Exodus chapter four, verses 18 through 20 (NLT) read, “So Moses went back home to Jethro, his father-in-law. ‘Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt,’ Moses said. ‘I don’t even know if they are still alive.’ ‘Go in peace,’ Jethro replied. Before Moses left Midian, the Lord said to him, ‘Return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you have died.’ So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to the land of Egypt. In his hand, he carried the staff of God.”

After many excuses, much protesting, and attempting to recommend someone else for what God desired for him to do, Moses finally complied to being the sent one. It is essential to note that Moses could not lead the Israelites out of Egypt if he did not first comply. In other words, Moses had to, first, be obedient to the voice of the Lord. He had to give himself up. He had to submit to the duties of being the sent one. He had to rely solely on God’s leading of his vessel in order to effectively lead the people out of bondage. I pray that this is making sense to you because we can be called, sent, anointed, and gifted; but we can still miss God’s mark if we are not hearing and obeying His voice.

I love how the Lord comforted Moses by telling him everyone who desired to kill him had died. I can only imagine how Moses possibly felt knowing he had to return to the very place he had escaped from. I can only imagine his thoughts as he possibly considered facing the people seeking to kill him. And I can only imagine the possible relief Moses felt hearing the Lord essentially inform him he had no reason to worry about facing death or the people he had escaped from. And friend, the Lord does this very thing for us today. I’ll give you a personal example. At one point in my life, I had left a particular church house and had no desire to return to it for several reasons. Holy Spirit led me to drop in one day as I was parked outside of it waiting to meet my mother. I felt uneasy because I did not know how I would feel or how the people would respond. But I was obedient. Needless to say, they were very happy to see me, congratulated me on my accomplishments, and engaged in a good conversation with me. When I left, I felt a release of the emotions I had harbored since leaving that church. God led me back to that place knowing everything which would occur including the release I did not even know I needed. Although I did not receive the type of comfort Moses did prior to dropping in; I felt it as soon as I was met with a smile and a hug. Let’s get back to Moses!

We read about Moses’ response of “yes” via his actions. The scripture does not mention Moses uttering a yes to the Lord. The scripture does mention Moses requesting release from his father-in-law before packing up his family. Friend, we must not only utter a “yes”, but we must also back up our “yes” with our actions (obedience). The scripture, in any translation, only mentions Moses packing up his family. We do not read of him taking any possessions other than the donkey his family rode on. But we do read about him having something else in his hand; it was the staff of God. The staff in this passage of scripture represented the divine power of God. God would utilize what was once a shepherd’s rod as a tool to manifest miraculous signs. The divine power of God is manifested in today’s times via Holy Spirit. Friend, I pray that as you comply to being the sent one, you possess the divine power of God just as Moses did. Holy Spirit is the necessity, and you must possess Holy Spirit as a sent one. You must be obedient to Holy Spirit as a sent one. You must be led by Holy Spirit as a sent one. You must realize that it is I AM who sends and empowers you via HOLY SPIRIT.

God created you with purpose. God created you as a solution to things/people in the earthly realm. God created you to be a vessel for His divine power to manifest through. Just as He sent Moses, He is desiring to send you. How will you respond?

Exodus chapter three, verses seven through 11 (NLT) read, “Then the Lord told him, ‘I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of my people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt’. But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’”.

Considering the events which had occurred since Moses’ adoption by Pharaoh’s daughter up until the above-mentioned verses, I understand Moses’ response to God in that last verse. The height of those events included: Moses murdering an Egyptian slave driver, Pharaoh desiring to kill him as punishment, and Moses escaping death by fleeing from Egypt to Midian. When we come to the above-mentioned passage of scripture, Moses was having an encounter with God via a burning bush. The Lord told Moses that He saw the oppression of His people, heard their cries, was aware of their suffering, and CAME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM. {Side-note: How encouraging this is to those of you who feel unseen, unheard, and weary. He sees! He knows! And He will respond at an appointed time.} Can you believe God’s rescue plan for His people included using Moses? Yes! Moses, the same man who, as a baby, was ordered to be killed by Pharaoh. Moses, the same man who, as a baby, was rescued and later adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses, the same man who had murdered an Egyptian slave driver. Moses, the same man who, as an adult, fled to escape death at the hands of Pharaoh. Moses, the same man who was already out of Egypt and living in another land. Yes! That Moses! So God desired to send a murderer on the run back to the very place he was running from to command the very person who desired to take his life to set the Israelite slaves free. WHAT A GOD-LIKE RESCUE PLAN!!

