The children's coordinator flagged me down after Women's Bible Study recently. I was relieved to see her smiling as she told me she just had to tell me what one of my boys had said during their lesson, but I braced myself anyways (you just never know what they might say). They'd been studying Philippians and Colossians right alongside us this year and as they began their lesson that day, my four-year-old apparently moaned in disbelief, “Wait, is he stiiiiiiiiill in prison?!” 

 

Paul was in prison a long time (all year long from Walter's point of view).

 

As he concludes his letter to the church at Colassae, he writes:

 

 

 

You know, if I was writing from prison I might ask, “Pray for my aching back. Pray that I get out soon… " But Paul's prayer request gives no indication that he feels that his mission is limited by where God has him. Sure, he's mentioned yearning and longing for these churches, but he's filled with purpose and mission exactly where he is. He doesn't consider himself sidelined from ministry because he's in prison. 

 

I'll be honest. This really convicted me. I often feel sidelined in this season. My mind is less sharp because I don't sleep as much. I can't commit to things because I don't have childcare. I'm not able to serve younger moms as much as I want to. I'm in a season where I can't commit to certain things or travel much because my kids get sick or David's job is demanding. But I'm not in a holding cell. God is at work in and through me. My ministry is to my kids, our babysitter, my date night bartender and Publix checkout girls (who are now sitting by me in bible study and  church now, btw!).

 

I don't know exactly where you are right now, maybe you're in a season of infertility, child rearing, chronic pain, prolonged illness, grief, singleness, transition, temporary housing… but you're not in a holding cell. The “real work” doesn't begin when you're done with what's in front of you. The real work IS what's in front of you. You're exactly where God would have you be. And no matter how meaningless or undesirable or unplanned the season you're in may seem, he's got a purpose for you in it: to know him and make him known. 

 

How can you do that today? 

Right where you are, with whatever—or whoever—is right in front of you.

 

Lets you and I say together with Paul, “I am here (wherever that may be) for the sake of Christ. And I pray that right here—in my home, in this season, in my grocery store, on the playground, in this chemo chair, wherever—that God would open a door for the word.” Let's “make the most of the time,” whatever our season. 

 

You're not sidelined. You're in the game. Play for the glory of God.

 

with humble gratitude,

 

So, last month, I gave you a sneak peak at the cast of my new kid's book series with the Good Book Company, and this month, I'm sharing the Series Title and Logo!

The series will include both board books for younger children and storybooks for older children. And the message of these books is so near and dear to my heart:

You are made by God.

He has a plan for you.

You're not perfect.

Jesus was a child just like you.

He was perfect for you.

So when you fail, you can confess and ask for forgiveness

When you long to do better, you can ask the Holy Spirit for help to obey.

 

My hope for the children who use these books is that they will not only learn to discern right and wrong, but that they would also know both the freedom that comes from exchanging shame for forgiveness and that they would know the relief that comes from relying on the Spirit for help to obey instead of their own white-knuckled effort. Since these are board books, I'll hope they'll know that freedom and help from the very start. My hope for the adults who read these books to the kids in their care is that they would feel equipped by this series with a framework with which they can respond to negative behaviors as well as a reference point to teach their kids the rhythms of the Christian life: repent, believe, obey.

 

I'll share more information with y'all in May/ June about the series as a whole, the first two releases, and some fun pre-order bonuses.

This dramatic retelling of the story of David and Saul is EXCELLENT. It is SO well written and SO compelling and my kids are enraptured. I also feel like they're noticing the heart differences between David and Saul and making observations about using God verses loving God. Katy Morgan also just happens to be my editor at the good book company and a dear friend. You won't wanna miss the wonder of reading this with your kids. For reference, it's landing best with my 7yo boy. (Click the photo to learn more)!

 

“It's okay,” He tells his brother quickly after receiving an apology. “No,” I interject. “It's not okay. But it can be forgiven, if you're willing.” He looks at me and then his brother. “I forgive you," he offers sincerely. They hug and we move on.

 

There's value in recognizing the weight of the offense and covering it instead of glossing over it. Forgiveness is costly. We want our kids to know this. 

 

“It's okay” is synonymous with “No big deal.” But hurting and sinning against one another is a big deal. But so is forgiveness. My friend Rebecca came back from a marriage retreat a few years ago having adopted the practice of saying to her spouse, “I forgive you and I will not hold it against you.” What a better covering than “It's okay.” We're eliminating “it's okay” as an acceptable response to apologies in our house…because dismissal is cheap, and forgiveness is as valuable to receive as it is costly to give.

 

And isn't that what makes the gospel such good news?

It isn't okay. But it's covered.

 

 

I've been playing this song on repeat since we sang it at church on Sunday.

 

 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:1-58

 

 

 

I had such a good time chatting with Abigail O'Neel of the “About Her” Podcast about the topic of intergenerational friendship recently. We talked about the benefits and challenges of making and maintaining friendships across generations. I felt really grateful and encouraged. You can listen in on our conversation here.

 

Christianity Today reached out a few months ago to ask me to interview Jasmine Holmes about her new book Never Cast Out. The words from her book and that conversation have been echoing in my mind in the sweetest and most encouraging way. This response in particular stuck with me:

 

 

“The story of failure and grace in the Scriptures is so helpful to parenting. It means that every opportunity to parent through frustration and failure is not so much about what you're doing to your child as it is first about what God is doing in you. Every opportunity to parent is an opportunity to be parented by Jesus.”
Justin Earley

I'll save my best work and thoughts for this list, but I'll still be posting on the gram. If we're not connected there, I'd love for you to come follow along! Just click one of these “lately” photos below!