To The Parents of the Prodigal Children

Earlier this month we celebrated Mother’s Day. Usually my Mother’s Day is full of love, peace, and joy. My husband and children go out of their way to make this day special for me. This past Mother’s Day however was full of sadness, hurt, and confusion as one of my teenagers chose that weekend to make some seriously selfish and dangerous choices. My husband and I spent this last Mother’s Day weekend crying and praying for our wayward child.

By the end of that weekend when things had settled down some I felt the Holy Spirit showing me that I wasn’t the only mom crying for her child this Mother’s Day. He reminded me of the other mother’s of prodigal children everywhere who’s situations are terribly worse than ours. This past Mother’s Day weekend the heavens were full of our prayers and tears.

I was filled with compassion and moved to write a word of encouragement to the praying parents of the prodigal children. I believe this is what the Holy Spirit is saying to us in this season:

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

Every Christmas my church, Calvary Chapel Ft.Lauderdale, has a huge sign in Christmas lights on their property that says ‘Calvary Chapel Says Jesus Is The Reason For The Season’. I love it because the church is on a main road which gets a lot of traffic so the sign gets a lot of visibility. I pray and hope that when the motorist drive by and read that sign that it helps them put Christmas back into perspective. Perhaps they will stop and give thanks for the birth of our Savior. Hopefully their children will read the sign and ask what it means. But what answer will these small children be given? If they are not Christians who knows what their parents will say.

What about us Christians? What are we telling our children about Christmas? Is our children’s faith in Jesus or in Santa? Perhaps their hope and faith are in both. Is this right or are we in error?

I don’t know about you, but as for me and my household we will serve the Lord. We serve a jealous God who has said, “You may worship no other god than me.” (Exodus 20:3) By teaching your children to make their requests known to Santa, teaching them that he is “all knowing”, “always present”, “all powerful”, and the giver of good gifts you are putting in their mind that he is a god. You are leading these small children down the wrong path telling them that Santa knows when they are sleeping, he knows when their awake, he knows if they’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. Santa-Clause to a child is an exact representative of God to an adult.

Imagine how hurt and confused your child will feel when they find out the truth that Santa is not real, that he is just a myth, a fairytale. The truth will be that you have spent the past several years misleading and lying to your own children. Have we forgotten that the Word of God says that no liar will inherit the kingdom of heaven? (Revelation 21:8)


Our children trust us to lead them down the right path honestly and carefully. Lying to them and teaching them to believe in this false god is cruel and inconsiderate to the child because we know that the day will come that you will have to burst their bubble by telling them that Santa is not real. This could destroy their faith. This may hinder their trusting Jesus Christ because they may be afraid that one day they may be told that Jesus is not real, that he is just a myth, and a fairytale. You may be causing your own children to stumble and lose faith.

Jesus said, “But if any of you causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose his faith it would be better for you to have a rock tied to your neck and be thrown into the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) As parents we will be held accountable by our Lord for how we have affected our children “these little ones” ability to trust. Jesus has warned us that there would be severe punishment for leading them down the wrong path.

Let us be good stewards of our children. We owe it to them to teach them the true meaning of Christmas. It is not about Santa, his reindeers, and elves. Santa is not the gift giver. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father. (James 1:17) It is because of His provision that we are able to bless our children and family with gifts during the holiday. He is the one that meets our every need.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who was born to die for us. This is what our children need to know, the TRUTH.

I Wish I Had A Mom!

This is an article I wrote for WeUsed2bu that I just want to share with you..

I Wish I Had A Mom!

I wish I had a mom! You see my mom died when I was sixteen years old in a tragic car accident. I wish she were here today so that I could ask her for advice. I know if she were here I could lay on her lap and she would talk with me, listen to me, cry with me, and hold me. I WISH I HAD A MOM! (my heart full of sadness and eyes full of tears)

As the mother of 7 children I long to give my children all the love that I did not get from my mother because she was taken from me when I was so young. As a godly mother raising godly children; I encourage my children to live their lives and set their standards based on the Word of God. I am loving and tough on them all at the same time because I want the best for their lives. I am determined to keep them on the narrow road that leads to Life and off the wide path that most take, that leads to death. I won’t allow them to settle for anything less than their best. I express to them the importance as Christians that we must live our lives to please God and not man. This is an expression of our love for Christ and a show of appreciation for dying on the cross for our sins. I wish I had a mom to do this for me.

