Motherhood: Not for The Faint at Heart

Over the past several weeks I've dealt with a bike injury to my son's mouth that led to a bacterial infection, my baby girl's last immunization until school (can't believe how fast she's growing up), the same son had a cavity which led to a pulpectomy and two crowns, and finally the dreaded pink eye! 

On FB I read two new Mommies' posts about explosive poop and teething! 

These are only a few things that us mothers deal with on a daily basis.  How in the world do we do it??!!

As mothers, we constantly worry about our children.  We try to make sure that they have the best pediatrician, the best school, we hover over them during playtime making sure they don't get dirty, etc. 

Children are a gift from God (Psa.127:3).  They belong to Him, and us mothers are supposed to take care of them and oversee that they fulfill His purpose.  Far too many of us are too hard on ourselves. We stress ourselves out by trying to have too much control. 

However, today I want you to simply rest (yes, i said rest) in the fact that God has these same motherly attributes (Gen.1:27), and also how much more does He want to care and nurture for His children?!  Matthew 7:11 says, "If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Weymouth New Testament).  He placed the gift of motherhood in us, and He assigned these children to us.  Therefore, He knows what's best for them and us.  

Motherhood is an attribute of God. Genesis 1:27 says that 'we were made in His image'.  As mothers we are faced with lots of different issues each and everyday when it comes to maintaining our homes and caring for our children.  It is not always easy, but I want to remind you that you have a God who shares your heart. I think that we often think of God as just another man. We recognize His masculinity... But Genesis 1:27 says that God created us both (male and female) in His image.  Therefore, He knows our feminine heart, and He is there to strengthen us.  

I have four children whose ages range from 1-16. (I'm no expert by far but) Over time, I've learned to just let things go when it comes to them.  I can not control every single aspect of each of their lives. They belong to God, and the only reason that I want the best for them is because God put that in me.  I am also learning that we are their greatest Intercessors, so we can't be distracted by our own plans and/or devices.
 
Faint-hearted is defined as Lacking conviction, boldness, or courage; timid; cowardly; fearful.  There are definitely times when we are going to feel fearful or weak, and that's okay because of God's grace; when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinth.12:9-10). These are the times that we rely on the strength of His Heart.           

By understanding all of this, even when I have been to the doctor for the 5th week in a row; I trust that I can lean on Him! I know that these are His children, and He will provide what is needed for them.  I pray that you will do the same.

Happy Mother's Day! Be blessed!

Get Back in The Game

I know, I know that Pastor hurt you. The last place that you thought you would ever experience hurt was in the church. You are not alone. They've hurt us too. But sitting on the sidelines is NOT the answer! It's time to be real; so that you can heal & heal others too! You experienced that level of hurt so that you would not fall into the same oppressive & religious spirits. It was just enough to keep you close to God. Now you hunger and thirst after Him (not man)! 

Now, I can not promise you that you will never experience that type of hurt again, but I can promise that our God is a Healer (Jehovah-Rophe is His Name).  He has come to set the captives free and to heal the broken. 

Today, I charge YOU to GET BACK IN THE GAME! There are people out here waiting to hear from you. Simply You. Not the you they tried to make you into. The You that you were designed to be. No more religious routines. Dare to be different; that's what causes Inner-Changement (Chosen). 

And as for the ones that hurt you, don't worry. God knows all and sees all. Let Him handle that. He is faithful and He will do just what He says. Trust in Him! For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6).

Free to Be Me

For many years I was never comfortable in my own skin. Too black for white kids, too white for black. I spent several years trying to find my place. No one person could ever understand the pain of rejection, the shame, the loneliness that I hid behind my smile. I suffered many years in silence from the guilt and shame of childhood molestation. Of which I clung to; it was the one thing in my life that even looked like acceptance. I didn't even categorize it as abuse until later on in my life when my healing process began.

However, today is a different day! I thank God for the freedom to be able to be comfortable with the image staring back at me in the mirror. Christ is the only one who understands the years of rejection, hurt, and abuse. It is through Him, that I now understand that True Beauty is way more than skin deep. It's a heart thing. A heart at rest is the most beautiful thing a person could ever have. No more striving or people pleasing! I am now living life on purpose, I am now free!

To this day I am still asked the dreaded question, "Where are you from?" in other words, WHAT ARE YOU??!!! Now I can truly smile and graciously respond that I am Jackie from a small town called Madison, NC. I am mixed/bi-racial/a half-breed. My Dad is black, my Mom is white, and I am beautiful, Beautifully Me.

The Chase

 Your Beauty and Love chase after me every day of my life. Psalm 23:6 (MSG)

Wow!  It has almost been a complete year since I have publicly posted anything here.  A lot has transpired during this time, however I am excited for the release to be able to share with you today!  I woke up this morning with God's Love on my heart, and how He chases us down with His Love! 

It is simply amazing (and freeing) to know that I do not have to chase Him, and that He is forever chasing me!  His Love never fails!  Once you truly grasp that, then you will understand that you do not have to strive.  You do not have to keep trying or working hard for God's Love.  Once you experience this, then you will be free to just be you.

Yes, I know that it is so hard to understand how God can love you just the way you are.  Paul said it best when he said,"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:24, 25)
Yes, it is through The Son that we receive this infallible Love.  It is not for us to try to understand, it is just simply given through His Grace.  We can spend the rest of our lives trying to figure this out, but what good is that going to do for us?  We will never be able to figure out God, because He is God!  Simple and plain.  

He chooses who He wishes to choose.  Our minds are not even capable of understanding His Ways or His Thoughts.  So today, choose to Just Be.  Simply Be who He has designed you to be.  No more striving.
Striving means: to Make great efforts to achieve or obtain something and/or to Struggle or fight vigorously.  No more struggling against Him.  Be free on today.  Freed by His Love!

Father, I just want to thank You for Your Love.  Even when we do not understand how or why God, we still trust You.  Lord, I pray that this reaches down deep in whoever stumbles across this message.  I pray that they will begin to see that there is no need for them to work for Your Love, but that it is just freely given.  We were all created for a Purpose; created out of Love, and I pray that each of us begin to embrace this even more in Jesus' Name.  Amen.