by Amy Spear | Jan 4, 2017
I don’t mean to brag, (well ok, maybe just a little) but I have the cutest nephew in the world! And he is going to change the world if he keeps hugging that oh so special present he got this Christmas!
Christmas morning, we woke up rushed to our stockings and Christmas tree and ripped open those long-awaited presents. It takes 10 times as long to shop for and wrap each present as it does to open and play with them, but hey, that’s a part of a mother’s job (and Santa’s)! After quickly opening our presents we rushed to get ready for church. Yep, Christmas was on a Sunday this year, and like many of you we rushed off to our place of worship.
As we sat there in our seats, my 4-year-old little nephew comes and plops down right beside me. Smiling as big as his face would let him, he loudly whispered, “Look at my new Bible Amy! I got it for Christmas!” He was so proud of his new gift that undoubtedly weighed almost as much as he did.
“That is amazing Andrew! Let me see!”
We flipped through the pages for a few minutes to get the full scope of how cool his new gift really was. I couldn’t help but notice how the excitement for his new Bible never wore off through the entire service. He held it right in front of him every time we stood up, he cradled it in his lap when we sat down, and he flipped through the pages when the pastor (his Papa) was preaching.
This sweet little boy made me pause and reflect:
“Lord, help me cherish Your word like that! Remind me of how precious it is to have Your Living Word in my hands, that I can hold it close to my heart and it (You) excite my soul.”
My soul longed for Andrew. For him to fall in love with God’s word, for him to always cherish his new Bible the way he was at the moment, for him to realize what a precious gift he had truly received.
Watch out world! If this 4-year-old does that, he will change this world! He will be a person God could use to speak to a lost generation; he could be a daddy who loves his children and passes God’s word on to them; he could be a lawyer who stands for real truth and justice; he could be a high school kid who stands firm in the wake of trials and temptations; he could be someone who shines the light of Christ in a dark world; he could… be used by God.
Do you want to be used by God this new year? I know I do.
Then may we cherish His Word more this year than we did last year! May we get excited to read and study it! May we show others, as Andrew did, the joy we have found in God’s Holy Word.
May we pursue His Word more in 2017 than we did in 2016, because that is a Worthy Pursuit!
by Amy Spear | Dec 13, 2016
In the midst of name calling, slamming doors and yelling, my mom would remind me and my sisters that one day we would be best friends. Staring angrily at each other’s eyes while sticking our tongues out when mom turned her back, as if to say, “Yeah, right! As if!”
But guess what? Mom was right! My sisters are my best friends and I would do absolutely anything for each of them! (I have three!) We experienced life together; we were a part of each milestone in life together, and we can truly be ourselves with each other.
As I went to college, God saw fit to continue to surround me with amazing women. He placed a group of friends in my life whom, once again I got to share life with. We lived in the same sorority house for four years and spent countless hours talking, laughing, studying, watching that oh-so-drama-filled TV show, and did I mention, studying?!
Never again will I be able to live with my three sisters or my group of college friends. Never again will I be able to spend that much time with someone other than my children and husband.
As I sat and did my quiet time recently, God reminded me that my friendships were so close and meaningful with my sisters and friends because of all the time I spent with each one of them. Time talking with them, getting to know them, asking deep and meaningful questions, getting to know their personalities, what makes them tick, what is most important to them, what their pet peeves were.
In God’s sweet subtle way, He reminded me of the time He longs to spend with me.
How He waits during that allotted time we have together. Whether I show up or not, He is there waiting for me. My burning desire is to know Him more and more, but how can I do that if I don’t spend time in prayer and in the Word? If I want to know more about who He is, to know the deep things of His word, to ask meaningful questions that I long to have answers for, to know more of His personality, to know what makes Him tick, I must be willing to set aside some time! Time is what makes deep meaningful relationships.
How much time are you giving God? I know, I know, we are so busy! Trying to figure out how to give God time seems to be a problem. I’m being serious! I have a hard time trying to fit my quiet time in with Him every day! Other things seem to press in and the call of the urgent over shadows the call of the Patient One.
Yet, it’s not a problem for God to give us time. He waits for us every day.
As we rush around getting our to-do lists done, He waits. As we spend time with others, He waits. As we watch our favorite show, He waits. As we ……., He waits.
Let’s vow to not make Him wait anymore! Let’s answer His call, the God of the Universe who sent His son to die on a cross for you and for me, and spend time with Him today!
Father, forgive me for all the times I have made you wait. I long to know you more. I long to have a deeper relationship with you. Time seems to be my enemy most days. Help me to prioritize You first Lord and everything else will fall into place. Thank you for calling to me. Today, I answer Your call.
by Amy Spear | Dec 6, 2016
My heart jumped as the little boy stood on a lightweight flimsy table.
“Jump!” said his daddy. “I will catch you. I promise.”
The mother in me wanted to yell, “No! Don’t do that on this concrete floor! He will bust his head open!”
But since they were complete strangers I thought it best to keep my mouth shut. Surely the daddy will catch him, right?
Stomp, stomp, stomp went his little feet as he worked his way to the edge of the table then….
Leaping into the air, a silence hung as a tried to watch without showing the disapproving emotion on my face that my heart was feeling.
“Yay! You did it!” exclaimed daddy with laughter and hugs.
Whew! Now I can breathe again.
As the landing ended in celebration, it seemed so silly for me to doubt that daddy’s love for his child. Once I saw that little guy wrapped in his arms with love and tenderness all my mothering worries disappeared.
