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Where Do We Go?

1/27/2016

Watching my children always gives me a deeper understanding on how our relationship with God should be. As we fervently search all over to find the perfect house for our family, our children tag along excitedly waiting for us to make our choice. We have a large family and I want to make sure that it has enough space to enjoy each other and also have time to get alone when needed. There are school districts to consider, demographics/culture for my biracial family, Commute time for my husband to work, yard space for play, taxes, and all the extras amenities that we are each hoping for. This has been a long frustrating process for my husband and me, but my younger children just follow us excited with every house, claiming their rooms, and anticipating our decision. The truth is wherever we decide, as long as they are with us, they will be happy. Even when my older girls where little and we moved from a huge house to a one bedroom apartment (because of my divorce), they never complained. As long as they were with me, they were happy.

This is how we should be when it comes to where God wants to take us. We should be like Moses and want to go only where the glory of His presence rests.

Exodus 33:14-15New King James Version (NKJV)
14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

Why do we fight so hard to be somewhere that God has never intended us to be? We know where we want to go and work towards it in frustration, while door after door closes in our face. We then cry out to God to seek deliverance to only get the revelation that we were headed in a direction that was different from His will. His presence would not be with our decision or His grace to move in that direction.

God lets us choose, but there is always a plan that fits our purpose/call/assignment best. There is a people and a region that He is calling us to impact. There are divine connections and resources to meet us in the location where He is calling us. When we stay in God’s presence there is always rest, a peace that comes with His grace for our assignment.

Our children cling to us with faith knowing that we want the best for them and will keep them safe. They trust our decisions and adapt to whatever environment that we provide for them. They know that if they are with us, all their needs will be met and they will receive our love.

It’s not only important to know what we are called to, but where we are called to. We have to receive the instructions that come with the big picture. We have to be patient and wait on God’s lead. We can’t be like the people of Israel waiting on Moses to come down with God’s commands. Instead of praying and trusting the God that just delivered them out of Egypt, they began to make idols of gold.

Exodus 32:1(NKJV)
The Gold Calf
32 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

Sometimes while we wait for God’s instructions, the people around us will lose faith. It is important to not get discouraged, but to press in to see God’s glory. Moses came out of the glory with full instructions for His tribe. God will also give us full instructions if we press into the glory of His presence.

Let our faith be that of little children trusting that their Daddy will take care of everything!

Father we thank You for the glory of Your presence. Forgive us for going where we want instead of waiting on Your instructions. Help us to know where the glory for our assignment is so we can make decisions according to Your will. Give us full instructions and peace to keep our faith in patience as we wait on You. Let us be like our children that trust us and cling to our leading. We want to seek Your face and know You and all of Your goodness. Show us where we will impact Your people. We don’t want to make our jobs, schools, taxes, etc. idols that come before You. We want to be in perfect alignment with Your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Be An Example!

1/20/2016

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Telling the truth and keeping promises are two valuable lessons that parents teach their children by example. When we practice these virtues we are actually teaching our children how to trust and have faith. We are not God, and sometimes get it wrong, but our goal should be to pursue integrity before our children (and always) so they may have a model to follow. I remember growing up I used to get so frustrated with my mom. She literally couldn’t tell a lie. She wouldn’t even exaggerate the truth. If someone was calling me on the phone and I didn’t want to talk she wouldn’t tell them that I was gone or unavailable. She wouldn’t compromise the truth. If she didn’t want you to know something, she would just be silent. If she thought something was off, she would call that out to. When I was grown and still living in her house dating, a young man would come to pick me up, and she would ask to see his driver’s license. She would ask him questions, write down all of his information, and then tell him that she needed to be able to tell the police something if I came up missing (TRUTH)! She also was a woman of her word. If she said she was going to do it, then she was sure to deliver. She would write herself notes to remind herself and put things in order to make it happen. Watching her integrity impacted me even before I got saved. Even though I have done many sinful things, there were some things that I just couldn’t do. How much more would I have been convicted if I had the fear of the Lord! I was missing that piece but my children aren’t. When we know Jesus as our Savior we have an advantage in raising children with integrity; when we know better, than we can do better. We cannot withhold truth. We give them the truth according to what is appropriate for their maturity level. As they grow we expound so that they may have a greater understanding. The truth exposes the devil and keeps the door closed for him to come in and wreak havoc. A lie will always be exposed and cause a web of confusion and distrust. Lies cause shame and condemnation to enter while the truth brings relief and conviction to do better. Will they always get it right? NO! Mistakes are inevitable and necessary for growth. Maturity takes place when they learn from their mistakes and choose to do better next time. When we follow through with our promises we are creating expectation and anticipation to receive what we have promised. If we can do what we say, then how much more will God do what He promises? This builds their faith and builds the fruit of patience to have faith to trust and wait on God. Things come up and situations can cause delay to our promises, but we should always be honest and follow through to our best ability even if it’s not in our original timing. Our children often view God how they view us. We should be pressing towards the mark to mirror His character and give them an example that will impact their own character.