Friend, the Lord stated that HE had come down to rescue His people, right? But considering He planned to utilize a person, I would’ve expected that He would’ve selected the most upright, skilled person at that time. But I thank God that He exceeds my expectations. Moses’ past, lack of experience, issue with speech, lack of confidence, and every other self-disqualifying factor made him the perfect person to be sent. The factor that outweighed all of Moses’ rebuttals is the initial portion of verse 12 when God told Moses that He would be with him. Friend, the very same thing is true for you! God knows you entirely, and He has selected you as the sent one! Could it be that you are Heaven’s solution to an earthly problem? Could it be that God has selected you as the sent one to a group of people who are oppressed at the hands of modern-day Pharaoh-like systems? Why haven’t you accepted your selection? Why haven’t you moved yet? Why won’t you rest in knowing that God will always be with you?

I encourage you on today to accept that you are the sent one and truly yield your vessel to the Lord’s commands. I must also add, don’t miss your moment of escape due to looking at the faces of people that may be sent by God.

Will you be the sent one?

Exodus chapter one verse 12 is our key verse for this posting, and it reads, “But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became” (NLT).

When we come to this verse in Exodus chapter one, the new king of Egypt had devised a plan to oppress the Israelites due their growth. He viewed their growth as a potential threat fearing they would join forces with their enemies causing them to be overtaken. He also feared the Israelites would flee the country after assisting the potential enemies with the overtaking of Egypt. The king’s main objectives were to wear the Israelites down and stop their growth; he set out to do this by making them slaves and forcing them to work under harsh slaver drivers and within harsh conditions. But as we read in our key verse, his plan did not work. Despite the harsh slaver drivers and brutal labor, the Israelites continued to multiple and spread.

As we continue to read chapter one, we note the king did not stop after his first plan failed. Next, he instructed the midwives delivering the Israelite women’s babies to kill all male babies as soon as they were born. But there were two women by the names of Shiphrah and Puah who refused to obey the king’s orders due to their fear of God. When confronted by the king, the women stood their ground. Due to this, God was good to the women, AND the Israelites CONTINUED TO GROW more and more powerful.

The king devised yet another plan by issuing an order to all of the people to throw the newborn Hebrew boys into the Nile River. A baby boy was born to Jochebed, an Israelite woman; she knew her son was special and kept him hidden after his birth. When she could no longer hide him, she placed him in a basket and into the Nile River. Her placement was strategic! The boy’s sister, Miriam, watched as the basket containing her brother drifted down the river straight into the area where Pharaoh’s daughter bathed. When she saw the basket, she sent her attendants to retrieve it. Upon seeing the baby boy, she knew he belonged to an Israelite woman. Miriam had witnessed this and approached the princess asking if she should go find an Israelite woman to nurse the child. She replied with a yes, so Miriam went to retrieve her mother. Not only did Jochebed receive her son back to take home and nurse, but she was paid to do so! When the boy was older, his mother brought him back to the princess who adopted him and named him Moses for she had “lifted him out of the water”.

Friend, it does not matter what odds you are up against, what attack you are under, what the circumstances look like, what your emotions are telling you, what you think you have lost, what you are being oppressed by, who is attempting to hold you stagnant, who does not support your growth, or how your “king of Egypt” is attempting to wear you out and stop your growth. I know that Jesus has overcome every principality and worker of darkness. I know that His blood has all power and is able to break any stronghold and cause the forces coming up against you to be rendered powerless. I know that He sees you just as He saw the children of Israel being mistreated by the Egyptians. I know that He gave the Israelites the strength to press through those harsh conditions and the mistreatment. I know that His plan prevailed, and the king’s plans failed. I know that He was working through the midwives to save the Hebrew babies’ lives. I know that He instructed Moses’ mother to act at the right time and caused the princess to be in the right place. I know that He touched the princess’ heart to the point that she did not even consider what her own father had ordered. I know that He was Jehovah Jireh to Moses’ mother as she was paid to care for her own child. I know that no matter what the king of Egypt planned, God had a counter plan! His plan was set and not even the king of Egypt could alter it. For God knew Moses would be born to lead a people out of bondage just like you were. God knew that the people being suppressed were destined for freedom and would inherit a Promised Land just like you are.

