Friday, August 26, 2016

The Last Laugh

Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Will I really have a child now that I am old?" Genesis 18:13

Sarah said God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me. Genesis 21:6

Ladies-In the first verse mentioned God shows us once again His Omniscience and how He is aware of everything even our thoughts. The second verse shows us the irony of how God puts a plan in motion.  We saw this with Eve last week in the garden with the serpent.  We can even go further in this chapter and glean more from God's truths about his divine plan through Hagar and Ishmael's story.  

What are we learning about our own story as we look into God's word?

Do you see a pattern with the Lord? 

 Our heavenly Father has a passion for you and me to take Him at His word and resolve to live our lives according to what He has written in His Book of Truths, the Bible. We are all apart of God's tapestry that He has sown together seamlessly.  Your life and my life was put in motion at an appointed time by Him to accomplish an appointed thing for Him.

Now let's look at a few more points we can take from Abraham and Sarah's story .
1.  We can trust God's word: It is the absolute truth and it will never change. God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son a man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19
2.   We can trust His Power: Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Mathew 19:26
3.  We can trust His timing:  For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end-it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it, it will surely come; it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

Whatever comes in this season, He wants you to have the Last Laugh just like Sarah!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

The Rewards of Faith

The Rewards of Faith

The Lord kept His word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. Genesis 21:1

God is a re-warder of those who faithfully wait upon Him to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

Although Sarah had to wait 25 years for the child of promise, God used every minute to grow Sarah's faith. I believe there is no time lost in faithfully waiting upon the Lord because God has an appointed time for everything that he brings into our lives.

To everything there is a season... Ecclesiastes 3:1
As coaches' wives we understand seasons probably better than many. We live our lives around athletic seasons. Some seasons are long and arduous. Some seasons are not long enough and move too fast.

These words from Ruth Graham has helped me walk through all of our different seasons: 
"We have to learn to make the least of all that goes and the most of all that comes." Ruth Graham.

Let me share a few more nuggets with you that have helped me manage seasons:

1. I have found the value in waiting: Waiting has caused me to value the thing I'm waiting for all the more. I now treasure and hold my desire more precious in value because I've waited for so long to have it.

2. I have found more time to give my attention to other things: On my way to my desired outcome I have learned to embrace every circumstance, my heart has grown closer to His heart and I understand God's ways more. My patience has grown for others and I feel more deeply the pain of others who are also waiting.

3. My faith has increased. Faith grows and strengthens with time. I now walk in greater faith because of my waiting.

So Ladies while you wait, be encouraged, that He, the One, upon whom you wait, shall strengthen your heart while you wait.

These are two of my go to verses that have given me strength in my waiting.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry... Psalms 37:7

Father, thank You for how You use every detail of our lives to get the very best out of us. You have placed Your glory in us and sometimes we have to be crushed in order for You to get it out. You let us hurt just a little so You can grow us a lot. Thank You for my sisters' faithfulness to wait on You. Father You shall reward us now and in due season. In Jesus name I pray, amen

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Trusting the Lord for a 25 year promise to come to pass


"Where is Sarah, your wife?" About this time next year I will return, and your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby, And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn out woman like me have a baby?', she thought. "And when my master-my husband-is also old?" Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, 'Can an old woman like me have a baby?' Is anything too hard for the Lord?...I will return and Sarah will have a son." 
Genesis 18:9-14

When we first meet Sarai 25 years earlier in the text she did not have any children yet. Let's go back to Genesis 12 and re-visit the promise God made to her husband: 1) "I will make you a great nation." (2) and then "I am going to give this land to your offspring." Can you imagine what Sarai was thinking when Abram told her that God was going to make him a great nation and give his offspring their new land? The Bible doesn't tell us what she was thinking, but I have a few thoughts. I believe she prepared the tent for babies and she started gathering all she would need to care for her children. I believe she made clothes and diapers. She made a basket and blankets. And she was excited and ready for her new life as a mother right after hearing these words. Isn't this how we would respond? But this is not how it happened for Sarai. She would have to wait and wait and wait some more. When Sarai hears these words from the Lord it has been 25 years since she first heard about this promise of offspring. Yes, God showed up again in Chapter 15 (5-7,13-16) and told Abram what would happen to his descendants but no son, yet. God also showed up again in Chapter 17 (3-6, 15-16) and changed Abram and Sarai's names to reflect the promise and declared they should be Abraham, father of many nations, and Sarah, mother of many nations, but no child for Sarah yet. Now, here we are in Chapter 18, 25 years later and God is more definitive about the promise because He says, "About this time next year I will return, and your wife Sarah will have a son."