John 13:12-17 (NKJV)
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Let’s teach our children by example! Let’s evaluate how they view us. Are we teaching them faith and trust by living out faithfulness and honesty? Let Jesus be our example. We will be blessed by doing the things that we know!

Father, we thank You that You are a God of faithfulness and truth. Forgive us for not always following Your example. We want our children to build integrity by how we live before them. Take away the things that produce bad fruit and build us up in Your ways so that we may bear good fruit that lasts. Let the conviction of the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us into all truth. Show us new ways to impact our children to grow them in truth and faithfulness. Let integrity be their portion while they follow us as we follow you. Help us do what we know to do instead of doing what seems easier at the time. We close the doors to lies and unfaithfulness and ask for forgiveness. The truth will set us and our children free to grow into who You have created us to be. We trust You and expect with great faith and anticipation to fulfill every promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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New Clothes For The New Season

1/13/2016

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In parenting, we go through many frustrating seasons with our children. I am going through challenging seasons with multiple children now. These seasons are usually “graduating” seasons. These are times when they are outgrowing one phase and entering into a new level of maturity. While going through this process they are unfamiliar of what is expected and often want to hold onto the old, so their response can be obnoxious and nerve wrecking to say the least. The “new thing” can be scary and they need to be affirmed continuously to build their confidence. My oldest is entering into the independent stage of driving and feeling like she should be able to go places by herself (she thinks she’s grown). My 12 year old is coming up on teenager and wanting to establish “her rights” (everything is not fair). My almost 5 year old will be starting kindergarten this year and thinks he is the spokesperson and lawyer for his two younger sisters (he thinks he’s grown too, lol). My daughter who just turned 3 is completely potty trained and now doesn’t know what to do with herself (she’s been acting out to get more attention). Finally, my 1 ½ year old has found independence and wants to do everything herself and her way. She doesn’t want to do anything the old way (she is challenging all the rules). All this is happening while I am going through my own season of transition. God is growing us all! Letting go of old things and embracing new things is a mandatory element of growth. Just think about what we would look like if we tried to wear the same clothes we had when we wear 12. If we never took them off, most of us would be busting out of them in length and width. Not only would we look ridiculous, but it would be a painful process of being bound and stretched, bruised and pinched. Our air and circulation would be hindered. The way we go through transition separates growth from maturity. Maturity is shown when we gracefully give up what is no longer useful and embrace what we need for our new season. We show maturity in our attitudes when we respond with humility, receiving instruction and correction without complaining or rebelling. After all, isn’t this how we want our children to respond to us! This is how we can mark the milestones of seasons for our children. We have to recognize where they are at, feed their identities with the truth of what they are facing (according to the Word of God), and lead them to embrace the “new thing”. We will know they are ready and able to handle the responsibility of the new season when they respond with maturity. This is where trust comes in. Once they are mature, then we can trust them with more. If we keep them in their old season (clothes) for too long, we will cause all the pain that I described earlier. Out of their frustration they won’t know how to respond to growth and won’t mature properly. Their spirits will be in chaos because although they have grown out of the old, they are stuck in a place where they no longer belong. This can cause feelings of isolation and rejection because they no longer can identify with the people or things in that season. We are their best example! How we respond to change and growth will impact how they will mature. Are we moving gracefully into our next place? Do we murmur and complain about the “new thing” instead of embracing God graduating us into a new season? Now is the time to evaluate the seasons of our lives. Let’s look at every member of our homes and see where God has them. When we know the season, then we can also better understand (the Issachar anointing 1 Chronicles 12:32) which will help us know what to do. Every season serves a purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
Everything Has Its Time
3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

Our desire must be to fulfill the purpose in every season so that we may constantly grow and mature into new levels in Christ. This is true for us as well as our children. The seasons don’t wait. They continue to change with or without us.

Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)
22 “While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

Let’s not plant when we should be reaping. Let’s not try to build snowmen when we should be making sand castles. We don’t want to where our swimsuits to walk through the polar vortex. We need to work through our day season and rest through our night. God is not a God of confusion and wants us to have peace. Peace will surely come as we submit to His seasons for our lives and let Him mature us into the people of God that He desires us to be. We must intentionally watch our children and help them through their process. We can’t lose patience or hope in them. We wouldn’t want God to lose patience or hope with us!

