Pearls of Encouragement for CWMs August 2009
Welcome
Blog/Online Bible Study
CWM Coaching Tips
Article – Do you Yes But God?
Final Thoughts
Welcome

Hello to all our new CWM subscribers. Go to www.christianworkingmom.com and find archives of past issues and much more. There are some things you only learn as a Mom. My son just bought a Mountain Horn Dragon Lizard. The “lovely” lizard likes to stare at you. Today, my son got him out of the cage as the lizard used his body as a climbing tree. Needless to say I was standing far away trying not to scream. Truly, I would never have experienced this is if I didn’t have a son. The joys of motherhood. Yesterday, I ran into an older friend of mind and she told me she was specifically doing an evening Bible Study at her church for CWMs. I told her how wonderful and unusual that is. I thanked her for reaching out to them. Below you will see a banner for my new book, “The Voices of Christian Working Moms”. The book includes a Bible study. So, I would encourage you to join with some other CWMs and work on the Bible study together.

Blog/Online Bible Study

The CWM blog can be found at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com. We have had several good discussions recently. Linking back to my welcome I have posted a question about what is the most unique thing you have experienced as a Mom. Can’t wait to hear your responses. The CWM Bible Study can be found at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com. My goal in September is to post a new study each month. I want to be more faithful in that area.

CWM Coaching Tips

Hide more of God’s Word in your heart as a way to grow in your walk with God. You can receive a coaching tip emailed to you daily with scripture to inspire and encourage you. To find out more go to: www.christianworkingmom.com/cwmtips.htm.

Article – Do you Yes But God?

Do you pray to God about your concerns and then take them right back. How about do you get ahead of God if He is moving too slow in your opinion? Listen to this wonderful verse of scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
There are several instructions in this verse that often can be hard to follow. Recently, I was praying to God about a particular concern and He said, “Do you trust me?” Yes, Lord but . . . I went on with my concerns and then I heard Him say again, “Do you trust me?” Then, I still had my but statement. Finally, I got to the end of myself and said, “Yes, Lord I trust you.” Why is that so hard? God only wants what is best for me and for my family. Yet, there are times I think God may need a little of my help. How foolish and just wrong I am. Sarah in the Old Testament took matters into her own hands when she gave her maid servant, Hagar, to Abraham. Ishmael and Isaac were at odds for their entire life and the hatred between their ancestors continues today. Sarah leaning on her own understanding and not trusting God led to lifelong consequences. Yet, when Sarah gave birth to Isaac, a true miracle, God was proclaimed and glorified. You see when we have unbelievable difficulties in our lives and there is no way out, God shows up and He gets the glory. Isn’t that wonderful?

When we acknowledge who God is and allow Him to direct our path our lives will go more smoothly even in the most difficult of circumstances. Acknowledging God is also acknowledging His character and power. God is a faithful, loving God who keeps His promises and we can count on that. Recently, several dear close friends of mine have gone through absolutely the most difficult times of their lives. God chose to heal their family members in heaven instead of here on earth. Yet, despite all that grief I have seen these women grow leaps and bounds in their faith. So, when we acknowledge God in all things it doesn’t mean things will always go the way we want. What it does mean is God will never leave us nor forsake us and when the worst thing we can ever imagine happens He is still there faithful and true.

So, I don’t know if you are a Yes but person like me. If you are can you trust God in all things with no if, ands, or buts? Can you wait on His timing and not hurry things a long? Can you wait for God to show up in a mighty way and be glorified? May we all learn to trust him in all things.

Final Thoughts

My prayer for you is more and more each year you will learn to trust God in all things. Your first thought will be to trust God and not as a last resort.

Till next time,

Kimberly M. Chastain

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of The Voices of Christian Working Moms, 2 ebooks and an online Bible study. To find out how to receive coaching tips by email daily, go to http://www.kimberlychastain.com/cwmtips.htm. To find out more about her books go to www.christianworkingmom.com. For a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com.