Sunny&80The Reading Glasses (#jammed daily devo, day 133)
Posted on May 13, 2017
May #jammed: Growing Grace.
Day 133:Unneeded.
“Do not withhold discipline from children.” Proverbs 23:13 (VOICE)
They are still a permanent part of my pen holder. During a season riddled with health 
issues, I obtained a set of reading glasses to correct odd headaches. Looking at a screen through different lenses didn’t cure me like it had many others. The only solution that proved to work was stepping away from the screen. But I had work to do!
God gives us the perfect amount of time to live …each day. The discipline to listen to God as He guides us through life is essential in finding what works.
Today’s verse reminds us how important it is to discipline our children, and that corporal punishment is OK. This is something society is definitely not OK with. As with anything in life, we should prayerfully consider all things …including parenting. There isn’t one blanketed way that works for each child. Even children from the same household need to be seen differently when disciplinary measures are considered.
Look at each child through a different pair of glasses, as each one is unique. The heart of parental discipline is learned by taking the time and effort to know the children God has entrusted us with. He made our children. It would behove us to ask Him what is best on their account.
Sometimes, we just need to take a break from the screen. Walk away, no matter how pressing we think the issue is or how offensive their behavior was. Until God gives us a clear understanding on how to handle our children, and other disputes in life, it’s best to remain calm and silent in prayer.
“Do not withhold discipline from children,
since corporal punishment will not kill them.
In fact, it may be that kind of punishment
that will save them from an early grave.” Proverbs 23:13-14
I have discovered that a quick flick to the forehead zips my kids lips faster than any other method of silencing them. One flick. Nice and hard. To the middle of their foreheads. Shocked faces. Instant quiet. Pray hard into finding what works.
Ask Jesus for leading, and then listen to it. Look through His lenses for your life. He died for our misbehavior. Try to extend that grace in return.
Father, Praise You for this verse, and thank You for our children. They challenge and grow us like none other! We confess our tempers and impatience regarding them, and ask for Your hand in guidance to discipline them in a way that leads them to Your feet. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy Flicking,
Megs
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The Squid Hat (#jammed daily devo, day 40)
Posted on February 9, 2017
February #jammed: Dunked in Grace
Day 40: Grace is more predictable than we think.
Squeezed through rows of squishy plastic poop balls with eyes, rubbery octopus tentacle
finger puppets, shell necklaces of every unnatural color imaginable, and high powered fluorescents exposing the junk my kids love to collect, my eyes landed on the bottom shelf of hats.
“Look at these, girls!” I beckoned.
We rolled over laughing as one daughter suddenly appeared to have her head bitten off by a shark and the other turned into a squid with legs. It’s been my favorite thing to do since I can remember, laughing over the possibility of purchasing such nonsensical creations attached to the notion of , “who would buy this?”
Most of the time, I do. Marketers unite. Unearthing these little treasures in our house months later always ushers in the return of laughter and makes an unworthy purchase worth it all over again. This day would be no different.
Today’s verses bind us together. “One” is written seven times in these two verses. Seven, in the Bible, is the number of perfection. I love how the VOICE commentary adds to the tenderness of Paul’s plight in this text: “Paul encourages them to do whatever it takes to hold onto the unity that binds people together in peace.”
One …body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism …
All of these things have nothing to do with what our hands are capable of creating.
“…one God and Father is over all and through all and in all.”
Jesus lives. Jesus unifies. A heart home to Him holds the key to unity. A walk behind the trail of His earthly sandals leads us to the peace God longs for all of us to reach.
“..that unity is founded on God’s oneness and work in the world.” (VOICE)
Whether you rock a squid hat or just laugh at the girl who does, we all have something uniquely special that unites us in His name.
Father, Praise You for the unique way You created all of us. Thank You for grace, and the way it washes over us.. Forgive us for mocking those whom You created and help us to live in unity. Bless us with peaceful, Christ-like hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What’s the wackiest souvenir you’ve ever brought back from vacation? Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy Souvenir-ing,
Megs
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The Silver Spray
Posted on February 2, 2017
February #jammed: Dunked in Grace
Day 33: It’s Ferocity is Graceful.
