I was in a hurry yesterday after I sent my email and posted the picture. But all morning, I was reflecting on the email I sent in reply to a painful private message. In it I shared very vulnerably about my life–the struggles that have gotten me to this point in my Faith; and how I treasure that God has brought me through the pain to this place of Joy and Peace in the midst of circumstances. And I mentioned some specific blessings that have occurred just this past week, as I continue to walk in Faith–examples of gifts of Provision above and beyond what I could ask or imagine….but I admitted it’s still not always “easy”….it’s just “worth it”.

I’m blessed to have the job that I do–I have wonderful benefits and the ability to make a really good living for my family. But I’m in commission sales…and sometimes God allows less monetary provision…in order to allow MORE of HIMSELF. Sure, He could choose to provide in more conventional ways…but it has been during those times of “less” that my children have seen Him Provide in ways that cannot be denied. And they have watched me respond in Faith and THANK-FULLness. What a treasure this legacy to my children is to me.

And as i thought of all the blessings of Provision, I thought of my Maggie: Unlike the other two, she has never been a cuddler–I’ve always teased that she came out of the womb “busy”. But she was angry in her middle school years…a direct result of the divorce, I’m sure…and she was very difficult to deal with. But this past year…we have all witnessed a true softening of her heart. She and her sister have become close friends and enjoy each other greatly…and for the first time since she was a toddler, she calls me “Mommy”. It is such a Gift. And we intentionally celebrate this gift, realizing we have very few years left with her “at home”.

So yesterday morning, as I was thinking of all the recent blessings…I realized that the very BEST GIFT of all is that my children have “seen” God…that is what has made this difference in Mags. And the thought came to me that my sincere HOPE for each of my children is that I will spend eternity with them…and that they will learn to call God “Father” as I do.

The words for the next day’s post were beginning to form; but, like I said, I was busy…too busy to type. Then last night as we were racing to get Maggie something for her school costume, we began discussing the storm on the East Coast. Maggie commented about the “end of the world in 2012”; and then in the middle of Walmart, she began telling me how concerned she was over her doubts of her salvation. I said there doesn’t need to be any doubt. I told her that fear and doubt are emotions…Faith isn’t an emotion, it’s a choice.

So when we got home, she and I crawled up on the sofa and had a true “heart to heart”. And I told her that there is a common misconception regarding Christianity–that it is a one-time decision. Salvation is a one-time decision– to accept Jesus as the atonement of our sin and place our Trust in Him as our personal Savior. He won the battle for eternity–we must simply choose to receive that gift. But FAITH is a moment-by-moment decision to follow Him. Once we place our Trust in Him as Savior…there is no doubt of where we will spend eternity…the only “doubt” is how we live this life….worshiping our SELF or HIM. And choosing Him in the moments, places Him not only as our Savior…but as our Lord.

But the enemy is a master of creating doubt and fear in our mind and heart–that is his best weapon for attack in those moment-by-moments…and how, like Jesus’s example, we must combat those attacks with the TRUTH of God’s Word. And as we choose to spend time in God’s Word, we will learn more about Who He is and who we are IN Him. And as we take on the breastplate of Righteousness and the sword of His Word, and live out the fruits of the Spirit…we will become more and more like Him as we LIVE our Faith.

I told her she can’t depend on emotions and she can’t compare herself to more mature Christians…God will take her on her own journey of Faith. And in those quiet moments, my precious Maggie rededicated her life to Christ. And this morning, I’m giving her my copy of Jesus Calling to place next to her Bible, so she can begin her day in God’s Word, as she sees me do…and when the attacks of doubt come…she can open the book to the page where it is written…on this day, Maggie accepted Christ…and there is no longer any room for that doubt.

And I hope that this post is somewhat understandable…because I can’t stop the tears of JOY and THANK-FULLness that I was gently reminded of yesterday morning…and living out today. God is so very good to me. 🙂

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV84)