Removing the Title, But Not the Intent

If you've been following our journey, you may recognize that I've removed the subtitle, "Boundless Ministries" from the heading of this blog. I've been feeling the necessity to do this for a few months and now feel that it's time.

While in my heart, everything I do will hopefully continue to be filtered through God's Boundless Love for others...apparently, what I conceived to be a traditional ministry...God did not conceive to be as such.

I'm not disappointed, I began what I thought was God's desire for us as a family. And it absolutely is still His priority for us to serve single moms, orphans, widows, the poor, destitute, lost and forgotten of this world...we just don't have to have a name for it to be official.

For many, many months this blog has been almost solely about my journey and our family's as well. I am not letting go of a heart's passion...just a name.

No, the only Name I need to cling to and never let go of is the most beautiful Name we can ever know...Jesus!

So with a new year, comes...well, really...nothing new. Just a reminder that may all I do and say not be in the name of Boundless Minstries (or even Angela Barthauer)...but, solely...wholeheartedly...and exclusively...in the name of Jesus.

Amen!

Special Requests

I haven't gathered up the prayer requests for this month and posted them yet, so I'm going to offer them up this way for a change. There are two new ones, one for a single mom and one for us.

• I received an e-mail from a mom tonight that due to an injury and work hours being cut back she is short on her rent this month by a few hundred dollars. She's raising her two kids on her own and for the three (about) years she's been single, she's done really well providing for them. Please pray for God's provision and that when I follow up with her she will hear only her Abba loving her. There is a former mutual church associate I'm also considering contacting that may know of a way to assist her, but I'm praying for God's wisdom on whether to proceed or not.
• For our family, we're seeking direction for the future. It is becoming clear with each passing month that to continue renting at our current location is not financially feasible. We're seeking God's wisdom that I know He will provide. We pray He'll lead us to where He wants us to be and that the transition will go well for the kids. Our current lease isn't up until February, so we have some time before decisions have to be made. But we're feeling the pinch as it tightens more and more so we're completely open to whatever and wherever He leads us.

One praise:

• Mom of 4 received first child support check from her ex and she and the kids are adjusting well to their move to Florida.

Financial Statement September 2012

Here's a link to our monthly Financial Statement

While still endeavoring to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, I am considering discontinuing these. If the direction of our ministry does not become a more public and "shared" vision, then there is no need to continue reporting our personal giving to single moms on these reports. Unless He tells me differently, I always seek to give in private so only God receives the glory. It is possible that in the near future we may not openly report outgoing gifts to single moms unless the funds were donated by a party other than ourselves. I will always be forthcoming with someone else's money that they have entrusted us to use for God's ministry to others. I just feel a bit awkward (and hypocritical to some degree) continuing to share giving that is coming only from us.

Please do not interpret this as a plea for assistance in this work. It is not. I am completely confident that God's Spirit will always provide in the way He that will best glorify Him. Giving in secret is how I believe He wants to work in my life. Amen!

A Pocket Full of Jewells

This week I had the delightful treat of caring for a 2+ month old for four days. Now, I'm not one inclined to just take on extra kids for more than the occasional sleepover or a few hours playtime. But someone in need asked if I'd consider it, she's a single mom, and the late-in-life-but-your-ovaries-are-still-beckoning-to-you part of me thought "Why not?" I am beyond thrilled that we did it and here's a few lessons (aka jewels) I learned (or remembered) about the world of babydom:

• Some little girls are just natural mommys. Our 9 year old Leah, not only arose from bed early every morning to see Jewell...she could not get enough of playing with, feeding or just watching her. Being the youngest, she's never been around such a tiny baby for any significant length of time. Let's just say that every whimper, every whine and absolutely every cry this baby made was felt deeply by our compassionate, merciful, caregiver, Leah. If she thinks someone's in pain...she is there ready to hold the bucket while you puke or the bandage while you bleed. This is the one that will either have a boatload of kids or will step into a role God has for her that will serve even more!
• Even some baby girls are natural mommys. It was my day to serve in childcare at Bible study yesterday, and in the toddler room there were about two or three toddlers that just couldn't help themselves...they had to see Jewell...a few of them even lingered, longingly looking at her. While I didn't let any of them touch, pull on or hold her...one little girl, while I was rocking the baby, just ran up with super swift feet...patted Jewell on the bottom gently...and just as quickly, ran away. She had her baby fix, I guess.
• Everyone deserves a chance to cuddle and coo with a baby every once in awhile. No matter what is going on in your life...about 20 minutes of holding a baby that hums and sings while they drink their bottle or smiles at the most random comments...just has a way of nourishing your spirit.
• Life slows down when you have a baby to care for. The great thing Holy Spirit reminded me early Monday morning is that life is just slower with a baby. I usually wake up with a head overflowing with expectations of the things I want to accomplish for the day. But right from the get go on Monday, God was faithful to remind me to relax, take it easy, let go of those expectations and just enjoy the slow pace. Sure, some chores didn't get done and some schoolwork was bypassed, but some of that happens around here anyway. No expectations means no stress and therefore, no resentment over piled up laundry or whatever. Shoot...I remember the days when my kids where babies that just getting out of my pajamas for the day was a huge event. Now, I stay in my pajamas any chance I get!
• God did not intend for old women to have babies. I spoke truthfully when I said watching Jewell was a delight and that I was thrilled to do it. But being 44 years old and caring for a small baby does have one down side...achy muscles. No, she doesn't weigh much and she was no problem...rather it's the car seat and other paraphernalia you have to take with you that causes the shoulder and neck strain. God bless moms of young kids! I don't know how I did it. I just know I did it with a younger body!
• Even when you think you have nothing to give...you do! A recurrent theme of struggle for me has been lack of finances often makes me sad over perceived lack of opportunity to give. Wrong! When Momma asked if I could help, Holy Spirit quickly affirmed to me that this was something I could give...do well...and actually had experience and confidence in doing. So take it from someone who's been there (and still occasionally goes back "there") don't ever believe the enemy's lie that you don't have anything to give to someone in need. Instead...ask God what He's already given you that you can share.

Baby Jewell is pretty sweet and everyone in our family had some form of positive interaction with her this week. What a blessing to even hear my 14 year old boy laugh at her smiles and check on her to see if she's sleeping. It's good for my kids to step outside of themselves and focus on another for a few days.

And just in case you still haven't thought of anything you have to offer someone in need....once again, you'd be wrong. Momma and Jewell are still looking for a more permanent childcare situation and it's going to take God's provision to do it. So you can pray! Pray for God to lead, God to prepare and God to provide. I can claim confidently that He will do it because He's the God Who Will See To It (Jehovah Jireh). But also, I know this Momma's heart is to serve God and He will always provide what she needs exactly when she needs it. Most of all though, God cares for this precious Jewell and He has great plans for her. As her Abba, He'll be certain to get her to the place to fulfill that plan and He'll be with her every step of the way.

Amen!

Our Fifth Single Moms' Night Out

We had a small group last night...but still lots of fun with the kiddos we were blessed to play with for a few hours. B-I-N-G-O, as usual, was the highlight of the evening. It amuses me how much little prizes excite a child!

Thanks to all of the Firm Foundation Co-op people that helped out in some way: Kim Bular, Dawn Fay, Marie Bryant, Julie Mayer, Michelle Eppinghoff, Kari Mulderink, Michelle O'Dwyer, Amy Santen and anyone else I may have neglected. It is possible that I missed someone, because weekly I had people bringing donations to me faster than I could keep track of. You're a great group of loving, caring and sharing home schoolers. We are blessed to serve and live in community beside you!

To the Single Moms I Know...and Everyone Else Too!

