how to have a relationship with God from talking with them.  Spoiler Alert–that other girl would become one of my bridesmaids at my wedding–and remains one of my best friends.

Suddenly, my roommate really began irritating me as well.  I avoided being around her.  I would snap at her about silly things.

These people were the fragrance of Christ to me—but I was headed away from God, not to HIm—and they really irritated me.

Then after snapping at my roommate, about a silly thing, she looked at me and said, “you know Katie, I’m not perfect, I’m just forgiven.”  

Oh how I wanted that–I wanted to be forgiven.   

I share this story–because maybe in the process of being the fragrance of Christ—someone is snapping at you, someone is irritated by you.   Just keep walking close to Jesus, and who knows—you may say something—something so simple—but so profound–that it makes an eternal difference.

May you be encouraged!!  May you keep giving off all those Christmas smells!!

Access

Published on by katiesencouragementforyou2 Comments

 Access

Access—to the powers that be—very few of us have it–or do we?

When my husband and I were first married, I observed that whenever he would call his dad, (his dad owned his own law firm in Boston, MA), his calls were put right through—-every single time.

However, when we visited the law office, I heard his assistants take message after message, and very few people got right through to my father-in-law.

My mom is a pretty popular gal–and she has many friends, and so much family.  This past year, she has been battling cancer.  I have noticed that whenever one of my siblings or myself wants to spend time with her—she has all the time in the world for us—-we are a part of her inner circle.  However, she tires easily, and so limits her time spent with others.

So what is my point here?   My point is that in the same way that my husband had immediate access to his dad, and I have access to my mom, because we are their children—whoever is a child of God–has access to Him as well.

Scripture tells us—that whoever receives Jesus–to them He gives the right to become children of God.  Scripture also tells us that God adopts us as His children, and He goes further than that–placing His Spirit into our very beings–making us new creatures in Him.  We now are partakers in His very nature!

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16.  

We are God’s kids!!  We have access to Him.  If we call out to Him–we get right through.  He is never too busy for us.  

Aren’t those amazing thoughts to dwell upon?  He will never stop fighting for us, even when we can’t fight for ourselves.   God is our Dad!!!   Think about that!!  The One who created the heavens and the earth, has created new lives within us, and calls us His Own!!

May those thoughts encourage us today!!

Riley Clemmons – Fighting For Me (Piano Version)