Hey, Darling Siestas! I’m back at my desk at Living Proof Ministries, Melissa is back at hers in Atlanta, and AJ and her family are about to board a plane and head home from vacation. Hallelujah! Whatever this wild family’s normal is, we’re happily returning to it. I have not seen my baby girl in two and a half months, a near-record for us, and she’s heading from Atlanta to Houston on Wednesday. We have an in-house ministry thing she’s coming to attend as well as Miss Annabeth Ellen Jones’s baby dedication at our church. We are looking so forward to our family all being back together again. If I don’t get those grandbabies back in my arms soon, there’s gonna be heck to pay.
Actually, I could have kept all that family news to myself except that I had you on my mind, particularly in view of some heavy things I’ve read in the last 24 hours. I just thought I’d share a verse with you that I have right in front of me today at my desk. And, yes, jotted down on an index card. And, no, it’s not a memory verse (yet). Just an encouragement verse and I wondered if somebody could use it today. It’s Psalm 94:18-19 out of the New English Translation:
If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loyal love, O Lord, supports me. When worries threaten to overwhelm me, Your soothing touch makes me HAPPY.”
If perchance worries are threatening to overwhelm you this Monday morning, I pray that You will sense His soothing touch…and it will make you purely happy. Maybe even giddy. We could use some giddy today.
I love you, Siestas. Take heart! Jesus has overcome the world!
Will be my next memory verse! Thanks Beth . . .
To the siesta who lost the baby – am joining the other siestas in praying for you. I am so sorry.
To the siesta who got the “pink slip” – you are being prayed for also!
And Beth – maybe yesterday’s blog post did not turn out the way you might have envisioned, BUT GOD . . . after reading all the posts and crying with everyone else, I sense a whole bunch of we siestas (who posted anon) are a lot farther down the journey path toward freedom – which elicits an AMEN! I pray that your heart dear Beth is not heavy from all the burden sharing.
I have been reading your blog for quite some time now, and I finally got a blog so I can comment!!!! You have really been an inspiration in my life and don’t even know it! 🙂
Beth, Thank you for the verse. A lot going on at my house. Nothing bad all good, it just will take some major adjusting for this momma. Not to mention being 50. No the age does not bother me, it is all that goes with it. but I have a great husband and wonderful kids, salvation, and a God who loves me.
Glad your family will be all together again and life will be back to normal for you. Please don’t worry about all the family stuff. I really enjoy that kind of stuff. Along the family lines of things I would be grateful if you all would pray for me this summer as I adjust to having just two kids at home instead of four. I have two going away to work at a summer camp this summer and then the two oldest going away to school next fall. Thanks Kim B. in AZ
You have no idea just how much that was needed this morning. Did you just feel a need to pray for the Siestas?? Cause I think that is awesome…but of course it is awesome because we serve an AWESOME God!!!
Thanks Beth for the timely word!All I could think about since this morning is that I am too stressed to be blessed. I so needed to hear those words of encouragement.I was just about to have me a good ole fashion fit! Instead I decided to get a big glass of chocolate milk(think I drank it too fast) and get online…glad that I did. People should know better than to mess with a teacher the last few weeks of school!And it’s not really the kids…they have been great for the most part. It’s everything else. Gotta Go…it’s tattle to God time. Thanks again for the word.
Beth,
I wanted to say “Happy Mother’s Day, MamaSiesta!” to you yesterday, but the biological format discouraged me and I didn’t want to leave a negative post on that subject.
Normally, holidays are difficult for me, but yesterday was encouraging. Saturday, a wonderful lady who is my spiritual mother, best friend, and mentor, took me out to breakfast where we had a 2 hour conversation. She provided great wisdom and counsel on some things that had been bothering me lately.
I’d love to share the whole story, but in the interest of space, I’ll just say that God worked through that connection along with my pastor’s message yesterday and my final paper (3rd semester of seminary) to give me a revelation of some important things.
After a season, no, it has been a climate – a lifetime of depression, lack of self-worth, and a pile of related issues, one verse that spoke to me was 1Peter5:10. After we have suffered for a while, God himself will restore, support, strengthen, and establish us.
Today, I have a glimmer of hope.
I love you too, MamaSiesta.
Michele
Liverpool, NY
Doggone if that’s not a good word.
I had a great Monday, very happy and relaxed, until about 10 minutes before I got home. Grrrr. Mood went south.
Then I read this little nugget… perfect timing!
Isn’t it funny how you can be having a perfectly wonderful day, and then one little(insignificant, really) thing just sends it all haywire in your mind.
It’s gotta be those female horomones… men don’t do this, do they??? 🙂
Thank you for sharing, especially now. Gods timing is ALWAY PERFECT!!!!
Glad your all your babies will be home soon even the grown ones.
Diane
Last week I was feeling frumpy. Kept thinking about things of the past…junk God has released me from – but it kept hanging on to the back of my mind. As I was mowing my yard…it occured to me that Satan wants me to constantly feel like the victim… unable to move – forwards, backwards. He wants us to stay stuck in our junk. BUT we are VICTORS over Satan because of Jesus…
His Grace is so Amazing!!!
Beth,
I have no words. Thank you for being here today and posting these scriptures. Sometimes it feels like I am hanging on for dear life. Today is one of those days.
Kels
Thanks Mama, I needed that! I am trying not to worry about hte $ we still need to raise for my husband and I’s upcoming mission trip. We still need @ $3000…God help me give this over to You for You are the great provider!
Great word for the day. Very timely in my life. Thanks
How thankful I am for His soothing touch! As I read over so many of the comments from yesterday it broke my heart to realize so many women have carried the heavy burden of feeling unloved by their moms. I did not have a good relationship with my mom, but when my daughter was only 4, my husband wisely said, "You may never be able to have the relationship with your mom that you want. But YOU can create the relationship with your daughter so she will not have that struggle with you." She is now 36 & we have an awesome relationship (we even live next door to each other, by choice!) And my mom accepted Christ 2 months before He took her home…after a sudden heart attack at age 72! So I know I will one day see her again & we will have a great relationship in heaven! Don't give up hope, those who still have a living mom that is unsaved. I never thought I'd see my mom come to Christ, but "with Christ all things are possible!"
That is so going to be my next memory verse! So awesome! Thanks!
Dear Siestas,
My heart broke for so many of you yesterday as I read the letters to moms. Please know I am praying for you and so thankful that Jesus did not leave us as orphans but sent the Holy Spirit.. the Comforter.
And to my anonymous siesta who lost her firstborn yesterday, I too know the pain. I don’t know how far along you were, but it doesn’t matter. I was grieving yesterday too for my lost babies. I’m praying that God will show Himself especially tender to you and that you will feel His “loyal love” and “soothing touch”.
Barbra
Oxford, PA
Amen! God has been moving mightily in my life this past week. Yow! Bless Him.
As quite a few others have said, exactly the verse I needed at exactly the time I needed it…WOW…I love it! And I love you, Beth, my siesta!
The Journey Continues ~
Words of our FATHER GOD are needed!
So much pain around me lately!
Trying to uplift only to feel let down! And then ~ BACK TO THE LIFE MANUAL to get MY BRAIN/HEART/STRENGTH/WORDS/HEARING/LISTENING/TOUCH BACK ON TRACK ~
With “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim Safina
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
smooch those babies of yours ~ daughters included!
My foot has been slipping for a year. I am learning to lean on Him like I have never leaned before. Thank you for that verse and for your words of encouragment. Praise to Him!
Thank you so much for this Word of encouragement! My foot is definitely slipping today…I am overwhelmed with worries at work. It comforts me that we have a God in Heaven who knows all about our fears and will wipe every tear one day. Bless you for reminding us that He is in control.
Thank you Beth! I was made giddy the other day when I found out that our dear friend Tammy will be joining us for your Pittsburgh Living Proof Live event…wanna go to Starbucks and share some fellowship and a cup?
Love ya precious lady and so glad for you that your schedule is getting back to “normal”
Amber
Burlington, Ky
You have no idea how much I needed that. I have never felt more misunderstood and unhappy in any job before- but It is SO good to remember that God has my foot, and it’s not going anywhere.
You would not believe how I have been fighting the devil these past 6 weeks dealing with fear and worry he is really getting on my nerves and I just want him to leave me alone! However I found the neatest verse today and it says “The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet” Romans 18:26 and yes I loved the verse you left today. You would be so proud of me I’ve been memorizing all kinds of scripture. I’m just going to write ya a letter. I’m glad you are back and I love you lots 🙂
Kelly Jo
Albany Ky
Beth,
What a special job God has given you. Thank you for taking it seriously and thank you for taking it to heart. That means a lot to us Siestas out here.
