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Author: jamie

By Posted on Posted in God's word, motherhood, parenting 1 Comment

If I had a warning label… it would say “Beware! Chronic high expectations.”  Not only for others, but the truth is that I am foremost tremendously hard on myself. I think it comes partly from being a first-born, and partly from a desire to perform and earn approval from others…beginning at a very young age.

The Lord is on a mission of late: to convince me of His love and His unending grace for me no matter what. Today, my children slept in and provided the peace and quiet I needed to read my bible and hear a little bit from the Lord. I was reading in psalm 127 & 128 and came upon this:

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Thus is the one blessed who fears the LORD.  Ps. 128:1-4

Immediately after reading this, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind a couple of recent events. My oldest daughter is volunteering at VBS this week, paired up with another mom in the craft area. This sweet woman was so taken with my daughter that she went home and told her husband all about their time together. This same daughter has been helping my 70+ year old neighbor navigate her computer and the internet at home. 12 year olds today are so tech-savvy! Our beloved Miss Pat from two doors down never tires of singing the praises of my oldest. The Lord also stirred up a memory from yesterday’s trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. The kids and I arranged to meet a dear friend and her kiddos. I was reminded of the loving words and embraces that this mom extended to all three of my children. As He connected the bible passage and these recent interactions with others, the Lord was definitely speaking to me this morning:

You are blessed. Because you have been walking in My ways, you will eat the fruit of your labor. The fruit is so sweet… watch how others love your children. Listen as others praise your girls. You are blessed to mother them and watch them grow. You are a fruitful vine:  as a mother, as a home maker, and as a wife. Your children are growing and maturing before your very eyes. Your hard work is paying off.  You often grow weary of caring for them day after day and dealing with their faults and weaknesses, but today, enjoy the fruit of your labor!

Do you find yourself keeping distance from the Lord because you fear that He is displeased with you? I find that every time I press into Him and listen, I hear words of love, affirmation, and grace. Will you press in and listen? Receive the affection your Heavenly Father wants to share with you.

By Posted on Posted in spiritual lows 2 Comments

There is a portion of my family that I have never met. I am so grateful for the technological age that we live in! I have been able to connect with some relatives on my father’s side that I have yet to embrace in person.

One example would be my cousin Amanda. It turns out that we have more in common than just being part of the Ryan clan…she is a homeschooling mom and a Christ-follower. I love how God uses facebook as His tool for encouragement.

Amanda started a blog not too long ago, and I was especially blessed by this post:

A Fresh Perspective

Last night as I was lying in bed waiting for sleep to overtake me, my mind was reflecting on my many shortcomings and weaknesses. I said to Kevin, in a rather discouraged voice, “I am so weary of dealing with my flesh.” Once more we lay in silence, until Kevin, tongue in cheek, said only this, “I like your flesh.” We laughed together and enjoyed a special moment of shared tenderness.

I am so blessed by a husband who loves me without reservation, who is my spiritual leader, and yet, at just the right moment, gives me a fresh perspective and helps me to laugh at discouragement. In Christ, we ARE overcomers. Because of this TRUTH, we can laugh at the hopelessness of becoming holy, because it isn’t us that does it. We can rest in Him.

Thank you, God, for the blessing of a husband who is just plain FUN to be around, and who keeps this serious-minded woman from caving in on her own seriousness.


I love the thought of laughing at hopelessness and discouragement. Because of what Christ has done for us, we really can have this kind of joy and freedom. Thanks for sharing, Amanda!

By Posted on Posted in God's presence, God's provision No Comments

I was reading in Psalm 67 today…

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,

2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.

5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.

7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

I saw the simple cycle of praise and blessing. In the first two verses, we see that God showers us with grace and makes His presence known in our lives so that we will know Him personally.  He wants our reaction to be joy (v. 4-5). When we praise Him for the things He is doing and for the ways He is making Himself known to us, then He is inspired to do more (v. 6-7).

How often the Lord blesses me… and I don’t show my appreciation! Today this psalm reminded me to thank Him for all that He has poured into my life. It reminded me to look for the evidence that His blessings flow on a daily basis.