Don’t take your mom from granted. You are blessed to have her. She can teach you many things if you will let her. When she scolds and corrects you it is for the best. When she tells you “No” it’s for your own good. She is not trying to keep anything from you. When she says not now be patient and trust her the time is not right.

There will be so called friends that will try to lead you down the wrong path and away from your mother’s loving instructions. Stay away from them! They are just a tool in the hands of the enemy. The enemy is trying to get you away from the safety of your mother’s watchful eye so that he can attack you and give you over to the world to be abused, consumed, and left for dead.

Don’t be so quick to say that she doesn’t understand. She hasn’t told you everything that she has been through, only what you can handle for now. She has a lot of secrets. One day she may even share them with you. You might not think she can relate, but you never know she may have been there and done that.

I never thought about losing my mom. I thought that she would always be there. I am sad to say that I treated my mother terribly. I hurt her so much. (tears) I was full of rebellion. She said “no”, I said “yes”. She’s said, “You’re not going!” and I’d go anyways. Every chance I got I disobeyed her. I regret it all. I did not see how much she loved me. I would complain about the long hours she worked, never appreciating her sacrifice of love. I did not see how strong she was and how much she loved me, until it was too late. I wish she were here now.. I wish I had my mom..

Your mom is a gift from God. She is not perfect, but she’s yours. Appreciate her and show her love and respect. Pray for her all the time. Don’t just tell her you love her, show her. Honor your mom with how you choose to live your life.

From my heart with love,


Trophy of Grace

Family Ministry First

Last night my pastor told a story of woman who lost her husband and two children in a train accident. I can only imagine the thoughts and the emotions that this woman must be experiencing. I wonder what were the last words they spoke to one another? Was there a kiss goodbye before they left each other? Are there any regrets? I can’t imagine losing my husband and children. I can’t imagine my life without them.

I lost my mother when I was just sixteen years old. It was so sudden. It devastated my life. I had so many regrets about the way I treated her and how rebellious I was. I wished that I could take back all the mean words and terrible behavior. I hurt her so much. Now all I have are some pictures and memories that I hold close to my heart. Sometimes I wish I could just hear her voice, but it’s too late.

We must never take our families for granted. We have to show them how much we love and appreciate them. Maybe we have allowed ourselves to become so busy that we don’t make time to just sit and sincerely listen to what our loved ones are saying. Maybe we are impatient, short tempered, or insensitive to their needs.

We have to stop and evaluate ourselves often. God has entrusted us with this blessing and gift called family. They are our number one responsibility. Are we building up our family or are we tearing it down? Do we say loving things or are our words harsh and critical? One day we will give an account to God for every idle word spoken. So let us be careful of what we are saying to the ones we are suppose to be showing love. (Matthew 12:36-37, Ephesians 5:2)

Often times we want to go and save the world. We want to feed the starving children in other countries, minister to lost teenagers, encourage our brothers and sisters in the congregation, or visit inmates in prisons. This is great, but we must remember that ministry begins at home. Do we have the same desire, motivation, and fire to save, serve, and love in our own home?

Since I started the WeUsed2bu Girl Advice ministry I began realizing that I could not ever allow my WeUsed2bu girls to take precedence over my own teen daughters. Sometimes I find that I am on the computer for hours counseling young girls and woman, sharing the love of Christ. One day as I was sitting there being slammed with questions my youngest daughter says, “Mom get off the computer and watch a movie with us. It’s raining outside and it’s a perfect movie day!” I began to explain to her that these girls really need me. Then I realized that my own girls are also the WeUsed2bu girls. They need me too. They need me more and they must come first! No excuses! So I finished up my last response and enjoyed movie time with the girls. I’m glad I did..Imagine the hurt and rejection that could have caused them. Perhaps that would have even caused my girls to have resentment towards the ministry thinking that the ministry is more important than them. This could have affected their own ministry in the future.

