To the Women Who Hold My Babies at Church

Where should I begin?

Thank you.

Those two words are loaded with more gratitude than anything I could ever write or say.  I often think of you.  I think of what made you so compassionate.  So willing to serve.  So willing to give of your time.

Is it that you enjoy the tight hugs and sloppy kisses from little ones?

Is it that you are drawn to little ones that need to learn the love of Jesus just as much as the adults that walk through the church doors?

Is it a calling you feel the Lord has placed on your life?

Or is it that you simply see me, a mama who often needs an extra set of hands, trying her best to raise her babies in the church?

Maybe in some way it is all of these.  Whatever the reason, you have no idea the gratitude and love I have for you in my heart. 

It must seem most Sunday’s that we are rushed.  We rush into the nursery.  We rush into the sanctuary, putting children where they need to go, leaving them in your hands so that we can worship. You probably think what you do is small, not even worth recognition.  You may think that all you do is babysit the children.  Let me tell you why what you do is not small at all.  Let me express my heart to you and for what you do…it’s immeasurable to me. 

If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t participate in worship. 

I couldn’t hold a microphone every Sunday, pouring out my heart through song and praise. 

I couldn’t sit in the sanctuary, Sunday after Sunday soaking up the word of God.

Your gift allows me to learn more about my gifts and calling.  It allows my husband and me to sit side by side with one another and take a few moments to breathe in the grace we both so desperately need.  I want you to know that your compassion for giving up your own time to worship doesn’t go unnoticed. 

I know it may seem like all you do is wipe noses, pick up toys, and try to keep the children from running around like chickens with their heads cut off.  Or maybe that’s just my child.    

But oh, you do so much more.

Did you know you’re helping us lay a foundation for our children?   There will come a time when the things you have done and the time you have given become part of a much larger plan and purpose for our children. 

You are a woman of influence.

Thank you for your dedication.  Thank you for serving in this most unique way.  Whether you spend time changing babies’ diapers, or coloring a picture of wee Zacchaeus in his tree for the thousandth time, you matter.  You are helping lay the foundation of Christ in our little ones.  You are showing them what service looks like, no matter the duty.  You are showing them dedication in the most beautiful way.

They won’t understand it…yet. 

But one day, one day, they will hold hands with their little ones and leave them in someone else’s hands so that they can go worship.  They will have the privilege of taking a few moments to themselves to breathe and reboot just as we do.  They will have the privilege because of you.  Because you helped their parents learn how to raise godly children.  And it will trickle down the generations.  The little ones who noses you wiped, and who you taught all those Bible songs to, now they are warriors for Jesus. 

And so for that and so much more, this mama can’t thank you enough. 

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Celebrating One Year of ITBL

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of this blog ministry.  I sincerely can't believe a year has gone by!  This blog started in my heart long before I ever typed a single word on the computer. I can still remember the fear that I felt hitting post for the first time. 

Will anyone read it?

 

What if what I write doesn't make sense?

 

 

What if this isn't what God called me to do?

 

 

I had written so many posts and devotionals in my head while driving in my car it was ridiculous.  I know they often say that as a writer the moment you have a thought you should write it down, but not while driving right?!  But I did need to find the courage to finally publish my writing.  Especially because I feel that writing as a ministry is what God called me to do as one of His sheep.

 

 

The first devotional I ever hit post on was on the topic of fear.  I myself was battling with the fear of rejection at the time; battling with the fear that my thoughts and my calling would be rejected by others. 

 

I've read so many posts by other great bloggers that say that you should never blog for anyone but yourself.  It should be your thoughts, your message, an outlet for yourself.  If someone happens to read it, then great!  If not, oh well.  While I agree with that to some extent, here's why I disagree slightly to that thought process.

 

 

I write for you. 

 

 

Photo Credit: The Writer's Coin

 

 

You. 

 

You sitting on the other side of the computer screen right now. 

 

I write about things that I think you've been through.  I write about things that I think you'll go through.  I write for you because I know what's it like to read someone else's words and feel like they're talking directly to you.  That feeling is one of the many reasons I started this blog ministry. 

 

I don't want to shy away from writing about the hard stuff because life as we know it, isn't always sunny.  Everything and I mean EVERYTHING I write about has a piece of my heart in it because I am drawing from something personal.  I may not always know why I'm challenged to write what I write, that is all God, but I do know that He has you, the reader, reading those words for a reason. 