My question to you is: will you grow more and more despite the harsh conditions and oppressive forces coming up against you? Will you allow people, situations, wrong timing, or other conditions to stop your growth in God? Friend, this is a fixed fight, and God has already won! You will grow more and more as God’s plan continues to unfold. You can’t be stopped! Press through this. Don’t lose your faith. You are trained to possess a Promised Land! TTYL!

Have you ever been in a situation and encountered someone who knew what you were going through without you telling them? Have you ever prayed to God for an answer which was brought to you by a stranger? Have you ever desired a need to be met and received what you needed from someone without asking? Let’s talk about El-Roi!

In Genesis chapter 16, we read about Sarai, Abram and Hagar. Abram was married to Sarai, and the Lord had promised them they’d have a son. Sarai, due to her inability to conceive and her impatience, devised a plan to give her servant to her husband. Abram agreed with his wife’s plan, married the servant, and produced a child. The servant began to dislike Sarai and treat her badly. So Abram instructed Sarai to handle the situation however she pleased; so she began to treat her servant so harshly that she ran away. {Take note that I intentionally described Hagar as “servant” instead of by her name. When you read the scriptures, you will note that when Sarai and Abram referred to Hagar, they used “servant” as well.}

Genesis chapter 16, verses seven and eight read, “The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,’ she replied.” This encounter with the angel of the Lord is the first time that Hagar is addressed by her name. Not only was she addressed by her name, she was described as “Sarai’s servant” which was her identifying factor at that time. Hagar was not well known or high ranked within the social system. She did not possess the riches and wealth of her master. She had been given away to a man to conceive a child as if she was a piece of property. BUT THE ANGEL OF THE LORD FOUND HER!

Genesis chapter 16, verses 11 and 13 read, “And the angel of the Lord also said, ‘You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress’; thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me (El-Roi)’.” Not only did the angel of the Lord find Hagar in the wilderness, He confirmed her pregnancy, named her son, and reassured her that the Lord had heard her cry of distress. THE LORD SAW HAGAR AND RESPONDED!

The angel of the Lord found Hagar pregnant, in the wilderness, and on the run from her master. Hagar was not only risking her life, but she was also risking her unborn child’s life. And maybe you have found yourself in a condition with circumstances which appear to be unbearable just as Hagar did. Maybe you have ran or are desiring to run into the wilderness in an attempt to escape the circumstances. Maybe you have not considered that you are pregnant with purpose and running away into the wilderness could cause death to your purpose and yourself. Maybe you have not considered that God sees you; He cares about you; He has heard your cry of distress; and He will respond to your cry. Maybe you just need a reminder that no matter what situation you are in and where the journey of life has brought you, God sees you and is able to deliver you. Instead of running away from your situation and circumstances, RUN TO EL ROI!! Friend, Hagar only needed to know that God saw her! She only needed a word from the Lord! After the encounter with the angel of the Lord, she returned to her master! My friend, this is your word from the Lord, “I see you, and I will respond!” TTYL!

*DISCLAIMER: The author of this posting does not suggest or recommend staying in environments, situations, or circumstances which are abusive. The author does not promote verbal, physical, sexual, financial, discriminatory, emotional, psychological, institutional, domestic, or any other manners of abuse. If you are in an abusive situation or environment, the author encourages you to seek help and exit safely. The author desires for you to know that despite the conditions, God sees you and is able to provide a way of escape for you!

