Celebrating RefreshHer’s 15th Anniversary!

August 14, 2023August 14, 2023 RefreshHer27 Comments

In 2008, my sister told me she was considering writing a blog. “What is a blog?,” I asked. The formal definition is:

Blog – regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

That whole idea intrigued and inspired me because I desired to stay connected with the ladies from my church during the week, and a blog seemed like the perfect platform for that. I also had a burden to encourage women, and thought that writing short posts could accomplish that as well. I desired to refresh women’s lives in three areas –

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Family Friday – A Mom’s Greatest Privilege

January 20, 2017January 6, 2017 RefreshHerLeave a comment

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January is a busy birthday month for our family. Our son-in-law celebrated his a couple weeks ago. My husband’s is on the 22nd. Today we celebrate my mom’s 80th!! What a blessing she is with her love for the Lord, her family and her home.She has been a blessing to all that know her, and I am thankful to call her my mom! Happy Birthday, Mom!

Our oldest daughter, Whitney celebrated a special birthday last week – it was her 28th spiritual birthday. When she was three and a half she trusted Christ as her Savior. You may be thinking, “Three and a half? How could a child that young understand how to be saved?” I don’t know how the Lord works in a sinner’s heart, but I know that He does.

From the moment she was born, we told her of God’s love, of Jesus dying on the cross, that sin was what we say or do that doesn’t please God, etc. One evening after she’d been listening to a Patch the Pirate tape about a little boy trusting Christ as his Savior, she told me she wanted to do that too. I wasn’t sure how much she understood, but after talking with her, I knew she wouldn’t be satisfied until she prayed. Her prayer was simple and sincere, trusting as a child can.

As she grew up I didn’t want to keep reminding her of her decision at that early age. If there was ever a doubt in her heart, I wanted her to feel free to make it sure. However, she never doubted what God did for her on that day!

Our responsibility and privilege as moms is to keep telling our children about the Lord, His love and Christ’s sacrifice for them in terms they can understand. We do it as Deuteronomy 6:4-7 admonishes us – while we sit, when we rise, when we lie down, when we get up. This means all through the day in the activities you find yourself doing, make it a natural part of your conversation to talk about the Lord.

Ask the Lord to help you make spiritual applications using the snow, bath bubbles, gardening – whatever you’re doing. It will be a natural conversation, not something that is forced, and when your child understands and is ready to receive Christ, it will probably be at one of those very informal times. When both of my girls trusted Christ, we were at home, doing things we do each day. The Lord may touch your child’s heart when they are at church, but your home can also be the sanctuary in which they are saved.

One year Whitney wrote me on her spiritual birthday and said,

“Thank you for introducing me to Jesus.”

I read that and wept, as I also do at this moment. Is there any privilege any greater than that? She and her sister are two treasures that by God’s grace I get to take to heaven with me! How sweet eternity will be!

To all you young moms – just keep telling the story. Tell it. Sing it. Share it. You may have another birthday at your house as a result!

How old were you when you got saved?

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What If Your Child Doubts Their Salvation?

June 30, 2015July 9, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

You get in bed after an exhausting day and just after you get all cozy, your front door pops into your mind and you can’t remember if you locked it or not. What will you do? If you’re concerned about your security you will step out of your comfortable spot to get up and check the lock. It’s normal; we may have all done it at one time or another.

Your child was in your home and their young heart realized they were a sinner and they needed a Savior. While your heart beat wildly with joy, you opened your Bible and showed them the verses in Romans about their sin,God’s love, what they deserve, and how to gain eternal life. Then, in simple, child-like faith they prayed to receive Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf so they would have a relationship with God and a home in heaven. And you never forgot that day because it was one you’d prayed for since the day they entered your world.

However, one day, in their teen years they went to a Bible preaching summer camp and heard a message about salvation that Christ offers, and about hell for those who refuse. They have a foggy recollection of that decision they made when they were very young, but they’re unsure, and who wants to wonder if they’re ready for heaven? They walk the aisle and make a decision to be saved.

When they get home from camp, they share their decision with you and you’re startled. What should you do?

First, remember the need for security and assurance. If they had a doubt about their salvation, wouldn’t you rather they “check the lock” than to wonder about it all their life?
Rejoice with them. Assure them that that’s the wisest decision to make because eternity is too long to regret.
Humble yourself and resist the urge to say, “I was the one who led you to the Lord!” Or, “I know you’re saved!” It’s easy to feel a punch to our pride and feel wounded that we didn’t do a good enough job, but we must think the truth – we don’t do the saving! Christ does! If they’re doubting their salvation, then they don’t remember it.
Encourage them to record this decision in their Bible or journal.
Follow through with teaching them verses on security – for example,John 10:28 and I John 5:13. Also teach them I John 1:9 – that when they sin, they haven’t lost their salvation, but they’ve lost fellowship. They need to confess the sin and forsake it to regain fellowship with the Lord.

Should the fact that a teen or adult might need to check the security of their decision urge us to discourage a young child from being saved? Of course not! It shows their tender heart. They may never doubt their decision! But if they do, let them “get up and check the door!”

Has any reader needed to check your salvation’s security?

Here is the first post in the series about children and salvation it’s entitled, “How to Tell if your child is ready for salvation.”

Lovingly,