What can we learn from Sarah's barreness and 25 year faith walk with the Lord? 

Some of you may be facing an area in your life like Sarah where it seems too hard for the Lord. You may be waiting on Him to deliver you from a physical problem, a family problem, a financial test or a personal burden. I encourage you to choose to exercise your faith, stretch it, grow it, and trust God; for none of God's promises can fail. Continue to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Stand on His promises to you. 

Is there anything too hard for the Lord?

Nothing you face in this life is beyond the resources, the ability or the love of our Father.


Father, I know You use our circumstances as fertilizer to grow our faith. Lord, there is nothing impossible for You. I pray for my sister who may want to give up. Lord, send her a sign of Your promise. I pray this word encourages her heart and she leans into You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Facing Famine


At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. Genesis 12:10

Sarai is walking by faith following Abram and just when she starts to make a new life in her new land a severe famine struck. God has called her into a deeper level of faith.The bible doesn't tell us if Sarai was kicking and screaming because she had to get up once again and move. It doesn't tell us about the conversation I'm sure she had with Abram about first leaving her home, moving again and to make things worst they were leaving because things ran out.

As we follow our coach we will face the highs of this life and the lows. Our circumstances will be good and sometimes unbearable. 

Sisters, what can we do when the famine strikes? 
1. I hope we choose to face forward
2. Accept our circumstances 
3. Trust in the Lord 
4. And put our hope for the future in His hands.
 
This is the decision Sarai made that day following Abram. And now, God has credited this decision to her and she is mentioned later in the bible in a place of honer in God's Hall of Faith. (Hebrews chapter 11) I pray we will have Sarai’s faith when we have to face a famine, too.

2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Father, I pray we have Sarai’s faith when life is tough or throws us a curve. I pray we can always find Your good in the bad and the faith we need to have following You. Lord, I pray for my sister who may be facing a famine. Father, meet her in that place and give her the courage to face forward, the faith to help her accept her circumstance and the faith to trust You with her future. Lord, thanks again for ordering our steps. We know you use every situation to draw us closer to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Monday, August 22, 2016

Called to Divine Assignments

Called to Divine Assignments

Genesis 12:1-2 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.¨

Ladies-There it is again, "leave and cleave". What also stands out to me is what God will do for Abram (our coach) when he gets to the place where God is sending him reread what He promised: ¨I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.¨  Many of our coaches are famous and we can all share stories about how they have been a blessing to others. What a privilege from God that he would have us marry men with great status, honor and influence.

Now let's look at our part: He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth-his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran. Genesis 12:5.

I used to dread "Black Sunday" also known as the coaching carousel because it comes at the end of November right in the middle of the school year and right before the holidays. When the carousel starts to move most of us have to stay behind to tie up loose ends when our coach gets the call. Some of us decide not to go at all for various reasons. 

I encourage you when your time comes to make these decisions please consult God. He will tell you what to do. 

As for me, I used to worry and stress out during this time of the year. My mind would be filled with all kind of scenarios: "Do I move right away, do I take the kids out of school, do we buy a house, do we rent our house or sell it, do I stay, will we get another call, etc". Thank goodness I no longer put myself through this torment. I now see my world from God´s perspective. I tell myself, ¨if the door is closed for us, it is because God closed it and where ever it opens next, it is also because God decided to open it there.¨ I go to Him and let Him give me His Omniscient solutions. Just like Abram and Sarai began a journey following God and not knowing where they were going, we are also on a journey following Him. Our destinations are determined by Him and the length of time we stay is determined by Him, too. When we arrive at a new place it is because He has called us there. 