Acts 5: 12-29 (NLT) reads, “The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area of Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits and they were all healed. The high priests and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, ‘Go to the temple and give the people this message of life!’ So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. When the high priests and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, ‘The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!’ When the captain of the Temple guards and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. Then someone arrived with startling news: ‘The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!’ The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. ‘We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!’ he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!’ But Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority’.”

I would like to highlight specific points within this passage of scripture for you to consider:

(1) The apostles were empowered by Holy Spirit while performing these signs and wonders.

(2) Although the people had high regard for the apostles, they dared not join them. Unfortunately, they wanted the manifestations of Holy Spirit without association with Holy Spirit-empowered vessels.

(3) More and more people believed in Jesus due to the apostles’ teachings.

(4) The high priests and Sadducees became so jealous that they arrested the apostles and placed they in jail.

(5) THE ANGEL OF THE LORD RESCUED THEM and gave them instruction to go back to the Temple to teach the Good News. There are no details as to which route of escape the apostles took or where they were in between the time they were rescued and daybreak, BUT THE LORD PROVIDED A WAY.

(6) The apostles were OBEDIENT despite the threat that had come up against them and the possible future consequences of their obedience to God’s instructions.

(7) The entire council assembled to witness and engage in the trial of the apostles, but they were left stunned when the apostles weren’t in the place that they had confined them to (the jail).

(8) The high priests accused the apostles of being disobedient to the instructions they had provided to them which included to never teach in Jesus’ name.

(9) Due to the apostles’ obedience to God’s instructions, all of Jerusalem was filled with the teachings of Jesus.

(10) The apostles stood their ground and declared to the very people who could’ve issued them severe punishment that they must be obedient to God rather than human authority.

During Jesus’ ministry, He prophesied to the apostles revealing that they would suffer persecution, death, beatings, and misfortune due to serving Him and being obedient to His instructions. This particular passage of scripture was fulfillment of one of Jesus’ prophesies. The apostles were only teaching the Good News and allowing the Holy Spirit to use them to perform miracles that would cause the people to believe. Why would the people hearing the teaching and receiving the miracles be so afraid of the high priests and Sadducees to the point of not openly supporting the apostles? Why would the high priests and Sadducees become so jealous of men teaching in the name of Jesus? How could being obedient to Jesus’ instructions land the apostles in jail and on trial? They were not doing anything “wrong”. They were simply being obedient.

Friend, how could you end up here in this place when you only gave God a “yes”? How could people walk away from you for surrendering your life to Him? How could people not support the transformation occurring within you via Holy Spirit’s power? How could your obedience to God’s instructions cause you to be confined by human authority figures? How could human authority figures be so jealous of Holy Spirit working within you that they attempt to confine you to a place where Jesus has broken you out of?

I desire to charge you on today to honor God even if it means facing opposition from people. I desire to charge you on today to continue to walk in obedience to His instructions and Word. I charge you today to know that He will provide a way of escape for you just as He did for the apostles. I desire to charge you on today to take your eyes off of the “confinement” and human authority figures and SET THEM OF JESUS. I charge you today to suffer for His sake. Your obedience will be fruitful! Stay steadfast and unmovable just as the apostles did. TTYL!

Hebrews 10: 32-36 (NLT) reads, “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.”

God hijacked my morning routine one morning, and I considered it the best morning I’d ever had. I didn’t move according to my normal routine; instead, I was led a different route. I ended up in my prayer closet after entering into worship. I sat there, waiting on Holy Spirit to speak to me. I heard, “Wait”, and was led to the above mentioned verses. Let’s Talk!

The points which were most impactful to me as I read that passage of scripture included:

1. Think back and remember.
2. Remain faithful through the suffering.
3. The conditions won’t always be favorable.
4. You will lose some things and people.
5. Accept the losses with joy.
6. Better things are waiting on you.
7. Continue to confidently trust in the Lord.
8. Endure patiently!
9. Continue to do God’s will.
10. You will receive all that He has promised.

Friend, there will be suffering, losses, and unfavorable conditions which you will have to go through during your walk with Christ. These circumstances are unavoidable, but there is HOPE! IF you continue to trust in the Lord, endure with patience, and continue to do God’s will, YOU WILL RECEIVE ALL THAT HE HAS PROMISED YOU!! My only encouragement for you today is for you to patiently endure during the unfavorable conditions KNOWING that there is a reward on the other side! Ttyl!

