Uninvited Guest

I'm regretting the name of my blog. Of course, I usually just post the highlights, but this summer has had an uninvited guest, it has affected most every day and certainly all of us here. It's NOT a highlight but it has been an overshadowing theme of many days.

We missed this guest as it snuck in a few months before school was out. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." I wasn't quite alert enough and that's exactly what happened.

When our kids have gone to middle school we've experienced lots of changes in them. It's the years when they're questioning who they are, who are their real friends and why are my parents the most strict? It's normal for that to happen and in the past our kids have been open to us about most of these things because they knew we would shoot them straight and tell them what was the BEST for them.

Well, when you aren't sure that you can trust, you don't have grounded beliefs, and you are trying to be liked at school the devil might just take that opportunity to tell you lies through your friends and you might believe them.

We've been praying for our kids since they came into our lives...all of them. And we are continuing. Lies seem like truth when you have wounds from your past or present and we are dealing with those wounds and the "infection" these lies have caused. Unfortunately, lies also cause damage not only to the one who tells it, but the ones who are lied to and those around.

There is only one truth and we are seeking and praying for wisdom for all of us. I'm thankful we've been able to salvage some of our summer although we've been grounded some. There is nothing more precious or important than a heart and I pray that our children's hearts are turned to Him as the ONLY HOPE and TRUTH so they will be able to recognize a lie and shut the door on the devil no matter how He tries to get in.

"Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."