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Patiently Pregnant With Purpose

10/19/2016

I’ve been pregnant for 6 years; at least that is how it seems. I’ve been saved for 10 years and believe me, I couldn’t have survived these years of pregnancy without Jesus! When I received Christ, I was put on an accelerated path of growth and purpose. Everything that had happened in my past made sense and I knew who I was to become. I quickly learned how to yield to the Holy Spirit and understand the voice of God. God promised me many things and I was eager to receive everything that belonged to me through Him. I went through a 4-year process of being corrected, delivered, healed, and matured. Although I realize I am far from who I need to be, it was miraculous how fast I was transformed. 4-years into my salvation, I got married, then pregnant right away. I’ve been pregnant ever since! Each time that I finished breast-feeding I became pregnant right away. I am about to have my 4th baby since my marriage 6-years ago and it has appeared that my forward momentum has stopped. No more long-hours reading books to equip me while comparing them to the Word. No more up praying all night and not being tired. No more going to the church every time the doors open. No more volunteering for everything and serving on several ministries at once. It has been a task and surrender to God to have the children that He has called me to have. I love all of my babies and know that they are part of my purpose, but there is more that I was promised. It is work and sacrifice, a killing of the flesh to give yourself to your children, while often having to deny yourself of your own desires. Mommies have to be the most selfless beings created and often are not honored, especially when they have more than 2 or 3 and stay at home.

I want to encourage you mommies today that your purpose hasn’t been forgotten. Your identity hasn’t been lost. Your promises haven’t been revoked. His plans for You have not changed. The enemy wants you to lose hope. He wants you to give up and surrender to less than God’s plan, but always remember God makes everything beautiful in its time and His timing is perfect. We go through seasons and circumstances to bring us to place of destiny.

Romans 5:1-5
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We have to keep our faith because faith triumphs in trouble! God is perfecting our character for our purpose and with that comes a hope that won’t disappoint!

Sometimes I think God see’s us like we see our children. I often wonder does he get aggravated with our pleas of “When God?”
Think about when we tell our small children about an exciting event too far away from the scheduled date. How frustrated do we get with their constant question “Is today the day? Is it time yet? When? How much longer?” The younger they are, the harder the anticipation weighs on their hearts. They can’t handle the wait. But the older they get, they become more mature and understand dates and time. They look forward with excitement to the upcoming event knowing that it soon approaches.

I know God’s patience far out-weighs ours, but when we come to a place of maturity, we can also look forward with excitement that God will do what He has promised to do, even when it seems too far away. When the timing is perfect, we will no longer be pregnant with our purpose, but give birth to a wonderful miracle that launches us into our destiny.

Pregnancy isn’t easy. It brings all kinds of emotions and changes physically, spiritually, and mentally. It stretches our body, spirit, and souls. Our purpose needs to gestate to full term if we want it to function completely and fully the way God intended it. We must carry it until its time and discern between the Braxton Hicks contractions and when it’s time for active labor. While in labor we must endure the pain and use all of the strength and energy we have to push and deliver. God will not disappoint. Every time we give birth in the spirit, we are multiplying His likeness in the earth. We are birthing a blueprint of purpose that advances His kingdom and restores us to His garden. We are accessing the tree of life that brings healing to the nations!

Your pregnancy is not stagnation. Set your eyes on Him. Obey the Holy Spirit. Stand in faith. Don’t lose hope. In no time it will be time to push!

Father, we thank You for Your patience. Forgive us for not always choosing to use the fruit of patience that You have giving us in our spirit. Restore our hope as You continue to build our character and prepare us for our purpose. Help us not miss what You are doing at the moment because we are complaining about waiting for our next. Help us look forward with excitement at Your promise with patience. Make us good stewards with our time and resources. Give us joy as we fulfill every assignment that brings us closer to You. Restore us to Your garden where we can walk with You in the cool of the day. Show us how to do everything in excellence that it may bring You glory. Build our strength and endurance as You prepare us to give birth to destiny. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Finding An Outlet

10/12/2016

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I have been searching for an outlet to have some adult time and meet with other mommies like me. I have always worked and sometimes it is hard not being around other adults. My parents are deceased and my siblings live far away. Most of my friends work and have all older children. It is hard to make plans or even talk on the phone when you have 5 children with 1 on the way.