Father, I thank You that our steps are ordered by You. I thank You that every place we go as coaching families is because of divine assignments from You. There are no accidents with You. I pray we open our eyes to where we are and open our ears to hear You tell us what You need for us to do in our new land. Thank You for this sisterhood and thank You for giving us men with such honor and influence. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.

An Omniscient Solution

An Omniscient Solution

Genesis 3:15- "From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heal."

Many theologians believe this was the first prophecy of Christ. They believe "you will strike his heal" is God referring to Christ's death as payment for the penalty of sin and the "crushed head" is the prophecy of Christ's resurrection from the grave claiming for us the victory over sin, death and satan.

Ladies-Our Omniscient Father announced His redemption plan to satan and to Eve right there in the garden from the beginning. Eve may have been the first woman to experience guilt and shame as a result of disobedience and doubt but our Father quickly comforted and reassured her that He would make her mistake work for everyone's good. Sisters, God is in the restoration business and this is the first revelation of His grace and mercy. Ironically, the redemption and reconciliation we all need as a result of sin comes from the offspring of the same person who had sinned, Eve.

God always takes our mess and use it for His glory!

We serve an amazing God! And, I'm so grateful to Him for sending His son to restore us back to Him. Have you been redeemed? If you haven't please send me a private message or email me at hiscoachswife@gmail.com.

Father, thank You for having a plan to fix our mess! I pray for my sister who needs to know that You make it all work together for good. I pray this truth about Your grace sets her free! Father, thank You for sending Your Son and setting Your redemption plan in motion from the very beginning. There is none like You, in Jesus' name I pray, amen!

Believing God's Word versus the voice of a stranger or the voices in the world.

Believing God's word, not the voices of strangers or the voices in the world.

Genesis 3:1- Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?"

Genesis 3:11- "Who told you that you were naked?" the Lord God asked.

Ladies- God is asking us this same question today, "Who told you that...?" In other words, who are you listening to because I don't talk like that. (my paraphrased version)

Satan challenged Eve about God's word that day in the garden. Everyday He presents this same challenge to us in various ways. The best weapon we have to counter satan's lies is knowing what God's word says and planting these truths deep within our hearts. Satan's lies come to us from every direction, so we have to always be on guard. It can be difficult to trust God's word when Satan is coming at us everyday to deceive us. We realize this, that's why we created this group to help you and we are committed to walking with you. We pray you are committed too.

This time of the year as a coach's wife I needed God's word the most. Satan would always bring all kinds of crazy thoughts to me making me feel depressed, angry, frustrated, resentful, bitter, worn, discouraged, hopeless, lonely, mad, doubtful, etc. One thing I've learned is that I don't have to listen to him. I have learned to quickly shoot down his lies with God's truths and he flees. I encourage you to stop listening to him and use this tactic too.

Father, I pray Your daughter's are in love with Your voice, Your word and the voice of a stranger they will not follow. I pray they hide Your truths deep in their hearts so they may be planted like trees by the river of living water and their leaves do not wither and they bear fruit in each season. I pray we never follow the advice of the wicked one and we never doubt You, in Jesus' name, amen.

Leave and Cleave

Leave and cleave

Genesis 2:24- This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

Ladies, highlight this verse. On this coaching journey you may be called to move a few times. I have moved to 4 different states; leaving my family and friends behind. My coaching journey so far has taught me the literal parts of this verse, "leave your father and mother." 

Next, this verse challenges us to make our coach our number one human relationship. This means our relationship with him is meant to be more important than the relationships we enjoy with our parents, kids, friends, sister wives, neighbors, co-workers, etc. He has to be our highest human priority.

Our next challenge is to make sure our coach knows he is our number one priority.

Father, I pray we will reflect on Your order for marriage and commit to making our spouse our number 1 human relationship. I pray we are able to make decisions with our spouse without outside influence. I pray we are able to pick up and leave all other human relationships in order to fulfill our divine destines with our coaches.  Father, You are the best listener, may we cast our cares on You knowing fully that You care and will give us the wisdom we need in all of our relationships. It is in Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Called to be his helper

Called to be his helper

Genesis 2:18- "It is not good that man should be alone: I will make him a helper comparable to him."

