The integrity behind your actions is the proof behind your intent. It’s so easy to let them overlap at times; but thankfully we are able to rely on God for guidance, and on scripture to provide us knowledge between the two. Stand firm.

It’s 10pm and I am getting the BEST Goose cuddles. I am so comfortable and my head is buried in his warm, fluffy chest; but as soon as I stop rubbing him - he starts to wiggle and kick. So i huffed and said “Ugh - just be still, Goose.” God spoke. That’s exactly how He feels when we’re “begging for a sign.” I say it so often when I don’t feel as close to Him. When I feel like our relationship is falling through the cracks. “God please show up. I need to witness your glory today.” Those big moments just give me a drive and a hunger for Him. But it took that small moment snuggling my dog to realize that sometimes, maybe He just wants to admire us in silence. To embrace us closely and enjoy the moment for Himself, and that - is beautiful. Goose couldn’t feel me rubbing Him, so he wasn’t satisfied… But if He could’ve felt the admiration for that moment in my heart - He  might’ve felt differently. Even when we don’t feel God moving - His admiration and love is still there. Sometimes in what feels like our “most absent” moments - He’s the closest He could possibly be. Admiring us. Embracing us. Thank God for His warm embrace and humbling spirit that is delivered when we least expect it.

Tuesday marked 17 years without Billy Denton. Those who knew him, probably could use his name as an adjective. I know I do. An adjective describing someone who played too hard, loved too hard, and laughed too hard – and even harder when the time wasn’t right. Someone who cared too much or not enough – with no in between. For me that name describes my dad. The one who I grow to understand more and more as I grow into understanding myself. Things like why he did this or how he did that – I have related to them and learned from them more in the past 17 years than I ever would’ve been able to had I not been given the time to miss him and wonder about the life he lived that he never got the chance to tell me about. I know about some things he did and some things he said because I’ve been told about them, but I remember how much he cared and how much he fun he had because I witnessed it. He scared me to tears with the snap of a finger, but I feared nothing in his presence. He would’ve thrown hisself into a fire to protect me, and I knew it. This current relationship I have with my dad wasn’t one I would’ve ever chosen for myself but it is one I can appreciate, despite the lack of time we had together, because it has shaped me more than anyone could ever expect it to – including my 9 year old self. It has prevented me from becoming his darkest sides, but encouraged me to embrace his good ones. And some of the in-betweens, I have just learned to accept because “I got it from my daddy.” God uses it all. Generations of events are the dominos that ignite what is to take place – the building blocks of what is to come, or who is to come. He has the ultimate birds eye view, with the authority to control it all. We can’t see it up close, but when we step back and see Jesus for the creator He is… man. He blows my mind. This morning I read how God moves mountains and even they have no clue what’s going on in the process of that formation. Grade school science taught me that mountains are created by earthquakes. The ground shakes and collides into its self and out comes something breathtaking. That’s God.

Earlier this year on a Monday, my son come to my desk with tears in his eyes and told me he wanted to be baptized. I had already seen the Lord begin to move in my baby boy’s heart one night in the book of Daniel. We were reading the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The scripture reads that the king looks in and asks the question, “Didn’t we throw three in? Because I see four.” I asked the kids who did they think the fourth person was. Big alligator tears welled up in Haisten’s eyes when he asked if it was God. Then I got the tears too when I told him it was. I explained to him that we aren’t always going to be rescued from the hard things and just because we’re forgiven doesn’t mean that we don’t still have consequences, but a relationship with God does mean that He’s there in the hard things. He loves us through our consequences, and no matter what- whichever way we step- the way he asked us to or the way that we want, He still there. He always has been. He always will be. As a mom, there is nothing more comforting than God allowing you to witness His work in the hearts of His children, especially when they’re also your children. But the morning that Haisten showed up at my desk, teary-eyed and made the request for baptism, it was not comfort I experienced but fear. Fear. How strange, right? The motions… they trick us into thinking we have something but we are really just walking close to it. I’ll let him call all of the important people in his life and tell them about his big decision and then we went to the word. We had a pastor who is a dear friend and mentor sit down with him and offer real counsel and prayer. We learned the ABC’s of salvation and we watched The Passion of the Christ. For all your mom shamers, I know it’s graphic, but if we reach the place where we are willing to accept the gift, I feel it’s important that we also have an idea of the magnitude of what it looked like. That it’s not something you just do. A walk you just make down the aisle. It’s not a prayer you say or some thing you schedule but it’s the ultimate gift because it was the ultimate sacrifice. And then one Sunday not long after there it was- the sacrifice- the bread and the blood waiting as we entered the sanctuary. At first, I was excited. I looked at Haisten with big eyes and I told him, “Look it’s gonna be your first time! This is called communion. It’s for believers and it’s how we remember what Christ did on the cross for us.” but the more it grew closer to time, the more nervous I got. I won’t go into the details of what happened next because I’ve definitely had some prouder moments, but let’s just say that Haisten’s first communion experience was a little less conventional because I wanted him to fully understand the weight of what he was doing. Fast forward a month or so later, communion experience number two, I can say that the events of that day must have made an impact of some sort. With gentle hands, Haisten opened his single serving of the blood of Christ and that tricky layer of “peel the foil” got him. He spilled it on his khakis, and there was immediate horror on his face. “Mama.” Holding back inappropriate laughter in an otherwise serious moment, I told Haisten it was OK. Actually, this is kind of perfect. A little less mortified about the blood of Christ he was now wearing- he asked, “how?” “Because, as Christians, all that we are or can ever hope to be, ends and begins with the Gospel” Even though we have been forgiven and we are technically a new person dead to sin and alive in Christ, the reality is we still fall short. We still make a mess, and It kind of looks like it does on your khakis right now. Everybody sees it. Some people may point. Some people may talk about it in their circles. Others may ask you what happened. But Most will just judge how big your spot is compared to the spot they are wearing and that’s how they will judge how they are doing… But there are a few that will do this: and I took my cup and I gave him half of what was in mine and I told him that I made some big messes too- and what was so cool about God is that all of the bad things that we’ve ever done or even the bad stuff were going to do doesn’t make him love us less and even cooler, when we’re willing to share those things, he can use them to help other people see that he has room for their messes too and it doesn’t matter how many people we share it with, there is just enough Grace to cover all of it. You see, The Gospel is not something we just read or accept. It’s also something we share with anyone who is brave enough to say they need it. The Gospel is something we walk with. We Introduce its work to our hearts and into our circles. The Gospel is everything but only if we continue to reach for it, to let it reach for us, and to keep the path clear for its power to do only what it can do. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” Matthew 19:14 I do not know which is more scary- letting any of my kids decide they are old enough, mature enough, understanding enough, to make a decision of this magnitude or waiting from the edge of my seat at every alter call for their young hearts to break enough for them to say “yes”. but Jesus said let them come. When I look at this picture, I’m tangibly reminded of the limitations in the knowledge and understanding of the magnitude of my own decision to follow Christ much less my sons or even yours. I just know I want it and not just a piece of it. I think it started that way for me. I wanted God to fight for me, to change things, to change people, to change me but looking back, if He had done all that I desired- it would have meant less for my husband, for my kids, and less for my heart. Peeling back the foil of communion tricked me too. Just when I think I’ve got the top peeling at just the right speed to make a clean separation, I hit a snag too. I spill the blood of Christ, too. And If we are not careful, we wear the blood without being washed by it. The more I know God, the more I want to. I make mess after mess and God just keeps giving me new pieces of Him- pieces we read about but can’t imagine touching until we can. and whats even crazier is they’ve always been there for me, for Haisten, and for you too. God doesn’t change so that means there for as long as He has been but gosh stuff gets in our way. and I’m scared for him, but there is enough wrong in his life already. I can’t be another obstacle for him, I wont. Jesus said let them come. He has invited us too, and what I love is that He never stops. He is as available as we allow him to be. Push the stuff that is in your way aside. I know you want to be right, but you dont have to be- push it aside. I know so and so hurt your feelings and maybe you hurt theirs too- I know you want to protect yourself and you have it all written down and stored up because you may need it one day.. but you need jesus more- push it aside. Your money is in your way. Your plans are in your way. Your job is in your way. Push your pride aside. Push your unforgiveness aside. your judgement yourself. The more you get rid of, the greater the invitation. We’re in our own way. But of all of the mysteries of Chirst- this one is one of my favorites: It doesn’t matter how far we’ve fallen or if we’ve been standing in the same spot for the last twenty years- it only takes two steps every time to get to a new place. One step to change direction and another step toward Christ. Let them come. Because He is faithful to meet us where we are and love us fully and without condition while He carries us to where we’re going. Father, Thank you, God, for the invitation to come- for the Gospel that changes everything, that changes is. Thank you, God, for you. Amen

for my people pleasers: Jesus was the only perfect human to exist, and people still hated Him, cursed Him, and called Him fake. He loved them anyway. some people will twist that John 6 scripture, “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” to make it sound like you are supposed to treat people the way they treat you. if anyone tells you that’s how it goes, they missed it. Jesus is careful with his words, and that’s not what He said. He said “do unto others as you would HAVE them do unto you.” treat people the way you want to be treated, not the way they might “deserve to be treated.” make them feel included. make them feel heard in a room full of people. compliment their strengths. speak highly of them in their absence. but most importantly, LOVE THEM. we are called to love above all else. do not waste time pointing out people’s flaws or focusing on them, because you, too, have your own. we are not perfect. we weren’t called to be, and regardless of our amount of obedience – we still cannot be perfect. but we can be redeemed. and we are in Christ alone. change your actions and it will help change your heart. it’s not about “being the bigger person,” it’s about being the version of yourself God called you to be. but with this, accept that you can do everything according to the law and people are still not going to approve of you or return the favor, but do it anyway. do it for your heart. do it because of His. rest in the fact that you are being the best version of you, regardless of you or anyone else. this has been a hard pill to swallow for me over the past 2 years of my life, and sometimes it still doesn’t go down – but with practice, and patience for myself, it has gotten easier. give yourself some grace, but give it to others too. God has given us plenty. i am so far from perfect, and i fail often. but learning how i would like to mindlessly react is one step in the right direction. it’s one step closer to being the christian I was called to be. but God loves us all the same – regardless. that’s who He is – and who I long to love like. EDIT: it is the morning after God laid this message on my heart. i went to sleep last night thinking that i missed something, and i woke up this morning knowing that i did. i didn’t know what, and i even texted katie – asking if she had read it and what i missed. to which she responded with a question mark, so i assume she didn’t know either. but then it clicked. we can’t figure it out, but it’s there. the feeling of unfinishedness was given to me from God, and I couldn’t finish it; and Katie couldn’t finish it. but God could. so the finishedness will come from prayer. Hey, God. I knew something was wrong. You told me it was. Even though this is how you said to respond, I still don’t. It’s hard because I rely on my own strength. Sometimes I feel as though having a relationship with you changed me, but it didn’t. I am still the sinner. You are the forgiveness. You are the mercy. You are the grace. So I pray that I don’t try to fix it, but I pray that I will have faith that you will. That I will respond to unkindness with love not because I can, but because YOU can Lord. because I was reborn with your Holy Spirit, you can overpower the me in me to love those who may not love me. to have faith that the shame I still posses at times is to be overshadowed by your mercy and forgiveness. that I don’t do it for you, but that you do it for me – because you love me. Amen. – Kristen Denton

