Ready for Battle?

I was recently nominated for the "Funniest Homeschool Blog." While I am crazy excited to be nominated (especially for that category), I just want you to know that...

I will occasionally bleed onto this screen.

I don't always want to be a box of powdered sugar,  when the world is in need of salt.

As a homeschool mom with a chronic illness, I have been asking God a lot of questions over the years. Some of these seemingly big questions are, "How can I go into all the world, when I barely make it through the day? How can I reach out to the poor, the widow, and the orphan, when I cannot get the vaccines to travel to the countries that need help the most? Why do I have a heart for adoption, and an illness that will not allow the stamina for more children? How can any homeschool mom, who spends most of her days teaching, cooking, and cleaning, really make a LASTING impact in this world, right now...

...during this season of her life?"

Oh, how He sweetly answers in His time! 

He keeps whispering into my ear, "Pray." 

This is the one thing that I know is the hardest for me to do. The one thing that I can find the most excuses not to do.

And yet, it is

the one thing that my heart screams for the loudest:

HIM.

Oh, I pray throughout the day. I pray when someone crosses my mind, my family needs it, or I read a Facebook status/text/email asking for prayer. I shoot prayer arrows, while folding laundry, cooking, or driving. The kids and I pray during Bible Time. But what I lack is that beautiful, holy communion of conversation with my Father. That place of sacred ground, where I lock my heart with His, giving HIM intentional moments entirely.

A purposed moment.

When I do fold inside this prayerful place, I feel Him calling me into a ministry of prayer. Prayer sounds too simple to be a ministry. It seems to me like the easy way out. Yet, if I am completely honest, it is harder for me to settle down and listen, than to work. Even if that means working until I make myself sick. When I am sick, I am practically useless.

Do you see the lies I have swallowed?

"Work harder."

"Prayer is not an effective ministry in itself."

There will be times for me to serve with my hands and feet, as that is Christ's calling for all of His children. I do, however, believe that the biggest wars are going to be fought on my knees. I have to hear Him to follow Him.

How about you? 

Do you have similar thoughts, struggles, and questions?

Are you ready for battle?

If so, I invite you to join me in fighting a specific battle. If you are a child of King Jesus, then you are prepared for this battle. If you don't know Him yet, please email me: layla@paytonlink.com.

I'd love to tell you about my Daddy.
He wants to be your Daddy too.

Please come back Wednesday,

and bring your armor.

You'll need it.

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
(Matt. 18:20)

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla