Updated: Feb 20, 2022
A Quick Note from Val
As I pray for all of you intentional moms, God often gives me words of encouragement to share with you. This is a few of those thoughts, prayers, and verses from my heart to yours. Check back occasionally to see what I've added to this post.
Walking this worthy journey of motherhood right along with you,
Val
My Front Porch: A Place to Refresh with God
Everyone needs a spot.
I have two - one inside and one outside.
My favorite one is right here, my front porch. It is the perfect place to spend time with my SOURCE.
Jesus says, 'Come to me all who are weary or burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and I will give rest to your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.
The yoke of this world, especially right now, is heavy. It's a constant struggle to keep from wearing the yoke of this world. Do you know how I keep from doing it? By putting on the gentle and light yoke of Jesus instead.
Daily my soul needs me to meet with the One who gives me clarity, peace, and admonishment too. He gives me everything I need to fulfill His will for my day.
My own will for my day is too big, stressful, pushed by guilt or comparison or pride, but His will is perfect.
The world's will is full of hatred, fear, distraction, and bickering, but God's will is perfect.
My daily mom prayer that I've been praying for four years is, "Lord, give me PASSION for YOUR PURPOSED in this day, and PEACE about the things you don't want me to get done." On the 50th episode of my podcast, when I'm interviewed by my husband, Rich, he asks me about my passions. For, you see, Intentional Mom Friend, YOU are part of the daily passion that God has placed on my heart. I am humbled and honored and thankful for the opportunity God gives me to minister to each of you.
So, Friend, where is YOUR spot to meet with your SOURCE? For Jesus' yoke is easy and his burden is light and with Him you will find rest for your soul.
Don't Carry the Wrong Load Mama, The weight of this world is quite heavy. The technology age we live in means that we know all the bad news from all over the world. We have to remember that we were not made to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We were appointed mama to our little world. With God's help we can nurture, protect, inspire, and manage our little (or big) tribe. Instead of wishing you could conquer all the wrong in this world, go to battle against the pulls of the world that want to distract and discourage you. Unplug more often from the world and plug in continually to Christ and His strength for your moments. "Dear Lord, Please help these mamas to carry the load You gave them to carry and no more. And, Lord, let them know that You are carrying them and their family. They are in the palm of Your hand. Bring these mamas confidence, contentment, and calm. In Jesus name."
Seasons of Motherhood
There's a season for everything under heaven;
A time to get married and a time to raise children;
A time to make mistakes and a time to learn from them;
A time to mourn
the death of a friend, the death of dream, or the death of a fairy tale;
A time for your children to grow, change, succeed, fail, flourish;
A time to watch them marry and say "goodbye" to the child and "hello" to the grown child-friend;
A time to meet your first grand baby;
A time to begin new adventures, make some more mistakes, and the seasons go on...
Precious Mom, no matter your season of motherhood, it would be my honor to walk this worthy journey of motherhood right along with you. We do that each week on our podcast, Practically Speaking MOM: Intentional Mom, Strong Family. You can join me there on your favorite podcast platform, or on my website.
An Intentional Mom's Prayer in the Complexity of Life
Dear Lord, Compel me according to YOUR will to speak or be silent, move or stand firm, take action or hold restraint. Help me to identify YOU at work around me and then JOIN YOU in YOUR work. Purify my heart of MY perspective motives agenda to make room for YOUR perspective motives agenda.
Give me the courage and wisdom to stand with YOU no matter what the cost.
In the precious, holy name of Jesus the Christ. Amen (let it be so).