Praying for a Sleeping Baby

Last night while I was praying with Steven, he prayed for our future foster babies. For their protection, whether in the womb or laying in their beds. In those little words, it all became real. It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I don't know what I have thought up until this point. I know what foster care is. I know why kids get placed "in the system". I have even prepared myself, as much as one can, for the possibility of a drug addicted infant. But really, up until this point, I have been a bit naive.

In that moment, while Steven prayed for a child sleeping in a bed. I realized, my foster child, my child, may be in an abusive home right now. My child may be neglected and abused. It may be happening at this very second.

My heart is aching. My heart is hurting so badly for the children I haven't met. For all of those poor babies, hurting, waiting to be rescued.Waiting for someone to come in and save them from the physical and emotional pain.

I get it now. I get why God has called us to this amazing thing called foster care. We need to be there on the other end when they are taken from their unsafe homes. We need to be there with open arms, to hurt with them and help them heal.

You can help too!

I am not saying that you need to drop everything in your life and go become a foster parent. But if God calls you to, please answer His call.

What you CAN do, is pray with us.
Pray for each and every child in and out of the system.
Pray for their safety.
Pray for their hearts to heal.
Pray for their biological parents.
Just pray.

I've said it before and I know I will say it over and over again...God has a plan. He has a purpose. We need to be praying, interceding daily. Without ceasing. We can all make a difference in these children's lives. It's as simply as a prayer. Jesus saves and He heals. He works miracles if we believe for them. So pray for miracles for these hurting children. Pray for miracles for the parents. A softening of their hearts.

Just Pray. Pray. Pray!

Influential Women: Power of Prayer

Although I did not grow up knowing or trusting in God, His hand in my life was obvious. I was protected from so much. I was directed down a path that ended up right at His feet. There is no doubt in my mind that I ended up where I did because of the prayers of many people. One of those people being my mother in law, Kim Murphy. She is a blessing to have as a mother in law and an amazing woman of prayer. Take a minute to get to know her...

I am a woman who desires to be effective in things that really matter. As a child, I was given a principal that has carried me through my journey as a person pursuing this goal. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will direct your path. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your path straight!" Learning how to trust in the Lord is an hour by hour, minute by minute effort on my part.

As a child, waking up to get ready for school, I could always count on my mother awake and kneeling beside the sofa, praying. To this day, that model of prayer has been a "calling" in my daily routine. I wish I could say there was the same consistency in my prayer life throughout the years but I cannot. Instead the reality of taking the time to pray for my children and their future spouse is a commitment in my life. It is a hope and maybe even a greater purpose for others.

I remember when our son introduced us to Kristen and later heard her of her love for Jesus. Oh, what a delight she is in my life. Steven was wise to ask her to marry him. There is a joy as I see the commitment she has in raising their children with a love for God and others. Now I can see clearly the powerful, effective work of my mother's prayers being answered. Truly, her influence as a woman who depends on His good work is a powerful legacy.

Today, I desire even more to be a person of effective purpose in my daily life. To continue as one who talks to God and cares for others. I am blessed and grateful to know that Kristen is a woman of prayer and conviction. Walking through life, "Trusting in the Lord with all of our heart..."

Amazing, right? To hear more from her, visit her blog.

The Center

This last month or so I have been praying for God to bless my business. Rock-A-Bow is the main reason I am able to stay home with my babies; so it's success is a huge cry of my heart. I pray that God would just take it to the next level. I know without Him, I will go no where and do nothing.

Throughout this time of constant prayer, God has laid things in my lap and shown me sure signs of what He wants. First it was this blog over at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, then it was this product and hubbies statement that I kept God in the center and was blessed for it. Lastly, it was the words in my head saying "Make your business glorify me and I will bless it".

So many times we forget where we come from and what brought us to where we are. Rock-A-Bow was founded with the desire to bring a smile to a little ones face. To make a little girl want to twirl, to make her feel beautiful. God made that happen. I have been reminded of that so many times lately. Mostly, just seeing the joy of a little one putting on a tutu or playing with their artfolio. My products are doing what they were made to do but am I?

God has given me the ability to sew and to create. As a Christian I am to spread His love and His name. Why have these two "jobs" not collided? Jesus is the center of my life, so it just makes sense that He should be the center of my business.

Now since my products are not items that revolve around God or Christianity, how do I keep Him in the center? Well, it's good you asked because I want to share with you.

Every day, I will start by praying over the work I am about to do. I will pray again over every product I make and the person who purchased it and the person who will own it. I will pray that it brings them joy, that it brings that smile I mentioned. That somehow that item would brighten days to come. I will simply pray for the person.

Prayer, it is a powerful thing. It opens doors, it brings joy, it heals and it saves. HE saves!

I will not stop at praying over my products. I will be praying for my customers, friends on social networks and in the handmade community and for you.

His name will be spoken on my blog often. My business will be run honestly and how I feel He would want it run.

God told me to glorify Him.

I want to make my Daddy proud.