This months MOPS speaker drove all the way from Kalamazoo, Michigan and are we so thankful she did! Sari Dolence spoke to us today about "Fearless Parenting," which continues our theme this year of "Be You, Bravely."
Is there such a thing as fearless parenting? Most moms can all agree that fear is an ongoing struggle in parenting. Sari shared Jeremiah 29:11 with us:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse is a common one used to encourage us in our walk through the struggles of life. However, Sari went on to focus on the word "hope" in this verse. She explained how the original Hebrew meaning of the word used in this verse for hope can be illustrated more deeply in another part of Scripture. We read in Joshua 2 about a Gentile prostitute named Rahab who hid Hebrew spies so that they wouldn't be captured and killed. The spies whom Rahab saves tell her to put a scarlet cord in her window and to gather her family into her house. When the Israelites would return to attack, they promised that by seeing the red cord hanging at her home, they would spare her and her family. The word used for "cord" in this passage also means an "expected hope." Rahab hung the read cord, meaning "hope," with an expectant hope of the promise given to her by the spies. She clung to this hope, which ultimately saved her life. As mothers, we too must have an expectant hope for our children. We must hopefully cling to the promises God has given us over our children's lives and trust that even through our failures, God's promises will be fulfilled. Sari blessed us with a prayer card and rope to remind us of this awesome truth!
Tape that card up and hang your rope somewhere you will see them, ladies! We need a daily reminder of the expectant hope God has provided mothers who trust in Him!
Three more valuable points Sari shared with us:
1. Fear is not wrong...it can motivate us into action. God has provided ways for us to Biblically handle and deal with our fears.
2. You are going to make mistakes. God can work thru and use even your mistakes!
3. God made NO mistake putting your kids in your household with you as their parent and he has a plan and a purpose for you and them.
"From one man (Adam) he made every nation, that they should inhabit the earth; and he (God) determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:26-27).
Our Creative Activity for the month were aprons! The ladies had lots of fun decorating them!
And our MOPS tees are in!
It was a fun meeting and we are looking forward to gathering together again next month. Start looking for those White Elephant gifts, ladies! See you in December!
