When I was pregnant with our son 8 years ago, I remember a new friend asking me “How will you do it?” I muttered “Huh?” “They said “You know…..taking care of him and any other children you have.” I didn’t know what to say so (as per usual) tried to joke my way out of it.

For Brian and me , we were older when we married..I was 27 and God rewarded me with the man of my dreams. Brian was almost 31 and ready for marriage! We thought we would do the standard American gig…be married about 2-5 years and then we have kids. Isn’t that how it works? YOU make the plan, right? Wrong.

God had 4 years of painful infertility planned for us…to learn suffering, pain, and loss in a way I have never experienced before. Then, after having my son, I got pregnant 3 more times and lost all these precious babies. One was a tubal pregnancy that ruptured and almost cost me my life from internal bleeding. Thank God for our Dr. Ben Zivney!

Because I had worked in television and radio news, and (most wonderfully!) been on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for nearly 5 years after college graduation, I had enjoyed an exceedingly FULL career that changed my life. I loved it and it was a joyful investment in eternity!

Brian and I had committed that when (which sadly started becoming an “if!) we had children, I wanted to be home with them as much as possible. After spiritual mothering for years, I realized how short these years are and how FAST they go.

In my mind, I thought…”OK, we have a good 8-10 years of training and then it’s GO TIME. After that, my son and daughter’s  friends will be a primary influence, as well the culture. So, the decision was made…I would make the most of all given…time with them , domestic labor ( Yipe! Ha!), training and discipline, and most importantly, preparing them to know GOD and obey Him. (PLUS…lots of jokes, laughter, silliness and chocolate as any appropriate childhood would have! Needless to say, my husband is my candidate for “Hands-On Father of the Year—every year!”

For many wonderful women, being at home all day with your children is NOT an option…you have been abandoned, widowed, or need extra finances to put food on the table. Your children will always remember the sacrifice you made for their well-being..that you put their needs above your own!

Being at home all day with your children is hard…and challenging ….and rewarding. I have never needed Jesus like I do now. When you are in your home and struggling with patience and that same DISNEY princess machine playing over and over, you beg God for silence. When you step (for the 15th time) on those LEGOS because no one picks up, you cry out for help from God. This is the REAL DEAL. THIS IS THE TEST. NO ONE IS LOOKING. Now, how will I respond?

I have one recourse….TOTAL DEPENDENCE and a RESPONSE OF HUMILITY. This is a GREAT GOD we are dealing with. HE has GIVEN you the most blessed gift of children for you to show them God . This is the next generation that we are training up…with a society that needs HIM SO MUCH. Don’t you love it that your children see YOU are not Jesus?:) They get to see you ask for forgiveness, struggle with anger, sigh because your are sick of laundry, and be brain dead in the morning!

MAY YOU BE BLESSED AS YOU ARE GIVEN THIS MOST NEEDFUL TASK! Your REWARD will be great!
tristie fisher

“May JESUS HIMSELF and GOD the FATHER, who reached out in LOVE and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (The Message)

Ouch.  I am inflamed.  Or rather, my back is!  Once you pass the marker of 40 years of age, you realize that injuries take longer to heal.  You will hurt your back.  (The phrase “threw my back out” makes me laugh..where exactly did this come from?)

I have done this before and learned from experience that an “ANTI-inflammatory” and ice can be my best friends!

I want the opposite of inflammation and pain. This is true in my Physical AND Spiritual world.

This preceding Bible verse calms me and gives me strength. Take this as your spiritual “anti-inflammatory” with me—our focus is removed from our own pain and  focused on the only One who give peace.

Wanna see it again?

1. Jesus “Himself Reached out. ” (How?) In LOVE.
2. He “Surprised” me. (With what?) With “Gifts of Unending Help and Confidence.”
3. He “Put a Fresh Heart in me”.
4. He “Invigorates my Work”.
5. He “Enlivens my Speech”.

Feel better?  Now that hits the spot!  May JESUS give you Healing and Peace today!

Love to you in HIM,

Tristie