Dear Hurting Family,

Dear hurting family,

My mommy-heart can scarcely comprehend the loss you are now processing. You may never read this letter, and that is absolutely okay. But I want you to know, from the depths of my heart, that I know that I know that I know that our God is a God who reigns. Our God is the Lifter of our heads. (Psalm 3:3) He is our strength in our darkest hour. He is the comfort and peace that makes absolutely no sense, even to those of us who are being strengthened by it.

Those of us who call Jesus Lord and have ever suffered loss, though very few losses could scarcely compare to your current situation, we know that when we hit the depths of our pain and the height of our sorrows our God shows up big time! He's always been there, but when one of His children gets knocked to their knees He swoops in, and He wraps His arms around you, and every scripture you ever believed comes alive like never before.

None of us would ever ask to suffer such pain, yet when we do, it is only then that we can stand with Job and say, "Until now I had heard about Him, but now my eyes have seen God!" (Job 42:5) Because I know, precious family, of your great faith, and I know the same God whom you serve, I know without a doubt that He is there in the midst of your pain, and He is giving you a strength that you cannot explain. I am standing in awe and watching you. I know, as sure as the air that I breathe, that because of your decision and resolve to stand firm when everything else around you is falling apart, we cannot even begin to comprehend the vastness of the plans the Lord has for using you and your family and your story to make massive impacts for His kingdom. The lives that have already been changed and will be changed through your story and your faith will be countless!

Together, with you I stand and say, "Our God is an awesome God!"

A bone broken grows back stronger, and a faith, built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, though it may be shaken, will arise from tragedy stronger and more fully committed and more on fire than if it had never been tested. (James 1) "And we know that our God works all things together for good to those who love him and to those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) We know that, "though the earth maybe shaken and the mountains may crumble into the sea" (Psalm 46:1-3) our God never leaves us. He is our firm foundation. (2 Timothy 2:18) And we know, beautiful family, that Jesus will take our broken pieces and use them to build something more beautiful than we could ever imagine when we throw them at His feet. And we know as sure as the air that we breathe that what Satan intends for evil and for our distraction our God will use for good and for unfathomable greatness! (Genesis 50:20) This, my friends is what I referred to as the ultimate backfire! 

And a quick word to the rest of us who can't stop thinking about this family and their tragic loss (or others like them) and are struggling so hard to wrap our minds and our faith around it...

The Lord has told me that as sure as He has shown up for me when I have hit rock bottom or experienced pain or tragedy (though never on this great a scale), He is there for this family in the midst of their trial as they lean on Him. He is showing up!

I have to believe that God gives us the grace that we need when we need it and not before. As the rest of us watch and struggle with our own faith to accept what's going on, I have to believe that I do not have the grace or the ability to comprehend it because it is not my journey right now. But I believe with every beat of my heart that, as this family stands in the midst of this pain God is wrapping the arms of His Holy Spirit around them and giving them a strength and a peace that even they don't understand.

Not only is God's peace beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7), it is better than understanding. I'm not going to pretend that we or this family will ever be able to completely get why this has been allowed to happen, but I do believe that God can give them a peace that they can trust and lean on Him and not even need to understand it in order to continue to hold firm, with hands raised and hearts open, declaring to the world that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God our great Father, the ruler of heaven and earth, our Mighty Help, our Strong Fortress, our Refuge and our Strength. May He be high and lifted up!

Amen! So be it! 

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For more encouragement along these lines check out this video blog: Give Thanks IN All Circumstances
Also see the Purpose In Pain section. 

Time to Practice What I Preach

5 Podcasts Having Massive Impacts on My Mom-Life

So, over the past year I have become a self-proclaimed podcast junkie! In May of last year I read the book "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson. This book set me on a quest for personal development, and on my journey to a more empowered, confident, well-rounded, accomplished me, I have found so many incredible resources that I never even knew existed!

Now, of course I've come across many great books which will serve well for another post in the
future; however, this go-round I want to focus on the power of the podcast! Seems like every few weeks I am discovering another incredible podcast. These people inspire me to be the best version of myself, to keep reaching higher, to fulfill my God-given potential and to put feet on my goals and dreams, all while I go about a life that, let's face it, affords me very little time to read without my dozing off after 2 pages! Whether it's understanding why I need to set clear, attainable goals, finding ways to walk my kids through tough times, feeding me practical guidance from the Word for my every day struggles or inspiring me to rev up my love life, these podcasts listed here have had noticeable impact on my life and relationships. So here are some of my tops right now (in no particular order):

1. WireTalk with Karen Stubbs

     This podcast by incredible wife, mom, and ministry servant/leader, Karen Stubbs is both inspiring and practical. It only takes a few minutes, and with her down-to-earth personality and sweet southern charm you will feel you are right there in the room with Karen and host, Sunny Williams just chatting it up with your great girlfriends. Birds on a Wire is an incredible ministry "that encourages and equips moms to reach their full potential in motherhood."

2 Enjoying Everyday Life

     Perhaps no single person has had a greater impact on my life and spiritual growth over the last decade than Joyce Meyer. No one tells it like it is quite like "Mama Joyce!" If you are looking for practical, powerful guidance to set you on the path to fully intertwining your everyday life with the power of God and His Word, look no further!

3. One Extraordinary Marriage Show 

    San Diego based marriage coaches and Christian couple, Tony and Alisa DiLorenzo are so not afraid to go there! And when I say there I mean absolutely anywhere!! Sex is God's greatest gift to a married couple, and Tony and Alisa will inspire you to jump in there and unwrap that baby! They may make you blush, but they will also make you think. Their frank talk of "sex, love, and commitment provides couples with the tools, resources, and strategies to overcome their intimacy challenges."

    

4. The Happy Home

    I love this woman! After a couple months of listening to Arlene Pellicane's podcast I find myself feeling happier and more peaceful just from the sound of her voice. Arlene has authored some great books, including one of my new favorites, "Growing Up Social: Raising relational kids in a screen-driven world," which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, best-selling author of "The 5 Love Languages." Arlene encourages you to find more..."More happiness, more closeness to God and others, and more purpose in your day-to-day life."

5. The Ziglar Show

   When it comes to inspiring and motivating you to reach your fullest God-ordained potential there is no one like the late great Zig Ziglar.  This podcast (many of which kick off with a clip of Zig himself) will drive you to not only improve yourself but to seek to empower and encourage those around you as well.

While there will never be another Zig Ziglar,  Zig's son, Tom and show host, Kevin Miller are ensuring that the Ziglar legacy lives on. If, by chance, you are not familiar with Zig Ziglar, STOP! Do not read another word further until you have taken some time to get to know who he was and what his name still stands for today!

Whatever you may lack in inspiration for those under your charge, Zig's got you covered. I promise, in no time his wisdom and insight will become a game-changer for you and your family. Case in point - I had only been listening to The Ziglar Show podcast for a month or so when, in the midst of trying to make a decision about the kids, our 7 year old, Mikaela pipes up and asks, "What would Zig Ziglar do?"  

 With Zig's fierce optimism and rock solid faith, this podcast is a winner for the entire family! Introduce your kids to Zig Ziglar now! I promise it will impact them for the rest of their lives.  

Zig was firmly convinced that "we are all endowed with the seeds of greatness," and after listening to him you will be too!

Ok, friend, I hope you'll check out some of these, or discover some great ones of your own. (If you do, feel free to share them in the comment section below!)

You may think you don't have time for listening to a podcast. That's what I used to think. But now that I can listen to everything on my phone, my podcasts are constantly playing as I'm get ready  in the morning, making dinner in the evenings, or riding the bike home from dropping the kids off at school. Folding laundry? Perfect time for a podcast! :-) Cleaning the house was never so inspiring!

 My prayer is that this post will inspire you to keep going and keep growing. No matter what stage of life you find yourself in, don't settle for settling down! Yes, be comfortable, enjoy life and by all means pursue peace. Don't take on more then you can take on while remaining calm! At the same time, challenge yourself and grow yourself. Be and do all you can to reach the fullness of all the potential the Lord has put into you. In the words of Zig Ziglar, "You have the seeds of greatness in you!"