Praise Dance

Last night my daughter had a hard time going to sleep. She was afraid of some bad dream she had a long time ago. I found out that since she has had that dream it had caused her to sleep underneath her covers making her hair one big tangly mess in the mornings. I had no idea she had been so afraid. I sat down on the couch with her and we got her bible out and looked up scriptures on fear. We also looked up the one in Phil. 4:8 that tells us to think of the things that are true, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy, etc. Carlee found one scripture in the Psalms that spoke to her and I told her that Jesus was speaking to her through His word. She was so thrilled. She loved being able to read it for herself and find hidden truths in God's word. I asked her if she wanted to pray that Jesus would take her fear away so she could sleep? She took the intuitive to talk to God and asked Him to help her sleep. After she prayed, she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I think I am ready to go to sleep now." I told her goodnight and she went to her room. One minute later she was back in the living room asking me, how long it would be until morning? It was only 9:30pm. I told her she had awhile and that she needed to trust God through the night. (she didn't want to go through the process) I told her that when she woke up in the morning that we would have a praise dance. She got excited and then went to bed.
This morning she woke up and we got to start the day off thanking God for answering her prayers. We turned on the praise music and danced before God. It was awesome to see God work through her and strengthen her faith. She didn't want to go through the motions at first to trust God, but as soon I said we would praise God in the morning for His faithfulness, she was ready to trust. Sometimes, we have to praise God for the outcome even before we go through the process. We've got to trust His way as we step into the fear. Sometimes, we have to do things afraid. It's not about the fear, it's about God overcoming the fear so we can praise. Whatever you are struggling with or are afraid of, don't let it steal your praise. Claim your victory in God and allow Him to accomplish the work so you can do your praise dance.

Genesis 24

I had never noticed this before, but when Rebekah was at the well she filled her jar first. This speaks to me because it reminds me that I need God first. I can't just wake up and automatically jump into serving my family. Eventually I will burn out and it will not be out of a heart of love.God is my portion and I am His! My cup (or life) needs to be filled with Him in order for me to fill anyone else. After Rebekah filled her jar, she was ready and available to serve and fill Abraham's servant's jar as well as all his camels. That was a big job! Parenting is a huge job as well . I can not live off yesterdays cup. This leaves me in a drought and I'll find myself drained by life, circumstances, my family, etc... Normally this all turns into work than worship. Another thing God revealed through this story is how Rebekah took care of her inner beauty. She was not just beautiful on the outside, but she was beautiful on the inside with the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control). I also compared this story to the one of the women at the well with Jesus in John 4:13. She was not so willing to fill Jesus' cup and little did she realize who He was and that He could give her true living water. This story reminds me that Christ in me is my living water and He is my wellspring of life. The more I allow Him to pour out of me the more I will thirst for Him. He fills me again and again and wants me to be involved in peoples lives to be a source of strength for them. He wants to shine through me and bring living water to a lost and hurting world. I already know what my life looks like without Him, but oh how I want to experience Him being poured out of me throughout the day especially in the evenings when I feel tired. I want to have enough love for my neighbors as well, when they come to me empty and dry. May I not see Him filling my cup just for me, but for this world. Jesus, You are my hope of glory! Come and reign today! Be my living water! Fill my cup and make it overflow! This world needs You!

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Before this day begins, before my children wake up, before I get out of bed, I take this time to be with You, my God. You are above all else and You have all my attention at this very moment. I am choosing to take care of my heart right now. I ask you Lord, to help me guard this time.... for it is precious to You and to me. You are the one who loves me and I love You! I offer You my heart for it is the wellspring of life. You are the only good thing in me God and I ask You to be magnified today. Protect my heart from being led away from You. Keep my heart focused on You... for it is during these times with You that You fill me with more of Your Spirit. Give me Your heart, teach me how to love, reveal to me how much You love me.... I need You God. You have allowed me to go without You and live in Your grace, but I have come to realize that without spending time with You... growing and learning..... then I am like a flower that is here today and gone tomorrow. I can not live off yesterdays bread. I need daily bread!! Thank you for protecting me while I was wandering aimlessly some days. Teach me how to be disciplined and a student of Your Word. May Your truth (the Bible) never get old to me. As I search for You, may I find You. As I take the time to be in Your Word, may it grow and take up residence inside my heart. May its roots dig down deep. May I be able to say that my well is full with You today. I love you Father!