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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Be Careful What You Look Through

Your stories and prayers moved me so much yesterday. I have prayed and continue to pray these words for you and your families…“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19b.

My 13yr old son taught me something that has encouraged my heart as a mom and as a woman. I shared it as a D6 story recently during my D6 Conference video session. I’d love to share it with you. You can click on the the arrow (on my face below) to watch a 2-minute video of me telling it.

At first, this was a lesson I was able to share with Joshua as a D6 story, but over time it’s become a lesson God has challenged me to really think about.

Sometimes my perspective gets discolored and, like my mom, I don’t like how things look. I become critical of myself, my circumstances or people around me. There are days when my emotions and hard situations tempt me to focus on life through my human eyes, keeping me from seeing through God’s perspective.

The verse Joshua and I discussed from 1 Samuel 16 about man looking at the outward appearance but God looking at the heart, is a truth I want to apply- being careful what I look through before judging what I see…

when I look at the outward appearance of my circumstances,
when I look at the outward appearance of my decisions,
when I look at the outward appearance of my future,
when I look at the outward appearance of my kid’s choices,
when I look at the outward appearance of my choices.

I don’t want to judge how things will turn out just from my perspective. I want to see through God’s perspective – having hope even when things don’t “look” the way I think they should.

I am asking God to help me see, not just the outward appearance, but more importantly the heart of situations, relationships and circumstances through His perspective. I am being careful what I look through before I judge what I see, trying to view life through His “lens” instead of mine.

Are their circumstances in your life where you need God to give you His perspective?

Copyright 2009, Renee Swope – All rights reserved.

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Today’s AMAZING Mom Give-Aways

We’re giving a copy of Lysa’s TerKeurst’s “The Bathtub is Overflowing but I feel Drained” a “perspective-changing” book full of hilarious stories and great parenting insights. For another winner, we’ve got two tickets to the D6 Conference and a year’s worth of Family Devotional Magazines from D6.

Also, Girls Night Out sold out, so we’ve added a Girl’s Day out . I have two tickets to give away! It’s from 11:30am-2pm with the same line-up, including Kate from TLC’s Jon and Kate plus 8, Lysa TerKeurst, Ayiesha Woods, Jason Catron, and me (who by the way is quite nervous about speaking in front of 4000 people! Me, the one who told God I wouldn’t even get up and pray in front of 20 people 10 years ago.)

To be part of today’s give-aways, click on the words “comments” below this post. PLEASE include your email so we can get in touch if you win, your city, and let us know which prize you’d like to win in your comment !

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Comments

  1. dear renee thank you so much for your encouraging words this morning I a am a mom of two boys that we brought into our forever family from Guatamala they are 6 months apart both being 8 and all that goes with being two active boys i have been ill recently and my energy level is not quite there. I know God has given us two great gifts but the challeges of raising boys can sometimes be quite overwhelming I would love to read your book about the sink and the drain sometime it has been hard to find and i can’t always take the time to order. Please pray for my energy level so that i can be the mom these boys need my husband is a great father and i am blessed to have him sincerely ruthie

  2. Thank you so much for opening your heart to me and women everywhere. Your daily insight into God’s word has been very encouraging. Lately I have been struggling with a deep depression. I have been looking at myself through the world’s eyes focusing on my faults and failures. I know that God does not see me this way, but knowing and truly believing is difficut. Your web site has helped me see we all struggle yet God has a plan. Thank you very much. It would be wonderful to attend the conference however I live in Oregon. The book would be wonderful also. My email is [email protected] God Bless.

  4. I have really enjoyed today’s devotional.I a am person with a very low self- asteem! This makes me very hard on myself.From now on i pray i can start looking through God’s perpective instead of my own corrupted thinking!Please pray for me.I know god’s plans for me are to have hope and a future,- I praise god for this! ksn

  6. I'm so glad you guys are giving away more tickets. I've talked to so many people who were bummed when they learned it was sold out and they hadn't bought their tickets. I can't wait to see you there!
    Paula G. <><
    I loved the video!

