by Karen Kinnaird | Sep 5, 2018
I walked past that empty bedroom for two years. Each time I peered in, my heart broke more. Each item, perfectly in place, untouched. A ghost of a room representative of years of pain and a life that took a path that was different than expected. The bedsheets that weren’t turned down, the dresser drawers that remained closed, even the clean, dry towels taunted me.
How many sleepless nights did I slip in that dark room and sit on the bed crying out to God on behalf of my daughter? How many times did I sit in her chair and weep in her room, begging for Him to intervene? How many times did I pace in the room praying out loud, quoting Scripture for her return “home”? How many times did I scream out to Satan in anger and fear to loosen his grip on my family?
Handwritten Scripture promises hidden under the pillows, between the mattresses and laid on the desk offered me some peace that God had a plan and a purpose. Over time, painfully confessing that fear and worry dominated my faith, I began to surrender and trust that God truly was intervening in the life of my daughter.
Is your child’s bedroom empty? Is it a long-term hospital stay? Drug rehab? Jail? Runaway? Perhaps you’ve had to tell them they can’t come home…yet. The hole in your heart is large and painful. I don’t know your circumstances, but I do know these 4 truths gave me hope and peace amid this difficult time:
- Trust God’s plan. I am a firm believer that there is purpose in the pain. For believers, there is great comfort in knowing that everything that touches us passes through His hands first. In Red Sea Rules, Robert Morgan writes, “Our whole perspective changes when, finding ourselves in a hard place, we realize the Lord has either placed us there or allowed us to be there, perhaps for reasons presently known only to Himself.” God uses heartaches in this type of season to accomplish several things, but most likely, there is a plan and a process for that plan, not only for the child but for the parents as well. Spurgeon said it well, “If you can’t trust His hand, trust His heart.”
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
- Trust God’s timing. Give God time to accomplish what He needs to. He has a specific schedule, and it’s different than ours. In Waiting on God, Charles Stanley writes, “What we desire is often what the Lord has purposed and will provide for us. But timing is everything, and key puzzle pieces are falling into place as we wait. God is changing hearts and engineering circumstances we have no idea even exist. Therefore, the delays we face are not a denial of His promises; rather, they are an integral part of His strategy to arrange all the details and get us positioned for His excellent plan.” Trials need to run their course. They must accomplish what they were intended for. Even when you don’t see Him working, He is. We must wait, patiently.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him” (Lam. 3:22-24).
- Trust God’s unique deliverance. Not all prodigals come home, but many do. Not all return to their family’s home. Home is where the Lord wants them. Our hope and prayer is that they return home to the Lord and to a healthy, productive and fulfilling life; one that God will use in new and unexpected ways for His glory.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3: 5-6).
- Trust God’s provision. God really does see you. He really does know. He really does care. He really does answer prayer, and He has not forgotten you. The promise of His presence is unconditional. Not only is He with you, He’s with your child. This is a spiritual battle, and God is strong and mighty in the battle. He will fight for your family. Nothing is too hard for Him.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exo. 14:14).
Charles Stanley has also written, “You cannot wait upon God without learning to truly trust Him.” Mom, Dad, how long will it be before you trust Him? What will it take for you to trust Him? Will you seek to try everything in your power to change the situation only to be thrust into desperation and finally turn to Him? Why not surrender to His plan, His timing and His provision today?
My prayer for parents thrust into this difficult season is that in God’s perfect timing, you will watch while His plan gradually unfolds and in love and forgiveness, open your arms and welcome your child “home.”
This blog is written with permission of a precious young lady who is home – and back in her bedroom.
“It’s one thing to have faith to ask, it’s another thing to have the faith that waits for the answer.”
Jim Cymbala
by Karen Kinnaird | Aug 16, 2018
We’ve each been given one life. What are you doing with yours? What am I doing with mine? What are we doing that will outlive our lives?
Known for their passion for leaving a legacy, Oklahoma’s own Green family has added another book to their collection entitled Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy by mother-daughter team Jackie Green and Lauren Green McAfee. Jackie Green is cofounder of Museum of the Bible with her husband and Hobby Lobby president, Steve Green. She is an author, full-time homemaker, mother of six and grandmother of four. Lauren Green McAfee is a speaker, writer and corporate ambassador for Hobby Lobby. The writers weave their personal perspectives and experiences throughout the pages of the book.
Published by Zondervan in 2018, the book will inspire, encourage and even educate. Although written for women, men will not only enjoy the book but glean from the premise – challenging people to live their lives with intentionality and purpose, recognizing that our choices in everyday matters affect the legacy we leave for generations. Quoting James Dobson, the authors write, “Heritage is what you give to someone. Legacy is what you do in someone.”