“Open the window, Daddy!” My Northern Ohio girl beckoned.
The warm tropical air permeated our pale winter faces for a few balmy moments before a cold front blew our coats back on.
That day we watched two people marry, to the backdrop of crashing waves. The whipping North wind blew the crests of the waves before they could curl back into the sea, sending a silver spray into the sky as the sun made it’s way through gray.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” the groom smiled, as we all shivered on the Southern shore.
True love is a miracle to witness, and it really doesn’t matter what the weather outside is like, because in our hearts ..in that moment …gravity shifts for eternity.
Today’s verse personifies that feeling every couple celebrates as they walk back down the aisle together, and every parent feels when they hold their first child for the first time. Unspeakable love. Unexplainable love. Love that isn’t seen, heard or noticed until it suddenly consumes our minds, hearts, and souls. We crave that love and remiss to part from it.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we usher in an uncontainable love that lives in our hearts forevermore. We crave His presence because it satisfies our soul. “The world does not recognize it,” but it’s moving through the earth like wildfire.
Father, Praise You for loving us perfectly. In our search for perfection and achievement on this earth, it is only Jesus that can show us the true meaning of our toiling. Thank you for creating us with hearts capable of such a huge capacity to love, and yet …Your love is infinitely greater! It’s hard to imagine, but wonderful to experience. Forgive us for running from your presence, and denying the only One who can illuminate purpose in our lives. We pray today that Jesus would come into our hearts and camp out there forever. Send Your Spirit to move our hearts and open Your Word to experience Your love for us on a heavenly level. In Jesus Name, Amen.
When do you most feel the love of Christ? Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy Loving,
Megs
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The Popcorn That’s Everywhere. (#jammed daily devo day 31)
Posted on January 31, 2017
January #jammed : Grace in Life’s Face
Day 31: Inescapable Love
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” Revelation 22:21
It’s a comfort to me that the Bible ends this way, but the story isn’t over. The previous
verse states:
“‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”-Revelation 22:20
I agree. Yes, come soon.
It feels like that some days, doesn’t it? When we can’t seem to pick up the pieces fast enough to catch the new ones that are dropping? When our mess is too much to manage?
It’s never too much for Him. And He will be back. Until, then, we’re called to spread His grace on and around everything.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about God’s grace this month, and feel equipped with it in life’s face.
Father, Praise You that we have completed the first month of #jammed! Thank You for using my life to bring forth Your message. Forgive us for taking our freedom to study Your Word in community for granted. Bless this space, these words, and Your grace, to fly out off this screen and into forever changed hearts. We love you, Father. In Jesus Name, Amen.
What should we study next?! Share your ideas for the coming months of #jammed. Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy Ending,
Megs
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The Lick Attack (#jammed daily devo #15)
Posted on January 15, 2017
January #jammed : Grace in Life’s Face
Day 15 Hug Back.
“It’s a lick attack! It’s a lick attack!” my little girl screeched with glee as her puppy jumped
all over her, licking her face and ears and her sweet little smile. She hugs her puppy back, and I hate to admit this but I know she licks her back, too.
“She’s the kid who’s going to share her ice cream cone with her dog,” my husband said.
Let’s look at today’s verse in a slightly different light:
The apostles paid everything they knew about Christ forward to their followers. But eventually, it was up to their audience to embrace grace and pass it on.
Lauren’s not afraid to hug her puppy back. The licking thing is a little much, but it’s endearing to watch her love on her puppy. I swear that dog smiles. And that’s probably why. She’s loved.
You know that song, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands?”
If you’re loved and you know it, hug back. Give back. Let’s pull others alongside of us and help those who cannot help themselves. Even the ones who can but just don’t want to. Help them, too. Love the people that are difficult to love, because we are loved undeservedly by God.
Father, Praise You for the faithfulness of the apostles for spreading Christ’s love. Thank you that we, too, have heard the message of Christ. We confess that we don’t always appreciate that there are corners of the world that still have not heard, and we pray that You equip us to come alongside those You place in our paths. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Who will you hug today? Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!
#greatgrace17
Happy Hugs,
Megs
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