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If you are new to our site, this blog is sort of a hodge podge of our ministry and family life, and whatever else God lays on my heart to share. The Home Page above will link you to our Sufficient Grace Ministries page. You can read more about the 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and the outreaches of this ministry whose mission is to offer comfort and hope to grieving parents. The Blog button brings you to the page you are currently reading, featuring a variety of subjects...some ministry updates, some family news, and some biblically-based encouragement. The Walking With You page is a place for bereaved parents who have lost a baby or child to find encouragement and hope. It is an online support group created so that families would know they are not walking this path alone. On the Dreams of You Shop page, you can learn more about the products and services we offer, place an order, or sponsor a family. The Encouraging Women blog is a work in progress. There, we hope to offer biblically-based encouragement to all women. The Resource page has been newly updated with a list of resources that are helpful for grieving parents. Our blogroll is also located on this page. Thank you so much for visiting our site. Blessings to you...

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Warriors and Giants

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Giants are big and scary and most of all...really loud. Lately, I have been looking at the giants in my life...watching with dread as they approach, noticing their size, hearing their loud threats. Last year, I read Max Lucado's amazing book, Facing Your Giants. It was filled with truth, encouraging, empowering, inspiring biblical truth...just like everything Max Lucado writes. He is one of my favorite authors. His gift for painting word pictures that relate to the struggles we face in this life as we seek a closer walk with Jesus, is unmatched. Last year, his words encouraged me to remember not to look at the size of the giant before me, but to look instead to size of my God, who is able and mighty...and bigger than all the giants.

But, for a moment, my eyes shifted back to the size of the giant.

My son, James, like all of us, has been facing some giants of his own lately. On a particularly difficult day of battling the looming giants, we were both feeling a little defeated. We sat down to do our nightly bible devotion. James was all snuggled in his bed, and I opened his God's Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible (by Sheila Walsh...love her).

And, I was reminded about the size of my God.

Little David, refusing to cover himself in the king's armor, went out to confront the giant who had been threatening God's people. While bigger men than he cowered in fear and the giant basically laughed him off, David says to the giant (with complete confidence!),

"You come to me using a sword, a large spear and a small spear. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of heaven's armies. He's the God of the armies of Israel! You have spoken out against him."

And do you know what happens next? Do you know???

As the giant, Goliath, came near to attack him, David ran quickly to meet him.
You know the story...David kills the giant...God gets the glory.

And me...as I read that familiar story, I melted in the arms of my Savior and smiled through tears, at the truth and peace that washed over us. We talked about the "giants" in our lives...the things that seem big or scary or difficult. And the truth that no giant standing before us will ever be as big as the God who loves us. We prayed together, and I walked away with renewed confidence. David ran to meet the giant, armed with only a stone, a slingshot, and confidence in the Lord. He didn't cower or wait, watching in dread as the giant approached. He was prepared. He trusted in the Lord, His God...and he ran out to meet the giant. Bold courage. Bold faith. Bold victory. He kept his eyes fixed on the size of his God, which incidentally made the giant look pretty small. And he was a victorious warrior.

I love all the ways God uses to speak to our hearts. There is no where we could go, where He is not able (and willing) to meet us. He will find us, and lift us to the higher Rock. Not only did God whisper His truth to my heart that night, but He planted the seeds of His truth into the heart of my little warrior. Oh...He is good.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh Kelly. I've got tears coming down my face. I needed this so badly. I've got some huge giants in my life and I've been so scared and so afraid even though I know God doesn't give us a spirit of fear but of a sound mind. It's so hard sometimes.

Tonight as I face one of my giants I'll do so and think of David

Angela said...

I am really encouraged by your post this morning. The "giant" I am facing right now is the threat of preterm labor. I am not quite 29 weeks pregnant with twins and have been contracting for the last couple days. I was kept in the hospital overnight for monitoring, and unable to sleep in this bed, here I am reading your post. Thank you for the profound yet simple reminder that God is way bigger than any "giant" I might be facing. I am so comforted by His "bigness!"

In Christ,
Angela Squires

Lilyofthevalley - Tanya said...

