And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Like a lot of parents, I love to watch my child sleep. The peace that settles over her features comforts me. I have spent many hours by her bedside, gazing at her and praying for her, asking God to watch over her and bring her happiness and good health.

I no longer, however, pray for her to be healed.

Rachel is severely disabled. She can’t walk, talk, or feed herself, and over the years, many people have asked me if I would “wish her normal.” My response is always, always the same: “No, because that’s not what God has led me to do. He will use her as He sees fit, just as she is.”

Just as He will each of us, no matter who—or what—we are.

A lot of Christians recognize that fact intellectually, but they don’t always take it into their hearts. I think that’s one reason that Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life became a best seller. I know a lot of folks who’ve read it, studied it, because they want to discern God’s plans for their lives. It’s something that most of us wonder about from time to time, and I wrestle with it almost daily.

With Rachel, however, I think her purpose for being here is exceptionally clear. I’m convinced that one of her main purposes in life is to make people think about God.

Rachel may be disabled, but she’s also twenty-two, more than five feet tall, and loves rock ‘n’ roll, Southern gospel, and big band jazz. She has the motor skills of the average three-month-old baby and frequent seizures . . . and a smile that will light up the night. She loves other kids and has a joy for life that is as pure as a perfect diamond. Her nurse, Phyllis, calls her the perfect therapist, because fifteen minutes with Rachel will send all your blues scattering into the sky.

Yet people can’t look at her without thinking about God, either to blame Him, question Him, or praise Him. No matter what direction those thoughts go, they are still thinking about God and His ways with His creation. And I hope it makes think long and hard about the beauty of all life and how carefully He has planned a path for each of his children.

Even kids like Rachel. Especially kids like Rachel.

While they think, I’ll still be stepping into her room at night, cherishing these quiet moments in the dark and praising Him for every moment He allows me to have with her.

Prayer starter:
Lord, thank you for the gifts of all your children. Please help us hold them close with love and comfort, whatever their condition or place in life.
Amen.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 (NKJV)

Poor Martha! Over the years, this warm, industrious woman has become the poster child for spiritual priorities (see Luke 10:41-42). Yet she was doing something that not only seemed to come naturally to her but was expected in her culture: she was taking care of her guests. After all, she wasn’t exactly used to serving a man who could turn two fish into dinner on the grounds for 5,000 without even breaking out a cutting board.

Hospitality in Martha’s world wasn’t a privilege; it was a necessity. Towns and villages lay miles apart, and the usual mode of travel was on foot. The climate could be harsh and severe, and guests arrived exhausted, filthy, and hungry. The normal priority for a woman like Martha would have been to provide her guests food, water, and a place to rest and clean up. Especially special guests like Jesus and His disciples. And His last visit to her home was just before Passover and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Her home must have swarmed with people ready for the holiday!

Far too many women can relate to Martha, even today. We have jobs, families, homes, all demanding our love and attention. We have to provide food, transportation, support, and the occasional cupcake. The whirlwind builds around the holidays, with arriving guests, the need for one more gift, or a run to the store for vanilla flavoring, until the air rings with “I can’t stop to pray! I have to find matching placemats!”

Make yourself stop. Tuck the kids away into bed, let the garland or the flowers lie untended for awhile. Step into the night and take a deep breath.

Hospitality is a gift. Some women are better at it than others, but as Christians, we are, in fact, called to be open and welcoming to each other. It is in our nature to want to celebrate the holidays together, especially Easter and Christmas. This does not mean, however, that we must corkscrew ourselves into the ground in a frenzy of decorating and baking.

Look up instead. The Creator who put those stars in the sky also wants to be welcomed into your home and heart. He loves you, no matter what, and He created the night as a time for you to rest. Talk five minutes to talk to Him. Another five to listen. After all, He is the only one who can truly give you the peace you seek in your frantic day. Rest in Him.

The garland will still be there in the morning.

Prayer Starter:
Lord, take me in your arms and give me the rest I so dearly need. Show me how to be a true hostess for you as well as your children.
Amen.

Here’s the basic description of the book.

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Hectic. Frenzied. Overwhelming. These are all words women use to describe their daily lives. No matter what their circumstances, most women go from dawn to dusk, rushing through the day as they take care of their families, their work, and their church. A day consumed with sports, school, and career demands leaves little time for women to nourish their minds or their spirits.  Now, with these devotionals, they can spend 15 minutes after the sun is down and the household is silent taking care of themselves—and their souls.

