Tag Archives: patjeannedavis

Not Impossible – With God – Pat Jeanne Davis
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Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

“It’s not utterly impossible, but it’s extremely improbable you’ll become pregnant. You might wish to consider an adoption,” my gynecologist suggested after my latest surgery. We took the brochure that she handed to us containing the information for an upcoming adoption seminar.

When we receive unwelcome news it’s so easy to lose heart and forget that God is in control of our lives.

My husband and I realized in our mid-life marriage that the chance of my carrying a child were slim due to age and because of a progressively worsening condition often resulting in infertility. John and I weren’t certain that pursuing adoption was what we wanted to do, but we attended the meeting.

Then we became very enthusiastic about this way of gaining our family. Since we were well above the age limit for an agency adoption, we retained an attorney who specialized in private independent adoption. I did much networking at the hospital where I worked. While letting others know of our desire to adopt, I found I was far less timid than I had expected.

Still, one-and-a-half years elapsed with no real adoption prospects.  Nevertheless, we were still determined and hopeful and continued to get the word out. Then, through divine orchestration, we were eventually successful in adopting a newborn. Now our family was complete, or so we thought.

Then my husband and I discovered that what is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God. Fifteen months after Johnny arrived in our home, I became pregnant at age forty-eight.

There has never been another time when I felt closer to God and sensed His power than during those months while caring for an infant and pregnant with another child.

Today I pray for wisdom as we raise Johnny and Joshua. When some days are rough and I feel the demands of child-rearing, I remember when God answered the desires of my heart in His own time and manner.

We must look to our Heavenly Father for His perfect timing in our life and realize that He knows the end from the beginning. God has his own timetable, and He grows our faith by permitting delays.

Pat Davis is a homemaker and writer living in Philadelphia, PA. Her essays, stories and articles have appeared in The Lookout, GRIT Magazine, The Mennonite, Renewed and Ready, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Blessings for Mothers, God Answers Prayer, Woman Alive, and Woman’s Touch. She has completed an inspirational historical novel. www.patjeannedavis.com
Read Pat’s devotions.

An Instrument in God’s Hands – Pat Jeanne Davis
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Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.
Proverbs 20:11

During my son’s first year of piano, I regretted letting him learn to play. He begged me to let him take lessons but, after awhile, he lost his initial enthusiasm. There were many times when I wanted to say, “All right, that’s it! We’re stopping.” But I didn’t.

We had a good relationship. Now that relationship was being tested. I dragged him to lessons and daily nagged him to practice. Joshua would either ignore my request, make excuses, or argue with me. So why was I putting us through this source of stress?

Was it always going to be this way? I wondered. Lord, please give me wisdom, I prayed.

Then I suggested that he ask his instructor to teach him to play the songs he liked, along with the pieces in his lesson book. The songs Joshua heard in music class at a Christian school became the key to a turnabout in his attitude and behavior towards me and the piano.

And so began Joshua’s journey on the road toward making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Our one-half hour lesson each Monday has become a blessing.

Why didn’t I think of this before? I reproved myself. Music lessons are no longer a chore.

Joshua brings to his session a “religious favorites” book and is learning a new hymn each week. His instructor has become familiar with these beautiful hymns of the faith, and he especially enjoyed the Easter music. As Joe teaches my son these pieces, God alone knows what impact the words of these sacred songs will have on Joshua and his teacher. I’m so thankful that my son has a heart for the Lord and is honoring God’s name through his love of hymns. He, too, is an instrument in God’s hands.

We can have the assurance that our Heavenly Father knows our child’s mind and the intentions of his heart. God knows that, as parents, we need guidance and patience while endeavoring to instill Godly behavior. We have only to ask for it.

Pat Davis is a homemaker and writer living in Philadelphia, Pa. Her essays, stories and articles have appeared in The Lookout, GRIT Magazine, The Mennonite, Renewed and Ready, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Blessings for Mothers, God Answers Prayer, Woman Alive, Woman’s Touch. She has completed an inspirational historical novel. www.patjeannedavis.com
Read Pat’s devotions.

