Little Eyes are Watching

Today I am so honored to introduce you to my friend, Beck Gambill. Beck's sincere love for Jesus shines through every word she writes. Her blog inspires me and fills me with a sense of purpose and peace whenever I visit there. Today I hope you'll connect with her either on her blog, Facebook or Twitter. You'll be blessed because you did.


Oh and you can find me writing on her blog today so hop over and read my thoughts and stay awhile to be blessed by hers.
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by Beck Gambill

Have you ever thought about the gnarled hands that helped Jesus learn to walk? Or the wise heart that offered comfort and advice to his young mother? This Christmas season I've been pondering a person who's name isn't mentioned in the account of Jesus birth, but of whose existence I'm sure. Jesus' grandmother.

Mary's response to the circumstances of her life must have been a result, at least partially, of her upbringing. She saw faith modeled. Everything she needed to know about raising children, keeping a home, being faithful to Joseph, and trusting God was influenced by her mother. Her response, to an unexpected message brought by an extraordinary messenger, was faith.

Jesus wasn't born just to Mary, he was born into a whole family. What relationship was there between this very special little boy and his grandmother? Even if she doubted the story of her daughter's pregnancy babies have a way of softening hearts. I've learned that in difficult situations precious babies are the great equalizer. I imagine, just like every other generation of women through the ages, her pride and joy in this new addition was profound.

Did she and Jesus share family jokes, did she sing songs to him, did she tell him stories of God's faithfulness from her own life? How do you teach the King of the universe... anything? And yet that was her responsibility. As well as Mary's and Joseph's and Jesus' other family members.

You will not dandle the Messiah on your knee, but certainly the faithfulness of raising godly children will be rewarded in future generations. “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it,” says Proverbs 22:6. By the fruit of Mary's life it appears that her mother set her feet onto the right path.

This Christmas, “come, let us adore him,” little eyes are watching!

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Beck Gambill writes at Beck Far From Home (beckfarfromhome.blogspot.com) about her homesickness for Jesus. Mentoring and ministering to women's hearts is her passion. You can download her free ebook on mentoring, Sister to Sister, on her website. She is privileged to partner with her husband in full time ministry, as well as being the mommy to Max and Maggie.

When Your Children Walk in Truth

Today I am thrilled to share with you my friend, Michelle Montgomery, of The Journey North. Michelle inspires me. She's the mother of six children and a woman who loves God recklessly and honestly. I am posting over at her blog today too, so after you enjoy her beautiful words here, find me there and read her regularly. Michelle would also love to connect with you on Facebook.
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“Can I sleep over at my friend’s house tonight?”  With a deep sigh, I tried to patiently respond to my 13 year old’s question with love despite my significant irritation at the repetitive question.  “You know how I feel about Saturday night sleepovers.”   

Time after time, tracking the kids down on Sunday morning has caused us to be late to church.  I strongly dislike being late anywhere.  Normally, I’m the person that shows up early for meeting, events, and other commitments.  Therefore, being late to church is almost unforgivable in my mind.  The problem is that most of the time we do run late on Sunday mornings.  With six kids, preparations begin early.  There simply isn’t enough time to drive around town collecting children from various locations.  Out of desperation, we established the rather unpopular rule that Saturday night sleepovers are no longer allowed. 

Unfortunately, the kids have not accepted this directive without a fight.  Each week, they attempt a new angle in an effort to overturn the policy.  I held my breath as I waited for the typical argument and offered a quick prayer for patience.

“But they go to our church now.  I can meet you there.”  I blinked.  They go to our church?  My daughter smiled.  She knew she had me.

Molly (not her real name) is my daughter’s best friend.  Her parents are divorced and she lives with her mom.  That situation has contributed to the bond the girls have formed as they both try to navigate the world of living with one parent and visiting the other. 

Several months ago, my daughter approached me and asked if she could attend a small group for Junior High girls that the church was starting.  Of course, I happily agreed and commended her for wanting to be part of it.  Then, she tossed in the catch.  She wanted to know if I could pick up Molly and take her as well. 

While I happily accepted the responsibility for transporting my daughter, picking up her friend and dropping her back off afterwards did not hold as much appeal.  Desperately I asked, “Can’t her mom take her?”  With six kids, our transportation commitments already exceed reasonable efforts.  “They don’t go to church and her mom doesn’t understand why she wants to join our small group.”

Ouch.  Well, what’s a good Christian mommy to do?  “Yes, I can take her.”  I received a quick hug for my efforts and my daughter excitedly bounded up the stairs dialing her friend as she climbed.

The next week, we started our new routine.  I picked up Molly, drove to the church, dropped the girls off, took care of other commitments, returned to the church to pick them up, waited impatiently for their small group to finish (it always runs late), and dropped her back off at her mom’s apartment.

It didn’t take long before I discovered the unexpected benefits of this arrangement.  First, by bringing a book or my laptop with me and leaving the other kids at home, I captured some much needed quiet time while I waited for the girls.  Second, I realized that small group opened them up to conversations during our ride home that allowed me to share my beliefs in God and my opinions on other various social issues they faced as teenagers.

Several weeks later, Molly’s mom approached the car as I dropped her off.  In broken, heavily accented English, her mother suggested that she could take them to small group each week.  I tried to conceal my shock as I agreed to the carpooling arrangement.  I asked if she knew where the church was located and she nodded. 

That night, I decided to add Molly and both of her parents to my prayers.  I realized agreeing to drive the girls to the church didn’t mean she would start attending church as well, but it was a start.  I prayed each time she drove up there, the trip would become easier and maybe, just maybe, she might decide to take a step inside.

As I found myself agreeing to my daughter’s request for a Saturday sleepover, I thanked God for using my daughter’s devotion and conviction to follow Christ as a testimony to not only her friend, but her friend’s family as well. 

I have no greater joy then to hear that my children are walking in the truth.  3 John 1:4 (NIV)
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Michelle Montgomery is a Christian, wife, mother of six, full time employee, and aspiring writer. Her non-traditional, blended family keeps their lives interesting as they attempt to navigate and balance the ever changing worlds of parenting, relationships and working. Join Michelle as she tries to keep her eyes on God as her journeys north.

You have circled this mountain long enough; now turn north. Deuteronomy 2:3 (NASB)