Our number one role as coaches´ wives is to be a helper to our husband's, to be their partners, an asset that benefits them.

What can you do this week for your coach as his helper? (something just for him)

I know some of you may be thinking, as a coach's wife, I'm already helping him (LOL). I'm encouraging you to do something that He will notice and get his attention. Think of something he's being trying to accomplish but because of his hours he just can't seem to get it done. I'm cheering for you on ladies!

Father, I pray Your daughter's hear Your voice today. I pray You show them how they can help their coach. Lord we thank You for who You created us to be. In Jesus' name Amen.
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion:" therefore I will wait for Him. "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:22-25 NIV

As I think about these verses I'm reminded of a time in our life when we didn't understand what was happening to us. I want to share that moment with you.

My husband has not coached college football for 2 years. This door abruptly closed for us. On July 10th, 2014 my husband came home and said he was let go from his current job. Letting your defense coordinator go in the middle of July is an uncommon time to decide you want to go in a different direction on defense. I said to my husband, "this is God. I need to go pray." A few days passed and on the morning of July 14, 2014 the Lord woke me up very early to come and be with Him. As I walked downstairs to my meeting place with the Lord I suddenly remembered a phone call I had received from a cousin who shared a scripture with me: Trust the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV 
I reached the bottom of the stairs, sat on the sofa and waited quietly. I kept hearing this scripture. I repeated it over and over until I was confident in what I was saying. After awhile I got up from my meeting place with great faith in those words and released our future to God. I knew He would see us through. I got my family up and we took an impromptu trip to the beach. We extended our summer break and made the most of this unexpected time with our coach.

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take if full face the worst is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. Lamentations 3:28-33 MSG 

Sisters, He takes no pleasure in making life hard for us but He allows our troubles and permits them to work for us. Our job is to lean in, cling to Him and His truths; trusting that He knows what He is doing and He has a plan for us.

Father, I pray Your words are honey to our souls today. I pray for my sister who needs to be reminded of Your compassion, love, and faithfulness. I pray for my sister who doesn't understand the new road and needs to be comforted by You. Lord, let Your love fill her heart and peace come to her soul. Thank You for being faithful to us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
 Resolved to be content


At the beginning of the year, my family decided our go to word would be "contentment".

I found this scripture to help us stand on this word and I hope it encourages you.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

We have learned the secret to abiding in this place with the Lord.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stone. A time to search and a time to turn away. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

As I shared before, God knows every detail about our lives. He knows every decision we will make that leads to every circumstance and outcome. Nothing about our choices surprises Him. He is an all knowing God. So, I'm encouraging you to check in with Him about your season and to cling to him as you charter uncertain waters. This verse in Philippians is often used as a cliche for how God will give us a hand up in our circumstances, I believe it really means He will help you to endure and get through any circumstance. This is why I'm learning to be content just like Paul and trust Him with every circumstance.

Father, I pray your daughters learn the secret to life. Your word clearly tells us that we will navigate ups and downs, good times and bad, but the secret is found in our knowledge of who You are and trusting You will see us through. Father, I pray peace that surpasses our understanding. Lord, I pray Your word will become a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Lord, I honor you in Jesus' name, amen.
You are where you are for purpose...

Psalms:139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

When I began to look at my life from this perspective I no longer questioned my circumstances. Instead, I turned to God asking Him to show me why He wrote every part of my story the way He did. This scripture helped me understand my purpose and I have learned to embrace every detail about my life. You are where you are, experiencing what you are experiencing, all for purpose. I encourage you to take a few minutes today and meditate on these words written by King David. I also encourage you to read this entire Psalm. It is my go to when life doesn't make much sense to me.

Father, I pray my sisters are encouraged by Your word today. I pray they are turning to You about every detail of their lives. Father, You know all about us and You know how to use every detail of our story for Your glory. I pray for my sister whose circumstance seems overwhelming and more painful than she thinks she can endure. Lord, give her the strength today to hold to Your truths. Your word tells us to be strong and courageous not afraid or discouraged for You are with us wherever we go. Thank You for who You have called each one of us to be for Your- Kingdom plans. In Jesus name I pray, amen.