According to Google’s AI overview, unity can be defined as “the state of being one or whole, often through harmony, agreement, or a shared purpose, where separate parts form a complete, functioning entity”. Unity “emphasizes agreement, concord, and togetherness, often for a common purpose”, and it also represents “oneness in mind, purpose, or form”. According to the Word, one of the unifying factors for believers is Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:3-4). Let’s Talk!

After the great flood, God gave instructions to Noah, his family, and the living creatures saved from the flood to be fruitful and multiple so the earth could be replenished. The descendants of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, as well as the animals set out to do just that. In Genesis chapter 11, we read about a group of people migrating to the east, finding a plain in the land of Shinar, and settling there. We read that the people spoke the same language and agreed on one goal: to build a great city for themselves. They desired to build a tower within this city as well. This tower was projected to reach into the sky, make them famous, and keep them from being scattered all over the world. BUT GOD! We read that He saw their unity and knew that because of it, they would be able to accomplish anything they set out to do so He confused their language. As a result of this, the people stopped building the city and tower and scattered all over the earth. And with that, God’s original plan for them to replenish the earth proceeded.

As mentioned above, the people became unified, made a plan, and began to successfully execute that plan. The issue was that the people were unified IN REBELLION to God’s plan. While they desired to settle in that certain area, God desired for them to spread out across the earth. While they desired to be made famous in that area, God desired for them to be free of pride and known throughout the land. Their desire to work at making their own plans successful overshadowed the fulfillment of God’s plan for them. This caught His attention resulting in Him coming down and confusing the very thing they needed to execute their plans: communication via language. He knew that if they couldn’t communicate utilizing the same language, they would become divided and unsuccessful.

Unfortunately, we tend to develop our own plans and strategies just as the people in Genesis chapter 11 did. We tend to move more effortlessly with people with commonalities than we move with Holy Spirit. When we notice division within our family units, households, friend groups, church homes, workplaces, and any other setting, we automatically place the blame on the devil or others who do not possess commonalities with us. Why don’t we consider that we may have caught God’s attention due to our rebellion? Why don’t we consider that He may be confusing the language in an attempt to redirect our attention back to His plan instead of one’s we’ve agreed upon? Why don’t we consider division as a prompting to check ourselves? Why don’t we view division as a catalyst for realignment with God’s plan? Friend, there are times when God has to get our attention in a manner that is unconventional. You may be wondering if God would do such a thing. Yes, He would as an act of grace and mercy for His children who have become unified in rebellion versus unified by His Spirit. It is mandatory that we know and fulfill God’s plans rather than our own. For it is written in Proverbs chapter 16 verse nine that we can make our own plans, but the Lord determines our steps! Ttyl!

First Kings 6:7 (NLT) reads, “The stones used in the construction of the Temple were finished at the quarry, so there was no sound of hammer, ox, or any other iron tool at the building site.”

When we come to this particular verse in the Scripture, we are in the midst of a description of the Temple which King Solomon built to honor the Lord. Verses one through six and eight through 36 provide a very detailed description of this Temple. So when Holy Spirit guided me to verse seven, I was intrigued. Why was verse seven so essential to be mentioned in the midst of the descriptive verses? Why wasn’t a verse like this placed in chapter five where we read about the preparations which occurred for the building of the Temple? Let’s Talk!

As we know, stones are used as both foundational and supportive materials. In this Scripture, we learn that the stones utilized to build the Temple were prepared at a different site from the actual building site: the quarry. So what was the quarry? In my research, I found that it was a place where stones were not only finished but also extracted and prepped. At this site, you could witness men focused on the work at hand ensuring they were precise during the process of cutting the stones out, shaping them into the correct measurements, washing them, and polishing them. Once the stones were finished, they were transported to the building site of the Temple. The stones did not require any further modifications once they reached the Temple; they were simply placed in their respective places.

After gaining that knowledge, I viewed the quarry as a construction site raving with men working, loud noises, and tools scattered about. I imagined this place as being unkept and dirty… kind of like our hearts. I imagined the Workman (Holy Spirit) carving out the hurt, pain, trauma, arrogance, fleshly desires, haughtiness, entitlement and other stones out of our hearts. I imagined Him taking those things and cutting them, shaping them, washing them, and polishing them into marvelous testimonies of His glory while filling the place they were extracted from with His fruit. I imagined the precision He uses during the process ensuring that the finished stones are as the Cornerstone; the Cornerstone which was rejected and used to be the foundational support for the erecting His Temple. I imagined the crying out of our flesh and soul as well as the potential pain of the suffering we endure during this process of being prepared. I imagined a “Construction Zone” sign plastered for all to see as they encounter us day after day noticing the subtle changes that are occurring from within. Then I imagined Him considering every single detail of the blueprint He had already drawn out which noted the placement of each stone. I imagined how solid the foundation and supporting structure would be because the Master Builder built it Himself. I imagine Him adorning the Temple with beauty as He prepares it for The Ark of the Covenant to comfortably rest in its rightful place. I imagine the people admiring the completed Temple while not knowing or even considering the process it took to built it. I imagine how God must be in the quarry making the necessary preparations for the renovations needed within His Temple. I imagine this Temple being within me.

And as the renovations continue, I imagine this is what being His daughter entails: being less like myself and more like Him. My DNA being remade to match His. My mannerisms shifting from the one’s developed secondary to my environment to mimicking His. My thoughts becoming His thoughts, and my will transforming into His will. My flesh and soul realm being subject to His Spirit. His Spirit leading and guiding me. Friend, you are His Temple. And truth be told, you may be in need of some renovations just like I am. Let’s surrender to the process, patiently endure, and remain hopeful for we know even this is working out for our good! Just imagine the masterpiece that is coming forth! Ttyl!

A while ago, I came across a quote by Ruth Schwenk which stated, “God is in control. He has promised to guide and direct your steps.” It was a very on time reminder which I quickly screenshot and saved as my lock screen’s screensaver. Everyday, multiple times a day, I read that quote as well as her name. It wasn’t until the last few days that I began to think, “Who is Ruth Schwenk?” As I finished my dinner tonight, I had that thought again so I Googled her. A blog website, titled thebettermom.com, appeared with a subtitle which reads, “Inspiring Moms to Become Better Moms One Day at a Time”. I quickly read her welcome message before searching her site and clicking on a posting titled, “When Motherhood has you Worn and Weary.” Because if truth be told, that was exactly how I had been feeling earlier today. As I continued to read the posting, I came across an image which read, “Raise your children on your knees.” At first, I was reminded of a time when God had told me to pray for strategies to raise my children. Next, I heard, “You can just be My daughter. I’ll teach you how to do the rest.” I, in the middle of a crowded restaurant, felt overwhelmed with emotion as tears began to run down my face.

I retreated to my car still crying and feeling overwhelmed. After wearing all of these hats and titles, attempting to juggle them, searching for strategies to improve my functioning within them, becoming overwhelmed, feeling weary, and feeling burdened all while crying out to God, I felt a sense of freedom. With those two sentences, the roles and titles I was attempting to uphold were minimized into mere tasks to be performed under the direction of my Heavenly Father. What a relief! The thoughts began to form: “So all I have to do is be Your daughter? Then you will teach me? What do you mean by be Your daughter? What will I have to do? I noticed myself feeling child-like before the next set of thoughts formed: You know how to be a daughter because you are naturally a daughter. You have a natural father whom you love, honor, admire, obey, respect, care for, and look up to. You also have a Heavenly Father whom you feel the same feelings towards. Although your earthly father did not meet all of your expectations and desires, your Heavenly Father continues to exceed them both. Next, I began to think of areas in which I desired my natural father to be more active in; those thoughts quickly faded as I remembered how my Heavenly Father’s hand had moved and continues to move covering those areas of lack. The tears came to a halt. My emotions were overtaken by a sense of peace. And I accepted the invitation to give Him all of these hats and roles in exchange for just being His daughter. To be continued…