Because Moms Matter

April 16, 2019 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family

By Gina Stinson –

Moms matter. For all those days you find yourself wondering if what you do really makes a difference, consider this your personal pat on the back and be assured. It does.

Whether you’re a good mom or a bad mom, what you do counts. The influence we have on the lives God trusts us with on earth is immeasurable. In fact, it’s a little frightening. The words I speak over my children on a daily basis help form their own thoughts about the world, God, their self-worth, their family and more. Let’s face it my parenting skills—good or bad—are going to be mirrored in my kids. Lord help us.

Seriously, Lord help us! In a world that is screaming out to kids about their weight, their athletic ability and their grade point average, I’m suppose to be screaming (in a good way) about the love of God, how much they are valued in God’s eyes, while at the same time instilling a Christian world-view. It’s a daunting task. Somebody’s gotta do it. Someone will.

Good parenting isn’t for the lazy. God’s Word tells me I am to be instilling God-things in my children from sunup to sundown. I have so much to do and so little time. Eighteen to twenty-two years hardly seems like enough time to get it all in. Thankfully God is on my side, helping, guiding, and giving opportunities to guide my children through this life. Christian parents don’t walk alone. With our guidebook, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit, we can make a difference in this generation. Lord help us.

PRAYER:  Father thank You for trusting me to take care of the children You gave me. They are Yours. Use them, guide them, help them, protect them. Help me to do my part to proclaim Your name and to etch Your character on our home.

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:19 NIV).

This devotion was written by Gina Stinson, a minister’s wife and mother of two. Gina writes from a mom’s perspective on life issues, the home, and the church. There’s never a dull moment on her blog, http://journalinggina.blogspot.com , where you can always be sure to catch a word of encouragement or a thought to ponder.

Everyone Needs Compassion

April 10, 2019 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics

By Gina Stinson –

According to the dictionary, compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Over the last few years, God has really been working on softening my heart. I’ve been a pretty cut-and-dry kind of girl most of my life, but when I get into God’s Word I notice that Jesus handled so many situations very personally. He connected differently with the woman at the well, the leper, Nicodemus and even His own mother. No two interactions were the same. But, His goal was the same: to draw them closer to Himself. He was compassionate.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a non-profit and my eyes and heart were opened to the many situations in which people find themselves needing help. Whether it was a physical, spiritual or emotional need, some of these people where just looking for compassion. More recently, I spent a few moments with a young mother who just buried her twenty-week premature baby and, I assure you, she needs compassion. An elderly widow who I’ve had the honor of getting to know this summer also reminds me that she needs compassion.

Because this attitude only comes from the Lord, I’m so blessed to know He’s working on me. It’s a little uncomfortable sometimes. I find myself making sure I have tissues in my purse in case I need them—or someone else does. But more than tissues, I find myself needing to be equipped with God’s Word, so that in that moment, when God allows, I can speak His words of compassion over a friend, young mother, widow, needy, overwhelmed one that God places in my path.

In the last few years, Laura Story penned the words to the now well-known song, Mighty to Save. The first line says, “Everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing, let mercy fall on me.” I love nothing better than to hear my kids singing this loudly as we drive down the road. I think that’s how God must feel when He sees us demonstrating compassion to this hurting world.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for demonstrating the greatest compassion for mankind by sending Your Son to die for the world. Help me imitate Your nature as I walk in this harsh world. Help me be more like You.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

This devotion was written by Gina Stinson, a minister’s wife and mother of two. Gina writes from a mom’s perspective on life issues, the home, and the church. There’s never a dull moment on her blog, http://journalinggina.blogspot.com , where you can always be sure to catch a word of encouragement or a thought to ponder.

Freedom—A Mother’s Perspective

March 5, 2019 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family

By Gina Stinson –

A few years ago, I felt imprisoned by my own negative feelings during the long winter days. I struggled with feelings of depression. I’m not sure I was depressed by any doctor’s standards, but I was feeling underappreciated, underpaid as a full time stay-at-home mom, and discouraged and was wondering if I would ever have one minute to myself again. Read more

American Pride

March 4, 2019 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics

By Gina Stinson –

One of the greatest blessings of my life has been to live in America. Regardless of how I feel about the government, its officials, taxes, or the economy, there is still no other country on earth where I’d rather have my citizenship. Read more

Dads Doing It Right

February 28, 2019 by  
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family

Deadbeats. Absentee. Workaholic. These words sum up much of what we hear through the media about dads. It’s true there are many dads who would rather be anywhere than with their kids and wife. While it is abundantly clear that America is at a loss for perfect fathers, it’s also crystal clear that some father’s are doing their part in leading successful, Christ-honoring families. Read more

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