Scrolling through my Facebook feed just a few minutes ago, something struck me and I'm sure it's no coincidence. Three single moms I don't know very well...in fact, mostly through FB...each posted something to their timelines this evening.

On my feed, their appeared consecutively:

"Everything in life happens for a reason...Ba Hum Bug"

"Life keeps throwing punches...and I'm a little punch drunk". :(

"Sometimes the smallest issues can BE the BIGGEST ones...Do you ever feel like you need a miracle, I do! God, been asking for a long time...help me understand."

As I said, I don't know these ladies well. In fact, of the three, I've only seen one since we moved to Kentucky six years ago and I haven't interacted with her in about three years now. But I see a lot of similarity...maybe you see it too. Yes, their use of my favorite punctuation...the ellipse...is obvious, but aside from that...what do you hear.

I hear pain. I hear doubt. I hear worry. I hear stress. But sadly, I hear a longing to share it with someone...anyone that will care. I do wonder if they've shared their burdens with a friend. I pray they have people who love them, are surrounding them, uplifting them and encouraging them. Knowing how our culture has closed itself off though, my guess (and purely a guess) is that it is somehow "easier" to send this pain out into the great unknown of FB than to share it with a community that will strengthen, challenge and mostly, surround them with love.

I don't judge these ladies. We've all done it. Well, at least those of us with FB or blogs have. But tonight, I'm asking you...yeah, YOU...the one anonymously reading this blog to say a prayer for these ladies you may never meet this side of Heaven. And if you don't feel comfortable doing that, ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind a single mom that you personally know. I am confident in a nanosecond you will have had one or possibly many more come to mind.

Don't get me wrong...I know we all have pain. We all have low times (my blog is testimony to mine!) and we all have doubts or worries too. My sadness is compounded when single moms have to carry these burdens alone. Yes, I know with God they are never alone...but He did also command us to live in community and carry one another's burdens. When one is weak, the stronger ones are to walk beside and support them.

So please, say a prayer of love, encouragement and support for these ladies and the ladies you know. Pray the Holy Spirit will bring people into their lives who will love them the way God loves them.

And if you're one of the ladies who happen to have been quoted above, I do apologize for stealing your words tonight. Please know that you are loved with a boundless love that will never fail. Also, thank you for the privilege of calling upon the Name of your Abba on your behalf tonight. I am honored to be your sister in Christ!

Amen!

Archived Prayer Requests for May 2012

In an attempt to remember God's faithfulness, I always archive prayer requests from previous months. These are those we presented on the blog for the month of May 2012.





5/31/12: Mom of 2 is being baptized next week. Pray for her as she is affirming her new life in Jesus!

5/22/12: Mom of 1 has child support hearing with child's father  on June 18th. He is contesting the amount he is in arrears. The discrepancy is in part due to childcare expenses. Please pray for mom's peace and for the judge to fairly and accurately assess the situation, plus enforce mom's right to the money that is owed to her child. Update 6/18/12: Mom of 1 will have to return to court 7/31/12 unless she is willing to accept less child support. Update 8/2/12: see praise update

5/6/12: Please be in prayer for our Single Moms' Night Out event scheduled for Friday, May 18th. We have several new families participating and we're excited to begin new relationships with these families. 5/18/12: Our fourth SMNO went well. We had 5 children no-show, yet still had 7 attend. Along with 5 teen helpers and another mom to assist, God more than amply provided volunteers and donations for pizza. He is always faithful!

5/4/12: Mom of 4 is experiencing a long delay for divorce to be finalized. This puts plans for residence and enrolling her children in a new school on hold for most of the summer. Please pray for her peace and for God to put everything together for His glory. Pray that fears and doubts will not assail her and for God to protect her from the enemy's fiery arrows. 6/12/12: Even in the midst of the storm, God's Presence continues to provide peace. Please continue to pray. 

Prayer Requests and Updates

Here's the link to our Prayer Requests and Needs Page

Thank you for continuing to pray for those who often feel like they have no voice. Every need represents a mom, her children and those with whom she comes in contact every day. The ripples of your prayers do have eternal effect. I am humbled by what God does when His people pray.

