TobyMac “Speak Life”: Simple Gift Sunday

I’m up in the middle of the night wondering what God morsel God has for me.

Do you ever do that? 

Some things weigh heavy on my mind.

Our oldest son Joshua is getting married in just four months. At that time his fiance will have just graduated from college, and our son will still have at least a year and a half left with seminary (undergrad).

As a mama, I worry about how they will pay their bills, what happens if something unexpected comes up. I know hard financial times as the ever present shadow in our family.

Yet these struggles may be the path that keeps him on his knees before God, seeking favor and blessing on this new life with his bride.

They love Jesus. They simply adore each other.

But they’re still young with so much life yet to live. My protective mother side wants to swoop them back under our wings and let them grow separately just a few more months and years.

Yet we trained  Joshua to be a man,  fight a battle and love with all his heart.

How do we parent them and love them with all our heart, yet let go and step back, knowing the hardships that are coming?

The truth is we each have to trust God in different ways.

Our son has such a simple yet profound faith. Walking down the aisle of church at five years old he knew God and chose to follow Him.

No turning back.

At 11 years old God called him into ministry during a week at a church boys camp.

That call remains 10 years later.

Right now that call means marrying the life partner who will walk with him through ministry, difficult choices and life experiences together.

I want to save them from what I know is coming. Financial struggles as they work and finish school. Decisions on ministry opportunities.

I weep tonight, not only as I reflect on the pain that growing into a young man incurs, but with joy over these two precious young adults that are stepping out in faith where there will be daily, life changing obstacles in their path.

 

Joshua and Emmaline, we are so proud of who you are and the work of God in your lives.

We commit to walk through each valley and mountaintop with you, to support however God leads and to counsel you as opportunities arise.

Our love is unconditional.

We want to speak words of life into your hearts and minds. Truths that our 27 years of life together have taught us through both success and failure.

We want to walk beside you as you prepare for the foreign mission field in France, your heart’s dream these last three years.

I will grieve when you leave and pray for you every day you are gone serving God and loving His people.

I will be here to listen when the world is crushing in on you and Satan wants you to believe that God is not good.

Don’t ever doubt that. God is good. All the time.

Oh, God, protect our children’s hearts and show Yourself to these precious young people who are following you. Help me just be mom and love them even from far away when life demands.

I’ll love you forever

I’ll like you for always

As long as I’m living

my baby you’ll be.

For more of my Simple Gift Sunday posts go here. 

(If you are reading via email or reader simply click on the post title to view the video.)

Some days, life feels perfect.
Other days it just ain’t workin.
The good, the bad, the right, the wrong
And everything in between.

Though it’s crazy, amazing
We can turn a heart with the words we say.
Mountains crumble with every syllable.
Hope can live or die

So speak Life, speak Life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak Life.
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why.
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak…
You speak Life, (oh oh oh oh oh oh) You speak Life. (oh oh oh oh oh oh)

Some days the tongue gets twisted;
Other days my thoughts just fall apart.
I do, I don’t, I will, I won’t,
It’s like I’m drowning in the deep.

Well it’s crazy to imagine,
Words from our lips as the arms of compassion,
Mountains crumble with every syllable.
Hope can live or die.

So speak Life, speak Life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak Life.
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why.
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak…
You speak Life, (oh oh oh oh oh oh) You speak Life. (oh oh oh oh oh oh)

Lift your head a little higher,
Spread the love like fire,
Hope will fall like rain,
When you speak life with the words you say.

Raise your thoughts a little higher,
Use your words to inspire,
Joy will fall like rain,
When you speak life with the things you say.

Lift your head a little higher,
Spread the love like fire,
Hope will fall like rain,
When you speak life with the words you say.

So speak Life, speak Life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak Life.
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why.
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak…