A few weeks ago I started the Maximize Your Mornings Challenge. I discovered this through a blog I really enjoy (Inspired to Action). Basically you get an e-book and you read it then fill out the workbook section. So, I did all this in January, but then put it aside until about 3 weeks ago. While my ideas have changed (I moved my wake up time, I'm doing the Bible Study through the group-Philippians, and I have basically skipped the workout part) I have greatly enjoyed doing this. But, it has been HARD. I am definitely not a morning person, so waking up early is not something I like doing. With the kids still in school for 2 more days it has been hard b/c they get up at the same time I do, so I'm not technically getting quiet time for my Bible study. But, I get it done and that is what matters. As the summer goes on and the kids sleep in, it will work out a little better as far as quiet time goes. The Philippians study has been great, because without it I don't know what I'd be doing for my quiet time with God. I need structure and a focus, so this has worked out well. They gave us a study guide and questions and things to look for everyday. It has really helped me learn- you read the same section for 5 days answering different questions and looking for different things each day. I am doing the summer session and have an accountability group through Facebook. (they do quite a few sessions)
Today I started 21 Days of Prayers for Sons. Basically for 21 days I will be praying for/over the boys 10 times a day. I found this through a couple of friends on Facebook (Diana and Jamie). The creator of the whole thing has a blog that details what the whole idea is about and how it works. I have joined a group for the summer session of this also. This is also based on an e-book (available for purchase on the blog) that comes with some background info, different topics to pray about and a list of prayers based on the topics. I love the list of prayers. Each topic has 10 prayers (the 10 you would do for the day) which totally helps me out since I have a little difficulty in that area. It gives you pretty specific stuff to pray for and the spots to insert you child(rens) names. I have already prayed for the boys twice today and I am so excited to see how this goes. The author of the e-book/blog (Brooke) also posted this the other day and I thought I'd share it-
{Originally posted at the M.O.B. Society, I like to post this article the day before the start of the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge. Perhaps you need to settle this issue in your heart once and for all. There’s no time like today.}
This parenting of the male species is hard.Whether you have an adventurous boy, a scholarly boy, a rambunctious boy, or a bookworm boy. A little boy, married boy, big boy or somewhere in between boy. Sinner boy, saved boy, sanctified boy.
It’s still hard.
I’ve watched your words, you boy mamas, and I confess: I’ve been totally overwhelmed with what God is doing through this community. I’ve rested my head many nights speechless that God would allow me to kneel with you and pray for His hand in our boys’ lives.
Several times I’ve asked God, “what are You doing?” And other times I’ve read about a mom’s deep burden for her son and all I could utter was, “O God.”
He hears our groanings.
The coupled pain and hope that keeps a mama on her knees wears a carpet thin.
But He hears you.
And God is for you.
You are the apple of His eye. His beloved. His thoughts toward you are many and His plans for you are good. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
When your son takes his first steps and you realize for the first time that your baby is growing up…God is for you.
When you give it your all and his heart doesn’t change…God is for you.
When you wake up and he’s five and you realize there are already so many moments you’ve missed and will never get back…God is for you.
When you realize the home life you desperately wanted to provide for him isn’t going to happen…God is for you.
When you realize how your own sinful choices have affected him…God is for you.
When you’re defeated and ready to quit…God is for you.
When you see the desires of his heart and realize that they’re not always good…God is for you.
When your son gets hurt or that thing you always wanted to protect him from happens…God is for you.
When his heart doesn’t belong to just you anymore…God is for you.
When he makes choices that hurt you, no, devastate you…God is for you.
When the threads of your carpet are worn bare from the praying, begging, hoping in God to complete the work He started…God is for you.
And His heart for you is good.
As we prepare to join our hearts in prayer for 21 days tomorrow, perhaps the one thing we should settle is this:
God is for us. And His heart for us is good.
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