Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials why? because the testing of your faith produces endurance…and I search for words for what God is doing and they all fall short. He is the author and finisher of our faith…I must confess I like to put my hands on it and finish it for Him and that I do…finish it. But have you ever sat back and let Him do His work in His way and submit your judgement and will to Him…and the daily battle is keeping my hands off . Trust and believe..and watch and what I have been blessed to witness is Him working out things that if I would have touched it … but I can barely breath it out so I am going to treasure it in my heart and continue to watch and by His grace I will continue to keep my hands off and just pray, listen and do what comes next … ever had that feeling that if you speak it it will all crumble? yes? then you know what I’m saying..or not saying.
she says she is changed…her eyes have been opened…verses underlined…retelling ALL of the stories told..the cross walk… verses God gave her! I am so full of joy..thank you for the prayers..thank you.
Ever had a time when you ( the parent ) became the student of ( the child)?
or your child’s fire lights your fire…makes it burn hotter. Brighter?
or the moment when your child owns their faith? Where you can sit for hours and talk of being a Christ follower and what that means in America where Christian is a word that mean more or less than Christ?
and after eating and talking way long at Panera’s today over soup and salad..while watching her blue eyes dance and tear as she was retelling stories .. we stopped outside the car and I said. I’m so thankful for the trials and their pressure to bring me to this place. Looking into her eyes I see her soul laid bare and not aware that it is. Remember those days? Your soul so laid bare. So naked before the living God. Not caring who see’s or what they think? Yeah – me too. And I want it. That soul laid bare eyes living.
xo~
Linking up with Jen over at Finding Heaven and all of the lovely word women. Won’t you please come for a visit?
Wow. I adore that camp can be such a tool for kids and teens. To go away from their comfort zone and see truth and love with different eyes. So glad your girl had such an amazing time…and the two of you sitting there in Panera just talking like that brought such joy to my heart.
There's no greater job than being a mommy, and God reaches me daily through the sweet voices of my girls. It's my first time visiting, but I'll be back. Nice to meet you!
"Your soul so laid bare. So naked before the living God."…oh Tiffini,to see this happen in your child is a wondrous thing…3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
This is so wonderful. And when, as she grows older, and when she is struggling with God, you can remind her of this day, just as the children of Israel were so often reminded. And she will remember!
I think parenting, thus far, has been one HUGE spiritual lesson. And I was not prepared. I'm looking forward to an experience like this, some day…Lord willing!
It is one of my favorite things about parenting, Tiffini, and it only gets better as your kids become adults. I learn from them or we learn together all the time. It is beautiful.
Good for you, for taking the time to debrief your daughters experiences . . . it will further cement in her life the work that God did.
Glad she is home.
Fondly,
Glenda
Isn't this lovely! I believe that we often fool ourselves if we think that relationship is all about giving. I KNOW God gives children to grow us and HE shows up in every relationship we allow our eyes to see Him in. It can be very humbling to learn from the one we are trying to teach. I know! Yesterday, over lamb practice my son & I filled ourselves with pride and self preservation and made demands while we sought to control a situation. But God came through and taught us both something…about ourselves and where we need to RECEIVE and also about our relationship where we need to GIVE. God truly is in everything!
The Lord used Kanakuk in amazing ways when I was 12 and 13. So happy for you and your daughter – what a blessing!
i remember coming home from various mission trips and camps as a kid and being ON FIRE. oh i can't wait for my girls to experience God's presence like that and to just be overflowing with His goodness. That's just awesome.
Very good. I am glad that she is home safe and had such a life changing experience and can openly share that with you.
Oh, Tiffini. I've been mulling over this same verse. Your post today has reminded me that in the daily to keep my hands off and just pray. Thank you — less of me, more of Him.
These are such great pictures. I'm learning it's hard to know when to speak and when to be quiet w/ my children. I have to remind myself that often the best I can do for them is pray (and pray more!)Yours are lucky to have a Godly mother.
Every time I read your words, I feel like…oh, I wish we could go hang out and get some coffee.
This made me cry. I was that girl who came home from camp with stories to tell…stories of Jesus that made my heart well up with LIFE! But my mom didn't know what to do with me or my stories or my new fire for this Jesus.
Praising God for your daughter's week at camp, and for the ways you are able to receive her stories and be encouraged by them.
love and hugs,
Linsey