Proverbs 27:9-10 (VOICE)
9 The heart is delighted by the fragrance of oil and sweet perfumes,
    and in just the same way, the soul is sweetened by the wise counsel of a friend.
10 Do not neglect your friend or your parent’s friend for that matter.
    When hard times come, you don’t have to travel far to get help from family;
A neighbor who is near is better
    than a brother who is far away.

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting a MOPS meeting in my area to see if it is something that I would want to join. Mop’s stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. It is a nationwide program that has different chapters all across the country. I easily found one in my town by going to their website and putting in my zip code. You can also do this by visiting: http://www.mops.org/ MOPS is a Christian based organization. The meeting that I went to was held at a local church. They had day and night sessions available on different days of the week. They also provide childcare for your preschoolers.

Honestly, I went into the meeting with low expectations. I expected to meet maybe 5 other moms just getting together and sharing stories (which would have been fine with me). When my preschoolers and I arrived, it was pouring rain. I was struggling to walk and keep them under the umbrella. A lady with a covered golf cart came and picked us up and dropped us off in front of the church. I was shocked to walk into a beautiful facility equipped with secure childcare, several tables set up to hold the approximately 40 women attending, A buffet breakfast with coffee (which I’m so sure most of the moms needed, including me), and a podium set up with a big screen behind it, waiting to present that day’s topic.

All of this was very impressive, but this is not what makes this group so special. It was obvious that these ladies connected. They connected on a personal, relational, emotional, and spiritual level. The meeting started out as a big group. They gave away prizes, celebrated each other, and gave announcements. They shared the topic of woman who have lost a pregnancy/baby and how it affects the family and those around them. They did a devotion, gave testimonies, shared scripture, prayed, and even had a counselor come speak and offer her services to those who needed it. We all cried together. The compassion and unity in the room was amazing. After the large group was finished, they gave everyone balloons to release in honor of their baby that is with Jesus or for a baby lost by a loved one.

After leaving the large group session, we branched off into smaller groups. Once they place you into a group, it is yours for the remainder of the year. We sat in a room and discussed the topic on a more intimate level. The counselor went into each room to see if anyone needed anything. The leaders made themselves available for prayer and counsel. I never felt out of place or like an outsider. They all welcomed me and treated me like I belonged.

Often times as woman, we feel alone. We go through things trying to be strong and putting on facades to maintain our image. We think no one will understand, or don’t want to bother people with our issues. The truth is that we all go through things and there is nothing new under the sun. God wants to heal us and make us whole. The enemy loves when we keep our hurt and toxic emotions to ourselves. The reality is that God uses us and others to edify, bring clarity, wise counsel, and strength to one another. When we stay out of fellowship with others, it keeps us from using our gifts, talents, and testimony. It also keeps us from receiving the same from those that God wants to use to bring us victory.

Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

We must rebuke pride and die to our flesh. Our struggle is real. Whether we are struggling with an emotional, mental, physical, natural, or spiritual need, it is important to have like-minded people around us that can sharpen us.

Proverbs 27:17
17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

These ladies were amazing and I’m so glad that I decided to go.

Proverbs 31:29-30New King James Version (NKJV)
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

The woman that I met deserve to be praised. They are beautiful from the inside out and clearly fear the Lord. I can’t wait to join the group and continue to grow in fellowship with them.