And, may you enjoy your family to the fullest. It’s good to go, but it’s good to get home too!
🙂
Oh my lands….PUH-LEASE bring on the giddy’s in Jesus’ Mighty Name.
Did I just say ‘oh my lands?!’ Who says that?!
How did you know I needed this today?! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The Loyal Love of Jesus…. when so much else can feel disloyal these days.
Thank You, Lord.
Bless you Beth for sharing it.
Warm in Alaska.
I couldn’t get yesterday’s post off my mind today. It was so comforting to know I’m not alone. It’s just sad that so many of my sisters in Christ feel they must post anonymously. I felt the same way as so many of you. I need to write a note, but wasn’t ready yesterday. I love how the Holy Spirit sent us all back here for a good word today. Thank you for the time you were in Cleveland with the girl on the stage and you reminded us that He is the “head lifter”. I have that image right now! We love you, Beth!
Angie in Michigan xoxo
Thanks Beth I really needed to read that. The enemy had planted something in my mind and I have been praying for God to give me the strenght to overcome it. So thank you again for that scripture.
Um, hi. My name is Lindsee and this verse was for me.
Thank you times a million. 🙂
Well, I live under a rock… just found your blog and I’m so glad I did. What an encouragement. I look forward to reading more.
Beautiful translation. Thank you for a much needed word.
I’m praying for you. Thank you for being such a blessing to me and soooooo many.
Love you sweet siesta in Christ!
Thank You I really needed that word this very moment with tears in my eyes. All things are possible I got to keep telling myself. Love ya’ll
Sue
I have loved those verses for some years now, because they minister a great deal to my spirit and the fact that His love supports and is faithful enough and powerful enough not to let me fall and console my spirit to the point of joy is AMAZING!!! Oh, how I love God’s Word! Thank you!
Thank you so much for that word!
I have a 7-hour-long exam on Wednesday (for my NP license) and it is on my mind!
I have never failed anything in my life, but that doesn’t stop the enemy from taunting me with that fear each time. Praise God, I have had much more peace with this exam than most. But I’m going to stick that verse in my head tonight!!
PS – I just got home from Esther session six. Loved the chiastic structure and peripety but I’m sorry, I just don’t believe that you really did your hair with a fork!!! 🙂
That is a really great verse! Thanks for sharing it today. I didn’t get a chance to comment on your NDOP post, but I wanted to thank you for sharing those details with us. I love how to invite as all in as friends in your life Beth! I loved you as my Bible lady for many years, but now I love you also as friend! When I saw you speak at the Focus on Marriage similcast and you shared about how you were memorizing scripture with some ladies I just had a huge grin on my face. It was all I could do to not whisper to those around me, “that’s me, she’s talking about me, I’m one of those ladies!” I love sharing life with you, and the way you are such an encouragment, and the way you make me love Jesus more! Thanks for being you!
YES!! That is what I needed today, God is so faithful, His mercy holds me up!!
Thank you dear Beth, you are loved.
I so needed to hear this today!! Thank you Beth for sharing this verse. I could really use some “giddy” right now!!
Melissa
Johnson City, TN
Dear Beth,
Thanks for the verse, it WAS needed. Yes, the responses to the ‘what to tell your mother’ comment was overwhelmingly heavy! I think though, what is even more wild is that God gave you the comment to ask it of your bloggers! Kinda looks like we’ve got some things to deal with down in our hearts! Amazingly enough, God is enough and CAN heal the hardest of hurts, hurts that go deep to the quick! So keep seeking Beth, those God-comments and God-questions for this crazy group of wild women! Bless your bones girl!! Please come and visit if you ever find yourself in the Pacific Northwest!!!
As so many have said, siesta momma, THANK YOU. You bless our hearts and our lives.
Your example of loving God above all, and seeking His face constantly… no matter the successes or failures helps us all to not be so afraid of trying and flopping, and getting back up and trying again.
His touch does indeed make me happy.
God bless you all,
Heather
This was exactly what I needed today! Thank you, Beth!
And I am just relishing in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” AMEN!