God’s Faithfulness – Pat Jeanne Davis
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“All things work together for good to those who love the Lord.” Romans 8:28

My husband had a long commute five days a week to our church. His work there was mentally exhausting, but Joseph was happy. Then circumstances changed—he lost his job. His disappointment was keen and his spirit crushed. Joseph felt that God was displeased with him. This became a nagging and recurring thought.

Joseph needed encouragement. My husband’s emotional and spiritual well being were more of a concern than how we were going to manage financially. I prayed for him and myself as I waited on the Lord for direction. Then I began to see the hand of God in our experience.

We discovered that, under the pension plan Joseph was enrolled in, he could apply for early retirement benefits. This was our first indication that God was working on our behalf.

I’ve been a full time homemaker for fifteen years. I decided to claim Social Security benefits this year at age sixty-two. I learned our boys were eligible for children’s benefits as well. The Lord is faithful. He was providing for us.

It was re-enrollment time once again. Would we be able to continue to provide our sons with the Christ-centered schooling? After applying for financial assistance, we were given a 40% reduction on the following year’s tuition. We were overjoyed!

During these hard times, we learned how to live more frugally. Fortunately, our home is mortgage free. But the high cost of utilities was another concern. I applied for financial help with those costs and received discounts on our electric and heating bills.

Since my husband’s unemployment, the blessings have been many. Johnny and Tim only got to see their dad a short time each day when he worked full time at our church. Now he sees them off to school in the morning and picks them up later. Their dad now has the time to sit and talk with them. This is a witness to God’s faithfulness to our family during a time of crisis.

We walk by faith and not by sight. It’s during times of uncertainty that God reveals Himself. You too can experience God’s faithfulness. Jesus promised that He will not leave nor forsake us. Look to Him in changed situations and see new mercies.

Pat Davis is a homemaker and writer living in Philadelphia, Pa. Her essays, stories and articles have appeared in The Lookout, GRIT Magazine, The Mennonite, Renewed and Ready, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Blessings for Mothers, God Answers Prayer, Woman Alive, Woman’s Touch. She has completed an inspirational historical novel. Read Pat’s devotions.

An Instrument in God’s Hands – Pat Jeanne Davis
avatar

Posted on by

“Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right” Proverbs 20:11

During my son’s first year of piano, I regretted letting him learn to play. He begged me to let him take lessons, but after awhile he lost his initial enthusiasm. There were many times when I wanted to say, “All right. That’s it! We’re stopping.” But I didn’t.

We had a good relationship. Now that was being tested. I dragged him to lessons and daily nagged him to practice. Joshua would ignore my requests, make excuses, or argue with me. So why was I putting us through this source of stress?

Was it always going to be this way? Lord, please give me wisdom, I prayed.

Then I suggested that Joshua ask his teacher to teach him to play the songs he liked along with the pieces in his lesson book. The songs Joshua heard in music class at a Christian school became the key to a turnabout in his attitude and behavior toward me and the piano.

And so began Joshua’s journey on the road toward making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Our one-half hour lesson each Monday became a blessing.

Why didn’t I think of this before? I reproved myself. Music lessons are no longer a chore.

Joshua brings to his session a “religious favorites” book and is learning a new hymn each week. His instructor became familiar with these beautiful hymns of the faith, and he especially enjoyed the Easter music. As Joe teaches my son these pieces, God alone knows what impact the words of these sacred songs will have on Joshua and his teacher. I’m so thankful that my son has a heart for the Lord and is honoring God’s Name through his love of hymns. He too is an instrument in God’s Hands.

We can have the assurance that our Heavenly Father knows our child’s mind and the intentions of his heart. God knows that as parents we need guidance and patience while endeavoring to instill Godly behavior. We have only to ask for it.

Pat Davis is a homemaker and writer living in Philadelphia, Pa. Her essays, stories and articles have appeared in The Lookout, GRIT Magazine, The Mennonite, Renewed and Ready, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Blessings for Mothers, God Answers Prayer, Woman Alive, Woman’s Touch. She has completed an inspirational historical novel. Read Pat’s devotions.