Nighttime. Whether it creates a vision of solace or loneliness, night surrounds us with a quiet provided by God. When He separated day from night, He gave us a time of rest, reassurance, and renewal. Women can bring their problems to God for comfort—or just take a quick breather in His presence. Whether they need the reassurance of God’s love—or they just can’t sleep—these words will guide them to a place of peace. They are words for the heart of a woman, which will lead to prayers for the heart of God.

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I want to share samples from the proposal with you, which I’ll post on the first Wednesday of September, October, and November.

I hope you like them.

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Appearance: Our Inner Reflection

People judge by outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

“Two pounds! That’s all?” Frustration twisted the mouth of the young woman. “I’ve worked like a dog for two weeks, and I’ve only lost two pounds!”

Her personal trainer tried to be encouraging. I tried not to eavesdrop. Not out of any respect for their privacy; they were, after all, standing in the middle of the local fitness club for women.

I tried to ignore them because I, too, shared her frustration. For the past ten days, my diet had been severe and my workouts fierce. I had swallowed at least a gallon of water a day. But so far the only thing I had to show for it were slightly skinnier wrists and shooting pains in muscles I’d long forgotten existed.

My mother’s form of support didn’t help. “Well, dear, it took you almost fifty years to put all that on. It’s not going to come off overnight.” Neither did the articles on the gym bulletin board, explaining why it’s so difficult for women over forty to lose weight.

Hmph. I personally thought a goal of losing 20 pounds in six weeks was rather reasonable. Not to mention the fact that at the end of that six weeks, I was headed for Los Angeles, home of the beautiful…and the skinny.

Frustration, however, was the emotion of the morning, as I stepped up on the treadmill in order to work off the same number of calories in only a nice, juicy apple. Now, sitting in my swing, looking at the stars, a touch of perspective settles over me.

Why am I trying to measure up to an impossible human standard? I wondered what God thought about our obsession with our looks. Would He be pleased that we were taking care of our temple (1 Cor. 3:16) or disappointed that we were focusing so much on the superficial (1 Sam. 16:7)?

I can’t help but think it might be a little of both. Several of the women in the Bible are described as beautiful, and Esther’s beauty regimen took many months to complete. Good health is also mentioned throughout Scripture—even physical exercise (1 Tim. 4:8)! I believe God wants us to take care of our physical health to the best of our ability, but the bottom line is how well we take care of our inner health.

As Peter pointed out, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Pet. 3:3-4, NKJV).

Prayer Starter:
Lord, let me kept my focus on you and what you want for my life, not on what the world tries to demand of me. Guide me, and open those doors that will show me your will. Amen.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Just drop the nets and follow Him. But fishing wasn’t their hobby . . . it was their job. It’s how they paid bills and took care of their families. And, after all, we know who Jesus is. We know that He’s our Savior. Did they? Ever wonder what their families must have said about them leaving business behind to listen to some guy preach all day?

I think I know some of the questions. I’ve been hearing them since I was laid off last Tuesday. “How will you pay the bills? Do you have anything saved? What are your plans? How are you going to take care of your responsibilities.” And the big one . . .

“Aren’t you scared?”

Well, yeah. I am. On one hand, I feel as if God has shut a door and opened up the doors of infinity. In just a few days, my plans have shifted, and I already have a week full of stuff to do. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, in both marketing myself and my writing as well as producing the actual works.

On the other hand, infinity is a big scary place. But I firmly believe this is the path God is calling me to. If I’m going to walk it, I have to drop my nets and embrace it with an open heart and busy hands.

Father, help us walk the path you’ve called us to with trust and assurance that you want our lives to show your good works and our good faith. Help us when we stumble and guide us when we are lost. Fill us with your love and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with a little is dishonest with a lot. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches? And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own?
Luke 16:10-12 NCV

A line from the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie put it quite succinctly: “Not all treasure is silver and gold.”

God has entrusted us with many treasures, including our children. God is the Creator and Owner of everything we have; everything we have is a gift from Him. He provides for our needs and gives each one of us a spiritual gift. Yet with every treasure, every blessing comes a responsibility to manage those gifts—time, money, talent, even our children—in a way that honors Him.

Christian stewardship is not just about money, and it must be taken seriously. We are called to trust in God, but can God trust us? Small moments of selfishness and irresponsibility now can result in great trouble later. Likewise small generosities grow into great gifts.

Our children are watching every move we make. Let us pray that, no matter how great or small our income, we remember that God’s treasures make us all quite rich.

Lord, help me be grateful for the blessings you bestow and guide me in ways that honor you. Show me how best to dedicate my time, services and gifts to you.

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Devotional from 365 Whispers of Wisdom for Single Moms, Barbour, p. 182.

Rebecca checked her face in the mirror one more time. Her make-up was perfect, her hair smooth and styled just the way she liked it. She turned her head—the right side . . . great. The left side?

