joyancejames

Tag: #fathersheart

  • Rain Stopper

    The sky was overcast, yet the obstinate sun rays managed to sneak through, continuing the delusion that the downpour wasn’t imminent, although I could hear the thunder rumble at a distance. I was about to leave home to pick up my daughter, Faith from her school as I faced a dilemma whether to risk the rain and take my e-scooter or listen to my wiser wife and take the car.
    Finally, I decided to ride to the school and asked God to hold up the rains for 15 minutes till I reached back.

    The rains obeyed their Creator. (Thank you Elijah for giving us a precedent in rain-stopping prayer).

    We started from school and enjoyed the scenic ride back across a small lake and since there wasn’t any rain, we decided to indulge in some shopping too. But what I mis-calculated was my 15-minute-rain-hold time was over, by the time we stepped out of the shop it was pouring! We managed to have an adventurous ride back where I covered Faith with my huge raincoat like a Batman’s cape (picture a hen covering her chicks). Her father’s cape had kept her dry but I was soaking wet!

    Many times we tend to test the limits of divine favour. We lean on our own understanding even when we know better. Father’s favour cannot become an excuse for our foolishness. Favour doesn’t always equate to protection, it includes correction too. 

    On brighter days – without the cape

    King Solomon’s words to the wise – 

    Proverbs 3:5-12 MSG

    [5-12] Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.

    May the Father’s favour keep us dry, protected & corrected. 😊

    God bless!

  • Take me deeper vs carry me

    Lessons from Faith’s first day at beach

    Faith with mummy vs daddy at the beach

    Yesterday was Faith’s first day at beach and it taught us a lesson or two. She was so scared to step into the water even after seeing smaller babies rolling in the sands/water. Shalom took her to the edge where the waves just kiss the shore and baby cried her heart out, as if she was afraid for her life. I’d to salvage her first beach experience’s trauma by picking her up and calming her and that decent photo is the evidence of that calmness.

    There are days when He takes us deeper into the waters and days when we see only one set of footprints 👣 on the sand (when He carries us in His arms). The hands that hung the stars are big yet small enough to carry you too.

    We’ve days when we can’t imagine going further or deeper yet God knows when to stop and pick us up. Whether it’s in deeper waters or in His arms may we never forget that it is His presence that matters. He will never forsake us nor leave us.

    ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
    Exodus 19:4 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/exo.19.4.NLT

    Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you.
    Isaiah 46:4 AMPC
    https://bible.com/bible/8/isa.46.4.AMPC

    God bless.

  • Lessons from fatherhood – VI

    Resting in His embrace

    My baby, Faith has been sleeping on my chest ever since I can remember. Not sure how I became her favourite mattress, but I guess body warmth and singing worship songs as lullaby did play their part. A sleeping tradition which started even before Faith was 3 months old still continues when she is 21 months old. Now even when I get to see her once in 3 months, because my work takes me away, she still revels in the pre-slumber embrace.

    #howitstartedvshowitsgoing



    At the end of our busy days, when we come back emotionally drained, physically tired and mentally worn out, whom do we turn to for respite and recharge? King David who spent a number of his youth years running for his life for no fault of his confesses this, “now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid!”
    Psalms 4:8 TPT.

    Elsewhere in an another poignantly true song, David asks us to, “give your burdens to the Lord , and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalms 55:22 NLT.
    Here we see a man after God’s own heart, even when besieged by troubles, he knew the secret to a good night’s rest. To cast the burdens on the Lord and recharge in His presence is the secret to David’s survival in his wilderness years.

    Sleeping on my chest gives my baby an opportunity to listen to my heartbeat, probably they add the percussion to her lullaby! Staying close to the Father gives us the liberty of listening to His heartbeat. This proximity to the Father’s heart not only refreshes and recharges our soul but gives us an insight into His will. I’m reminded of the bridge of a famous worship anthem by Hillsong,
    “Heal my heart and make it clean
    Open up my eyes to the things unseen
    Show me how to love
    Like You have loved me
    Break my heart for what breaks Yours
    Everything I am
    For Your kingdom’s cause
    As I walk from earth into eternity”
    – Hosanna

    The next time you lie down to sleep and the worries of your life decide to choke your sleep, remember this promise of Jesus, find your pillow in His embrace and enjoy a good refreshing sleep.
    “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
    John 14:27 NLT
    God bless!