The authors define legacy not as fame or finances but “the story of your life that lives on after you leave this earth”, noting that a woman of legacy “takes the long view with her sights set on the future.”
The book is divided into 12 legacy characteristics including courage, generosity, teaching, rescue and tenacity. Three short, powerful accounts of women are cited as examples from each characteristic ranging from Christian women in history, women of the Bible and women living today. Selections were made from different age groups, different parts of the world and different times. It was interesting to read the complete stories of many of the women I was vaguely familiar with but never had the opportunity to hear their full stories.
Some of my favorites included:
- The compassionate Sarah Bowling, daughter of Bible teacher Marilyn Hickey – Sarah founded Saving Moses, a humanitarian outreach focused on providing vital care for children five and under in some of the poorest and most desolate parts of the world. Saving Moses also provides Night Care Centers at no charge for the children of women trapped in the world of prostitution. Over time, many mothers are reached for Christ as a result of the love and care shown to their children.
- The influential Elizabeth Anne Everest, nanny, nurse and confidante of Winston Churchill – Her strong personal faith in God was the motivating factor in disciplining and discipling Churchill. She modeled the value and power of faith molding Churchill into a leader with divine purpose.
- The wise Queen Elizabeth II, longest reigning queen in Britain’s history – In the midst of a reign marked with world changes and family crises, the queen displayed wisdom and discernment; the fruit of a deep faith and trust in God.
Only One Life is easy to read, interesting and empowering. I encourage every woman to get a copy.
You will be challenged to “change your eyesight” and “only take the next step” towards choosing and establishing your own legacy that will shape generations to come. We’ve each been given one life. What are you doing with yours?
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is”
(Psalm 39:4)
by Karen Kinnaird | Jul 25, 2018
The woman was crazy. Anyone looking at her would think she had lost her mind! She was embarrassing herself! Why doesn’t she get a hold of herself?
She was a Canaanite woman. She was a mom whose young daughter was demon possessed. Her story is told in the book of Matthew. She describes her daughter as suffering greatly. From the crazy behavior she is displaying, we can assume she tried everything in her means to help her daughter. So what does she do? She goes against everything that is politically correct and culturally appropriate and approaches the One whom she knows can help.
She falls at His feet, cries out to Jesus and begs for mercy only to be met by the most unexpected and uncharacteristic response from Jesus. He does not answer. But Jesus always answers, doesn’t He? She was so annoying even the disciples urged Jesus to tell her to leave. So, she asks again only to be told by Him that He would not help her, that it would not be right to help her. But Jesus always helps, doesn’t He?
Only a crazy mom would do what she did next. In what seems like she is talking back and questioning His decision, she asks yet again. “Lord, help me!” Finally, Jesus responds, “Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted.” The crazy mom’s daughter was healed that very hour.
Perhaps Jesus was testing her. Perhaps He was using the situation as an opportunity to teach other lessons. He was not rejecting her but teaching that faith is available to all people. Great faith.
Our crazy mom displayed great faith by showing:
~ Desperation– She is not concerned about what’s appropriate. She doesn’t care if her makeup is messed up from her tears anymore. Her desperation cuts through pride and brings forth humility. Yet, even in this desperate state, she does not sin. She is still wise and exercises self-control.
~ Persistence– In the midst of being turned away by Jesus and the disciples, she asks three times. She is willing to be considered an interruption. She is willing to eat the crumbs off the floor. Willing to be seen as crazy.
Great faith pleases God. Great faith gets results.
The dictionary defines the informal form of the word “crazy” as intensely anxious or eager; impatient. If one of our children was demon possessed, would we be any less crazy than this woman? Of course not. But for many moms, the most difficult of life’s circumstances make us crazy. Our child’s age? Doesn’t matter. Situation? Doesn’t matter. Appears hopeless? Doesn’t matter.
Are you a crazy mom? Grandmother? Aunt? Don’t depend on your own plans and ability. Fall at Jesus’ feet, cry out to Him and beg for mercy. Pray with desperation and persistence. Keep asking, seeking and knocking. May Jesus say to you, “Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted.”
by Karen Kinnaird | Apr 3, 2018
“You don’t have to be blooming to be growing.”
Take devotional writings, hand lettered Scripture verses, beautiful paintings and creative photography, intertwine them all together and the result is the unique book “Gracelaced.” Published in 2017 by Harvest House Publishers, this beautiful book of 32 devotions is crafted by author, artist, entrepreneur and speaker Ruth Chou Simons. She is scheduled to be a keynote speaker at the 2018 BGCO Women’s Retreat in April.
