| Hello Living Springs Church Family,
Below is a message written by Joyce Beke. She has not only been a mother to me but so many others. As we look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day this Sunday, enjoy these words of encouragement! Pastor Rob
I became a mother over 57 years ago and the memories of those days are still quite vivid in my mind! It was a life-changing event. I had been a nurse and worked 8-hour shifts. I suddenly became aware that in this new “mother” role, I was now on duty 24 hours a day! Just so you know I was not immune to child-raising events, some of the issues that I encountered in those early years included: colic, inguinal hernia surgeries, personal trips to the Cancer Clinic, milk allergies, pneumonia, ear drum breaking, fevers, colds, croup, allergic reactions and nightmares to name a few!
I had asked the Lord into my heart as a young child. My husband, Allan had also done so. Together we looked to the Lord and prayed for God’s help in raising our children. We attended church regularly and always took our children with us. I often reflect on the people at church who were an encouragement to me as a young mom and were interested in my little children as well. As time went on and we read God’s word and attended biblical teachings, we learned more of what we should be trusting God for and our own authority as a believer to help us in our daily lives.
When we were dealing with the nightmare issue that affected our lives in significant ways, a friend who was in ministry work with the First Nations people shared with us of how their son had also experienced nightmares and was delivered from the same. He told us to pray with authority in Jesus name! We did so and immediately they stopped, never to return ever! We experienced a miracle and saw God’s power in action!
With regard to the milk allergies and the significant issues it created in our baby daughter’s life, it also had an effect on me as I would be up most nights up to 5 times a night. Gradually I had trouble going back to sleep in between those interruptions. I became over-tired and experienced a level of depression. One Sunday night after the evening church service I was down on my knees in the Prayer Room and I asked an older lady to pray for me. She prayed with authority in Jesus’ name and immediately I began speaking in tongues. When I got up from my knees I was a changed person. A smile came easily now. Allan could see the change in my countenance immediately. Jocelyn’s issues didn’t disappear yet, but from that night on I was able to go back to sleep immediately in between the times I was up with her. Isaiah 28: 11, 12: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. ….This is the rest by which ye may cause the weary to rest and this is the refreshing; … I truly experienced this rest and refreshing!
The greatest desire of my heart was to have our children each come to have a personal relationship with Jesus. They each did and they continue to love and serve the Lord to this day. As a family we set certain standards to follow as best we could, based on what we understood would be pleasing to the Lord. We failed at times of course, but you ask for forgiveness and move on. When children face peer pressure, the boundaries you have set up as a family will be a help to them. The Bible states in I Corinthians 10: 13: There hath no temptation taken you . . .; but God is faithful, . . . but will, with the temptation, also make the way to escape. . . Your children may use ”you” as an excuse or the reason why they choose to refrain from doing something; “You” being their way of escape!
I was thinking of how a young child holds a parent’s hand. Without knowing the significance of what they are doing, there is trust and a feeling of security for them in doing so. The Lord also wants us to put our trust in him. We also will feel secure and protected in doing so. The scripture in Proverbs 3: 5, 6 says: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
My prayer for all mothers is that you seek the Lord for wisdom; that you have a boldness to stand for what is godly; that you have increased patience; and a genuine love for your children; that you recognize God’s voice when He speaks to you; that you know the power there is in the name of Jesus; that you be filled with the Holy Spirit and experience the rest and refreshing that comes with it.
This is my prayer for each of you, in Jesus’ name!
With love, Joyce Beke |
