Bedtime Prayers

1 John 5:14 "This is the confidence that we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

For bedtime prayers, we usually pray through Christmas/birthday cards that we receive throughout the year. Hannah has a pile of them in her room and we take turns praying for a different family each night. Of course, we also include various needs that arise within our church and with our family...but this works well for us. I got the idea from one of the full time staff families at Skyview and have had it tucked away in my brain for several years. Hannah loves "picking a card" and praying for those she loves.

I wasn't there for bedtime prayers tonight (I was putting Isaac to bed because of a late Wed. night :)), but Seth told me about this sweet interaction he had with Hannah.
They were finishing up Bible story time and getting ready to pray. Hannah wanted to pray for her two friends Amelia and Addison. The she remembered to "pick a card"...she picked the Mullin's (a dear couple from church that has become like family to us). Her and Seth prayed for the Mullins'...Seth for Mr. Mullins, because Seth is also a mister...and Hannah for Mrs. Mullins because Hannah is a Mrs. :) They finished up , and she said "Daddy, we forgot to pray for Amelia and Addison". Seth told her that she can pray for anyone that she wants while she's laying in bed. He said that as he left the room her heard her whisper "Dear Jesus, please be with Amelia and Addison...amen."

This story reminded me that I need to be teaching/modeling for Hannah how important it is to be talking to Jesus all through out the day. Yes, we pray before each meal and before bed...but He hears us all the time and is always there. He wants us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and to walk with Him each day ("He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8).

Psalm 55:22a "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you"

Bedrest: Day 16

Well, I wasn't as good about writing each day as I thought I would be. With a wonderful sister in law and sister here to help the past several days, I was busy with them. The plan for Thursday was for Hannah to stay here with me and for Seth to work from home. However, after a busy week for all of us, and a generous offer from my friend Sheri, we decided that it would probably be best for everyone is Hannah went for a play date. I know that Hannah had a ball with her friends Olivia, Amelia, and Addison...we are so thankful for such great friends!

I stayed here and enjoyed the quiet house. Took a quiet shower, enjoyed some Bible study time, and wrote thank you notes. At lunch time, I enjoyed a visit from my friend Meredith. She brought Panera for lunch...my favorite, and we enjoyed the chance to catch up. I was thankful for the company to break up the day.

After she left I listened to another one of Carolyn Mahaney's talks...let me tell you this Titus 2 series is SO good! I've been challenged and encouraged by ever part of the series. Thursday, I listened to "Being Kind and Doing Good". (Have I mentioned you can download all of these for free?) I was challenged in many ways...Here are a few highlights

**It was very good for me to think about good works in the context of my home. When I think of good works, I often think about what I am doing for other people...but I should first and foremost be devoting myself to activities that advance my families happiness.

**" True goodness does not look to the recipients, not even to the results of it's deeds for it's reward- it looks to God alone and finding his smile of approval, it gains the needed strength to carry on." Jerry Bridges

It's interesting to think about the fact that before I even existed- God prepared good works for me to do.

The most challenging part of the whole talk for me was thinking about slowing my life down a little bit. I believe that's a big reason why God allowed me to be on bed rest for the past two and a half weeks. C.M. said "When we allow our service to God to overcome our communion with God...we become ineffective in our service."
later, she shared a quote from Martin Luther that speaks well to this thought too he said "I have so much to do today that I will spend the first three hours in prayer."

She challenged the women that she was speaking to with this"
"We should be able to perform all the deeds that God has prepared for us by maintaining a normal walking pace. The pace of our christian lives should be that of walking steadily...

...Either we are doing works that God never intended for us or we are carrying them out in our strength."

I want to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, and faithfully...but I also want to make sure that I am serving in the areas that he has prepared for me and in HIS strength, not my own. It was so nice to have a quiet day to reflect on if my life is characterized by walking or running. I need to slow down, focus on what God has called me to do, and do it with reliance on Him...looking to Him for strength and grace each day. I thank the Lord for this time that He gave me to step back, refocus and think about where He has me right now. Obviously, my thoughts are on my family and this new precious life that is about to join us. My first ministry is to them...I want to be well known for showing kindness and doing good deeds, especially in my own home.

Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

My Missionary Bank

Last week we had a family missionary night at church. We all brought our own jars and had fun decorating them. For a summer project, we are going to be collecting "change to change hearts". We are excited to save money to give to our missionaries. I had fun decorating my jar with Mommy and Daddy and look forward to filling it with change to help support the work of our missionaries!