Good morning…
Every August, I am the kick-off speaker for Lovett Moms In Prayer, a committed group of mothers who gather weekly to pray for the various facets of the K-12th grade experience of The Lovett School community. Every year I love being with this gathering of young women; it’s a sweet sign that another new school year is beginning.
As I sat in thick traffic on the way to the school yesterday, a simple prayer rose up quietly from within.
Holy Spirit…fill…breathe…guide.
As we collected the attention of the nearly fifty moms, a woman who has been in our home for Bible study introduced me. “As our kick-off speaker every year, Sue’s voice is a consistent source of support and encouragement,” she concluded.
Then I invited us into silence, centering ourselves with God, before I slowly repeated the simple prayer given to me in the traffic jam.
Holy Spirit…fill…breathe…guide.
This year, I handed out copies of the first book I ever wrote, Scribbling A Masterpiece: Doodle to Your Destiny, and together we read through the adult picture book. We started at the end, on the “About the Author” page. There I was in 2003, a young mom myself with kids ages 2, 4, 6, and 8.
“This is me when I was you!” I explained, sharing proof that I too had juggled the struggles they were currently facing.
Together we unpacked thoughts about the book, pointing out images, phrases, and scriptures which touched us most deeply.
The final comment shared with the group highlighted James 3:5b-6a: Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire…It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire.
“I realize how important it is for me to choose my words very carefully with my kids,” one honest mom said. “I can do a lot of damage with my fiery tongue.”
We all could relate. Our sharp words can kick-off a wildfire. That is why we must return regularly to the small prayer God rose up amid the tyranny of traffic.
Holy Spirit…fill…breathe…guide.
May the words that come out of my mouth and the musings of my heart meet with Your gracious approval, O Eternal, my Rock, O Eternal, my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14, AMP).
…Sue…