  7. I'm so glad you guys are giving away more tickets. I've talked to so many people who were bummed when they learned it was sold out and they hadn't bought their tickets. I can't wait to see you there!
    Paula G.
    <
    I loved the video!

  8. Renee,

    I posted earlier today, but my 12 year old daughter told me earlier tonight that she would love to see Kate at the conference. Please add us to that drawing.

    Thank you,
    Lori J
    [email protected]

  9. I love your blog and it is such an inspiration to me as a busy mom of three. Sometimes I wish I could see myself through God’s eyes when I have pulled into my driveway for the 50th time midway through the day. I could only imagine what he would say to me! Thanks for all the encouragment you give, you are a blessing!

    K Baca
    [email protected]
    girls day out!!

    I LOVE Jon and Kate plus 8!

  10. I have lots of trouble with the lens’ on my heart. It’s hard to see things appear so difficult and trust that God will make good come of them – and even harder to see your children faced with those hard things! We’re trying hard to put on our spiritual armor so we’re ready when the bad things come. My three-year-old daughter loved our Advent devotions so much that we’ve added a scripture learning activity to supper each night, and we’re hoping that it will help us know God better and be prepared for the times ahead. I would love to win the family devotional magazines because I’ve never really done those until this past Advent, and it’s something that I’d really like to know more about. While I have my own quiet time and we do that individually with my daughter, our son is almost old enough to begin to participate – 20 months now – and I need to learn more!

    [email protected]

  12. I think I have read that story on your blog, but it is a good reminder. Just moments ago my husband and I were talking about adding more children in our future home through foster care adoption. We were talking financial, logistics ect…what an exciting time for us…but a gentle reminder of looking at it Through God’s eyes…let Him guide my heart and decisions!
    [email protected]
    Shannon

  14. Renee,
    Your sunglasses story reminds me of the Bible passage that states, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks”. I think that we can see what sunglasses we’re wearing by slowing down and listening to our speech. I’m hoping to continually refine this area in my own life and begin to decrease comments that express worry, discouragement, frustration, and impatience toward my children and husband.
    I would love the opportunity to attend the D6 conference and receive the yearly devotional. I live with my husband and 3 young children in Metamora, IL (near Peoria).
    Thanks for the Godly perspective today.
    [email protected]

  15. Renee – your video was so great! Not only was it a great story, but you are so poised and beautiful on tape (and your hair is a beautiful color!) *grin*

    I am in Virginia, so I only can accept the GNO tickets if it includes airfare!!! But I’d love Lysa’s book otherwise.

    I’ll say again I love this ministry you are working with!

  16. Thanks for this story; it provided a reminder that I greatly needed today. This day started off on a really bad note. The pain and hurt that I have felt all day b/c of an angry and unjustified attack have greatly effected my view of life, and indeed I have allowed the events of this morning to rob me of my peace and joy.

    I’m off now to pray that God will forgive me for allowing this incident to cause me to block the Lord’s voice from my life today.

    Although I know better than to wallow in self-pity, I am human and when I am attacked I forget to turn the other cheek.

    Please pray that I will be able to speak words of love and restoration to my DH and show him the unconditional love that Jesus has shared with me.

  17. Renee, your blog continues to be such an encouragement.

    I would love to attend the D6 conference. My city would be Charlotte.

    Blessings to you.

    thegrossmans(at)carolina(dot)rr(dot)com

  18. So good to “see” you again. You soothe my heart with your words and perspective. Such wisdom from the heart and mind of a son.

    Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Happy Weekend to you and yours.

    peace~elaine

  19. Ack, I forgot to add my email and stuff. Have I mentioned how I love what you are doing this month? I run to the computer every morning to see what new thing is on your blog. It’s so exciting. 🙂

    [email protected]
    College Station, TX (between Houston and Dallas)

  20. Renee – your video was so great! Not only was it a great story, but you are so poised and beautiful on tape (and your hair is a beautiful color!) *grin*

    I am in Virginia, so I only can accept the GNO tickets if it includes airfare!!! But I’d love Lysa’s book otherwise.

    I’ll say again I love this ministry you are working with!