Our Father's Love

 

 Our Father's Love

If we then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11

 

Fathers and daughters have a special love. We sometimes are called, "daddy's girl." I can remember combing my dad's hair as he lay on the sofa stretched out. I remember the times I would go on his job route to customers and he would introduce me as his daughter, Jeannie.

Sorrow came into my life at an early age. Dad wasn't always around. He did not always serve Jesus. When I was 13, our family fell apart. Mom moved out and my sister and I lived with dad and Grandma. Dad still loved us, but we were not a family. Thank God by now we were regularly attending church. I was baptized and had the Holy Ghost (a gift given to me by my Heavenly Father). It truly made a difference! I was still loved!

My dad was not a part of my life for several years when he remarried. His new family came first. I chose to live with Mom until Bible School in St. Paul. My Heavenly Father had by this time given me a precious gift, the love of my step dad, Ollie Slagle. He played a large role during my teen years and early adult life. We would talk about Jesus. He loaned me money to buy my first computer. He taught me responsibility. Dad Slagle also taught me to have faith, to believe. We had a great father/daughter relationship for many years. My Heavenly Father had given me a precious gift! When Dad Slagle passed away, my dad came into my life again. We had two and a half good years together until he passed. When I look back on my life, I realize I was privileged to have the love of three fathers! What I had viewed as a sorrow had turned into gifts from above!

Sorrow and tragedy will happen to all of us. Look for the Father's Love in all things. When you do, you will find it.

 

 -Written By Jeannie Collins

Mommy Mayhem

               

Mommy Mayhem

Motherhood. Growing up, I never truly grasped what all of that one word entailed. I dreamt one day of being a stay at home mom and enjoying time with kids and family. I am living that dream now, but I had little idea what sacrifices a mom really makes.

As a mother, you're constantly on the go and trying to make your world perfect as it can be. Though at times, that “perfection" may be just getting dishes done for the day. Sometimes you can’t even seem to get that done! Kids keep you busy, but we need to remember to focus on what’s important versus getting caught up in the chaos of the day.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1

I know you may hear it a lot, but your children are only going to be young once. Before you know it, today will be yesterday. Sometimes, we need to stop and put the toys, laundry, and/or dishes down for a second and breathe.

What memories are you making with your children? Do they remember you as being busy and on the go all the time? Or do they remember the mini play sessions with mommy? Sit down and have fun with your kid! Even if it’s just for five minutes or so. I guarantee it will bring you and your kid a smile. A memory made!

The last thought I’m going to leave with you today is to remember is to sit down each day and have one on one time with God. Cast your worries onto Him!

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
-1 Peter 5:7

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28

Sometimes life tends to drag us down, whether it’s things that have happened in our lives, the frustration with two year old tantrums *cough*, or possibly that laundry that NEVER seems to end. Look to Him and He will give you peace! If you’re happy, your kids will be happy. As you well know, when your kids are happy, life seems to go so much more smoothly.

Now you may be asking yourself, when am I going to have time for prayer and devotions? Make time. Remember when I said to just take five minutes with your kids? Turn it into a devotional! Read the Bible and pray together! It doesn’t have to be long. On the plus side, it also trains your child to read the Word daily and have some personal prayer time.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6

Make your kids and God a priority and, long-term, you’ll have a much happier life. Things come and go, but relationships are constant.

-Written By Faith Richardson