Thanks for sharing, we all face giants at times, but it is encouraging to think of David and face the giants with the Lord on our side. He is faithful!

Linda said...

Kelly, you are right,...we need to face our giants! And we will be able to,...with the beauty of His sufficient grace!

If we run and hide it doesn't bring glory to God. His strength can be made known if we stand and fight with His armor on!

I loved this post.
You are so encouraging,...and such a lovely lady!

Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Unknown said...

David is an inspiration to us all! I'm so thankful for those stories in the scriptures. I can read them again and again and again, but sometimes the familiar story can have a new, strong impact on my life. I never tire of them.

Thank you for sharing. You were an inspiration today.
Love,
Lynnette

Jenilee said...

thank you for your post. so encouraging!

Pen to Paper; Spirit to Soul said...

Thank you for such a timely word...I seem to keep typing that today!!! Yes, oh Lord, I do believe!!!
Both of my girls are facing some giants and I, of course, have my own and they are seeming too large right now....BUT GOD!!! He will be glorified!

Pamela in TX

Kristin said...

What a beautifully written post, Kelly. This is what I have realized lately that changed everything for me....that there is nothing I can't handle with the Lord by my side. When I truly began to believe that, it literally changed my world and it has been so freeing!

Julie said...

Beautiful post as always.

Raye Ann said...

I am always amazed at the time frame of God. At the moments He chooses to teach us or remind us of something.

Blessings

Paula said...

Your memory today was beautiful

Jennifer Ross said...

Amen! God is creator of everything, nothing can overpower Him.

Patricia said...

Thank you for the reminder of how big and great our God is. He will fight for us.

Alleluiabelle said...

I know that God is much bigger, but through your posting today, it brought me to realize again just how much bigger in comparison to our giants we are facing. I so needed to read this today.

Thank you so much sweet soul. Your heart is beautiful and I love coming here.

Love & Blessings,
Alleluiabelle

Tammy On the Go said...

thanks...

Laura Hoekstra-Bettig said...

Thank you for proclaiming truth, Kelly! It was something I needed to hear tonight.

See you next week!;-)

Kimberly Pitman said...

Thanks for the reminder of how small the giants are compared to how big our God is!

Veronica @ Luv My Quiver Full Of Arrows said...

Kelly, what a blessing you are!

Also wanted you to know that I nominated you for an award on my blog. Hope you like it!

xoxo,
Veronica in CA

June said...

Peautifully written. many years have gone in the making of who I am. I have cried a river of tears. I get excited when I read that my tears are stored in a bottle and all my prayers are written in His book.

June

Abigail Kraft said...

Thank you so much for writing this inspiring post! I think it's so cool how simple stories that we've known for so long can touch us with a new and poignant power. Amazing how the bible can do that!

Very encouraging. Thank you for stopping by my blog on Wednesday! :)

In His arms,
--Abigail

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Thanks for the post of encouragement. I needed it...There are giants everywhere I turn.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Please stop by again soon. I am going to have a "card box" giveaway every month. This drawing will be the last day of April.
Every comment you leave throughout the month will enter your name in the drawing, so if you visit several times and leave several comments, you will have a better chance to win. This NEW blogger was so touched by all the comments I got on the Blog Party, that I decided to make this a monthly GIFT...
Also, if you link to my blog telling about the monthly giveaway, you will have your name entered 10 extra times...How is that for an incentive?
I was so blown away by all the responses that I wanted to email each person personally, but TIME... just has not permitted..but I did love reading all of them..I am continuing to introduce my family members and then there will be some fun blogs coming up from Disney World in May. I am so thankful for all my new friends.

Meredith said...

Lucado is one of my favorites also and I love how the Lord spoke truth to you in the middle of a godly bedtime story. David ran.......
speaks volumes doesn't it? May your giants seem extra small this week!
Blessings!

Crystal Renee said...

I love your song and this was a sweet entry! Thanks for sharing and for the compliments you left on my page :)

Alleluiabelle said...

I've become a 'fan' of yours...to see what that means...please stop by my site. I have a surprise for you in my 4/6/09 post.

Hugs & Blessings,
Alleluiabelle