Lisa Jacobson's Blog, page 24

His Way Is Perfect: Reassurance for Anyone Wondering If God Is Still At Work

His ways are so unpredictable.

So “past finding out.”

Yet, somehow, because He is the all-powerful, loving, holy God that His Word says He is, His ways are always right.

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.  ~ Psalm 18:30

We cringe at that thought, sometimes, don’t we? Often these ways feel too painful, mysterious, and hard. Some of His “perfect ways” involve leaving us in the dark. He’s at work, yet chooses not to reveal His plans to us.

Maybe you’re there? Needing reassurance that He’s still working and it won’t be like this forever?

I’ve been there too. I spent years without answers but can also testify to God’s faithfulness when I just couldn’t see or understand.

God knew from the beginning, how He would answer almost a decade of prayers for my children’s adoptions to be completed, yet He allowed my husband and me to wait, toil, and wonder in the dark.

At one point, we were forced to evacuate our home in the country of Haiti for a month during a political coup, unable—due to government corruption— to bring our three young Haitian children along.

Continue reading His Way Is Perfect: Reassurance for Anyone Wondering If God Is Still At Work at Club31Women.com

A Prayer For The Men That Will Marry Our Daughters

Often I find myself praying for 4 people that I have never met.

Ironically, these unknown figures play a significant role in the future of my family and I will one day entrust them with pieces of my heart.

I pray for my son-in-laws as if they were mine because one day they will be.

A Prayer for the Man Who Will Marry My Daughter

Dear God,  there is a young man somewhere that I probably have never met. He is playing on a playground, sitting at a dining room table, or throwing rocks into a pond.

To be honest I have no idea what he is doing, what his life (or his face for that matter) looks like, who his family is or what values are being instilled. But I am dedicated to lifting him up to You.

This young man will one day marry my daughter… 

As tears roll down my cheeks, I cry out to you to bless, protect and direct his life.

I pray that you would surround him with Your love.

Continue reading A Prayer For The Men That Will Marry Our Daughters at Club31Women.com

A Rite of Passage for Moms with Boys

It is his freshman year at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, in Belton, Texas, and he was coming home to Montana for spring break. Tender thoughts filled my heart, as I pictured his size 11’s covering half the entryway floor again.

“Now listen,” I said to myself before he got home.

“He’s not a little boy anymore. He’s a full-grown man who has lived without your help for six months now.” I took myself by the shoulders. “Time to stop mothering him near to death. Are you listening to me? During this spring break, you are going to treat him like a man. You’re not going to wag your finger at him all week.”

I did well while he was here, except for one slip when I said to him, “You only brought one pair of pants with you?”

“I’m not good at packing,” he told me, throwing me his charming smile that has always gotten him out of trouble.

But there was the significant matter of a summer job. With all my heart, I wanted to hound him to find a job over his break.

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25 Love-Is-In-the-Air Spring Date Ideas

I can’t tell you how ready I am for a new season.

Because I don’t know how it is with you,  but he and I are just coming out of a very difficult one.

And, not to complain, but I’m really ready for something different.

Something a little sweeter and lighter and warmer.

Maybe even a lot so.

Because between caring for his parents and the emergency surgery for our special needs girl, it’s been a tough season for us both. Family illness, financial pressures, and too many sleepless nights.

And although we’ve held on tight to each other through it all, we’re tired and worn out and could use some time together with just the two of us.

Something fresh and romantic.

Something spring-like.

Something for him and me. Together.

Something Sweet

So just the other evening, he grabbed me – in spite of my protests (it’s late, we’re tired, costs money, etc.) – and we dropped off the kids with friends. He then surprised me by walking into the new ice cream shop that had recently opened in town.

Continue reading 25 Love-Is-In-the-Air Spring Date Ideas at Club31Women.com

5 Unexpected Joys That Come with Raising a Daughter

The call for help came in the middle of the day.

This dear, young mom was clearly in a tough circumstance and needed some help. A small break at the very least. I recognized the desperate tone and told her I’d be over as soon as I could.

But what about all her children? Her four young ones, plus a little baby? Who could stay with them on such short notice while she and I went out to talk it through?

I approached one of our daughters and briefly explained the situation.  She caught on right away and began filling her backpack with fun toys, a princess crown, and party whistles. In a few short minutes, she was packed and ready to go.

The children shyly gathered around her when we first arrived, having never been left with a stranger before. They began sharing their names and ages. Then their favorite colors and favorite foods. Then they began pointing over to the park . . . .

My friend and I quietly slipped out and enjoyed a lovely, long afternoon over a cup of tea.

