Are You a Spitfire?

Have you ever heard of the word “spitfire”? If you were raised in the south, you might remember it said like this,”She had a spit-fare temper.” Yes, pronounced just like that. The word makes complete sense to me. It's someone who gets angry easily using their words to burn. What about you? Have you ever been so mad you could spit fire? It happens to all of us. But here’s where you go when that fire begins to rage. 

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:17-18 NLT

Pick one word that stands out to you and use it in your prayers today. Think about it in the morning, afternoon and evening. Pray about it and see where God leads you. My word is pure. There’s no way a pure heart can produce fire. So I dive into the scripture daily to secure my peace and get wisdom from above. Our world is full of self seeking angry people. Instead of contributing to that madness find ways to plant seeds of peace. That begins with you making an honest effort to be peace loving and will shine through to those around you.

The One Prayer You Should Say for Your Children

I walked into his dimly lit room before going to bed. He was fast asleep but moved his body as I entered the room. I noticed the red and white Cars sheets and remembered how much he had begged us for them at Christmas. Ever so quietly, I bent down to kiss his forehead and immediately smelled a familiar and comforting scent. Even at four years old, he had his daddy’s scent.

“A little man already,” I thought as I brushed his hair with my hand.

I longingly tried remembering his birth, his little hands and feet. But it all was becoming  a distant memory. However, the one memory that hadn’t escaped me was the laughter, my laughter. My son’s birth was the fastest and easiest of all three children.  I remember the doctor rushing in and telling me to push. One push, maybe two and he was born! They laid my son on my chest and I laughed with complete joy. So quick, so fast. Some would say a foreshadowing of his future, as my little boy has been quick and fast since the moment he realized what his legs were for.

Now looking at my son, I wished to go back in time for just a couple minutes, I prayed.

“Lord God, I thank you for my little boy. He is growing up so fast! It’s hard to see him grow up when I so badly want to keep him small forever. But I know it’s all a part of your plan. Help him, God. Help him grow to be a man that follows after you. A gentle man, a kind man, a strong man. I know one day he will love someone more than me. But right now God, that’s so hard for me to imagine. Nevertheless,  I pray that when he’s older—much older, you bring a Godly woman into his life. I pray that she will love him as much as I do...”

My prayer faded as I thought on another woman loving my son as much as I do! And then a thought crossed my mind. My dear sweet mother-in-law loved her son deeply and at one time prayed the same prayer that I was doing right now. My heart softened as I thought of her with Dale. He was her precious boy. Did she wonder who he would marry? How did her heart feel when we started dating at  only 16 years old? When he went to college, did her heart ache to see him leave? And when I walked down the aisle to her son, did she pray that I would treat him well?

“No God. I pray that when the time is right, You will pick a Godly woman to love my son with the deep love only shared by a husband and a wife. I pray that  right now you are molding her into a strong capable woman. A woman that follows after your heart. A woman that will deeply love my son. A woman that will find complete joy in being his wife....Amen.”

That prayer was hard to pray but so necessary. Mommas, if we truly love our children we will pray for them now and for their future. Yes, it’s hard to see them grow up; especially when our memories of their smallness often fade. But they aren’t truly ours. Their God’s. Our children deserve our selfless prayers because ultimately they will spend more time on this Earth loving a spouse than living in our homes. Wouldn’t you want the very best for them?

This doesn’t only apply to boys but girls as well! I can recall many conversations with my mother telling me how much she prayed for my future spouse. So when it comes to your girls, pray that the hand of God lead their spouse in a mighty way. Pray that they know selfless love and that they  understand the mercy of God, because knowing God’s Love means knowing how to  love unconditionally. And when their marriages go through tough moments, they will hold on tight because their faith in God will pull them through it.

I gave my son a gentle hug one more time and then shut his door quietly. The first of many prayers. As I exhaled softly, I walked to my room and reminded myself to call two special women in my life—my mother-in-law, Shelia and my mother, Sandy.  I am forever grateful for these two women who selflessly gave their time, love and prayers  to their children. Without their Godly example, we may never have found one another. And so I will continue in their own footsteps, praying for the little lives God has entrusted me with.