Amen!

Special Requests for a Mom We Know

Sometimes God blesses us with an opportunity to be His hands and feet for someone that has carried a heavy load down a road they never dreamed they'd trod and it's been so long that the end seems out of reach. I know a mom in the midst of battles on many fronts. I do not know her well, but I've seen enough to know she gracefully, faithfully serves others without much thought for herself...and right now, she needs you...the brother or sister who shares her faith in Jesus to intercede for her. When God brings this mom of four to mind, would you please pray as His Spirit leads you?

I always attempt to be as anonymous as possible and although this lady has given me permission to share her requests, some of what I post may hint at who she is. If you know her, love her or even are fortunate enough to call her friend...if the Holy Spirit leads you to do something for her...by all means obey Him. But I am asking that unless He directs you to the contrary...please give anonymously and out of love. I can confidently share that she will be grateful and thankful to the One who led you to give. She will also be blessed to have you first and foremost call upon our God's assistance on her behalf.

• Thinking that her divorce would be finalized today, she discovered that only a motion to file for the final date was being submitted. She had to rearrange work schedules, etc. to accommodate a trial that did not take place.
• She needs the divorce to finalize so that access to financial assistance from her ex will be available to her. She has severe financial difficulties that need taken care of soon.
• She has never pursued child support for her oldest child, but is in desperate need of it now. Please pray that the process toward receiving the support will be swift.
• She has recently put her youngest three children in public school for the first time, and they have adjusted well from being home schooled. Although, they have been having some bouts of illness which the doctor has forewarned may occur often this first year in school.
• Mom has returned to school as well and had to miss class today to stay home with the sick children. She's excited to be in school working toward a degree, but juggling work, school, the kid's homework, daily life and her volunteer schedule leaves little time for her to unwind. Moms need downtime to be rejuvenated, refueled and find direction and love from their Abba.
• Because she's returned to school, she interested in finding a laptop. Cost is the prohibitive factor. She currently only has a desktop PC in an open space shared with the family. For example, this makes it difficult to complete a test she'll miss this Tuesday that the professor has graciously agreed to post online. Taking a test with three elementary aged kids running around is not ideal. Any leads on discounted refurbished laptops would be great.
• Finally, and most urgently, on Tuesday between 9 and noon (EDT), please pray for her ex's sentencing hearing. This has been a long, arduous, bitter road but God has been faithful to provide her with peace, confidence, wisdom and love. Please pray that she will feel a special outpouring of His Holy Spirit. She will have to testify against her spouse and will be with him in the same room for the first time in over a year. Mom is also praying that the sentence to be served will be long enough to protect her young children until they reach adulthood. Pray she will allow God's Spirit to remind her that she is only responsible for speaking the truth and not how her ex or his family may respond to it.

Thank you, prayer warrior! Even as you've read over this list, I am confident that God's Spirit has been interceding on behalf of this family. When our words fail...He speaks for us with groans and utterances we cannot express. (see Romans 8:26)

Amen!

August 2012 Financial Statement

Here's the link to the latest Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries. As always, God is faithful!

Amen!

Reflections On a Fiscal Year

As I was catching up today on our financial statements for Boundless Ministries, I realized we began reporting our finances as a ministry in July of 2011. That means the end of July 2012, completed one full fiscal year for us. When I looked back over the figures, I few things stood out and I think are worth drawing attention to. Why? Because they show just what an awesome God we serve.

[If anyone cares to verify my numbers, you can access all financial statements on my Scribd.com page]

In brief, during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, we received $1893.76 in donations for Boundless Ministries. $282.46 of this amount was from us because of blessings we received and tithed a portion of or a need arose that God provided an opportunity for us to meet. From the outset of establishing this ministry, we felt the Holy Spirit's leading to accept 25% of any donations as income to help support us as we served. We have not always done this because sometimes $25 came in at exactly the time we need $25 for a Single Moms' Night Out, etc. Overall, when the numbers are tallied, we accepted about 17.7% income from donations made to Boundless Ministries. Subtracting out our donations to the ministry, we received about 2.8% in income.

