Metro Moms

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Mommy's Little Helper

Good Morning! Don't you love it when the furniture is rearranged? It's always amazing to me how different a room can look when the sofa is moved to the other side of the room. What is it about change that makes familiar things fresh and inviting as if they were new? We may not know the answer as to why this is so, but we do understand that all things need a makeover from time to time; this includes our humble blog. It has been nearly two years since Metro Moms Blog was born, can you believe it? So, it's time to change things around a bit. Join us on Monday as we reveal our new look. We think you're going to love it! We sure do!!!

Speaking of things we love...what Mom doesn't love it when her children are helpful around the house, especially when they weren't asked? This Mommy was enjoying such a moment until...

Have a great weekend and come back first thing Monday morning to see our makeover!

Posted by Debi

When God Delays

You may remember we at Metro Moms talking about my friend, Mark, who died recently of complications from a liver transplant.  Benny and I had the privilege of attending Mark's funeral in Northern Virginia with our former church family.  The memorial service was one of the most edifying and moving I've ever attended.  Mark's life was celebrated -- as was the compelling example of my friend, Marie, who selflessly cared for her husband for his final two very challenging years.

Although we moved to Orlando 8 years ago, memories of our years of friendship with the Walker family are keen and warm.  In addition to all the fun, we also remember conversations with Mark about his desire for his life to count for eternity.  He longed for God to use him, and wondered at times if that meant a call to some kind of vocational ministry -- something that never happened and, at times, tempted him to discouragement.  But he was encouraged by a personal sense, confirmed by a prophetic impression from someone over 20 years ago, that he would someday preach the gospel to a room full of people.  He waited and wondered.

At the funeral the best was saved for last -- a delightful video history of Mark's life.  It was a tearful walk, starting with pictures of him as a baby and continuing through his wedding, the births of his five children (one of whom I was privileged to witness when Daniel was born at home), and his final years in his hospital bed surrounded by smiling family and friends.

The still pictures ended and a short video began.  His wife, Marie, is holding their camera and "interviewing" Mark in bed.  She was obviously making a chronicle of his final months and weeks -- a treasure for current and future generations.  "Mark, why do you love Jesus?" she asked, not knowing how Mark would answer.  With labored breathing and stroke-induced speech, Mark joyfully spoke of his Savior.  He talked about what Jesus meant to him -- His atoning death, His love, His forgiveness, the hope of heaven.  There was hardly a dry eye in the room. 

Mark preached the gospel to a room full of people -- at his own funeral. 

Are there hopes and dreams unfulfilled in your life?  Prayers yet unanswered?  Longings your heart swells over that you wonder will ever be met?  Perplexing delays?  Temptations to jealousy over others having things you want...things you believe (hope?) the Lord wants for you?

God's timing is perfect.  If what you desire is truly God's plan, nothing will thwart it happening.  Delays are providential -- even when it seems people are the source of the waiting. The question to us is this:  Do we trust God to grant the desires HE has placed into our hearts in HIS time?

I'm sure Mark didn't know he would have to wait 2 decades for the fulfillment of the God-ordained desire in his heart.  Or that he would be gone before it happened. But God was gloriously honored and Mark's unbelieving friends and family heard the gospel...from him.

Lord, help us to trust You with our heartfelt desires.  You know what's there...the requests we've made to you.  The longings for things we believe are biblical and worthy.  The temptations to impatience, unbelief and bitterness when delays assault our confidence in Your providential control over every circumstance and person in our lives.  Help us to prize Your glory over our hopes.  And if we have to keep waiting, give us strength to resist sinful reactions to Your sovereign plan.  You are faithful!  And nothing can thwart Your plans.  Thank you, Lord!

Posted by Sheree

 

The Beauty of Scenic Trips

It was the early 1960's and our family car was a big ol' station wagon.  You know, the ones with the rear seat that faced backwards?  We were making our annual visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to visit my grandmother.  Back then there were no big highways from our Northern Viriginia home to my favorite place on earth...Nags Head.  The trip took hours longer than it would take many years later when Benny and I would begin to take our growing family there for vacations every year on newly-built highways that bypassed the winding country roads Dad used to use.

I miss those old roads.  Although it was nice to have a few less hours to keep my children occupied than Mom had to endure with young children, the higher speed limits and wide roads took something special away from the trip. 

There's just something wonderful about leisurely trips along scenic roads, don't you think?

That's what Route 66 is all about.  Last year was my first experience with reading the Bible through in a year.  It was a substantial commitment and there were times I wished I could speed up the trip!  But as the year came to an end I wanted to savor every moment.  Kinda like when I read a really good novel.  I start out reading really fast (perhaps wondering if/when I'll have time to finish it)...but by the end I'm slowing down, wishing the book didn't have to end.

Please pray about joining us on Route 66 this year.  We're doing a more manageable read through the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs.  The trip will be more leisurely this year.  So pack in the old station wagon with us.  Next February we'll celebrate as we reflect on God's faithfulness together.

Just post a comment and we'll be in touch about the details!

Posted by Sheree 

We'll Never Know What We Missed

Imagine the best vacation that you've ever taken.  Aren't you glad that you took the time to make it happen?  What if you decided at the last minute that from what you could tell it wasn't going to be worth the effort to go?  What if you decided, instead to stay home on your vacation in order to do the more important things that you never seem to have time to complete?

Knowing what you know now, you wouldn't trade that trip for anything in the world, would you?  Of course not!  That's the way we feel after traveling Route 66.  We had no idea that this trip would be such a satisfying, memorable experience.  We had heard from others that it was worth the trip, but not having done it ourselves there were doubts that we could do it!  God not only met us, but He was our tour guide teaching us about the sites we passed along the way.

Won't you consider joining our club?  We would love for you to discover the surprises God has for you along this famous road.  The best thing is that your surprises won't be the same as mine.  What God shows you is unique for you in the season of life that you are in.  Only God can take the same book and share it with various people who are fed exactly what they need in the moment that they need it. 

I understand the reasons why it's hard to commit to such a journey, but realize that if one neglects such a glorious trip, you'll never know what you missed!

To join just comment to this post! 

Posted by Debi

More than a party

 

We wanted to share with you some fun pictures from our recent Route 66 Party celebrating the reading of God's Word through 2007.  Why?  Because what we thought would be a fun motivation to complete such a worthy goal, ended up bringing tears to our eyes as we listened to what God did in our hearts as a result of such a commitment. 

There were those who confessed their need to repent throughout the year because they realized that they were only reading to check it off their to-do list.  Amazingly, despite wrong motivations at times, God worked a fresh love and zeal for His Word in our hearts.

Another shared how God had surprised her by setting her free from a sin that had held her captive for years, even though she didn't specifically ask for it!  It's obvious that God delights to bless us with good things as we take the time to invest in what matters most. 

So, it's not too late!  We would love for you to join us in this all important discipline.   Maybe this time next  year you'll be testifying about the glorious views and unexpected surprises you discovered on Route 66.

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."              Hebrews 12:11

Posted by Debi

10 Tips to Help You Encourage Your Husband

I am always looking for tools to help me love and serve my husband more effectively.  Left to myself I will go about my days without regard to doing this consistently.  I recently came across an excellent list of 10 ways to encourage our husbands during the work week.  A couple of these are aimed at husbands toward their wives, but the tips will work either way. 

In the midst of your busy days at home with your children, how often do you stop to think about how hard your husband is working to provide for your family? 

Has it been awhile since you communicated your heartfelt gratitude to him? How well do you encourage him when he walks through the door?  Here is another article that offers practical advice on the type of encouragement that our husbands not only need, but desire from us.

Ponder these ideas, and let's secretly work at surprising them while they're at work next week, and encouraging them when they come home.  After all, there will be a day when our children are grown and leading lives of their own.  We don't want to neglect the one we've been called to love and serve "until death us do part."  Oh, let us know what you did - maybe your ideas will spark someone else to do the same! 

Have a great weekend!

Posted by Debi

Desiring God

Our emphasis on prayer here on the Metro Mom's blog has been sovereignly ordained by God.  We know this because everywhere we look it seems that the Holy Spirit is speaking the same to others.  We shared with you last week about an excellent post from Paul Tripp on his blog.  If you haven't made the time to read it, please do!  It is too good to miss, and it will serve you as you seek to pray more in 2008.