The first several times I picked up this book, I never read a word. I just kept turning the pages, enjoying the illustrations and Scriptures. I was actually tempted to tear out the pages and frame them. But even better, the artwork corresponds to each devotional writing. With just the right length, the devotions are short enough to fit into a busy schedule but spiritually meaty enough to take away and ponder. The book is what Simons calls “a visual journey through some of God’s faithful promises.”
Based on four seasons of the heart, Simons weaves these seasons into four sections:
Winter: Resting in God’s Character
Spring: Rehearsing the Truth
Summer: Responding in Faith
Fall: Remembering God’s Provisions
One of my favorite sections is Winter in which Simons writes about “running behind and running on empty”. She focuses in on ceasing to frantically strive and ceasing to live in fear. Readers are beckoned to focus on Jesus’ character and to wait, trust and rest.
This high quality hardbound book includes a textured cover and glossy paper which makes it an extra treat. It makes for a great coffee table book.
This isn’t a book to dive into and knock out in a weekend. It is a book to be savored slowly, letting the beauty and rich devotional thoughts impact your soul. With words that are both comforting and calming, it’s a book that can be read time and time again. “Gracelaced” is designed to be interactive. The book lists Scriptures to “delve deeper” and allows space for journaling and responding to questions for application.
This book and Simon’s prints are a great gift idea for any woman, especially for Mother’s Day or a birthday. The accompanying “Gracelaced Seasons: A Guided Companion” and the “Gracelaced 17 Month Planner” for 2018-2019 are also available.
If you are seeking to “find God’s grace laced through everyday life” this is a must-have!
Learn more about Ruth Chou Simons, the Gracelaced Shoppe and Gracelaced blog at www.gracelaced.com.
by Karen Kinnaird | Mar 21, 2018
“God can make something beautiful out of you, even the most hopeless, broken-down thing in your life, especially that. The beauty will most likely come- through pain, waiting, wrestling and difficulty” Christine Hoover
“What if beauty could actually be found in the very things our skewed hearts deem ugly? What if all that we resist – suffering, confession, brokenness, loneliness, death – were the very things in process of becoming beautiful?”
This is the very question Christine Hoover poses in her new book “Searching for Spring: How God Makes All Things Beautiful in Time.” Hot off the press in March 2018 and published by Baker Books, this is Hoover’s fourth book. A popular author, speaker, blogger and church planting pastor’s wife, Hoover’s unique, artistic writing style is deep and intuitive. 
Focusing on Eccl. 3:11, “God has made everything beautiful in its time”, Hoover takes readers on a treasure hunt through the Eccl. 3:1-11 poem and through the changing seasons. Concentrating on winter, she explores the question “How does God meet us in our deepest, darkest pain and how does He turn that pain into beauty?”
Writing about “inconsolable things,” described as Jesus’ unsaid and unfixed things, Hoover encourages readers to navigate that wintery season by enjoying the beauty of everyday life and looking to the hope of spring by “going all-in on a promise of unexpected beauty sprouting up through that very affliction”.
Each chapter of the book has its own unique personality. Hoover writes with vivid imagery incorporating the beauty of God’s creation with creative references to God’s character, describing Him as Composer Poet, Patient Providence, Author, Artist and Joy Whisperer.
My favorite chapter is God is a Potter: He Molds Beauty When We Surrender Control in which Hoover writes about how our “carefully constructed worldviews” cannot bear the weight of “inconsolable things.” This worldview implies that we will worship God if we can mold Him; if He comes through for us; without waiting, without pain, without suffering. We want an easy life with instant results.
The truth is “we are meant to live with imperfections and things left undone in the present.” We know God makes all things beautiful, but He doesn’t tell us how or when He’s going to do it.
God has called us to stop wrestling and rest; to stop trying to figure it out and trust; to stop trying to control and surrender. He wants us to lay down as moldable clay on the Potter’s wheel, even with pain and fear and rest. God wants us to respond with humility and submission to His slightest movement, noticing His activity around us all the more. In His time and in His way, we “stand in a hope that a greater story is unfolding…God is up to something.”
“Searching for Spring” is the first book I have read of Hoover’s, and although I had no expectations, I was pleased to be challenged with such deep spiritual truths and creative, captivating word pictures. Reading the book was like getting my hands on her journal, reading her intimate thoughts and soaking up her perspectives.
Hoover is a thinker, and although she didn’t specify the details of her own suffering, it was clear that she has allowed God to mold her through her own experiences and circumstances.
I highly recommend “Searching for Spring”. This book will encourage and offer hope to those in any manner of struggle. I recommend it be read slowly, one chapter at a time so the truths can be processed and applied.
The winter is long and cold, but spring is coming!
For more information about Christine Hoover, go to www.gracecoversme.com.
This review contains my own thoughts and opinions. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
