Details

Odds are either you or your spouse are detail oriented, but probably not both of you. Which can be cause for...um...interesting interactions at times. ;) There is no one, however, who pays greater attention to details than our Creator. God is the ultimate "detail person." Just look at the perfectly formed flowers, clothed in vibrant colors. Consider the majestic trees waving gracefully in the wind, and the vast starry sky on a clear night. Think about the brightly colored bugs in all their different shapes and sizes. God is absolutely amazing!


His creation declares His attention to details. In all His creation, however, nothing compares to the detail involved in the creation of human life. Talk about details! How long has it been since you studied human anatomy? Our bodies are truely remarkable, aren't they?


While nursing my four-month-old baby, I was made aware of God's careful attention to details. I began to notice all the wonderful little features that made my baby unique--his tiny, chubby fingers curled around mine, his perfect rosy lips pressed against my breast, his soft velvety head sprouting new hair, his squishy little legs, creased as if sectioned off by rubber bands, and his small fat toes resembling miniature peanuts. What an incredibly detailed creation!


As moms, we shuffle a tremendous number of details in our lives, don't we? Feeding schedules, laundry, doctor appintments, play dates, family meal planning, running errands, getting kids to their practices and games, etc. The list could go on and on.


I don't know about you, but I can easily get bogged down in all the details of my life. I grow overwhelmed as I try to stay in control of it all. I sometimes feel guilty asking God for strength or help in the midst of the chaos. After all, I created it, so I must handle it! Right?


Wrong. We shouldn't ever heistate to invite God in on the details of or days. He already knows them, and He cares enough to want to be a part of them. In Luke 12:6-7 it says,

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Why would God have mentioned that He knows the number of hairs on our heads if He didn't care about the details of our lives? Don't be afraid; come to Him with the details. You are worth more than any old sparrow! Include Him in the smallest details of your life, even those that may seem insignificant to you. Remember, He cares about the number of hairs on your head. You can't get much smaller than that!


Creator in heaven, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth. Nature shouts of Your attention to detail. I praise You and thank You! I am in awe of You as I gaze at the works of Your hands. I am humbled, Lord, to think that You care more about me than any other creted thing. Thank You for caring about the details of my life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificaant they may be. I need Your wisdom and direction today. I want the details fo my life to line up with Your plans and purposes for me. For it is Your plans (details) that will prevail (Proverbs 19:21). Thank You, Father, that I can come to You just as I am...through Jesus. Amen.

From Sharon and Laurie's book Hold You, Mommy

Sometimes It Takes The Rain

It has been raining here for days. At first, I was thankful for the rain. We needed it desperately; however, after four days of it, I was ready to see the sun again. You see, the cloudy days had not only affected the weather, but my mood. I was feeling gloomy, unmotivated and overwhelmed. Satan was using the weather to discourage, distract and defeat me. (The 3 D's I know to watch for in my own life).


On Tuesday as I was taking care of Sharon's kids, Davis and Addison went out to play for a few minutes in between rain showers. To my surprise they quickly came back with a small bouquet of beautiful white flowers. With smiles on their faces, they said, "Look what we found!" I adored them, smelling the sweet fragrance they emitted (the flowers, not the boys!). Then I quizzed, "Where did you find these? They are beautiful! I've never seen them before." They replied, "They were outside in the grass! They are for you!"


Since I didn't know what they were, like any good mom, I told them to go ask the neighbor if she knew what they were. Sure enough, Mrs. Pam, our sweet neighbor, knows her flowers! She told them they were Rain Lilies which only come up after the ground is saturated with rain.


Wow! Did I ever need the reminder that God is faithful amidst the rain in my life. I shared with my children that even in the midst of a gloomy time, God is there, evident in His magnificent creation. Only when it rains can this flower be seen! Amazing!


Some of the most beautiful things come out of hard times in our lives. God wants to make something beautiful come from the rain in my life, if I will allow Him too.


Shortly after the flower incident, I began praising God, though the rain had not stopped. He helped me change my focus. So I ask you, "What is growing from the storms in your life? Is it discouragement, distraction and defeat (3 D's), or maybe bitterness, doubt and disappointment?" He wants to make something beautiful out of you and me, but it can only happen if we have our hearts and eyes turned to Jesus in the midst of the rain!

Romans 8:28 The Message
That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. 29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son.. . .31 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? 32 If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? 33 And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen?

Lord, You are amazing. Your handiwork is evidence of your faithfulness and love. Thanks for loving me and drawing me to Your side when I allow myself to be consumed by my rainy circumstances. Thank you for Rain Lilies, Lord! I love You!


Here's "Sometimes..."—an oldie, but a goodie—from Steven Curtis Chapman for your listening pleasure!