Why do I share this? I wish you could know my heart and understand that it is not in anyway to brag on us. No, I want to "Boast in the Lord!" (see I Corinthians 1:31)

And the mind-boggling, amazing, awesome, insert any superlative, thing that I realize...yet, again...is that even though I whine and beg and complain to Him to the point of being annoying...God has never failed us! We remain amply fed, adequately housed and clothed, healthy and loved by a God that knows better than we do what we need. Plus, He's not just providing for us, but through His Holy Spirit's inspiration, donations have helped feed, provide heat, provide gasoline and generally care for single moms and their children.

What is my hope and prayer that you'll take away from this? First, that you're never too poor to give...never. In fact, I'll be so bold as to declare that if you believe that you are, then you're believing a lie from your enemy. I know that to be the case when I think I'm too poor to give.

Secondly, my prayer is that our lives would be a living testimony that the God of the universe is still a God of provision, care, compassion and infinite Love for those who call Him Abba!

Amen!

p.s. If you've been following my whining lately...I do need to give God praise for yet more blessings through this past week. Yes, I doubt way too much and way too often...but He never fails!

Financial Statement for July 2012

Here's the July 2012 Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries...a little closer to schedule than was June's version. Again, not much has changed...but there was a little change (pun completely intended!) in the finances for July. God always remains faithful to provide, just exactly when it's needed and when it will bring Him the most glory!
Amen

Financial Statement for June 2012

Yeah...I know it's very late. But if you click on the link to the Financial Statement for June 2012, you'll see there really wasn't anything to report. So better late than never...right?

God is good and always provides in just His right timing! Amen!


Somehow, some way, after January 2012 I inadvertently removed the Year-to-Date totals from the Financial Statements. I'm sure it had something to do with working crazy hours during peak tax season. I've now amended my documents to reflect these totals.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Updates

Here's the link to our beginning/end of month Prayer Requests and Updates

If you would ever like to join us as a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, send me an e-mail with "Prayer Partner" in the subject line. Prayer Partners are an integral part of all we do.

Archived April 2012 Prayer Requests

4/25/12: Mom of 2 that home schools is experiencing conflict with her ex-husband of the education of her children. He's gone so far as to sue for sole custody. Please pray for this mom's peace, for understanding and openness to home schooling by the authorities that will be presiding over this future decision. Pray for the mom as she struggles financially, emotionally and physically under this burden that has been hurled upon her. Also, please pray for peace for her children. 5/18/12: Trial date set for the end of May. Please continue to pray. 6/12/12: Judge has extended the trial date so that psychiatric evaluations may be performed.

4/16/12: We have the next Single Moms' Night Out scheduled for Friday, May 18th. Please be in prayer that the moms who need this break will feel comfortable taking advantage of this opportunity. Also, please pray for volunteers and donations to come forward as God leads and provides like He always does. See 5/18/12 update for 5/6/12 request.

4/16/12: Mom of 4 requests prayer for her tenants in a rental property to cooperate so she can move back in by May 8th. Also that her ex-husbands trial/plea bargain process to finish smoothly and for her divorce to finalize in the near future. Update 5/25/12: Mom and family have settled back into their home. 

Visit Our Etsy Shop

TheCraftyBarthauers

Our Etsy.com shop is up and running. We're thrilled to see a lot of activity being generated for our recycled cardboard bead bracelets and crocheted items. We opened the shop as yet another endeavor to support ourselves as we seek to assist single moms and their families in our community and around the world. Purchases of our homemade items provide financial support for us so we can continue to serve others and show them the love of a God whose Love is Boundless.