A much needed “Good word for a Monday morning!” THanks!
Dearest Beth,
After reading from your Thursday NDP post until today’s post, I’m blown away! What an incredible blessing…God sovereignly called me to a 3 day Esther fast over the NDP, and the day of NDP was the day of my study of Esthers fast in your “It’s Tough Being A Woman” study of Esther! Yep! God is right on time, every time! Amazing grace…He even spoke to me to “quick turn on God TV” and there you were, speaking in Washington, DC at NDP,(Incredible message that left everyone spellbound) and then you and Keith having to leave a little early in order to get the plane to Pennsylvania…Yes, and prayers went with you all the way, by all our siesta’s and others to whom you are “The Bible Lady!”
The NDP was a spiritual observance like unto that which I have never experienced, and I have been involved with NDP for over 20 years! God is certainly testing the reigns of our hearts in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, and whispering to us, “Look up, look up, your redemption draweth nigh….” I was able to be on the interactive prayer blog with the Presidential Prayer Team on their site and what a joy it was to pray with believers in a responsive and flowing type of prayer, praise, worship, repentance, humility, contrition, calling out, crying out, then even “singing out” over the computer in the spirit. It was amazing how the Spirit flowed.
What a good word you have given to us all…and how very proud I am of you in the LORD for the life of victory you are exampling in Him. I can tell you that this past week as a result of the week 4 in Esther study, a strong hold of a lie in my life was revealed…a nasty lie that my husband of 38 years would “suddenly” be taken from me…and now I can gladly say, “If so, then GOD!” Thank you again and again for your obedience that God has used to change so many lives, from vanquished to victor, from fear to faith, I am one of them, and I want to shout “I’m free! I’m free, thank God almighty I’m free at last!”
Blessings,
Pam Houston
So. Cal Siesta
I love you Beth. Thank you.
Elizabeth
Wow, what incredibly “un-coincidental” timing you have, Miss Beth…
I am sitting here in front of the computer, heart broken for my dear friend and his family in Houston, TX.
This friend is named Larry Mullen, and I met him while I lived in Houston myself. And, being that he was a border across the hall from me, we became quite close friends rather quickly, as he is/was only 3 years younger than my own Dad… So, he quickly became “like a second Dad to me.”
Larry has 3 grown sons with families of their own, all living within the NW Houston area, thanks be to God. And, I say this as one of his sons, Jerry, was just diagnosed with CANCER a couple of months ago. And, after speaking to Larry this evening, Jerry is NOT doing well at all, and likely will not survive this silly cancer…
I feel so heart broken for their entire family… BUT, he does have Jesus as his Lord and Savior, as does Larry, that I know about for sure…
Oh, and 2 things really tear me to pieces about this whole situation: 1) Jerry is only 41 years old, with a young family [and, mind you, I AM 41 years old now, too]; and 2) These sons of Larry’s lost their own mother to breast cancer when the oldest son was only 8 years old, and I hate for Jerry’s young children to have to go through such pain …
Miss Beth, and others, would you mind PRAYING for the entire Mullen family with me ???
Lord, please bless the Mullen family with Your great Love and Peace, and anything else that they may need right now. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen
——————-
Love, in Christ Jesus,
Jennifer O.
Southern Wisconsin
I thought it was so nice of Jesus to have you post that verse, just for me, just for this a.m.’s time with God, showing me that He (not I) will keep me from going overboard in this storm called life! Love you, happy work week!!! We are still exciting to hear about what you were writing before your trip (hint, hint) 🙂
Kelly
Clarksville, Tennessee
I just wanted to say how much I love you Beth, Melissa, and Amanda. I look so forward to hearing new things on your blog. They always inspire me to want to know more about Jesus. I pray for you a lot and I thank Him every time for you. You have this way of making us wish we were part of your family, but I know in heaven we will rejoice together. You guys are precious. Thank you for your service to Him. You are loved!
Thanks. (sigh) I needed that.
Oh, Miss Beth….
Thanks so much for that encouragement. It’s the 2nd time today that I’ve been reminded of Hinds Feet in High Places and at such the perfect time in my life. I love sneaky God stuff!
Have a blessed day! Thank you for all you do……
With love, Staci
Just like you told us in Boone. We’re bringing HAPPY back!
Leigh ATL