Tag Archives: children

Rocks in My Pockets

VineWords Devotions and More

Carrying My Children’s Rocks I remember my kids giving me things to hold for them when they were little—among them, rocks. They would find little rocks they thought were special. Whenever I unloaded the rocks in my pockets and the other treasures they’d entrusted to me, I smiled. These provided little glimpses into their hearts, things I got to carry to make their lives more joyful or the journey less of a struggle for them. Handling Responsibilities As they got older, though, … Continue reading →

Inconvenience Yourself

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Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me, but my Father who sent me. ~Mark 9:37 NLT I was running late and honestly a little agitated that no other volunteers were stepping up. The van ministry was one of“the most important missions of the church—reaching lost kids and families in Jesus’s name. But for weeks and months, I’d asked people to volunteer. No one new would … Continue reading →

Practical Ways to Bless Your Child

VineWords Devotions and More

There are practical ways to bless your child. The Personal Sacrifice On your mark. Get set. Bang! After the official pulled the trigger, the runners exploded out of their ready-to-launch positions. Huge clusters of colors began the race together. My son stood among the blur of green, representing his college. It took six laps around the field of my alma mater to complete the 6K race. But for my family, the race was over in twenty-two minutes. Was it worth … Continue reading →

Rocks in My Pockets

VineWords Devotions and More

Carrying My Children’s Rocks I remember my kids giving me things to hold for them when they were little–among them, rocks in my pockets. They found little rocks they thought were special. Whenever I unloaded the rocks in my pockets and the other treasures they’d entrusted to me, I smiled. These provided little glimpses into their hearts, things I got to carry to make their life more joyful or the journey less of a struggle for them. Responsibilities As they got older, … Continue reading →

God’s Mercy Triumphs

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I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! ~Isaiah 57:18 NLT My children are a blessing, and I’ll always cherish the privilege of having watched them grow. Recollections of their laughter and silly antics still bring me joy. The memory of their childlike prayers fills me with melancholy and reminds me that God’s mercy triumphs. They’re adults now, and watching them make decisions on their own is more difficult than I imagined. Some of their decisions have … Continue reading →

A Double Blessing

VineWords Devotions and More

After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy. ~1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT When my two daughters were young, I attended all the group presentations in which they participated. I took note of the other parents. When their child was next to do a solo or recitation, the parents’ anticipation rose. Shortly, … Continue reading →

Repairing the Broken Places

VineWords Devotions and More

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. ~2 Chronicles 29:3 NIV When my daughter was a child, she brought anything that broke to her father to have it fixed. It didn’t matter what it was. My daughter had a refrain, “Give it to Daddy; he can fix anything.” She trusted he would mend whatever she placed in his hands, and she still does. … Continue reading →

Don’t Leave Them Behind

VineWords Devotions and More

Panic hit me like a blow to the chest. I stomped on the brakes and pulled over. Car after car passed, leaving me no opportunity to turn around. Hands shaking, I prayed, “Please keep them safe. Please keep them safe.” Don’t Leave Them Behind A break in the traffic allowed me to turn around and head back to the house, five minutes away. Home, where I had left my children. How could I have forgotten them? Five minutes later, I … Continue reading →

A Lesson in Thanksgiving

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In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB Sammy could not understand why God would give him something and then take it away. But he would later learn a lesson in thanksgiving. When I lived in Hawaii, there was a little blond-haired boy named Sammy from the Big Island whose family taught me the value of giving thanks to God in all things. Sammy lived with his single mother and … Continue reading →

Christmas in the Desert

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 love the Lord, because He hears [and continues to hear] My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs). Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.   ~‭‭Psalm‬ ‭116‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬ I was six years old, and, as I remember, things that December were difficult. We faced Christmas in the desert in more ways than one.   The Desert My family had spent time on the … Continue reading →