If you don't need a bracelet, baby afghan or handcrafted dish cloth, you may know someone who does...feel free to forward this link and share with them. Also, remember us when it comes to gift giving. Why give your money to some large anonymous mulitnational corporation? Buy local and support artisans and crafters as they create works of beauty that will last. If not from us, check your local craft fairs and farmers markets...they're out there! Our link will remain at the top of the right-hand side of the blog from this point forward.

Last thing (I promise!): We ship too! Through our Etsy.com shop, you can have your item shipped domestically or internationally. We have extensive shipping experience from our previous eBay sales and have kept the shipping fees down as low as possible. Handling fees only include shipping supplies...they're not jacked up for gas, etc.

Take a gander and start making a list of everyone you know that you'll be buying for. We probably have something even for that hard-to-by-for person. Enjoy!

TheCraftyBarthauers

Pleading for the Widow

Here it is as promised in the previous post (see Isaiah 1) my conviction to "plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). This is the list God was already laying on my heart before I even read this verse. And the image above is one I found online. It's an artist's interpretation of Jesus pleading...somehow I think it's appropriate since I know He lives to intercede for us before the Father and I know His Holy Spirit prays for us with words and groans that we cannot even express when we don't know how to pray. (see Romans 8:25-27) Please don't just read over this list...please plead to your Abba on behalf of these ladies who most often would never plead to us on their own behalf. Ask Him to lead you in how you should pray for each.

• Mom of one has court date 7/31 where she will most likely discover she will be receiving less child support. 
• Mom of one has begun looking for new apartment in the Florence, Burlington or Hebron areas. She needs rent to be $600 a month or less. Current lease is up in October.
• Mom of four has final court date for her divorce on 8/10. She and her children are moving to Florida 8/12. She needs peace from the stress and strain too.
• Our neighbor, a mom of two who has been unable to find a teaching position because she holds her master's degree and her boyfriend will probably lose his job with a small airline this fall.
• Mom of one has been feeling empty and bears heavy load of caring for her mother who has dementia also.
• Mom of one lost her usual summer part time job and has been experiencing financial difficulties as a result.
• Mom of three is getting married and moving to Wisconsin from the Northern Kentucky area.
• Mom of two moved to Arizona recently. Pray for them during this transitional time of adjustment.
• Mom of three experiencing financial strain has started a home-based business and looks for opportunities to earn money from home.
• Mom of one may be going back to school. Pray for wisdom about financial aid and college choices.
• Mom of three has experienced difficulty with son and his emotional strain. Pray for them as they head into the next school year.
• Mom of five, four still at home, has had several rocky years as she has attempted to leave an abusive and controlling husband, find her own employment (which she now has) and begin life without being dependent on her ex.
• Mom of four has had a difficult year and a half. She is self-employed and has previous asked for prayer regarding the finalization of her divorce and her ex-husband's plea bargaining process.
• Mom of one is expecting and has a rocky relationship with her boyfriend.
• Mom of a newborn, just born last week, needs physical recovery and rest. She will need much assistance in the days to come.
• Mom of four is expecting a child this fall. She has expressed a need for some baby furniture.
• Mom of two in Indiana is having severe financial difficulties and she cannot find a job in her chosen profession.
• Mom that is new to homeschooling will need peace as she juggles home, work and schooling responsibilities.
• Mom of three in Indiana has expressed concern over health issues recently.
• Mom in Indiana has son receiving college interest for playing basketball as he heads into his senior year. Pray for wisdom and God's leading.
• Mom of two lost her son through a violent act last year and as expected still grieves his loss.
• Nine other moms that we have loose affiliations with that are at varying places in their journey. Some still have children at home, but are also grandmothers or have children at the age where they're getting married. 
• All of the moms we know at one time or another have had custody or support disputes and regular issues with security...either financial, emotional or even physical.

Thank you for pleading for the widows of our society...the single moms and their families. Ask God to reveal to you the women in your life and circle of influence that also need someone to plead for them.

Amen!