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To My Friend Who Is Turning 40 Today

 

“I turn 40 tomorrow,” you whispered to my husband.

“Oh, happy birthday!” he said.

“Shhhhh!” you said. “I don’t want this to be a big thing with a lot of attention.”

So don’t worry, friend. Your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell a soul that you’re turning 40, but I will write you this private note of encouragement –just between you and me.

Forty is a very special year.

The Turning Around Year.

I’ve watched you for a long time. I’ve seen you grow in your love for God. You’ve done a good job loving on that man of yours, and the way you’ve raised your girls is lovely. Your home is warm and clean and organized. Your coffee pot is always ready to brew for a friend. I see you serving others at church.

And your beauty and kindness rise all the way from the center of your soul, until they come through your eyes and make us feel better just for rubbing shoulders with you.

Now it’s time for you to turn around.

Continue reading To My Friend Who Is Turning 40 Today at Club31Women.com

Encouragement for Every Guilt-Ridden Mother

“I am the worst mother in the world. I struggle with guilt all the time. I know better but I just can’t live up to the picture of the mom I know God wants me to be and that I want to be! What can I do? Please help me!”

All sorts of things contribute to our guilt.

We feel guilty because we look at other mothers who seem to be doing everything right and we know we aren’t.

We experience guilt because sometimes we actually find we don’t even “like” a particular child. (Of course, we love her.)

We may be angry at our situation and then we feel guilty for being angry.

Our behavior is wrong and we feel guilty.

Guilt can be caused be any number of things but often it is the result of either unrealistic expectations or wrong attitudes and actions.    

This note from a friend could have been written by me years ago. Just hearing her words caused me to say, “Yes, yes, that’s exactly how I felt when we had five kids ages 7 and under.”

So first, let me assure you that you are normal.

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3 Things Your Child Needs to Know About God During Hard Times

It had been a really hard day, and it was only two in the afternoon.  After a long year of hard times, my sweet boy had reached the end of his rope.

It took me a few minutes to find him. He was overwhelmed by all the stuff going on and ran to his secret quiet place to find some peace. I crawled next to him in his sacred space and just sat there. And then it happened. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said: “Mommy, I feel like God has forgotten about us.”

My heart broke for my little man that day. I held him in my arms as he sobbed and sobbed. Life was just more than he could handle in that moment. It wasn’t fair.  He was hurt and confused and just didn’t understand why.

In that moment, I felt the same so we just sat together and cried for a while.

3 Things Our Children Need to Know About God During Hard Times

Sometimes when the world rages and people hurt each other, our sweet children get caught in the crossfire.

Continue reading 3 Things Your Child Needs to Know About God During Hard Times at Club31Women.com

Beautiful Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake

Without looking at the calendar for March or April, I can always tell when Easter is approaching.

Every year, there is a tree in front of our church doors that begins to bloom beautiful magnolia blossoms. It only happens once or twice a year, but that first, magnificent bloom is always right before Easter.

It amazes me how plants are able to come back to life after dealing with so many obstacles (unless they’re annuals!). The trees, plants, and flowers endure freezing temperatures, hail and snow, wind and rain. Yet they persevere because God has designed them to be sustained through whatever climate they are placed in and any harsh seasonal changes that may come!

They endure through the obstacles, they fight the good fight, and they hold on, until brighter and warmer days come their way…and then they bloom and declare the glory of the Lord!

Much like we’re intended to do, don’t you think? We’re told to expect obstacles when (and because) we follow Christ.

But we’re not alone in our obstacles.

Just like when our Savior was laid in the tomb – God was working behind the scenes to raise Him three days later!

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4 Fantasy Fiction Adventures for All Ages

My children love tales of adventures and heroism.

I love stories that teach them to be humble leaders and faithful friends.

And when the two combine, we have a family favorite for sure.

They may only be ages four, six, and eight. But stories have been shaping their thoughts and ideas since they were hardly older than their 11-month-old baby sister. They delight in fiction like The Borrowers and The Littles. They thrill at fantasy such as C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia and Brian Jacques’ Redwall tales.

But I really celebrate when I find another new series of books that teaches them character and valor from a Christian perspective, even if it’s an unspoken one.

Here are four fantasy fiction series my children love to have read and re-read….

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.)

Tales of Larkin by Alan W. Harris

The Larkin are a tiny people with a big God. At just one inch tall, they must fight for their lives against mice and beetles. They train their young men to be warriors, always prepared for an attack from the wild–or from the dreaded Renegades.

Continue reading 4 Fantasy Fiction Adventures for All Ages at Club31Women.com