Saturday, January 17, 2009

Dear Joy and Tera

I was able to grab a moment today. I am reading Romans and have reached my favorite part: chapter 12. That first verse the the chapter is one that speaks loudly to every mom out there. Its a verse we can really be encouraged by.

Joy, a friend of mine on the mission field reported on her blog that she is caring for 5 "very sick" kids right now. You came to my mind today, Joy. So did you, Tera. "I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." When you pull your body out of bed for the 10th time, or at some horribly early hour and offer your kids kindness and patience and mercy and compassion it is an act of worship. The Lord honors you for it.

And Romans 6:13 also came to mind. "...offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness." Your arms, when you hold your child. Your tongue when you comfort or discipline your child. Your legs, when you walk to their room even though your body is screaming for sleep. Your shoulder to lay their head on. Every part is an instrument for righteousness. Nothing is a more physical demonstration of living out the gospel than when we meet the physical needs of our children.

I pray you continue in your ministry to your children and that you are encouraged today.

5 comments:

Ginger said...

I'm so glad you could grab a moment. You've come to my mind the last several mornings when I'm in the shower -yes, that sounds odd, but I've been praying specifically that you could grab moments and that they would be rich.
Thanks for the encouragement!

Jenne said...

Oh Ginger! thank you for praying. The Lord is absolutely answering that prayer. Word for word!

Tera said...

Thank you. I read this earlier and I thought about this today, all day. It is such a wonderful reminder to all of us really. I often think of your 'With My Body I thee Worship.' Truly I think of that a few times a week. Thanks for finding time to write your heart on paper. I am so, so encourgaged, inspired, and refreshed in the Lord who is using you:)

Jon and Erin said...

Sigh...thanks Jenne for that encouragement. I'll be praying too that you'll get your moments since I benifit from them too!

Joy @ SAH Missionary said...

Thank you! You have blessed and encouraged my heart!
Blessings,
Joy