Just in time for Mother’s Day weekend, I’ve invited my friend Karen Ehman to share a devotional with us from her new book, Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus. We’re also giving away TWO COPIES of the book and one beautiful bracelet. Keeping reading to find out more.
As a little girl I loved being outdoors. I could often be found playing kickball with the neighborhood kids or riding my bike around the block. I liked to splash in puddles and jump in piles of leaves. There was one aspect, however, about being outside that I didn’t particularly care for: the critters.
Spiders were scary … dogs terrifying. And I couldn’t even bear the thought of snakes.
My intense fear of these creatures often kept me from fully engaging in play.
Unfortunately, even when I didn’t encounter creepy-crawlies outdoors, they occasionally wound up in my dreams at night. I would have the same reoccurring nightmare of snakes slithering toward me while I stood frozen, unable to run away. When I would wake up, I would be in a panic, heart wildly beating, palms sweating. I never thought my fears would go away until the one summer when I had no other choice.
The summer I turned 20, I took a job at a nature center teaching four-year-olds. It didn’t cross my mind that keeping company with critters would be a part of my duties. I had to capture insects to examine and release, scoop tadpoles to study pond life, and even hold the snakes that were kept in glass tanks in the main building.
Although everything in me wanted to run away, there were little eyes on me. So, I whispered a prayer for strength, pushed past my fears, and made those kids think I was a critter-lovin’ instructor whose calm demeanor (and lack of screaming!) showed them there was nothing to fear. If their teacher wasn’t freaking out, why should they?
Even though I worked through my fear that summer, as an adult now, I’m still tempted to “freak out” with fear. My imagination concocts all sorts of scenarios peppered with dread and doom. Sometimes I can’t shake fear as I try to fall asleep.
But I have come to trust this perspective-shifting truth: God is not worried. He’s not in heaven wringing His hands, wondering just how everything will eventually turn out. He is in control. He is loving.
God longs to use the circumstances of our lives to mold our mind, craft our character, and chase away the fears that threaten to slither in, paralyzing us and rendering us ineffective.
Ever the patient and wise teacher, if He isn’t freaking out, why should we?
Proverbs 3:24-26a is a sweet promise to us…
Now that passage doesn’t promise that we won’t ever encounter sudden disasters in life. But it does reassure us that we have no need to fear them. Why? Because the Lord—our gracious and wise teacher—is our security. He will be there to comfort and to guide as He teaches us the lessons we need to learn.
With God as our security, we can have calm in our present.
With God as our security, we can face the future without fear. And we can share this confidence we gain to inspire others, helping to keep them from unnecessary fret and worry.
Why it even helps me deal with little critters that get inside my house without squirming.
Well . . . without squirming too much.
Enter to Win
We are giving away two Pressing Pause devotionals and a beautiful bracelet from Fashion & Compassion. Written by my dear friends Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk, Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus offers us a calm way to start our day, to refresh ourselves in Christ and drink deeply of His presence so we are ready to pour out love, time, and energy into the people who matter most!
These 100 encouraging devotions for moms has helped me start each day with Scripture, drawing on God’s power, soaking up His Word, and learning practical ways to love and 
serve my family more like Christ each day. And one of my favorite features is the set of questions and optional journaling or notes area at the end of each day’s devotional.
Just a few minutes each day can help you center your heart and mind on what God has for you as His beloved daughter. So resist the rush. Halt the hustle. Press pause and find some calm in the chaos.
TO ENTER TO WIN simply click “Share Your Thoughts” below today’s post and do just that. Your comment will be your entry into the drawing! Two winners will be chosen and contacted on Monday, May 9th.
I have always struggled to find time with God. Even now that all of my children are grown up and I find myself an “empty nester”. People are still pulling me this way and that.
Thank you for being obedient to our Heavenly Father and writing this book.
Thank you for this devotional. Children are so rewarding in our lives and also very challenging. Strength and wisdom from God is always needed. I would so love to receive this offer. Thank you
I’m desperately in need of a fresh touch of Christ, Also need encouragement to carve out time for personal devotion.
This book sounds awesome! I struggled with depression for 10 years and alcoholism for about 3. Finally God put me in a better place! I’m now a director of a Christian preschool and am loving life to its fullest!
God is the calm in all areas of life. We need to see things as He sees things. His perspective makes all things possible. Be still……..and know I am God. I’m forever learning and growing up these days as I lean in hard and trust Him. Thanks be to God.
Sometimes I worry. And sometimes I worry about what I am worrying about….and then I worry about that!! Well, I know now that worry is something that needs to turn into prayer. When wor..starts in my mind..I turn it to my awesome God and I pray. Thanks for worry to turn me to God!
Spiders scare me more than snakes. I used to dream of spiders falling from the ceiling, thankful I don’t anymore.
Thankful for a loving God who knows our needs.
A recent episode of unemployment, coupled with my daughter’s continued battle with depression, forced me into a position to trust God completely for my every need; emotional, physical, spiritual and financial. He never let me down and was there always right on time. I’ve never experienced such peace in the midst of such horrible circumstances. He taught me to not worry through it all.
Thank you Renee, needed to hear this today….dealing with some issues with my elderly mother and it is draining me emotionally. Your words and verses you shared reminded me that God us my security and my strength.
What a beautiful story! How the Lord knew how much I needed to read this. Our God is so good. I can not go a day without Him being first and foremost. Recently I lost my mother, and even though I know how much God provides for us and that she is with Him its been a hard road. I miss her so much and wish now I would of done more for her, and told her more often how much I loved her. After her death, all of my fears surfaced. I thank God everyday for those He has placed in my life that walk this journey with me. The Lord is so good and all the time.
I believe Pressing Pause is something we, as females, wives, mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, all of the above, need to do to be what God has created us to be. We are so busy taking care of everyone else that we forget to stop and listen to his ever present voice. We need to remember that the same hand that placed the stars in the sky is the same one, resting on our shoulder, 24/7. Thanks for reminding us!
Pressing Pause is something that I need to do constantly with two boys! Thanks for the reminder!
I definitely need to learn how to press pause especially while I Keep It Shut, Karen Lehman! Beautiful reminder
I try to remember God’s up all night, I shouldn’t be if I give it to him!
Thanks for the encouraging word!
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. Learning to press pause and enjoy the moment is always hard for us moms. I’m learning to not feel guilty about me time.
Thank you for the encouraging and inspiring emails. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
So good to be reminded that God is always aware of our circumstances and has things under His control.
I really enjoy reading all your devotions. I try to share them with friends also.
The Lord bless you!!!
Reminds me of the old saying ” there is nothing to fear but fear itself” My dad use to say ” there is nothing in the dark that’s not in the light the only difference is you just can’t see it” We may not see what’s coming but God knows all about it! He knows where we are going and He is already there. Love this devotional I needed to be reminded of these beautiful truths.
Yes, remembering that God is in control brings me immeasurable peace and comfort.
The Lord is our security! I love this. Thanks for the beautiful reminder.
Theer’s nothing like the relief of finding what you’re looking for.
I would love this book!
What a great proverb to counter any fear we may have! It’s a keeper to memorize for sure.
Thanks Renee, for such a good word.
Hello, it sounds like a very nice book. I would love to read and learn from it. Thank you for you inspiration.
Renee Schuitemaker
I remember being pregnant, scared out of my mind, I was with my best friend and her daughter. I had prayed before we went shopping for a sign, my “niece”, best friends daughter, ran to be and said, “Aunty Wizzy, wook, wook!” There, this precious two year old, was showing me a sign above the door as we entered, “Do not fear, I am with thee.” Wonder, amazing, and an answer. God was using this little angel to help me find my strength and know that everything was going to be ok!
Love messages of hope!
Just what I needed to hear today. I’ve had trouble sleeping, worrying/fearful of the troubles in my family. I would love this book to read more devotions on being calm in Jesus
You are not alone in your dislike of snakes! I’m right there with you. The perfect devotional for me today. Thank you.
Thank you so much. I get worries and anxious alot. I really need to remember this
Loved reading the devotion with the precious verse from Proverbs. Thanks so much!
Second thing I’ve read referencing snakes tonight!
The right words at the right time. Thank you for sharing ,I truly enjoy reading and rereading each one you send and apply it to my life and have shared with others. I have had a challenging last couple of weeks and when I calm my anxiety and pray Lord search my heart and help me let go of my fears..what a calming He gives. Help me to find the devotional so I so could use.
