I don’t get out much.
As a stay-at-home, work-from-home mom, my comfort zone is a 1,500-square foot ranch. The same painted walls, the same piles of dishes, and the same precious faces make up the scenery of my days.
My minivan travels to the grocery store, school, church, and occasionally a friend’s driveway for a play date. Adventure for me these days is a stroll through the outlet mall.
I’m okay with that. In this season of life, I like to focus inward—on my family, my faith, my casserole recipe book. I don’t suffer from wanderlust because there’s enough to juggle in my six-room home.
Whether I’m asking God to relieve a migraine or to save a soul I love, I realized I’ve been timid—almost skeptical—in my requests both large and small, praying as though I didn’t really believe God was going to come through. Maybe it’s because I forgot he can.
He can.
Have you forgotten, too? Our God is huge and powerful and altogether capable of doing immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). What if we woke up every day expecting God to do great things?
You could argue we’d be disappointed. Just because God can doesn’t mean he will—at least not on our timetable. But if there’s one thing I know for certain about God, it’s that he is good. Our big God sees around every corner, knows every outcome, and therefore is a far better judge than I am about what prayers should be answered with a “yes.” The first step is to believe he is able.
My daughter sings a song in Sunday school that sums this up. She knows it as an obvious, foundational fact. I should, too.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do!
If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like Life Is a Highway, Whatever the New Year Brings, and God Doesn’t Ration Candy Bars.
Linked up with: The Better Mom, Titus 2sdays, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Living Well Wednesdays, Grace at Home and Faithfully Parenting Fridays.
And now for some Liebster awards!
It’s time to pay it forward. Last week, I was thrilled to be honored with another Liebster award from Susan at A Vintage Farmwife. Liebster means “beloved” or “favorite” in German. The award is meant to acknowledge and promote the work of new bloggers (less than 200 followers). Winners are asked to pass along the award to five other bloggers to keep the happiness growing. A few months ago, my blogger friend Erica at Let Why Lead gave me my first Liebster, and I still owe a few payouts from that. So, here are eight up and coming blogs that have caught my eye in recent months—and I hope they’ll pique your interest, too.
Melissa at Joy in Every Season chronicles her family life in such beautiful pictures and down-to-earth, inviting words, I feel like I’m an old friend stopping by for a visit with every post.
Katie at Life With the Little Rs is a mom like many of us, blogging through the ups and downs of parenting yet always managing to land up. From her posts, I get the sense that Katie is committed to living out her values, and I admire that.
I found Kathy from Miss Grace Filled Life through one of my favorite link-ups, Grace at Home. She shared a recipe for how to make homemade southern sweet tea. Yum. I am a southern belle trapped in Wisconsin.
Sarah at Bloggling Brooks keeps an online praise journal. Isn’t that a great idea? I used to keep a notebook of answered prayers. Sarah’s blog makes me think I ought to pick up my praise pen again.
I have always loved how children can remind us of such profound truths.
Oh, my! Thank you so much for the award! I am so honored, as I don’t have 200 followers yet. However, I am finding the ladies who are part of The Better Mom link up delightfully supportive!
Love those Better Mom ladies!
This really moved me today. I also seldom leave home and can fall into the trap of praying, but not really believing, that God will work big things in my life. I get caught feeling like He may or may not work, because it may, or may not be, His will or timing. Sometimes it gets so confusing trying to decipher it all. For now, I will just keep praying….giving thanks and presenting my requests to God and trusting that whether or not He answers yes, no, or not now…He truly knows best and can see into tomorrow. He will never leave nor forsake me 🙂
I get caught feeling like that, too, Nicole. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t forgotten to pray (much) … but I have, of late, forgotten to remember that God is BIG … and perhaps that’s why things have seemed a little flat. I LOVE your challenge to wake up expecting God to do great things … whoo hoo!!!
Thank you so very much for the Liebster Award! I’m very very honored and your kind words completely warmed my heart and will have me walking on clouds for days!
This is great Becky. Super honored and blessed. Thanks for the encouragement today!
Carly
I know how you feel- I am at home a lot and I need to remember how BIG God is! Thank you for this, just beautiful!!!
He is a big God and I do agree that living in our little worlds we miss out on seeing the big stuff… I could use a few miracles right now. I will believe in my big God to deliver! Thanks Becky!!! And thank you for my award, I am humbly blessed! 🙂
I LOVE that God is big, even in the smallness of our everyday lives!
Found your blog today on WLW link up. I love it. I am so excited to be connected with someone who lives a very similar world to mine. I have been praying over this same topic here lateley myself. I also pray for healing of migraines. I jave complex/occular that mimic a stroke. Blessings to you! I would love for you to check out my itty bitty blog 🙂 http://www.gracefullygiddy.com
Welcome, Angie! Thank you so much for joining us here!
Oh yes, I did need to read this today. My husband is a salesman, and works solely on commission. We have NO money for the rent that is due today. I have been praying with my fingers crossed, and vacillating between knowing that God will take care of us, and hoping that He will. Plus, I’m having to encourage my husband.
So thank you, and I will pass it on.
Thank you for your encouragment!
I enjoy your writing and can relate with what you are sharing. My world is small, too, and I wash the same dishes and clothes in a seemingly never ending cycle ( as all moms do, I know)
I’m not sure how the award works, but I do know of another blog and that would be http://www.angelameijer.com. She is an artist and mom and friend:)
No kidding – I just found Angela’s blog last week and it’s beautiful! I believe the way it works is that you are welcome to mention her blog in one of your own posts, then Angela will also pass the Liebster on to other bloggers, and so on. Now that you mention it, I think I’ll check out her latest post right now!
Beautiful!!! I too get that live in a box kind of feeling, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world ever…I’ve never felt more focused on God or family and love it.
I’d love to have you–I’m excited for some linkers I know are coming by that will love your work and I’m not sure if they know you yet!!!!
In case you don’t get my reply on my site–
Michy says:
July 6, 2012 at 8:03 AM
Sure! (no prob to link up a the second piece–I’m glad to read it!) Holly Fadda…oh that is so sweet!!! The linky will be open every Friday, and I’m glad you came by today and hope you return if it works for you. I’m praying to God to see if this is a way to build a supportive community of mothers here…
Can’t wait to read!
Blessings,
michy
I needed this reminder–God is big! He can do more than we could ever ask or imagine. Amazing truth here. Thanks for sharing!
We certainly do serve a big God! Enjoyed this post…a timely reminder for me. I found you at Imparting Grace and am a new follower 🙂
Welcome, Lynn! I love the Imparting Grace community. Thank you so much for joining me here!