“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:30-31 NIV
“All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.” Abraham Lincoln
“A mother’s arms are more Comforting than Anyone Else’s” Princess Diana
“Men are what their mothers made them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Being a mother is not about what you gave up to have a child, but what you’ve gained from having one.”
“I never knew how much I could love someone until I became a mother.” Cindy Dawson
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 NIV
“Our call is to engage with the world. Our mission as light in the darkness has not ended. In fact, it is greater now than it has ever been as the time of the end draws near.” Amir Tsarfati
Teaching in public schools for 22 years opened my eyes to the reality of some kids’ pain. Father is in prison, or mom is on drugs, this girl possibly sex-trafficked, children come to school hungry, and on and on it goes.
One thing I will never forget is the girl in the Valvoline shirt. I spotted her in the cafeteria one day. What must it be like to be in Junior High and have nothing better to wear than a “Valvoline Oil Change” shirt and a shoddy skirt?
I remember how my mother always made sure I had nice clothes. I never remember being embarrassed by what I wore to school. How must this young teen feel?
Once, I had a 12-year-old student who always had the shabbiest clothes and shoes. We felt so bad for her. One year, before the start of school, someone bought her some cute new clothes and gave them to her anonymously. I don’t know what happened to them, but she never wore any of it. My guess is her mother sold them or took them back to the store for the money.
There are children and adults all around us who need kindness. They may not cross our path, but they aren’t far away. My prayer is that we will not shut out their cries for help, but be the ones who hear Jesus’ command and obey.
“…the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 ESV
“One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”Albert Schweitzer
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
After church one Wednesday night, my daughter asked me to stop by her house because she had something to tell me. I knew right then I needed to brace myself. I had no idea what she wanted to tell me, but I had a feeling it was going to be something I wouldn’t like.
She sat me down on the couch and with all seriousness she said, “God has called me to be a missionary. I’m going to Africa. My heart practically stopped.
The witness in my spirit said this was of God, but the mother in me froze in fright. She wasn’t going with an established missionary society. She was just going alone. But first, she would be stopping off in Bangladesh. (I reminded myself to breathe.)
She Face-Timed me along the way. “Hi Mom, I’m at the airport in Istanbul!” (Breathe!)
“Hi Mom, I’m in Kisumu. A man just asked Helen how many cows he would need to pay to marry me! (Breathe!)
Then, COVID-19 hit, and all flights to America from Nairobi were canceled. I didn’t know it then, but it would be six months before I would see her again. I’m sure I needed God’s strength more than she did. You’ll understand if you’re a mother.
She had never lived far from me. I thought I could always protect her and keep her from harm. Now she was on the other side of the world. I was in for the greatest spiritual battle of my life – against fear.
I made a conscious decision to trust God and not cave in to fear. I fiercely fought against fear every day, refusing to let it in for even a minute. I refused to entertain thoughts of what could happen. I knew that if I didn’t trust the Lord to bring her home safe and sound, I would never make it.
God gave me the peace that passes understanding. I know that. It wasn’t by my own strength. It was the grace of God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Clinging to the Lord and His precious promises, I wrote this poem, now a song. Listen below:
🎶 Your Love, Oh God
The Poem, My Prayer
Your love, O God, Will hold us near. It shields us from our darkest fears.
In times of darkness Where I can't see, Your loving eye Will watch for me.
When I can't see What lies ahead, I'll trust you, Lord, And what You've said.
Your promises Are my delight. They guide my way. They are my light.
With my whole heart I trust in you. Your loving hands Will see us through.
Your faithful love Forever watches My precious child In all Earth's places.
In Africa, playing cards with the boys before bedtime.
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.‘” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
The Lord kept her safe and brought her home again. It was the experience of a lifetime – for both of us!
Maybe you’re wondering, “How? How do I trust and not give in to fear? Here are some practical steps you can take:
Write down the Scripture verses that strengthen your faith.
Read them whenever doubt starts to creep in.
Ask God to give you more faith to believe His promises.
Thank God daily for being with you (and her) every step of the way.
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“The circumstances and events that we see as setbacks are oftentimes the very things that launch us into periods of intense spiritual growth.” Charles Stanley
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” Romans 5:3-4 ESV
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:3-4 NIV (A song of David) Read full chapter
My daughter, Christiana (vocal) and her husband, Isai (on keyboard) Woodlands Church, Woodlands, Texas
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”
“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. Hebrews 4:15-16 AMP
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Real Christian Women 