Sometimes our Heavenly Father sets us on uncertain ground, and our footing wobbles back and forth. In that moment, our first reaction is to doubt. Will He really catch me before I fall? Does He know what’s best for me? This doesn’t look very safe! Trusting Him to catch us after we leap feels like the biggest trust exercise!
The thing I can’t get over is the excitement in which that little boy ran, right into the arms of his daddy. The one he trusts, the one who has always caught him, it must have been a game that had played a thousand times. He knew his daddy would catch him, so he just ran. He soared in the air with delight and joy, and when he landed in his daddy’s lap, they rejoiced!
Could we dare to fly into the arms of our Father? Could we be so bold as to run to the uncertainty and enjoy the ride, so when we land, we can rejoice and celebrate with our Daddy? Could we run because we know He will catch us like we have done a thousand times? Could we be so brave?
My prayer today is that we learn to soar. We trust the One who has always caught us. Not only do we take that leap of faith, but we enjoy the ride along the way, and then we celebrate when we land in the loving arms of our Father!
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31).
by Amy Spear | Oct 12, 2016
I hear it at least once a day, on the news, by friends or family, or my own inner voice, “This country is in big trouble.” No one seems to be happy with how the economy is, who is up for election, or how our country men are treating each other. We are in a slump as a nation, and it seems to be unanimous.
As a mom, I long to see my America thrive and succeed in this world. To be a country that stands for rights and liberties for all people. I long for individuals to be able to express their religious views with comfort and peace, for others to respect their right to do so. I want my children to esteem the leaders of our country and honor the office of president.
Yet, worry and anxious thoughts seem to be the norm when it comes to the future of our great nation.
As I stood in my kitchen scrambling eggs and sizzling bacon, a news anchor made a comment that has stuck with me, “We have survived bad presidents before.”
With the election for the 45th President of the United States just months away, this seems to be the current issue everyone is up in arms about. Who will it be? Will they do what we want? Do they have the right policies? Will they bring back the economy? Will they represent America like we need? What about foreign affairs and national security?
As the questions march on, so does the uncertainty of our future.
The statement by the news anchor reminded me that presidents come and go, and if we hang our hopes and future on one person, there will only be disappointment.
God’s Word is the only thing that lasts.
Jesus is the only hope for our country.
We aren’t in dire need of a new president; we are in dire need of an awakening to the sin in our own lives, to the sin this country is committing and to how we have forsaken our God.
Until we wake up to the truth, that we have offended a Holy God, our future will always be bleak and hopeless.
“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).
Friends, we must put our hope in things that are unseen, for the things that are seen will fade away, but the things that are unseen will last forever (2 Cor. 4:18).
Our country will sway and bend with the times, but our God will remain steadfast, a solid rock we can stand on. When we put our hope in Him, we don’t need to be fearful or anxious about tomorrow! We serve a God that will last, and that is what we put our hope in.
When it’s time to vote for a new president, go vote! But don’t put all your hope in them! Put your hope in the One who is ultimately in control and will outlast all things.
Father, Awaken our country to You, Lord. Awaken us to the sin we have committed against You. We fret and worry about the things that we see right in front of us, instead or fearing You and turning our thoughts to eternal things. Lord forgive us. We need you more than ever. You are ultimately in control, and we put our hope and trust in you, Lord. May your people be the light that shines in the darkness, which rests in Your peace and security. As the rest of the world shakes, may we show Your steadfastness. We love you, Father. May your presence be felt by all who turn towards You. Amen
by Amy Spear | Sep 7, 2016
“The sun is up, so I am up, so I must PLAY!”
Not only is this a line from Rosie’s favorite movie, Frozen, this seems to be her life motto right now. From the moment she wakes up until the moment I am pulling the covers up to her sweet little chin, she wants to play!
Play doesn’t make it on my to-do list very often. I wake-up and have a schedule to keep and chores to do and if I get a moment to breath, well that’s just a bonus. But since bubby and sissy, are at school all day, who do you think gets to “Play” with little Rose? Yep, you got it, me!
Honestly, it has been really good for me. Every time she asks me to play with her, there is a voice inside my head reminding me that “this too shall pass” and I need to make the most of every minute with her. I also realized that play is good for me! We all need to stop our work sometimes and celebrate through play.
My husband wrote a sweet little song for my oldest daughter when she was born, then he added a verse when Owen was born, and yet another when Rosie was born.
It goes like this,
“I love our baby Rosie Mae, Her smile brings joy to every day.
With tightly-wound, red flowing locks, She is our family’s giggle box.
I love my Rosie Mae I do, I love her such we stick like glue,
I love her such oh yes it’s true!”
It’s no coincidence that her verse describes laughter because when she is playing there is a whole lot of laughter and smiling and fun being had! She lights up the whole house with her high pitched squeals and giggles!
When was the last time you had fun, that you laughed with a friend “playing”. God reminds us in Genesis that there is a time for work and a time for celebrating. He created (worked) for 6 days, then on the 7th day he ceased working. He used that day to rest and celebrate that which He said was “good” and “very good.” He paused to enjoy his work and rejoice in it.
King Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3, that there is a time to weep but there is also a time to laugh, a time to mourn and time to dance. Psalms is full a joy and gladness by the poet, singing praises to a God that is every rejoicing over him.
So I ask again, when was the last time your laughter and smile lit a room up?
“Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice!” (Phil.4:4)
Joy is contagious! May those around you be drawn to Jesus because you enjoy and celebrate in this life that He has given you! Light the room up for Jesus and shine bright the love that He has given so freely to you!
In Him,
Amy