We are all called to reach out and minister the gospel, feed the poor, and visit prisoners. However our primary ministry will always be our family. If anyone does not care for his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8) Our ministry and service to our families can be a witness and testimony to others. We have to set the example out in the world, in the church and even behind close doors. We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us at all times, not just when we are in a good or ‘spiritual’ mood. We are to love and care for our family at all times. Our family ministry must come first

Confession For Parents

Confession for parents taken from The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word (Meyer, Joyce). God’s Word spoken out of your mouth regularly produces a powerful, victorious life!”-Joyce Meyer

• I always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when I pray for my children. They have the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for them in heaven. God has filled them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. They live lives worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father. They are qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. He has rescued them from the dominion of darkness and brought them into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom they have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:3,5,9-14)


• My children [reverently] fear the Lord, and keep all His statutes and His commandments…They love the Lord their God with all their [mind and] heart and with their entire being and with all their might. (Deuteronomy 6:2,5)


• My children are the head, and not the tail; and they shall be above only, and they shall not be beneath, because they heed the commandments of the Lord their God and are watchful to do them. (Deuteronomy 28:13)


• My children choose life and blessing. They love the Lord, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is their life and the length of their days. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)


• My children make right choices according to the Word of God. (Isaiah 54:13)


• As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are my children in the hands of the Lord. (Jeremiah 18:6)


• I am always a positive encourager. I edify and build up; I never tear down or destroy. (Romans 15)


• All my children have Christian friends, and God has set aside a Christian wife or husband for each of them. (1 Corinthians 15:33)


• My children are not unequally yoked with unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14)


• My children walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]. (Galatians 5:16)


• My children have the spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of God. Their eyes have been flooded with light, so that they can know and understand the hope to which He has called them, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones).


• My children have a teachable spirit. (Proverbs 14:16)


• My children love to pray and study the Word. They correctly analyze the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Teach Them The Way To Go

Do you realize that the enemy has been trying to destroy you since you were born? Do you think that it will be any different for your children? There is a spiritual battle for our children’s souls. Are your children being prepared for war?

Many parents long to give their children all the things their parents could not give them. Better clothes, better shoes, bigger homes, more presents during the holidays, whatever they felt they were in shortage of. Although these things are nice they cannot be our main focus. Our children’s spiritual condition is vital to their survival. Our Heavenly Father commanded the children of Israel to teach their children His laws and tell of His miracles so that they would set their hope on Him. He did not want them to be stubborn, rebellious, unfaithful children who refuse to give their hearts to Him. (Psalms 78:2-8)

I have five beautiful children. They range from 16 months old to thirteen years old. I do not claim to be an expert, but I have gained a lot of experience over the years and I am learning daily. The more time I spend with the Lord the more I begin to realize that had I of been taught the principles found in the Word when I was a child perhaps things would have been different. I was not equipped for the attacks that were launched against me.

His Spirit has lead me to teach my little ones values, integrity, and morals based on His Word. He has promised that if we direct our children onto the right path when they are older they will not depart from it. They will remember it and always turn to God. (Proverbs 22:6)

We must teach our children to love, honor, worship, praise, and have a reverential fear of God. Sending them off to Sunday school is just not enough. We have to set the example for our children. They should see us spending time with God, praying, reading the Word, worshipping and praising. They need to see Jesus in us! They need to know the importance and benefits of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must be sure they understand that His sacrifice did not come easy and should not be taken lightly.

It is our responsibility to encourage them to read the Word daily and put Him first in everything. If we teach them the principle of tithing and giving with a sincere heart while they are young they will not have a problem later on in life honoring God with their finances. They need to know that they are different from the rest of the world and they are to let their light shine for all to see.

If you do not teach your children to serve God they will learn to serve the world. The world will try to consume them and destroy their lives but you can teach your children to be over comers in Christ Jesus. Teach your children to walk down the narrow road that leads to salvation or the enemy will lead them down the wide path to death and hell.