Those who are with us are more...

I hate the enemy. That may seem like a weird statement. I wasn't really raised around that kind of talk about the devil. A little too "fire and brimstone" for the church I grew up in. So, sometimes it even makes me feel a little uncomfortable. Well, maybe not anymore. I have discovered...the sneaky snake is real.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." ~John 10:10

He cannot steal our salvation. He cannot steal us when our spirit belongs to the Lord. But he can try to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our moments with his whispered lies. He is ugly.

Though I've come to this place of really realizing who this enemy is, I have also come to a resolve that I am no longer going to waste my time on him. When he tries to weasel his way into my thoughts, or into our home, I may acknowledge that it is him, but I am no longer going to dwell there. I think I have allowed him to steal some of my moments by dwelling there. Letting this thief drag me down in the form of "woe is me" type thoughts like: "I'm not good enough at [blank]"..."they're never going to change"..."nothing is working here" (which is a somewhat frequent thought on this journey of parenting).

"Don't be afraid...those who are with us are more than those who are with them." ~2 Kings 6:16

I am blessed with these boys. And they love to battle. They love to wrestle. They can have some wars with the enemy at times themselves (doesn't it seem sometimes he's trying to convince your kids to whine or complain?). I often find myself telling them, "It's okay, you really can choose to do the right thing. You can choose to change your attitude. You can have a happy heart. Talk to God about it. He wants to help you." It's like I can see this battle waging itself out within their little souls. They do what they don't want to do, and they don't do what they really want to do (when it comes down to it). Their flesh is so there. And so is mine. Yet, there is victory.

In this story in the bible about Elisha (2 Kings 6), he comes to a battle where it really looks like there's no way he can win. His servant sees the enemy army with chariots and horses all around them. And then he says to Elisha, "What shall we do?" But Elisha knows. He knows that he knows that he knows that God is with him. That is a promise! God is with us. Always. And He sent his army of angels to protect Elisha that day, and I believe that that heavenly army also surrounds us as we wage this spiritual battle day in and day out. We do not have to figure this thing out alone.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~John 10:10

I am thankful for life. I am thankful for victory. I am thankful that He is greater. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Such a gift.

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Continuing to count up the multitude of blessings that He bestows...

#223-238

223. a game of candy land is what's important right now
224. sunshine that warms my soul
225. these wise words from one who loves me..."don't waste your time on the enemy...resolve to set your hunger on the Lord."
226. these words from another one who loves me..."mommy, i want to give you a kiss on the cheek"
227. eyes opened to see a little boy's thoughtful, caring heart emerging
228. a burden lifted
229. growing closer to the child whose behavior is the most repelling
230. Isaiah 41:10

231. a brother who has come so far
232. that every day isn't this painful in mommy-land
233. seeing their excitement to learn
234. an indoor trampoline (the gift of the year!)
235. to get so many things that i so do not deserve
236. the oldest pleading for us to leave the light on tonight so that he could read the bible to his brother (how do you say no to that?!)
237. adaptability
238. AnnVoskamp's blog, her book, and the post from today (click the button below)...an amazing reminder to live fully in the gift of today...