Father we thank You that You have given every season a purpose. Forgive us for responding in frustration, fear, and rebellion, instead of seeking you for understanding. We pray for an Issachar anointing that will help us know and understand the seasons in our lives and that of our children. Make us aware of areas that lack maturity so that we may surrender them to you. We willingly release the “clothes” of our old season and boldly put on the new garments that You have presented. Help us have patience with our children as they grow. Give us strategy to help bring them to a place of maturity in everything they do. Let us lead by example. Let us offer them grace as You have given grace to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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No Excuses, Everything Is Ready!

1/6/2016

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I was in the store shopping for my Thanksgiving Turkey with all of my children. There was a crowd around the turkey freezer because there was a really good sale. The lady standing next to me began to engage me in conversation and ask about my children. She had several children herself, but was grieved by her youngest son. She told me “whatever you do, do not do too much for any of your children. Don’t make excuses for them. Let them do things on their own.” She told me that her son was the “baby” and she spoiled him and protected him. She made excuses for him and always bailed him out of trouble. He was now grown, in his 30’s and still living at home being unproductive. She wants him to leave, but understands that he is living his life according to the pattern that she set. Mommy takes care of everything, so I don’t have to do anything! Although we all have been guilty, starting with Adam and Eve and the reasons why they ate the apple (Genesis 3:11-13), in Christ, we should not fall into the pattern of excuses. We shouldn’t make excuses for ourselves or our children.

John 15:22 (NKJV)
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

Have you ever heard the saying “When you know better, you do better” or “You are responsible for what you know”? That’s what this scripture is saying. When Christ dwells in us, we should be actively searching His Word and applying it to our lives. Ignorance isn’t bliss, nor gives us a free pass to sin.

Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Creation itself is evidence of God’s existence whether people choose to believe it or not. Although in our human condition we are all flawed, we should be pursuing God’s best for our lives and for our children. When we make excuses for our children, we teach them that their behavior is acceptable. While we are to love them unconditionally, we cannot condone behavior that is contrary to the Word of God. My son is very active, strong willed, and determined. These qualities will work out for him in adulthood, but I must teach him right from wrong and how to use those qualities for the glory of God. I get frustrated when he’s not listening. People will say “boys will be boys”, but really that is an excuse. While I believe that gender, birth order, personalities, gifts, and callings all play a part in children’s behavior; they shouldn’t shape the rules of my home. The rules should be shaped by God’s Word, but the way I correct and lead them should (while following the Word of God) match them individually in a way that will be effective.

Proverbs 17:25 (NKJV)
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.

Proverbs 29:15-17 (NKJV)
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Disciplining our children brings them wisdom. Their consequence teaches them to respect (fear the Lord). Correction brings peace and order. It teaches them healthy boundaries and gives them the ability to make better choices next time.

Proverbs 19:18(NKJV)
18 Chasten your son while there is hope,
And do not set your heart on his destruction.[a]

Some versions say do not be a willing party to his death. The wages of sin is death. Disobedience is sin. The rules are meant to keep us safe. God’s grace covers us and the blood of Jesus protects us, but we are responsible for our choices and we must choose wisely and teach our children to do the same. Godly correction brings obedience. Obedience brings blessing, peace, and success. As our souls prosper, everything in are lives will also prosper. Our souls prosper by obeying God’s Word!

Luke 14:15-20 (NKJV)
The Parable of the Great Supper
15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread[a] in the kingdom of God!”
16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many,17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’

God wants us to eat with Him in His kingdom. He wants our children to eat too! Are we making excuses? Are we keeping our children from the table that was set for them because they are our babies and we aren’t letting them grow up? Are we giving them exemptions from the rules because we think they can’t follow them? It is time to put down the excuses and prepare them to feast! We must train them to push past all obstacles and believe God for the inheritance that He has promised them. Moses, Gideon, Abraham, etc. all had “good excuses” for not wanting to do what God had called them to do. What set them apart was their obedience to do the will of God regardless. We are training up the next generation of leaders. We must teach them to overcome and trust God. When they put their trust in God, they will not be put to shame. There is a set time in their lives when God will say “come, for all things are now ready”. We want them to be prepared with a “yes” and not an excuse!

Father, we thank You for wisdom to raise our children. Forgive us for making excuses for them instead of training them according to Your Word. Show us how to correct them with love and effectiveness. Show us how to come against the enemy’s plan to cause arrested development. We push them forward into their gifts and callings while showing them boundaries and order. Give us creative ways to discipline them to bring them closer to You and the plans that You have for their lives. We declare, no more excuses for us or our children. We intentionally move forward and push past all hindrances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Mommy's Garden

Where Do We Go?

Be An Example!

New Clothes For The New Season

No Excuses, Everything Is Ready!

Bonnie Kay Rimpson

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