Okay I’m codenncvi. Let’s put it to action.
Please remember Bro. Lambert he needs our prayers! He has a broken leg and ankle, we know God can take care of this and heal that bone back. we love you bro.Lambert
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2 Samuel 22:33 is my go to verse every time I fear something.
Renee, I would love to share this devotional with my daughter…a single working mom with 3 children…the oldest being medically fragile. I know she finds it challenging to spend time with God and this excerpt gives me a glimpse of hearing God’s Word and living it out in real life. Thx for the opportunity to win! God bless all moms this Mothers day!
What a great book!
I frequently feel like my life would be a lot easier if I could turn off my brain so I wouldn’t be paralyzed by anxiety and negativity! Of course, I can’t do that, but I can turn to God and rely on Him to change my thoughts or help me overcome them. This devotional was a great reminder of that fact. I’d love to read more!
I pray for inner strength that only God can help me with. I pray that God will help me find the time to grow in him.
The power to heal without medication is through God. I would love to win this book!
A month ago I noticed a lump on my toddlers neck but didn’t think much of it. I pointed it out to my husband tonight and he said it’s getting bigger and to call the doctor. Of course their office was closed and of course I googled ‘lump on neck’. I’ve spent the past three hours crying off and on and am so scared. My spiritual gift is faith and I’m terrified of being tested. Please pray for my baby.
Praying for you and your baby. Praying it’s just a swollen lymph node and nothing to be concerned about. In Jesus Name, amen!!
Thanks Renee and Karen for the giveaway. It sounds like the perfect one for this weekend on Mother’s Day. I can so identify with fears. I was fearful of so many things growing up and still have fears to this day. I want to honor God by trusting Him with all my fears. My husband has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and my life is starting to fill up with so many uncertainties. That old saying that what doesn’t kill us will make us strong. I want to be strong in the Lord and resist the devil. He has no place in my life now or forever. God bless you all. I pray for that inner strength that only God can give us.
this would be a lovely gift for my daughter Breanne who is pregnant with her first child. she is a worrier and i hope this would bring her calming thoughts that all will be well.
I would love to win a book and read more devotions like this one ~ inspiring! 🙂
Wow! ,I can really relate. As a little girl, I too was fearful of critters, dogs and especially snakes. I not only had bad dreams about those, but I also would often wake up and see a strange figure in my room which would paralyze me, heart beating out of my chest, sweat pouring down my brow. I would lay motionless for at least an hour, until I got up the courage to look and see if the figure was still there. They were always gone. I am very thankful I outgrew those fears, but being a grown-up and Mom raises different fears. Knowing God is always with me has helped to calm my fears.
I want to Press Pause!
Being mindful of His promises brings peace. thank you so much…..
I would love to win a copy of this book. I am a homeschool mom, and I also work part time at our town library. Between this and just taking care of my family, I am always looking for great devotionals to inspire me. Thank you, Renee, for your inspirational thoughts.
Please pray for me since you have overcome your fear of “squirming” things. I don’t fear much, I know God is with me. I’ve know the Lord intimately for more than 37 years, but still I cannot overcome my fear of these “squirmy” things. Please pray. On a happier note, I love reading, studying, and sharing God’s word, in any way, shape or form. I always pass along my devotionals and bible studies when I’m finished… that is, if they’re not too marked up. Then, I usually just buy them a copy for themselves. Thank you for sharing your story; it gives me both hope and encouragement. Blessings!
What a beautiful way to put it! Always calm in the face of children… Being a child of God, I love how His Word speaks to every situation in our lives. Trust in Him and He will always make a way. Thank you for sharing.
Devotionals are a wonderful way to learn more about the Lord Jesus and keep our thoughts focused on Him throughout the day! Enjoy the Proverbs 31 ministries and how they reach out to encourage women everywhere. Mat the Lord bless you!
I am grateful for our Heavenly Father, Who cares about our big AND small fears.
As I read this all I could think of was my fear of snakes. I was a teacher for 40 years and when it was time for snakes to visit, I was either absent or left the room. I cannot imagine how you were able to handle them. I know God is with me but …