Isaiah 1

Having just completed an in depth, but by no means exhaustive studies of Habakkuk and Zephaniah, I've turned my attention to the book of Isaiah. There are many verses in this large Old Testament book that have spoken to my heart just when I needed it. It almost felt daunting to begin a study with this book because for some reason I've allowed myself to believe that somehow I don't have the skills to dig into the major prophets of old. Ezekiel, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Isaiah and even the prophecies of Daniel have always seemed like heights of understanding my puny brain could never comprehend.

Well, I was wrong.

After all, anything is possible with the help of Jesus and His Spirit, right? (see Matthew 17:20) So I promised my ADD brain that can become so easily overwhelmed, that I would break this book down into manageable "chunks" and I would take it slow. Already, God's Spirit has been faithful to glean for me some truths of which I need to be reminded...and the first one began in the introduction of all places!

It seems Isaiah is broken down into 66 chapters, just as the Bible is broken down into 66 books. Even better, chapter 1-39 fall under the theme of God's Character and Judgment...much like the 39 books of the Old Testament. Knowing this, would you now be surprised to learn that chapters 40-66 pursue the theme of God's Comfort and Redemption? Probably not if you're familiar with books 40-66 of the Bible...which perhaps, not coincidentally...are the books of the New Testament. Are you sensing a pattern here? And I can't take credit for this revelation. It was explained very well by the author of the introduction in my Bible.

Moving along to Isaiah 1, I could easily become disheartened with the reproving statements God had Isaiah deliver to Jerusalem and all of Judah. He was using Isaiah to lay out the plan for God's judgment on His idolatrous children. But tucked away, almost in the middle of chapter one was this amazing call to purity that His Spirit wanted to embed in my heart two days ago when I read it. As He often does, the message He wanted to share was already being brought to my mind and to my heart by the God that just won't let me go. [Is there a Hebrew word for that phrase? Not trying to be sacrilegious, but I like "El-Holdemtightah"] He's amazing like that, isn't He? Sometimes we just have to have the lesson come to us from a few different places before we believe it's Him. Why is that? I think that's another post entirely.

What His gentle Spirit had been sharing with my heart for about a week was a reflection over the last year in the lives of the single women we know. Many of these women I have no more contact with them than to see an occasional post on Facebook about the struggles in which they wade through hoping just for a few moments to get their head above water. God had been making a mental list of all their trials and victories for me to celebrate and lament. I've admittedly been floundering for a few months trying to figure out just where this ministry's headed and what He expects from us as a family when it comes to serving single moms and their families.

I've felt from the beginning of this ministry a year ago that God's Spirit wanted to take the credit for all provision for us, Boundless Ministries, and the single moms through Him we are able to bless. The year before, when we "just wanted to help", we did ask for donations and gift cards for moms when a need arose. We sent e-mails, posted on the blog or even on Facebook, when we knew of a need and we knew someone could probably provide it if we just asked. Sometimes people stepped up and sometimes they didn't.

But last summer, when we felt God calling us to more...to a place where He wanted us to leap and watch Him catch us...I felt very strongly that He was asking for complete trust and that meant a call to pray...first and foremost and almost exclusively, for needs as they arose for single moms, us or this ministry. So that's what we've done. Initially, we stepped back and watched as God proved time and time again that He was more than capable of not only providing for single moms but us as well. We've always been very upfront that 25% of donations are used to support us as we minister to single moms. I still feel confident that His plan as He laid out in the beginning is what He wants. I have to be honest though that as He's called us to a deeper walk with Him, the "obvious" blessings have become very scarce. What I've struggled to get my American-cultured brain around is that His blessings are not always going to be monetary. We may not always be able to give a single mom money or gift cards, it may be some extra groceries or time that we have instead. I've been very open on this blog that I've struggled with this idea that I may not have the freedom to anonymously send a mom a huge monetary blessing...it might just be a few boxes of pasta, sauce or some beans and rice. Why can't I rejoice in that just as much as handing over a few hundred dollars worth of gift cards? Hmmm...seems to be a flaw in me...not the One who's providing.

