Indescribable Love
December 20, 2024 by Virginia Smith
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Virginia Smith
From an aging photograph on the bedside table, a bride and groom smile at one another with eyes full of love. The woman in the nursing home bed bears no resemblance to the bride. Dull, sightless eyes stare toward the ceiling, and sagging skin clings to the bones of her face like winter leaves reluctant to loose their fragile grip on the tree that gave them life.
As I hand a damp cloth to the man seated beside her bed, I detect a similarity to the groom in his wrinkled face. He raises the cloth to her forehead, and from the tenderness in his eyes I know he does not see her as I do. He sees instead every smile she has ever given him, every tear she has shed, every night spent together. He sees her as he knows she has been, and as he hopes she will be again. He sees her with love.
Detour Ahead
December 6, 2024 by Sharon Autry
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Sharon Autry
Taken from Hold You, Mommy ~ Moments with God for Moms on the Go (Bethany House)
We were clashing about everything: clothes, hairstyles, being upside down more than right side up, rolling eyes and disrespectful remarks to my husband and me. Anything I said made her angry and that made me furious! I was trying to think of something to say to her that would be considered “praise,” but I wasn’t coming up with much! How had we ended up here, on this bumpy detour? I didn’t know. Panic set in as I wondered, “If she’s like this at eight, what will the teen years hold for us?”
A couple of days into this relationship detour, we had dinner with some friends. After we left, their eighteen-year-old son commented to his mom, “There’s just something special about her (my daughter).” The next day my friend called me and passed on the compliment. My mouth dropped open. “What?” I wanted to say. “Are we talking about the same demanding, argumentative kid?”
The rest of the day, I looked at my daughter differently. I had been missing her. She wasn’t the only one who was on this demanding and disagreeable detour! In fact, I think I had driven her there! (Pun completely intended!) That little bit of praise from a trusted friend changed my perspective. I shared the comment with my daughter and she beamed.
From that experience, I learned some things. First, when I have a good word to pass on to another mom about her kids, I need to share it. Instead of noticing the negative things, praising the good qualities I see in her child might rescue that mom from a deep struggle she is having.
Second, passing on that compliment gives that kid an “I believe in you,” message that they could be longing for. When you hear those words as a kid, they have a way of sticking for all of your life.
Finally, I realized that if I’m on that disagreeable road with one of my kids, I need to try to see it as a detour. Detours are time-consuming, confusing, and bumpy, but they eventually wind around and get back to the main road. If you’re there with one of yours, let God guide you so that you can guide your children.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the reminder that detours have their place, and that sometimes the scenic route is a path of blessing.
“A word spoken in due season, how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23b KJV.
Sharon Autry is the wife and mom of 3. She has co-authored two books with her sister, Mom and Loving It and Hold You, Mommy. For helpful mom resources, visit www.momandlovingit.org
Who Is It All About?
November 24, 2024 by Sharon Autry
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Sharon Autry
Several years ago, my son repeated almost every night, “Do you know who it’s all about?” We would play along. “Who?” With a huge smile, “It’s all about God!” he’d say.
Too many times I find myself feeling like I’m getting the raw end of the deal. “Why do I have to clean up after everybody? Why am I the one who has to get up and let the dog in at 5 AM? Why can’t we have what they have?”
Remind me, “Who is it all about again?”
Thunder and Lightning and Storms, Oh My!
November 10, 2024 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Gina Stinson
The rain started about 4:00 AM and tapered off at around 8:00 AM. We headed to church under overcast skies and then ran errands, attended a baby shower and choir practice and then headed back to church for the evening service. Even then, the skies forecast showers. By 10:00 PM, it was inevitable. You could smell it in the air. Storms were headed our way.
The pitter patter of rain sounded like tiny little fairies dancing on the rooftop. Then the crackle of lightning signaled for the boom of thunder to follow. This went on for hours, startling us with the frightening volume. It didn’t take long before my two children scampered into bed with my husband and I. “I sleep with you,” followed by “I’m scared” guaranteed them a snuggle spot in a bed of protection.
Traveling Unfamiliar Roads
October 31, 2024 by Virginia Smith
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Virginia Smith
At times the road we travel in this life seems to lead to some pretty strange places. I can get a bit anxious at times, wondering where God is leading me. Then I remember. He paved the road. He knows every inch.
When my kids were younger, I got on a walking kick. I power-walked the same route through my neighborhood every day, and I used the time to pray. One beautiful sunny morning as I passed blooming spring flowers and prayed for my children and my husband, I had the strangest urge. At the intersection where I always turned right, it occurred to me that I could turn left instead. No reason really, just a feeling that wouldn’t go away. The break in my routine felt like the right thing to do, so I did. A couple of blocks later, I decided to turn down an unfamiliar street. I didn’t know where it would lead, but it seemed like a nice street. After a few blocks, I turned up yet another unfamiliar street that just felt right. A thought occurred to me and I whispered, “Lord, are You telling me to turn down this street?”
