Revelation Chapter 10

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.” (Revelations 10:1-3 NIV)

Prayer Over Our Children

May my daughter’s eyes behold the wonders of heaven and of your angels. Oh God, reveal Your might and power. Let her ears hear the angels roar and the voices of thunder speak. May Your voice be her guide. Like the angels, I pray she will pledge herself to You who lives forever and who created the heavens, earth, and the seas. Oh God, announce to her the accomplishment of Your mystery while You fill her mouth with prophecy. Amen. ...

Contentment

My heart beats with quiet joy. It sings a song unto the Lord of happy measure. For after a busy day, I have found peace and stillness, drawing me into intimate communion with our Lord.
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The morning had dawned early with an appointment for Sweet Pea. Mid-day brought the same for Daddy and later yet another for Sweet Pea and me. Then, off to the races once more for one final sprint to the opposite side of town. We were ready to toss in the towel. Too much running. Too many commitments.
     
But gentle rain greeted our faces when we emerged from our final destination. It cooled our faces and dripped deliciously on our tongues, revitalizing our spirits. The tap-tap against our windshield danced a merry beat. Home again, the friendly thrumming turned to sharp staccatos against the roof of the car. Dropping temperatures greeted our dampened bodies as we abandoned ship and raced for the house. Yet the heat of summer no longer suffocated our lungs.
     
“Breathe it in, Sweet Pea!” I cried in our mad careen from the car to the front stoop. “Doesn’t it feel beautiful?”

​Soon, three wet bodies wiggled into the front door. The blast of central air greeted our entry. I stood at the doorway, hair streaming rain and clothes damp to the touch. My little girl shrieked with delight from the rousing chase between raindrops. Wet shoes were yanked off and hands washed. 
     
With one hour to go before dinner and glorious leftovers awaiting our bellies, I silently thanked God that I did not need to cook dinner. Then, with an increasingly wild rat-a-tat-tat on our rooftops and the raising of goosebumps on my skin, I made my declaration.
     
“Let’s all cuddle on our bed and watch a video!” Excitement charged the air. With the steady quickening pace of the rain and our chilled skin, snuggles together in front of the television after a day of running sounded heavenly. Before I knew it, we were all a huddled lump on the bed. Daddy claimed the middle with a girl burrowed against each of his sides. 
   
I nestled beneath the covers. The assaulting waves of water faded into the background as the radiating warmth of our collective bodies permeated my soul. There, snuggled beneath the covers with my loved ones, my heartbeat with contentment and joy. Here, we were safe in a sound home. Here, we were cozy and warm. our minds were now freed from the tasks which previously needed focus. Our refrigerator was filled with food and we had money to pay our bills. Most importantly, we were together. 
     
Having chosen a show with a faith message, the Word of God washed over us. Our hearts were edified and encouraged while our spirits refreshed. 
     
“Can I watch another, Momma?” asked my little girl with hopeful eyes. A big smile and a nod from me as I lay beneath the covers gave her answer. An excited squeal split the air and another show quickly commenced. 
     
Yet even the happy glow of this shared time could not satisfy our hungry bellies. So, exerting myself from this warm cocoon, I padded down the hallway to the kitchen. How thankful I was that no big mess needed concocting for our evening meal. Chef Mike did just fine warming up our tasty leftovers. Then back to the bedroom I went carrying steaming plates in hand to sit in front of the television once more. 
     
This time peals of thunder greeted my ears. Bang after bang split the air. Then, Crash! A mighty clap of thunder ripped from the heavens, deafening my ears, and stopping my heart. The house shuddered. The walls shook. The power flickered. But we were safe in our home. We were together. Our tummies were full. And our hearts were overflowing with joy.
     
Warmed beside Sweet Pea’s little body beneath the covers, I happily sighed. Contentment wrapped thick around my heart. The wind raged. The rain pelted. Thunder crashed. But nothing could disturb the deep peace resonating at my core. 
     
I lay there on the bed with eyes closed, feeling the warmth of my family and listening to the wild notes outside. Yet in the context of beauty and joy, even the ugly can be made beautiful. For beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When our lens sees with the light of joy and the love of Christ, the peace of God can overflow in the most dire of circumstances. 
     
Here, a wild storm raged outside my window. The blinding sheets of rain and deafening cracks of thunder assaulted us. Yet beneath the shelter of a solid house, love tucked deep in the folds of my heart, and refuge beneath the wings of the Lord Most High, the dark could not prevail. Instead, love and thanksgiving reigned. Love for my family. Love for my husband of over twenty years. Love for my little girl who brings such joyful energy and life.
     
From the shelter of a warm home, a cozy bed, and food in our bellies to our family’s close harmony, words could not express my joy. Love bubbled deep for our friends and neighbors while thanksgiving overflowed for God’s goodness. Most importantly, love washed deep for our Father and for our Lord Jesus Christ who draws us into intimate communion. He holds us through the storm and bitter rains. He speaks to us through the voice of thunder. And He calls us from before the winds of time. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
     
Friends and fellow parents, when chaos and hectic schedules overtake us, may we hear God’s voice through the noise. Whether His voice is soft like the gentle wind or loud like the clap of thunder, may He speak in such a way that we stop to listen. Likewise, when the storm winds blow and the rain beats upon us, let our response raise not from our own clenched fists. For who is the One who calms and controls the wind and the waves?  Who is the One to whom all creation bows? The Lord God, the Maker of heaven and earth. Instead, let us find rest in the eye of the storm from the refuge of God’s wings. May love and thanksgiving shelter us through the joy, peace, and contentment which naturally overflow from our trust in Him. 
     
Draw near to God this day and draw near to your loved ones. Hold them close in your hearts and treasure the moments. Let gratitude and thanksgiving overflow out of our love for God and for our precious ones so we might know the joy of peace and contentment in our everyday lives. This day may the gift of love surround each one of us and buffer us from the raging winds. This day, may you know peace and contentment derived from a heart of thanksgiving and love. 

A Parent's Prayer

​Oh God, surround me with Your peace this day. Fill my heart to overflowing for chaos threatens to take hold. Shelter me beneath Your wings of love. Make a wellspring of thanksgiving spring forth so I may  see with Your eyes. Fortify me with Your strength this day and undergird me with Your love. Help me to hear and heed Your voice. Amen.