it’s been months since i’ve sat down with the intent to write about how God has been moving in my life, but it hasn’t been months since i’ve noticed. I have been burning His line up lately, and there is indeed power in prayer. it’s been a good season, but one of trial too. one of business – which is a powerful tool of satan – but in the business i’ve challenged myself to see God in all of it, and to be more like Jesus in all of it too. one of appreciating the gifts He’s given me and standing firm in the faith that He is in control and knowing that whatever happens, it will be okay – because He says and because He’s shown me. many people i love are being challenged with an array of trials and uncertainties. they’re tired, or they’re scared, or they’re just lost. part of me hurts for that pain of theirs – i’ve felt it too – but another part of me rejoices in it. I do not feel shaken anymore. I have never known a peace like I have felt in this season of my life, and I am so thankful for that and it doesn’t make sense to me. How can I be so at peace with everything going on with the people I love? “God reveals himself in the mysteries.” – Albert Einstein But for those that haven’t felt this ease in their life and certainly don’t right now – in the middle of their storms, my advice is to stand firm. Yesterday my sister called me at 8am and my heart sank when I saw her name on my phone because the last time she woke me up around that hour, it was to deliver devastating news. News that would later influence my walk with God and my life forever. One that I now see as a necessary step to move me in the right direction. “Are you okay?” “Yes. I’m okay, I just need to talk to you.” The conversation was good news. God had given answers for questions we have prayed about for months. I could barely find words to respond. She probably thought I was still half asleep and didn’t really care to process what she told me – the same way I didn’t care 15 years ago when she woke me up to tell me her pet hamster died because our mom fed it tortilla chips when she ran out of hamster food. but this was a different kind of loss of words. I was in astounding awe of God. My brain could do nothing but place the puzzle pieces together – the pieces He laid and had been laying for a vast amount of our lifetimes. How perfectly they all fit together absolutely blew my mind. I am still in awe of it. I’ve always known we serve a mighty God but how perfectly the details fell together was flooring. Storms are hard. But the calmness of watching the dust settle afterwards is like a sight I still cannot describe. Our God is so big. He is in the details – every. single. detail. and one day, it will all be brought to light. Those puzzle pieces reveal an art that only the same God who created the heavens and the earth could create. You just have to have faith. I promise when it is revealed, you will know it from Him and it will change your perspective of our Almighty forever. And when you see it happen again, your soul will burn a fire for Him – a fire than can and will destroy everything you have to overcome. with ease. Nothing is too big for Him.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 These are the words I read at the end of a letter I got in the mail from the leader of my recent Emmaus walk. Ten minutes before that I was expressing the anger I have for the season God has placed me in – despite all I have to be thankful for. (yes – I am throwing a fit, and it is not pretty; but I pour into my ministry by being real, not by being a perfect Christian. feelings should be felt but make it matter.) I showered and talked to God the whole time. “this is frustrating. why would you put me in all these places to be frustrated? i want to accomplish nothing” Being faithful and following God’s instruction for you life – even when it makes absolutely zero sense for you – is hard. I did that, and it paid off. I was in awe of how that thing He told me to do worked out for me. Until it didn’t. I took a leap of faith again and it seemed good, but today was hard & i felt so defeated and hopeless. I am hurting. I am angry. I am confused. But then, reading that scripture, I am humbled by those 4 words, “I will strengthen you” that found me in a puddle of tears just by opening a piece of mail I had no idea contained a letter that I needed in that moment. “I will strengthen you.” If you read the “April Showers” blog, you know the ever so famous line by Andy Manning that he gave me around the time of my last mental breakdown. It’s just growing pains, baby”. I use that one a lot these days. When Mason asked me to talk to him about how I was feeling, I gave a spill and followed it up with that. “It’s just growing pains.” That concluded my ramble, and I asked him to hand me the mail we got today because I was looking for a letter my sister just asked me if I got today – and i didn’t get the one I was looking for, but i did get the one I needed. That’s was not by chance. That was by God. God gives us the nuggets we need when we aren’t asking for them, and aren’t looking for them either. Growing hurts, but strength is acquired by growth. God says He will strengthen you. He doesn’t say it will be fun, or that it won’t be – just that it will be. Letting go of control is not easy. Growing up is not easy. Deciding what’s worth it & what’s not is not fun. Getting to do those things with people who love you & wish good for you make life more bearable. Stepping into faith and meeting people who impact your life is worth it. Making someone smile when you don’t feel like it, makes you feel good. All of these are ingredients of growth. Growing pains God is using to strengthen you. Dear God, Thank you for showing up for me when I least deserve it. Thank you for fighting for me when I have none left. Thank you for placing Godly people in my life and strategically ordering the events that led to the divine realization that You are in control of my life as long as I stay faithful to your direction. I trust you, and I love you. Amen.

