Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Case of the Can’ts {Guest Post}

One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is the daily encouragement I receive from my "bloggy" friends! Almost on a daily basis, I am amazed at God at work in the lives of "ordinary" people from all around the world! Some of us choose to write about the happenings in our lives, not knowing how many people we are reaching with our words. Even through blogging about our everyday struggles, and how God is working on us all; we are ministering! I LOVE IT!
My guest blog today is from one of those encouraging people in my life. I have never literally "met" Jenifer, yet we are friends! She ministers to me daily as she expresses her own growth in God! Thank you Jenifer, for your daily inspirational words! Everyone else, enjoy this guest post from Jenifer over at Sweet Blessings, and be sure to check out her blog! You will not be disappointed!

  

A Case of the Can'ts

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Periodically God has to remind me of a lesson He taught me about nine years ago.  My sweet daughter was only four years old and was experiencing a bad case of the "I can'ts."  Everything we asked of her, she would respond with, "I can't!"  So we taught her Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  After only a few short weeks, she memorized the verse and her attitude was improving.  Whenever she would say, "I can't," we asked her what the Bible said, and she would repeat the verse.  It was wonderful!

Well, one day I was making the kids the ever famous PB&andJ for lunch.  When I went to open the jelly, oh my!  It was stuck.  Would not open.  I tried everything.  Using a rag to get a grip.  Running hot water over the lid.  Gently beating the lid on the counter.  Everything.  This sticky lid would just not loosen.  My daughter kept telling me how hungry she was and my response was, "I can't get the lid off!"  And what did she tell me?  "Mom, what does the Bible say about I can't?  Now say the verse!"  Okay, whatever.  I said the verse, maybe a little huffy but I said it.  And as I am repeating this verse I have heard so many times of the past few weeks, what happened?  The lid loosened and came right off!  What?  It works for moms too?  Wow!  My little girl simply said, "See mom." 

God used my four year old daughter to teach me a lesson.  That yes, in fact, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!  Whether it is opening a jar, working on a car, witnessing to a neighbor, whatever the case is, with God we can do all things.  Nothing is impossible for our Mighty Savior!

Jenifer and her husband, Jeremy, have been married for fourteen years. They have been blessed with four children that she calls her blessings from Heaven. Jenifer is a housewife and homeschooling mom and enjoys serving alongside her husband as the multiplicity pastors of their church. She is the founder and co-leader of Woman to Woman Ministries and blogs daily at Sweet Blessings.





7 comments:

  1. Jen, I needed that today. You have no idea. Thank you so much for this post (and for this blog's guest post).

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  2. The key is through Christ, right? Sometimes we (I) think I can and should do all things, but in my own strength. God never intended it to be that way. I can do all things (according to His will) through Christ. Love this encouragement, Jenifer!

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  3. That is so awesome. My 4yr old son has a HUGE case of "the Can't's". I am SO using this :) Thanks for the encouragment!

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  4. What a great lesson! I love it when the kids turn it around on us :) Indeed, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Great post Jenifer, so fun to see you over here!

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  5. Hi Jenifer - what a lovely illustration. Its so annoying and humbling when our kids give our own words back to us, and how gracious of God to make sure His words don't come back void!
    God bless
    Tracy

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  6. Amen! We used this same verse to help my oldest overcome some fear issues in softball!

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  7. Ahhh... So here you are Jenifer! ;-)

    Loved this! It's always important to remember that we're not limited by who we are when we're one with Christ, and a great lesson to teach our children!

    Have a Blessed Day!

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