April 2005 | May 2005 | June 2005 | July 2005 | August 2005 | September 2005 | October 2005 | November 2005 | December 2005 | January 2006 | February 2006 | March 2006 | April 2006 | May 2006 | June 2006 | July 2006 | August 2006 | September 2006 | October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006 | January 2007 | June 2007 | July 2007 | August 2007 | September 2007 | October 2007 | November 2007 | December 2007 | January 2008 | February 2008 | Summer 2008 | Autumn 2008

May Devotional

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I have just returned home from a much-needed vacation and was able to spend an afternoon with a dear friend from college days. Her life is a testimony to the surprises of God ... and the love that he bestows upon His dearly loved children!

Joy is a leader in every sense of the word - she is stable and full of wisdom ... passionate about her family and her calling. Spending just a few minutes with her was all the rejuvenation that I needed. May I tell you her story?

Joy met the young man of her dreams while attending a Christian University. They married shortly after college while Mark was in medical school. They tried to get pregnant during his last year in school but to no avail. Joy and Mark quickly learned that they would never have children - there was no drug nor were there any surgical options that would open the door of parenting to them. Their infertility specialist told them that the only way that they would ever have children would be to adopt.

And adopt they did! Joy and Mark were thrilled with one little girl ... then the next year another little girl ... shortly after that a strapping baby boy and then yet another chosen daughter. When Joy was nearly 40, she did not feel well and found out that God had done what the doctors had said was impossible! Joy and Mark were expecting a new bundle of joy that was growing within her womb. When this little boy was only 9 weeks old - they adopted a new born baby girl and within 2 years, Joy was pregnant again! Only God!!

Since that time, Joy and Mark have added to their clan with a son from Guatemala and are expecting another boy from Russia late this summer. Joy and Mark have leaned into the plans of God for their life together and are building a home full of love, laughter and life!
Joy ... I am so proud of you! "Many daughters have done nobly ... but you exceed them all!" Proverbs 31:29

Motherhood - the highest calling that there is this side of heaven! I hope that you are building a home of peace and righteousness. Tragically, today's culture minimizes the importance of a mother's role but God's original design for motherhood was a position of prominence and influence. No calling is greater, nobler or more fulfilling. No career has the capacity to influence the eternal destiny of young lives. I hope that you discover the joy of motherhood this year - Happy Mother's Day ... from my heart to yours!