A friend got me this fern for my baptism gift – along with a letter than said “let this represent your faith as it grows bigger and bigger” and since my recent move it’s been dying. It’s so easy to get distracted by everyday life, and forgetting to provide adequate means to your life. Forgetting to feed the faith that drives you. Moving into your first home, planning a wedding, etc. it piles up, and it’s a lot. You become stressed and you might even spiral. But be still for just a minute. Take a look around the home you’re trying to build and notice the faith that got you where you withering away in the corner. Water your roots, get some sun, and let God do the rest. He never said it would be easy, but He did say trust that He has it – not saying God is gonna plan my wedding but He will direct me in what direction to move, I just need to stop long enough to hear Him speak. He’s still there. He still loves me. But He’s probably shaking His head at me as I am being eaten alive by stress when He can handle it. Friend, I don’t know what’s piling up on you, but take a deep breath and rest in the fact that God’s got you. Everything that matters is in his hands, the rest is just distraction from the enemy. You were never meant to handle it alone. I love you.

I’ve had a lot of favorites from Exodus, but the story at Mount Sinai takes the cake lately. When God came to Mount Sinai, the veil was torn; and God brought fire, trumpets, thunder, and clouds so thick that daylight disappeared. The event was unfamiliar, powerful, and scary to all who witnessed. The Israelites were so frightened by God and His supernatural approach. It seemed scary and dangerous and they wanted no part in it – so they told Moses to let God do all the talking to him and he could just relay the message. I have never been a speaker in general, much less a public speaker. But this past weekend I was faced with a very testing opportunity that STOMPED my toes so hard I folded. I attended Emmaus this past weekend, and wrapping up that life changing experience a closing ceremony was held to share our answer to a question somewhere along the lines of: “What did you learn about Jesus in your spent time here and how has it changed your perspective?” The awkward silence lasted a couple of minutes before someone gained the courage to walk to the podium – the silence grew louder and louder in between each person who had the bravery to share their thoughts. One thing I definitely learned at Emmaus is in silence, God speaks loud. “Okay. She said we don’t have to share unless we feel called to.” I told myself, but God pressed on my heart harder and harder the more I tried to ignore Him. “God, do not do this to me – please don’t do this to me.” I said as I contemplated the worth of what I had to say but my “call” got louder and louder with each moment of silence between each person leaving the podium. “Fine. I’ll go.” I told God in frustration and in fear. “As soon as the next person leaves the podium, walk up immediately so you don’t have time to think about it anymore.” I told myself. So I did. I don’t remember all of what I said up there, but I don’t think it mattered if I did or not. God laid those words on my heart and said go. And the last thing prior to “go to the podium” that God said to me was. “I gave you healing, now go be my hands and feet. So I went. After all, God had done ALOT for me in those prior 72 hours, I could do one thing for Him to say thank you. And I have faith that even if my words did not make sense to me (or many others), they made sense to SOMEONE and that person needed to hear the words that God laid on my heart at that podium. God left the 99 for 1 – and I was okay with my comfort being the 99 in that moment if it meant He could use me for 1. God’s power is beyond anything we as humans can comprehend, and He has a birds-eye view of our lives that we cannot see. Moses at mount Sinai drew near to the “scary” in obedience because he knew it was God, and he knew it was OF God for Him to move past fear and come forth. Being brave is one thing, but being obedient is everything for us as christians. It is not fun leaving your comfort zone. It’s scary out there – but when God calls us somewhere – even when that somewhere is to a podium in front of 100+ strangers with shaky hands and lightheadedness or a lightening filling mountain with trumpets – it has purpose. God loves us regardless. His love for us is immeasurable and undeserved. There is nothing we could ever do to make Him love us any more or any less than He has from the day He created us, but I feel in order for us to reach our purpose, we must be as brave and as obedient as He asks us to be. God is faithful; let us do our best to be faithful for Him too. Love you all, Kristen Denton