 

I want to write about topics like fear, trust, and control because those are topics that in my Christian walk I deal with all the time.  I want you on the journey with me. 

 

 

When I was little I wrote a short story called "The Magic Lunchbox."  It was about a boy who was transported into a time warp to "Healthy Food Land."  No, I'm not making this up.  (Insert laughter here)  It was short and sweet.  It had a positive message.  And yes, I illustrated it as well.  And no, you can't see my wonderful drawings!  (Feel free to laugh here too.)

 

I can assure you that I won't be writing any posts about being transported to a healthy food land, but I can assure you that with every piece I write, I think of you. 

 

 

I'd like to take a moment and say thank you to all of you on the other side of the screen.  Thank you for reading my words.  Thank you for commenting on my posts and allowing me to realize that my words are read. But mostly, thank you for allowing me to live out my calling and sharing that  journey with me.     

 

 

 

Are there topics you want to see more of on this blog?

 

Feel free to leave a comment, or send me a private e-mail (check out the contact me section) and let me know.  I want to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

Here's to many more posts and many more years Into the Beautiful Life!

 

 

Blessings,

Amanda

 

     

 

 



 

 

 



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Within My Soul It's Stirring

I took a break from blogging and writing after my husband Brian and I found out we were expecting our first baby.  {Screams with excitement!}  We just decided to spend some time taking in the news and sharing with family and friends.  I also didn't have the energy to do much of anything!   But I've got a lot of new ideas up my sleeve and I'm ready to get back into writing.  Here's my newest post on feeling Holy Spirit stir in our hearts. 

It was there.  I could feel it.  It wasn’t going away.  Send her a message and tell her.  Don’t push this aside, do it now.  The feeling wasn’t going away. Do it now.  But she’s probably busy and won’t answer back.  It doesn’t matter, tell her anyway. 

“Hey girl. 

I just wanted to let you know what a blessing you are. You can get through anything.  You’re one of the strongest people I know. I love you.”  

“Thank you girl.”  

It was all she said back, but she didn’t need to say another word.  The past few months had been difficult and she had been so strong through it all.  But that morning I just felt like I needed to tell her that.  I went on about my day, but kept my precious friend in the back of my mind.

Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit urge you to do something?  Urge you to make a call, send an e-mail, or visit someone you haven’t seen in awhile?

Some call it ESP.  Some call it chance.  But for me, it’s the Holy Spirit all the way.  There are times when the Holy Spirit begins turning in our hearts, guiding us to take action for something or someone.

 A little over a year ago, several tornadoes caused utter devastation among our small community.  Some lost everything they had and the community felt helpless as our citizens tried to pick up the pieces of their lives in the following days and weeks.  But then something happened. Neighbors pitched in to clean up the surrounding devastation.  Goods were donated and fundraisers started to help the families who had lost so much.  The presence of God was undeniable.

 The Holy Spirit moved us as a community.

So, how do you know it’s the Holy Spirit?

Well, I can only answer that question through my own perspective.  For me, it feels like a tug on my heart.  It’s almost as if something is stirring in me, though I have no idea what or for what reason.  The text I sent that morning to my friend wasn’t for me.  It was a message through me, but something she must have needed to hear.  I’m not sure.  God laid it on my heart to show her that I loved her and that more importantly, He loved her.

Another example?

For months I battled {and yes I use the word battled because I certainly did} with the call to begin writing as a ministry.  As a young girl I loved to write short stories and poems, but as an adult that desire went deeper.  This time, I felt God telling me to turn my passion into a ministry. It was like something that wouldn’t leave me alone, in a good way!

Once I finally realized and obeyed God’s call, it was like a weight lifted from my shoulders.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

I can only share with you how it feels for me.  For you, it may feel totally different.

Maybe you’ve felt the Holy Spirit urging you to consider a special calling, or to make a new change in your life?

Maybe it’s offering to pay for someone else’s groceries at the grocery store?  It could be sending a simple text or e-mail to a friend or loved one to remind them how much we care for them.  At the end of the day, it may not be us that God is trying to reach; we may just be a messenger of His love to another person.

And sometimes God is trying to reach us.  To show us a different perspective, to tell us to let go of something that’s hindering our walk with Him, to forgive someone for a wrongdoing.  Only you can know.

The world of the generous gets larger and larger;

the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;

those who help others are helped.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (The Message)

I would love for you to share with me some things you have felt the Holy Spirit guide you to do.  Big or small, I would love to hear them all!

Blessings friends,
Amanda

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