enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

Shaping the Future

I was recently out with a group of my friends celebrating the upcoming wedding of our close friend. I was having a wonderful dinner and enjoying the time of relaxation and fellowship. As the night wore on, the conversation turned to our children and the joy and craziness of motherhood. We began to talk about how challenging it can be with the daily grind of taking care of the little ones, doing the laundry, cleaning the house, etc. We also discussed how easy it was for us to wonder what we were contributing to this world. I think this is very common for many women and something that I ... Read the Post

Service

Service! What an interesting word. I thought I understood this word; after all, I spent almost ten years serving customers in eating establishments, and I’ve been a mom for almost five years. It wasn’t until recently that I learned what service really is. I have been a stay-at-home mom for two years. This job has given me more responsibility with the upkeep of our home. This is not something I’m good at or like doing at all! I’ve been doing it though because it is my job. But God showed me that my definition of service was all wrong! My motivation was about me and not Him. My attitude ... Read the Post

She's Ready

How can she be 18? I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. It seems like only yesterday that she was just a baby. And now my baby girl has become an amazing, incredible, beautiful young lady with a love for life that matches her love for our Lord. High school graduation is behind her, and in just a few short weeks she and her most necessary and prized possessions will be moving to a college seven hours from our home. These days I find her sorting through boxes, drawers and endless piles trying to decide what goes to her new home in the dorm and what stays behind. Porcelain dolls will be ... Read the Post

Snow White: It's Not Just A Fairy Tale

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? A holy king adopts a lowly peasant girl to become a princess, an heiress to the ruler of all kingdoms and they live, literally, ever after. But this is not a fairy tale! In Romans 3:23 scripture informs us, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” There is not one of us who is pure and spotless before God, and, aside from his help, we are without hope. In Isaiah 64:6 we learn that our righteousness (the very best we have to offer) is as filthy rags compared to Him. This is because sin has separated us from our loving Father. Because He is ... Read the Post

Soiled

I was lying in a hospital bed in severe pain, body broken, unable to move, alone in the dark, physically and mentally exhausted but unable to sleep due to the pain. This was the story of my life for an entire February. On this particular night, I had urinated all over myself. My body, hospital gown, and sheets were soaking wet. Due to my broken bones, I was unable to lift my body on a portable potty, and the nurse staff was too busy to assist me. My pride felt as shattered as my body. At 3:00 a.m. I remember looking at the ceiling crying and whispering to God. I told Him that I could ... Read the Post