raising redheads

Daddy Lord,

Do you know how much you mean to me, God? Do you know how much I long to serve you with everything I do? I fall short on so many levels and it hurts my heart to know I could do more. I want to please you as a wife and a mother. I want to please you as I set out to do your will! God, I am so thankful for the discernment that you have placed in my heart. I feel your spirit when talking with a stranger or interacting with a friend who I know needs my strength right now. I sense your power as I pray over my children every day or when I pray for some of our closest friends during a tough spiritual fast. I can smell your aroma as it fills this house. I do not want to be still, oh God. I want to speak your name to each person I encounter. And if I dont have that opportunity I want them to feel your presence all over our conversations that will bring them back for more. Lord, I want to be a do-er. I cant sit still and be silent. I need to walk in the spirit and follow the calling that you have placed on my life. Thank you for the opportunity to interact with new people every day. For opening doors of hope and strength in other people's lives. Thank you for a determination and an energy to succeed that you have placed inside of my heart. I will use that to guide and help others on a path where they can easily do the same!

Thank you for my husband who longs to do your will. I pray peace over him even now. I pray that you would direct his decisions and his heart when making them. I pray that you would anoint his fingers to play worship to you on the instrument that you have blessed him to play! Thank you Lord. Teach me, Lord, how to submit to my husband in a way that I dont feel like I'm losing myself. I know that it is your will for me to be obedient in that Lord, but I struggle. Oh how I struggle! Help me Jesus. And Help me to see that you are guiding me and giving me patience and gentleness while striving to build our marriage every day.

I am humbled by the gift of my children, God. I look at their faces and I feel such deep love and hope for them. I can only imagine how you feel for all of us. I want to be the best mother and I need your help to do that. I want to make solid decisions and be firm in my parenting, with the help of my husband. I want to be able to teach them the things of this world while relying on your spirit to overtake them and teach them the truth beyond this place that is not our home. Thank you for your hand of protection on their lives and for speaking to me regarding their futures! I know that Braden will use his voice to speak the word and truth to thousands of people. You said it, I claim victory with it! I know that Nora will sing songs of worship and praise and joy not only about you but to you. She will be a delicate and yet powerful woman of God. I want to be a woman that she can appreciate and mold her life after. Help me Lord to be more gentle. More passionate, less aggressive, less harsh and more patient. I want to be a Godly, powerful prayer warrior for these children, my husband, my home, my church, my friends, and myself! But mostly for you God. I long to spend time with you and to feel you. You are my best friend and my father.

Thank you for taking all of us and getting us through a hard couple of months. You have truly been the foundation for that which we have stood upon during some trials that have tested our love and endurance. Honor our obedience, I pray. Thank you for your healing hands that are touching Kalli's grandmother and that already removed sickness, infection and disease from her tired body. Thank you for healing Justin and honoring Katie & Adam in their walk with you! You alone are our protector and healer!!! Thank you for a good report on Braden's blood work. Although I havent received it, I know it is clear. I know it is you whose hand uplifts us and keeps us safe. You have a plan and I pray that whatever that plan is in my life you would open my eyes to see it, my ears to hear it, my heart to receive it and if it be your will please open my mind to understand it. Whatever it is, God, use me. Use me to touch not one person or even two, but hundreds of people for your glory. See my heart. I long for you and I long for deeper fellowship with you.

You are God in Heaven and here am I on earth, so I'll let my words be few. Jesus, I am so in love with you. So. So. So. In love with you. Thank you Lord.