The Ocean of Opportunity

The Lord Almighty is with us.

Psalm 46:7

Clara is just as relaxed out of the water!

I smile as I watch them, so different in their relationship to the water. Clara is a fish. She jumps in without reservation like her body was made for the wide open water. Carynne is bullrush. She wades on the steps as her temperament prefers the safety of shoreline. 


They are in the middle of two weeks of swim lessons. Clara is clearly at the top of the class. Carynne is...well I'll just be positive and say she gets a ribbon for 6th place. There was this one day last week though when her ability suddenly surged. At one and only one lesson she exhibited incredible confidence and peace. What made the difference?


The presence of her father.


I traveled over the weekend. Before I left, I invited God to interact with my heart and in my circumstances. I asked Him to open my eyes to people who needed a touch from Him in their ordinary day. 


Honestly I would have rather waded on the steps - read my book, talked to no one and landed at my destination in solitude. At best my natural inclination to help others is 6th place. I saw a mom juggle her baby and bags - I offered to take the bags. My row mate missed beverage service - I ordered her one anyway. What made the difference?


The presence of my Father.


When I'm standing in the laundry room surrounded by more piles of laundry than I have family members, the presence of my father turns drudgery into gratitude.


When I'm stuck in traffic and know my schedule is getting tossed, the presence of my father pervades my worry with peace.


When I'm standing at the shoreline uncertain if an ordinary woman can make any difference, the presence of my father floods my fear with confidence.


The presence of our Father eases us from the shore of the ordinary into the ocean of opportunity.


Into what ordinary task can you invite God today?

Always There

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As I was with Moses, so I will be with you;

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5

It's four days until Christmas. Boxes stacked against every wall but they don't hold presents. We've done the unthinkable - we followed God from our home in Dallas to "a strange new land" called Memphis.


I'm too old to wonder if Santa can find our new house but deep within I wonder whether Jesus can. I identify with Memphis' roots - ancient Egypt. Over 3,000 years ago, God's people were in captivity there. Would I be in captivity here?


Just as God anointed Moses to lead His people from Egypt, God had anointed my husband into ministry and into Memphis. Just as God was with Moses, He would be with me here. He is always there.


I fellowshipped with Him while I waited for friends.


I celebrated with Him when I found some.


I spend every Wednesday morning with a group of ordinary women. We're all moms. We're all seeking God's heart. We come together to remind ourselves we are never alone.

Recently 50 regular moms who share the same struggles, hurts and questions common to every mom's heart, got together with the help of MOPS International to bring you the devotional Always There: Reflections for Moms on God's Presence. 


Join me and other moms you know like Renee Swope, Ann Voskamp, Kathi Lipp and Kelly Combs as we learn God is there in every busy, exhausting, and exhilarating moment of being a mom.


No matter where you are in your mothering journey, Always There offers you hope and encouragement along the way. From the humorous to the solemn, these fifty-two short devotions will capture your heart as you reflect upon your important role as a mother and upon your ever-present and steadfast source of strength.


The link to order your copy is:
http://www.amazon.com/Always-There-Reflections-Moms-Presence/dp/0800721160/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334259444&sr=8-3