And I've found myself whining about this a lot. Worse yet, I've begun to doubt God's original leading about seeking only His wisdom and will on fund raising and provision. My enemy has caused many fears that I'd "missed something" or "heard Him wrong".

Truth is, I haven't. I think God's overall lesson on trusting His provision completely is spot on. I'm not supposed to run to my e-mail or my Facebook page first to solicit support for those in need. No, I need to run to my Abba. And possibly most of the time, that will be where my part ends...but on occasion He may ask me to speak up and speak out for the ladies we know. That may involve requesting prayer (as we attempt to do with our Prayer Partners and bi-monthly prayer request updates), it may be a special post on our personal or ministry Facebook page, calling all brothers and sisters in Jesus to intercede on behalf of a need and still more rarely, it may mean asking those we know to step up and give...even sacrificially...for a mom that just can't "do-it-herself" this time. Sometimes, God will want those donations to go through Boundless Ministries, and sometimes He won't. And I need to be okay with that. After all, it's not my blessing to give...it's His.

After this lengthy epistle you're probably asking yourself: "What does all of this have to do with Isaiah 1?" Well, remember I said God had been formulating a list of remembrance regarding all of the trials and victories we've witnessed over the last year? I already was planning a blog post that would essentially be a list of the needs I know that single moms have. Instead of the last two prayer updates, I wanted a special "call to prayer" on behalf of these ladies. Having this already on my heart to do soon, imagine my joy when I read this two days ago in Isaiah 1:16-17

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Cease to do evil, 
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow."

Isaiah was commanded to tell Judah how God wanted them to wash their hands that were "covered in blood". The two verses above are the prescription for how to accomplish this. I'm reading a book that is greatly challenging me about social justice and care for the poor. It appears God's Bible isn't a place where I can escape from that challenge.

When I put it all together, it seems I'm on the right path...defending the orphan and pleading for the widow. Sometimes that will entail pleading with God and sometimes whether you like it or not, that will mean pleading with you. I've washed myself clean with the blood of the Messiah that shed it so I can be clean. Now as I plead for the widow and the orphan I've got to let God work on removing the evil from His sight that is within my hearing. My prayer is that I quit listening to the evil one that has me perpetually second guessing the call to serve single moms. It couldn't be more plain. Unfortunately, I keep getting tripped up on the how...but that was never my problem to figure out in the first place.

Amen!

Support Single Moms and Others Through Their Businesses

On the right side of this blog, you'll find a new permanent page link to a listing of home-based businesses run by single moms, supporters of Boundless Ministries and our own family. It's appropriately entitled

Support Single Moms and Others Through Their Businesses

I'll repost the link from time to time because one thing I've learned over time, one of the best ways to assist someone is to empower them to do it themselves. Great organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Master Provisions have seen this come true for many years. If World Vision and others can promote micro-finance loans (at least I think that's what they're called) to impoverished people in developing countries in order to lift them out of poverty, why don't we do the same? Unfortunately I think our trust in big business is higher than in our fellow man and we are more concerned with a good bargain instead instead of investing in the lives of others. Don't believe me? Who made the last birthday cake you bought? Wal-mart or the sole-proprietor who may cost a little more...but it will probably taste better too?

So if you're shopping from bread, purses, accessories and jewelry, books, weight loss shakes, a good mechanic, a house cleaning service, a photographer or baked sweets and spreads take a look through the links and information provided. Shopping with one of these families can make an even bigger impact than you might think.

Next Single Moms' Night Out is Scheduled!

We're already looking toward the fall when we start up our Single Moms' Night Out events again. We usually do one in September, January/February and May. Here's the link to the Upcoming Events Page

If you're curious what happens at a SMNO, click this link to a post regarding our last one. Our Fourth Single Moms' Night Out