As Mason and I are laying in bed tonight, taking turns taking deep breaths and expressing all of our worries and concerns for this season of our life; I took another deep breath and huffed, “April showers bring May flowers.” Fast forward to me giving it my best shot to lay those worries in the hands of God during our quiet time together, the timing of His message seemed to suit the season. Psalm 30:5 - “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” The crucifixion of Jesus brought anxiety, humility, pain, and blood. But that blood brought salvation. April weather seems uncertain and scary – especially when it brings a tornado every Wednesday – and occasionally brings one so large it rips through a town and demolishes everything in sight. But the result of that tragedy was historical unity and more prayer in the media than our country has seen in years. People showed up from hundreds of miles away to be the hands and feet of Jesus. In this very moment, I could make an endless list of things that are painful or uncertain that bring about something so beautiful and worth it. Andy is a man of few words after listening to me spiral for an hour over the phone – but the other night he let me empty it out & his ONE SENTENCE reply to my very long list of inconveniences was, “It’s just growing pains, baby”, and I felt so validated. Yes, it hurts – but it’s learning, building, and preparing me for something so big. Uncertainty is inevitable. Storms are too. Your response to those things is where you make it count. Stand firm and allow God to water those beautiful gardens He’s preparing for you. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of your faith. You’ll make an even bigger mess of an already messy season. Embrace the showers too; they’re watering your garden.

forgiveness and sin and how that relationship works with Jesus has always been very complex to me. God says don’t judge – it’s not your place, but it’s hard not to. He says don’t idolize or envy – but it’s so easy to see someone who “has it all” & be jealous of them. sometimes telling a lie is easier then telling the truth. why do we constantly have to fight to be obedient to God’s word if we are forgiven and He loves us anyway? the answer is because He wants us to love Him just as much. in the same way that you honor and respect your spouse, best friend, parent, or kid – God wants you to honor and respect your relationship with Him also. think about the relationships mentioned above. you prioritize time with them. you respect them. it truly makes you happy to see them happy. it hurts you to see them hurt. it’s hard to picture your relationship with God as a relationship sometimes rather than just a belief because a lot of that relationship is based on faith. by that i mean, we cannot physically look Jesus in the eyes, ask a question, and receive a verbal response. just like we cannot look Him in the eyes after committing sin and see the hurt it caused His heart. just because He forgives us doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt him; but in human relationships, those stipulations are different. when you hurt someone who is not Jesus, the odds they will serve you some sort of consequence, in one way or another, is almost certain. but Jesus- a sinless man who was slain for our sins, does not want to punish us for our sins. He took that punishment. He wants us to value our relationship with Him because if we do not – our relationship is strained. sin separates us from God. but not only that; obedience bonds us to God. it makes our relationship more of a relationship & not a religion. just because Jesus doesn’t sit on our bed and solve all of our problems doesn’t mean he hasn’t offered His advice. all of the answers and advice you are looking for is in His word. it just takes a tiny bit of obedience and determination for them to reach you. and when you stay consistent in searching for those answers, Jesus is gonna tell you some things you didn’t ask Him about along the way. that’s when your heart starts to change. that’s when not judging that person who was rude to you gets easier. that’s when not comparing yourself to the girl who “has it all” doesn’t cross your mind. that’s when you realize telling the truth is actually a lot less complicated than covering up a lie.

Its not a ritualistic thing- I do not set aside a specific time or revisit a particular piece of scripture or anything, but this time of year while others are reflecting over last year I find myself just sitting in a heavy space of gratitude that I was here for another one, especially over the next three days. The word Deuteronomy means second law. Deuteronomy is a retailing by Moses of the teachings and events of exodus, along with the chapters to follow. There’s also an extensive review of the 10 Commandments. Israel spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Their delay in obedience cost them another 38 years in the wilderness. In this additional 38 years, there was a period of waiting on a generation of unbelief to die, so that a generation of faith could receive the promised land. I’m curious as to how the day to day walk with God was for Moses in these 38 years. He had already been told that he would not enter the promised land, yet we still see him leading. We do know that he asked again if he may enter the land, but God told him not to bring it up again; that if he wanted to see the promised land, he could climb a rock and look upon it from there, but to instead prepare Joshua, for he would be the one to leave the people into the promise. Chapter 6 marks the chapter that follows the retelling of the 10 Commandments. There are so many things within this chapter that I would like to close my fist around, truths each of us should consider and cling to. How we are expected to love the Lord with all of our hearts, with all of our souls, and with all of our might How we should keep these words on our hearts How we should diligently teach them to our children, and how we should consider them when we’re sitting at the house when we’re walking around, when we’re lying down, and the very moment we rise. How we need to write it on the foundations of our homes and also on their entry so that it is clear on arrival who’s we are and what we stand for. How the Lord has blessed us with all of these things that we didn’t build ourselves- homes full of good things that we didn’t fill up, wells that provide water that we didn’t dig, and fruit from trees that we did not plant but there’s one other retailing here that brings tears to my eyes as I circled the nouns in the adjectives in my bible- even as I type them before you now. “When your sons ask you in time to come, ‘what is the meaning of these testimonies and the statutes in the rules of the Lord, our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your son we were pharaoh slaves in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand in the Lord, showed us signs and wonders great and grievous against Egypt, and against Pharaoh and all of his household before our eyes, and he brought us from there that he might bring us in and give us a land that he swore to give our fathers in the Lord, commanded us to do all of these statutes to fear the Lord, our God, for our good always that he might preserve us alive as we are to this day, and it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to do his commandments before the Lord, our God, as he commanded us.” Consider for a moment, if Moses were you or I, today- if he were given the same instruction on the risen side of the resurrection, I would imagine it would sound something like this: “Mama, why do you think God let all of that bad stuff happen?” I don’t know what your story is, but if mine ask, I’m so thankful I’m still here to tell them this: Babies, Once upon a time, your mom was a slave to the enemy; he disguised her as a slave to herself. She was her own protector, her own rule maker, and her own savior. One January night, the Lord spoke loudly to her and saved her soul and her life. That night she listened, but there were many nights that she didn’t. Looking back, she can see so much of God’s hand in all of the hard times of her life, but all those years before, she only believed the enemy’s lies, and all those brought were captivity, grief, and shame. In the belief of those acts that brought about her disobedience, in spaces of hardheartedness, your mom, at the mighty hand of the Lord, suffered much grief, some of which she has even consequently had to share with you. But for our good always, the Lord’s sovereign plan is not crippled by our weaknesses because our Lord is not the creator of sad stories. You see, Babies, he is their redeemer. He brought your mom out from the end of herself, alive, as she is today and will remain forever, and one day in the middle of your own messes, He has died to re-write your story too. For what the law could not do, love did perfectly. Love, Your Mom-