She sighed. The scar that ran from her hairline to her jaw still flared out like neon, red and angry. It made her feel ugly and unwanted. Since the accident, she’d stayed in the house, but Rebecca couldn’t stand it one day longer. She had to get out, even if the world stared and condemned her. She’d start with church and see what happened. “Lord, help me,” she whispered.

In a world where an unachievable standard of physical beauty is in front of us almost every day, Rebecca’s hesitation is understandable. At times like these, remembering that God sees within, that we are called to be beautiful from within because of Him, is never easy.

Worldly standards of beauty change; God’s standards never do. It is not our make-up but what we are made of that lets our true beauty shine.

Lord, help me remember that I may be the only “scripture” some people ever see. Let my heart and manner represent you as best I can. Amen.

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Today’s Devotional is adapted from Whispers of Wisdom for Busy Women, Barbour, Day 222.

We should never underestimate the power of touch. In our busy lives, as we rush from one appointment to another, skimping on affection with our families and loved ones can become routine. We wave goodbye to our children without stopping for a hug. Husbands head off to work with the barest brush of a kiss.

We do our loved ones a disservice, however, when we skip out on touching them. Touching communicates our affection but also affirmation and sympathy. You can encourage people—or comfort them—with a simple touch. In Scripture, Jesus touched many people, comforting and healing them. He also let people touch Him, such as the “sinful woman” (Luke 7:38), who touched and kissed His feet.

In Mark 5, however, the true power of a simple touch is beautifully portrayed. This woman, who had suffered for so long believe so strongly in Jesus that she knew the quickest touch of His hem would heal her. She reached out, and her faith made her well.

So hold those you love close. Hug them, and let them see a bit of Jesus’ love in you every day.

Lord, I turned to you when I need comfort. Let me also offer those around the comfort of a loving touch. Amen.

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Today’s Devotional is adapted from Whispers of Wisdom for Busy Women, Barbour, Day 164.

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To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Change is a regular part of modern life, as routine as an afternoon thunderstorm in the tropics—and often just as messy. Jobs shift or disappear. Friends move. Babies are born and husbands retire. Children graduate and marry. On top of lives already crammed to the rim with responsibilities and stress, change comes to all of us.

Only one thing in our lives never changes: God. When our world swirls and threatens to shift out of control, we can know that God is never surprised, never caught off guard by anything that happens.

Just as He guided David through dark nights and Joseph through his time in prison, God can show us a secure way through any difficulty. He can turn the roughest times to good. Just as He supported His servants in times past, He will always be with us, watching and loving.

During this season of hustle and bustle, ribbons and bows, parties and gifts, stress and anxieity, take a bit of time to close your eyes and feel His loving and secure hand on your shoulder.

Lord, help me remember your love and guidance when my life turns upside down. Grant me wisdom for the journey and a hope for the future. Amen.

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Today’s Devotional is adapted from Whispers of Wisdom for Busy Women, Barbour, Day 71.

How many times have we heard someone declare, “If I weren’t getting paid, I wouldn’t work at all”? It’s a frustration almost everyone feels sooner or later. When we’re asked to do just one more task, handle just one more errand, oh, and “Mom, I need cookies for tomorrow.” The urge to quit and stare at the stars for a while becomes utmost in our minds.

The more exhausted we are, the hard it is to remember that God has a plan for us and that we are living that plan every day. We are unable to see “the big picture” of our life, what God has in store for us, and how what we do each and every day fits into His plan. Instead, we have to trust in His wisdom and keep on the journey He has set before us. The final reward will be well worth every frustration.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, be with me as I focus on my work. Guide my steps so that everything I do reveals my love for you and my faith in your plan for my life. Amen.

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Today’s Devotional is from Whispers of Wisdom for Busy Women, Barbour, Day 88.

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For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15 NKJV

Long days, frantic schedules, and increasing demands at work and at home can crowd God completely out of our minds and weary us to the bone. We plan and anticipate troubles with money, work, and our family. . . yet we are never quite prepared enough. Something always comes up to make our lives a touch more difficult and exhausting. Too many times, there is just not enough US to go around.

This is when we need to recall that our true strength and sure rest never comes from our own efforts. According to Bible scholars, “quietness and confidence” in this verse can also mean “utter trust.” Only when we rely on God and spend time with Him, does comfort find a way into our everyday world. Trusting in God’s strength is the only way to true rest and success.

Father God, you care for us so much! When we left the whirlwinds of life crowd you out, help us remember that only by trusting in your love and grace do we find true strength and rest. Amen.

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*Devotional from 365 Whispers of Wisdom for Single Moms (Barbour), p. 153.