Today we offer a sermon that my husband and I listened to last weekend by John Piper with Desiring God Ministries.  It is from December 30, 2007 and is entitled "Pray Like This: Hallowed Be Your Name".  The sermon lasts 45 minutes, but the download is free.  Or you can choose to read the sermon.  Whatever method works best for you I hope you will make the time to benefit from his excellent preaching on why and how we should pray.  I pray that it will convict you, bless you and stir you on to excel still more (as it has me) in this God-glorifying practice of praying, "Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name..."

Posted by Debi

12 Prayers Answered

That's right!  This time last year many of us set out on a journey we aptly called the Route 66 Club.  It was our desire and goal to read through the entire Bible (all 66 chapters) in 2007  Some had to bow out - understandable in this busy season called "motherhood."  But there were twelve ladies who were able, only by God's grace, to finish this journey. 

As promised, we had a party Sunday night to celebrate and to glorify God for what He had accomplished in our lives as a result.  There were tears as some shared how God convicted them of sin and the freedom God's mercy brought as a result. Others shared the joys and struggles of staying on such a tight journey, but how God used those seemingly unproductive days to teach them the importance of being faithful.  All finished the year with a renewed love for His Word.  Twelve ladies who embraced God's Holy Word for 365 days have found themselves wanting to do it again! 

So our Route 66 Club will continue into 2008!  It's not too late if you would like to join us! To sign up just post a comment to this post. This year we are reading the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. Since our church will be focusing most of the year on the Parables of Jesus, we thought it would be good to take our time through the New Testament in 2008.  The slower pace might allow more of you with little ones to take part.  Heartlight offers a wonderful plan that includes reading only 1 - 2 chapters a day.  

Also, with the emphasis the Holy Spirit is bringing on the importance of prayer, the slower pace will allow us to concentrate on growing in our prayer life during our devotion times too.  Can you imagine this time next year the testimonies that will be told and the glory that God will receive when more of us have committed our days to pursuing God through His Word and through prayer! 

I'm in my car and ready to hit the road!  How about you?  Please consider joining us.  You can start your plan on February 1st and join us for our 2nd Annual Route 66 party in February of 2009!!

Posted by Debi

P.S.  From Sheree:  Thank you, Debi, for making Route 66 possible AND for the wonderful party at your home!  Your hospitality is almost as contagious as your love for God's word!

God Answers Prayer!

I love this emphasis we're having on prayer.  It's been inspiring to see how the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us in such specific ways!

Today my heart is full of thanks to God that He hears and answers our prayers!  I love it when the Lord brings a certain truth to our hearts, reviving our faith in the application of this truth to our personal lives!

As I've been considering the priority and privilege of prayer in my life, I've been humbled by answers to several very specific prayers.  Last week Benny and I were privileged to attend the out-of-state funeral of a dear friend.  In addition to the funeral, the trip involved several other important situations that tempted my sinful heart to anxiety (what the Puritans aptly call "borrowing trouble"...that's exactly what I was doing!). 

The first answer to prayer was the provision of finances.  God lavishly provided plane tickets and the hospitality of friends to allow us to stay with them.  But even more dear to me was how God cared and provided for us in other ways.  Before we left our pastors prayed for us.  God gave them the exact words to pray, including requests He would guard my heart from anxiety and "surprise" us with grace during the trip.  As they prayed, faith rose in my heart. 

The Lord answered every one of their prayers!  For each of the three days we were away God meticulously led and provided "surprises" for us.  At points during our trip Benny and I turned to each other and said, "What is going on?" or "What in the world just happened?" because of God's lavish grace on display! I was regularly aware that He was giving me eyes to see that He had prompted us and others to pray things just so I could see Him answer!

This has built my faith all the more.  I know the Lord has been answering prayers throughout my life.  Yet on this trip He kindly opened my eyes to see His hand at work in direct response to prayer.  He helped me to LOOK for those answers...and then surprised me with answers that looked very different than I had expected by doing "exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20). 

Lord, You don't just command us to pray...You LISTEN and respond to our cries for help!  Thank you for helping me last week.  For calming my anxious heart; for surprising me with precious times of fellowship with dear friends; for providing every practical need; for allowing me to experience the God-glorifying funeral of someone I love that is now worshiping at Your feet; and for allowing me to experience your power and presence for difficult things I could never have walked through in my own strength.  You didn't have to do this, Lord.  I'm so grateful.

Posted by Sheree