Ladies, if you have been feeling alone, I encourage you to find an outlet. MOPS worked for me and I truly enjoyed it. You might not be a mom of preschoolers. Maybe you have another need that needs to be met. Please do some research and see what your church or community has that can encourage you. You are never alone. God is with you, but He also has others who you can connect with to share your struggles and victories with. The kingdom of God is relational. We all are part of the body of Christ and each of us are significant to the other. We must stay connected and lift each other up to be who God has created us to be.

Father we thank You for divine connections and friends. Forgive us for being prideful and keeping to ourselves. Help us be more relational and open up to receive the healing and wholeness that You desire us to have. Let our testimony bring victory to others as it helps us overcome. Help us be open to connections that we normally wouldn’t consider. Lead us to people that will sharpen us and help us grow. We want to excel in doing well and be praised because we fear You. Order our steps and lead us to a place that will benefit us in whatever season of our lives that we are in. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Well Pleased

10/5/2016

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Over this past weekend my son was the ring bearer in his uncle’s wedding. He was so handsome and wore his suit with much confidence. He has so much personality. While he can be a handful at times, he also can be very charming and compassionate.

I wasn’t sure how he was going to respond to the crowd of people watching him walk the runner to his spot. I wasn’t sure how he was going to behave standing through the ceremony. It’s at these moments when we have to trust that what we have trained them to do will lead their actions.

It was his moment. He stepped on the runner to start his walk, and a loud cheer and applause overtook the room. It was like a well-known, respected, celebrity-status person had entered. In my mind it didn’t make sense on why they were cheering him, but my spirit knew. I immediately teared up.

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

It is these moments that sometimes seem insignificant on a larger scale, that sometimes give us a glimpse into God’s plan for their future. God knows who our children are ordained to be. He has knitted their purpose into their DNA before they were ever conceived. While every person doesn’t carry out their purpose, every baby is born with one. This is why life is so precious. God doesn’t make any mistakes.

My son is a leader. People are drawn to him and are often fascinated by his presence. He thinks logically and is very vocal about his thought process. People always remember and ask about him because he leaves a mark wherever he goes. I know that he is called to greatness!

Because of his ordained leadership, he is often attacked and tempted to do the wrong things. I always tell him that it is his job to make good choices because he is a leader. If he makes good choices, then other people will follow; but if he makes bad choices, other people will follow too.

He’s bound to make a lot of mistakes (he is only 5), but as he gets older, he is making better choices. Watching him get such a positive reaction to literally doing nothing but walking into the room gave me much pleasure. It reminded me of How God announced His pleasure with Jesus after getting baptized just for being His son. Jesus hadn’t done any ministry yet. He hadn’t worked for God’s approval. He only showed up as Himself.

I’m happy to say. That the applause and cheering didn’t distract my son’s mission. He walked down the aisle confidently and stood in his position obediently. When it was all over, he walked out side by side with the pastor (who amazingly looked like he could be my son when he grows up). My heart melted as I saw this as a prophetic glimpse into my son’s future. Set apart to do and fulfill the purpose that God has placed inside of him.

I encourage you today to notice the little things. As parents, there is often so much distraction and frustration in guiding our children into moral, God-fearing adults. We can sometimes get caught up in in the negative, while forgetting that they have a purpose that the devil wants to derail them from. Take a step back and evaluate their strengths. See where they are being attacked and fight back. We have to keep praying. We can’t give up or give in to the devil’s process. We must celebrate our children’s progress and praise God that they have been ordained before they were even in our womb.

Father, we thank You for ordaining our children with purpose. Forgive us for agreeing with the devil, and focusing on their weaknesses. We are pleased with our children because they belong to us. We choose from now on to focus on their strengths and battle their weakness with prayer and guidance given by the Holy Spirit. Lord, help us lead them in the right direction. Help us always point them towards You. Help us celebrate their progress and notice the small moments that mark a milestone in their purpose. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Mommy's Garden

Patiently Pregnant With Purpose

Finding An Outlet

Well Pleased

Bonnie Kay Rimpson

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