When God is Silent

September 14, 2017 By Rachel Lee 23 Comments

Do you ever feel like God is silent?

“And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his scarf and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:13)

Lately, I’ve been having a hard time hearing God’s voice- as though He is playing the silent game with me.

The same game we try to trick our kids into playing while in the car, to afford us a few moments of much-needed peace and quiet!

You know the one.

The only difference is, I don’t want to play.

I don’t want God to be silent. I want Him to speak. I need him to speak.

But sometimes it seems that He chooses silence anyway.

Do you ever feel that way?

You’re not alone. I recently had a conversation with a dear friend of mine about this very subject. She too has been feeling like she has to strain to hear God’s voice.

My friend and I carried on our conversation for several minutes- venting, questioning, relating, processing, and encouraging- the way good friends do. And in the midst of our conversation, I had an epiphany of sorts.

Maybe straining to hear God’s voice isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe it’s quite the opposite.

[Read more…]

10 Back to School Prayers

September 7, 2017 By Rachel Lee 10 Comments

This week marked the first week of school for many families.

Some children approach this time of year with enthusiasm; excited to reunite with old friends, meet their new teachers, and resume some form of consistency.

Others approach the school year reluctantly; digging in their heels, refusing to accept that the long, flexible days of summer have come to an end.

Whether your child belongs to the first category, or the second, one thing is certain- both our kids and teachers alike, need our support if they are going to make it through the school year successfully.

What’s the best way we can offer our support?

Prayer.

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer to transform our lives. Not so much the prayer itself, but The One to whom we pray.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

On the first day of school, the hubs and I give our kids a proper send-off, by laying our hands on them, and praying a blessing over them for their upcoming school year.

We pray, not only for them, but for the teachers they will have, the classmates they will encounter, and the coaches they will be assigned. We pray for the cooks that will serve them, the principal that will oversee them, and everyone in between.

Anyone, really, who has any involvement in helping to ensure that the school year runs effectively.

If you’ve not before implemented the practice of prayer as a way to send your kids off to school, it is never too late to start!

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Welcome Blog-Baby

September 1, 2017 By Rachel Lee 10 Comments

Welcome to my first official blog post! I’m so glad that you are here!

Over the years, I’ve had several friends and family members suggest that I should start a blog. Although flattered by their kindness, I never really considered the idea.

Sure, I enjoyed writing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m good at it.

Truth be told, I didn’t believe I had what it took.

In my mind, I was never good enough- knowledgeable enough, experienced enough, talented enough, eloquent enough, polished enough, perfect enough.

Who would want to read it anyhow?

On top of the nagging feelings of insecurity, was the very real fact that I am a mother of eight! (Seven of which are still at home). Life is busy!

Yes, I know. People HATE that word. But like it or not, busy is what I am.

Between housework, and school, and chores, and homework, and errands, and soccer practice, and church, and bible study, and meals to cook, an infant to chase, and various family functions…..where would I possibly find the time to write a blog?

Writing, for me, often looked like intermittent scribblings quickly jotted down onto paper, in between afternoon feedings, and on the rare occasion that inspiration suddenly struck.

They were very rarely complete thoughts. Rather it looked more like chicken scratch; a few sentences strung together, eventually forming a paragraph or two, only to be frequently interrupted by life, and neatly wrapped in a to be continued bow.

Who possibly had the time to write? Not this girl.

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Don’t Look Back

September 1, 2017 By Rachel Lee 6 Comments

And He said to her,

“Don’t look back.

There’s nothing left for you there. Only wasteland.

What once was, is no more.

Make the decision today, to walk forward.

Away from your past.

Ahead to your future.

What I have for you, is forward.

Draw a line in the sand.

Take that first initial step.

Do it afraid.

Do it unsure.

Just do it.

The enemy wants to keep you stuck in the past, where what-if’s and if-only’s reside.

DO NOT GO THERE!

Don’t look back.

Your past has been wiped away- erased.

You have been forgiven- your mistakes forgotten.

There is nothing left but a clean slate.

All that remains is a tool belt, stocked with resources to propel you towards your destiny.

Today is a new day.

See, I make all things new.

I want to give you a prosperous future full of hope.

Wipe off the dust from your feet.

Shake off the regret, the shame, the condemnation, the doubt, the fear, the hurt, the unforgiveness.

Put on your new robes of righteousness.

Take up your shield of faith.

Walk into your destiny.

Great blessings await you there.

A life of abundance and joy.

Take My hand. Fix your eyes on me.

Will you trust me with your future?

The adventure lies just ahead.

Come, follow me.”

~Your Beloved

“Therefor, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland.“ (Isaiah 43:18-19)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:1)

Grace in the Midst of Grief

September 1, 2017 By Rachel Lee 17 Comments

May 5th 2016 marked my daughter’s 12th birthday.

She passed away several years ago, but we celebrate still.

In the heart of tradition, our family gathers ‘round.

Hands joined. Heads bowed. Prayers whispered. Tears escape. Balloons released. Quiet.

We often associate grace with that which is pleasant.

The gift of salvation from a loving God to a less-than-deserving people.

The parent who gladly receives home their wayward child.

The man who forgives his wife of an adulterous relationship.

The boss who extends leniency to a recovering addict.

The mother who cradles a healthy baby in her arms, after years of infertility.

This is grace.

But what of the hard things?

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Do you ever feel like God is silent?

What once was, is no more.

What I have for you, is forward.

Don’t look back.

There is nothing left but a clean slate.

Today is a new day.

Wipe off the dust from your feet.

Walk into your destiny.

The adventure lies just ahead.

Join the fun!

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