a beautiful mind....

For the past month D and I have been doing a bible study together almost every night, that is centering in on strengthening the core of our marriage.  HE has been taking us through some of our toughest moments as husband and wife, and has been showing us where we have both fallen short.  

Last night D and I shared with each other what our desires were for not only our marriage but for our family. One of the things that we agreed upon was that we both wanted to be better role model's for our children.  This to us was top priority after our relationship with GOD, and our marriage. 

When I woke up this morning the thought weighed heavily on my mind, and that was, "LORD JESUS, so much more of YOU, and so much less of me.  Help me to model that to my children.   Help me to lead them through the wilderness of this life, and to shepherd them so that they will make GOD honoring choices for their lives."

This morning through Joyce Meyer's television program HIS word spoke volumes to my heart this morning. When she made this statement this morning, I knew that it was HIM speaking to me.  "In order to model CHRIST for our children, as CHRISTIANS we need to have a beautiful mind."

HE has lead me straight to HIS word, and HIS Daily Teachings today about having a beautiful mind is found in Philippians 4:1-23.  HE is wanting me to know that when I see my children, I must choose to greet them in kindness, and build them up, and NOT tear them down.  This morning HE is exposing HIS truth as to what my life is really like, and that is sometimes, I am so eager to point out their faults in "thinking" that I am being "helpful."  

HE is wanting me to know that in being chosen to be their Mama means that I am to build them up, and encourage them.  HE is wanting me to remember that the world is so busy tearing them down, they need that encouragement from me, even when I don't feel like it. 

HE is reminding me of WHO I am to HIM, and WHO I once was.  HE is telling me that HE knows that I understand that deep rooted pain of feeling as if though I was never enough, and because of that HE doesn't want to see my own children suffer with that very struggle in their lives now, and later on when they are old enough to comprehend.  

HIS Daily reminder to me is this, "when my children are old enough to make decisions for themselves, when the are adults, they will be able to choose whether or not they want me in their lives."  Therefore, I must choose to live with a beautiful mind, and model CHRIST for them.  I must choose to let go of my need to be "right" and to "feel" heard.

HE is wanting me to know that HE doesn't want me hiding behind the excuse of, "well they just need to respect me, after all I deserve the respect!"  HE is wanting me to know that respect is earned, where respect is given.  HE is asking me to take a good look at each of my relationships with my children and ask myself, "am I GOD honoring when I speak to them?  Am I building them up?  Am I modeling CHRIST to them?  Am I being HOLY SPIRIT lead?"

HE is wanting me to know this morning that I have been given the most precious gifts of my children, and even though I wasn't raised by my parents, I can, and will be the best Mama for my children, as I am choosing to be HOLY SPIRIT lead.  Joyce Meyer said this morning, "The HOLY SPIRIT is THE Teacher!  HE IS THE ONLY TEACHER!"  

This morning HE has brought me straight into HIS word as it is written to show me what a beautiful mind looks like for me.  

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

HIS loving reminder this morning is that HE sees and knows the anxiety that is in my heart, about whether or not I am a good enough Mama to my five children.  HE is wanting me to know that I must choose to TRUST HIM, that through my prayers, my cries are heard, and HE is there and HE will help me.  HE is wanting me to know that when I choose to have a beautiful mind towards my children, HE will give me the strength that I am needing to face the opposition that I am facing with each of my children.  

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

HE is wanting me to partner with HIM in raising my children, and HE is asking me to agree to work in harmony with HIM, no matter what the circumstances may be in my life.  HE is showing me that so often I get wrapped up in whatever is going on with me, that I fail to see how Satan is attacking my own children.  HE is wanting me to know that the "bad day" that I am having, should have NO BEARING on whether or not I am loving, and kind to my children.  

"I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." Philippians 4:2-3

"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." Philippians 4:5

HE is wanting me to know that I can't expect my children to be loving and kind to others when their lives are in turmoil if I am not modeling CHRIST for them.  YIKES!  As to say, "I can't get mad at them for what they do, as I am the one modeling it for them."  

HE is wanting me to know that the purpose for HIS true confidence that HE is building in me is so that I will be able to choose to be content in whatever the circumstances are for my life.  HE is wanting me to live out my faith, and model it for my children, and all of the world to see.  HE is telling me that I must choose to be HOLY SPIRIT lead, and NOT  "feelings" lead.

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Philippians 4:11-12

Today I am learning that I must seek HIM, and HIS truth, so that I will have a beautiful mind.  I must think about whatever is true, noble, pure, lovely, ALL  of my thoughts must be good, pleasing, and honoring to HIM.  I must keep on guard, and rebuke the LIES that Satan tries to trip me up with.  HE is reminding me that I have the power to rebuke ALL LIES through the BLOOD in the POWER of JESUS CHRIST!

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you" Luke 10:19

HE is wanting me to know that the five children that I have been entrusted (me Heather, parent-less childhood, traumatic childhood, anger, grief, and strife stricken, broken sinner) I have been blessed to be able to raise five beautiful and amazing children, and have been given the gift and honor to be called Mama.  HIS loving reminder came to me this morning as this, "Whatever I am doing, they are watching me."  HE is reminding me that since they were babies, they have been watching their Mama and have been soaking it all up, like little sponges.  Therefore, I must choose to model GOD's will for my life, and choose to seek HIM daily, to create in me a beautiful mind.  This means, I must choose to seek HIM, and allow HIM to teach, lead, and guide me, to show me, and reveal to me the areas that I am needing to change in my life.  

HE is wanting me to know that when I choose to do ALL things that HE has planned for my life, HE will be there, waiting to show me in anticipation of what HE is going to do next.  Daily I am blown away by HIS goodness, and HIS mercy.  One of my greatest hearts cry is that my children desire a relationship with HIM, just as I do.  That they too will seek HIM with all of their hearts, so that they will be filled by HIS truth,  HIS word, and HIS love.  I pray that they too will love the LORD their GOD will ALL their heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

I pray that my writings today will encourage you to seek HIM, and ask HIM to create in you a beautiful mind.  I pray that you will seek HIS will for your life, and that HE will pour HIS favor and blessings over your life when you do.  I pray that today you will be a blessing to those who come in contact with you.  I pray today that you will know that no matter what happens, HE is there, HE is with you, and HE will help you.

Blessings,
Heather