Faithful Friday - Abby and Zack Pray through the Alphabet

Hope, prayer, faith...we can all use a little of this during the Holiday season and in our daily walk. 

If you are looking for a a creative way to teach children about prayer check out my new book, Abby and Zach Pray through the Alphabet. In this debut picture book, it is my hope that every child who opens this book will grow in faith, joy, and love.

Below is a clip of Sunday School teacher Ms. A, reading to her young student.

Grab your copy of Abby and Zach just in time for the Holiday and share it with a little one in your life.

Order on Amazon here.

Words of Wisdom – Have you ever struggled with being patient?

Photo credit

One of the toughest things in life is to practice patience when going through a struggle. How do you learn to endure…? Prayer. 

Waiting upon the Lord

Oh Lord, I am impatient

As humans tend to be;

 

I want my solace now;

I want to be carefree.

 

One hundred times today alone

I’ve passed my load to you,

But then I pick it up again

As humans often do.

So Lord, this time when I shift the load

And you take it up for me,

Please help me wait with faith

Until a solution comes from Thee. 

Author Unknown

Muffins with Mom – PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens



My disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the highway.

When facing a difficult situation, I’ve heard it said that you have to P.U.S.H. forward – Pray Until Something Happens. Just last week I lived this phrase.

It was a chilly December evening, yet not cold enough for a winter coat. It was a 20 minute drive to where I was supposed to meet my mom and pick up my oldest son. He had spent the day helping her around the house.

My car stalled before I even left the house, but after giving it a jump with the booster cables, my younger son and I headed to the highway. Having just finished football strength training at school, my son fell asleep in the passenger seat. The car ride was pretty smooth until we reached the halfway point of our journey.

I was driving in the middle lane of the I-94 highway when traffic began to slow down. We had caught up to rush hour traffic, but it was toward the end or rush hour. Going about 40 miles per hour, my car began to coast even slower.

Within seconds everything in the car shut down.  The heat went off, all the dash light wen out. Panic set in as I tried to unlock the car door. My heart rate increased, I pounded on the side window and the sun roof. Snatching my son out of his sleep, I yelled to my son, “I can’t get out.”

I prayed and tried to calm down. There were cars and a semi- truck going around us. My son said, “Ma, unlock the door with your hand.”

I unlocked my door and told my son, “Get out we have to push the car.”

Still a little disoriented after waking from his sleep, my son stood near the front of the car. I told him to get behind the car and push while I pushed and steered from the driver’s side. At first we had trouble changing lanes because everyone was going around us. The hazard lights did not work.

We kept pushing and I eased the car into the right hand lane. Once we made the lane transition, my son began to push faster. I had to yell to him to slow down because I didn’t know if I would be able to stop.

Praying the whole time, we made it to the shoulder of the highway. I had my phone in my pocket and the Bluetooth on my ear. Trying to maintain a steady voice, I called my husband, then 911.

My husband arrived with three fluorescent vests. The 911 dispatcher connected me to the State police who sent out a Department of Transportation vehicle (MDOT). Upon arrival, the driver lit flares behind my car and said he would have highway cameras focused in our direction.

My son and I sat in my husband’s car until the tow truck arrived. While we waited I reflected on all the sayings I’ve heard related to challenging situations –

·         Turn your tests into a testimony

·         Turn your trials into triumphs

·         Make your mess, your message

My message is simple, when you feel yourself in a challenging situation, P.U.S.H - Pray Until Something Happens.

Have you experienced a situation where you had to P.U.S.H. forward?

What to do when your kids need extra attention - 5 Signs that you need to pray



First day of school - I know my mom is taking pictures so I refuse to turn around. My friend saw her too.

Sometimes we wait until we feel we are at the end of our rope before we call on the Lord. Change that strategy. Now that the first week of school is under our belt, I feel the need to send up a few extra requests.

Have you ever read the picture book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg? Dad goes to wake his daughter for the first day of school, but she is hiding under the covers. We later discover that his daughter is a teacher who is nervous about starting at a new school.

My first day jitters were about my son starting school with a teacher new to his school and the mischief I know he can get into. My first day jitters were cause for prayer. This led me to also ponder other instances where prayed is needed.

5 signs that you need to pray…

1.      At the end of the first day of school your son’s teacher comes up to you and says, “I took his cell phone. The alarm rang during silent work.”

2.      Your friend asks you, “How is your other son doing?” You respond with, “who?” Poor boy gets no attention because you are focused on the other child.

3.      You only work part-time outside the home, but you still feel overworked.

4.      You told your child to stop bouncing a tennis ball in the house. He does it one last time and shatters the glass door on your china cabinet.

5.      You ask your teen to cut the grass, but he also cuts the water hose that was not properly put away. You discover this when you ask, “Why didn’t you cut the grass on the other side of the house?” His response, “The lawn mower stopped working.”

 Has your child ever done anything that caused you to pray a little harder?