Wonderful Wednesday Wisdom

"Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." (Genesis 13:17)

The first thing I remember doing after we bought our first home was walk into each and every room of the house. I wanted to really get to know each room. I studied the closets, the windows, and doors,... I wanted to know every square inch of it.

I did something similar when each of my three children were born. I must have studied their faces, their hands, their breathing noises, and little sounds they made for hours upon hours. I wanted to get to know them deeply for they were mine (or at least they were on loan to me from God).

In Genesis 13, when God told Abraham that He was giving him all he could see to the north, south, east, and west, Abraham knew it to be true. God told him to walk the land's length and breadth. God wanted Abraham to get to know this land He was giving him. I think that is when the idea of "prayer walking" got it's start.

I cannot imagine walking every piece of that land and not doing anything but daydreaming. Abraham had to be singing the praises of God, thanking Him for all that He had just given him.

As I thought about that, I wondered, have I walked every area of the property God has given to my family? No. I have not. Have I praised Him for all He has given me? I earnestly try to do so. Have I praised Him for my husband and my kids? You bet!!!

Well, I have a new idea of were to go hiking now. We have several acres and a few barns on our property. When the weather allows and there is a bit of free time, I will be hiking the length and breadth of what the Lord has given me and my family.

Consider your property (whether rented or purchased). Do you know it well? Have you praised God for it? If not, don't delay. Getting to know your property (land, house, car,and family) and praising God for it and praying over it is a great way to connect with God.

Wonderful Wednesday Wisdom-sorry it is on Friday

My goal is to begin posting a new devo every Wednesday entitled "Wonderful Wednesday Wisdom". This week got away from me, however. Just pretend that it is sunny, the week is going great and it is Wednesday. For those of you who live for the weekend, just know for today it really is Friday.

Girlfriends are essential in the life of almost every female I know. Even with family responsibilities that keep us occupied throughout the week, having even a few minutes of girlfriend time to talk personally, over the phone, or even email, FB, or text each other just helps our week go smoother.

Our lives as women set such an example for our daughters and our nieces. What positive communication skills am I modeling for my daughter and her friends? I can ask a similar question about any negative communication skills that I may be modeling. Am I know as a woman of integrity? Do others hear words of affirmation, encouragement, appropriate (not seedy) humor, and general concern and compassion coming from my mouth?

Our children (no matter their age or ours) learn more from what is caught than what is taught. Am I (and are you) truly modeling positive communication skills in what I do? Doing this helps to build a sense of honesty, of trust, of respect, and of integrity in my life and yours. These positive aspects of our life help to give us a "good name". I desire for others to see Christ in me. When I interact with others and they know I love Christ, they associate everything I do with my faith.

"A good name is more desirable that great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1)

I desire to have a "good name" for Christ's sake. I desire to role model this for my daughter, her friends, and any others who I am around. Do I always do this at home--not all the time. However, when God shows me my negative communication skills, He has also given me the wisdom and humility to go back to my daughter (my 2 sons and my husband) and ask for forgiveness.

How are your communications skills? What type of role model are you for the children and young adults God has put into your life?

Thoughts-Pray through Proverbs 22:1-Ask God to give you a "good name", that you would desire it more than great riches, more than silver or gold. Ask Him to only allow positive, life-giving talk to come out of your mouth. He is faithful!!! Thanks for being here!!!
In His Service,