Not Today Satan

David is our oldest son and this is his first year to play tackle football. When the school year started he didn’t want to sign up. Since all of his friends were on the team he decided to try out. Even though he got started a few weeks after everyone else,  he’s been able to catch up quickly.

Yesterday, at breakfast David told Chad and me that there is one boy on the team who follows him around the field. He stays on David’s heals through the whole practice pointing out every mistake he makes and telling David he should just quit the team.

You can imagine, as a mother, the thoughts of protection and defensiveness that immediately came to my mind. But I know our son. He is not one to back down. And honestly, I can’t think of any better training for real life than to have someone on your heels telling you to give-up. Chad and I listened, told him to ignore the guy and keep showing up.

Yesterday, when David got in the car he told me that he had “handled” the guy who wanted him to quit the team. I was a little afraid know but had to ask, “Oh, yeah? What happened?” 

“We were tackling and hitting in practice today, so I just aimed for him every time. I took him down every time. Finally, when he would see me coming, he would start running away backwards.”

I wish real life were more like 7^th grade tackle football. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to put on a padded suit and helmet and literally “take down” all people and circumstances in life that constantly try to get us to give up or quit the team?

We do have a very real enemy! The Word of God tells us that we are not warring against flesh and blood. We are not at war with each other. The battle is spiritual. 

In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are instructed to “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

I don’t know about you, but I won’t be run off the field today. I’m suited up in the strength and power of the Lord, I have meaningful work to do and It’s time to send the enemy running backwards.

Who or what is it trying to discourage you today? Don’t give up! Take strength in the Lord, stand and fight.

One Life Away

“9:00 AM at the Oklahoma County Juvenile Court House” I read the reminder on my calendar and knew that Tuesday was going to get off to a rough start. As a foster parent it is our responsibility to show up to court appointments for the children in our care. On this day I arrived early and sat in the courtroom for the entire morning docket.

Before the Judge entered the courtroom, an officer led a man wearing a prison jumpsuit and shackles through the side door. The man was a father who would, moments later, stand before the judge and relinquish all rights to his children. An attorney for another biological father is unable to show any measureable progress significant enough to prevent his rights from being terminated.

The gavel fell. Two more fatherless children “in the system” and

still five more cases on the docket where the futures of children were yet to be determined.

As a mother and a minister I can’t help but wonder, “what is going to happen to all of these children?”

At Mission OKC as we work in the midst of those living in poverty, I also see the effects of trauma as it is fleshed out in the behavior of children. Aggression, mistrust, developmental delays and insecurity are challenges we face everyday.

The more I learn, the more hopeful I have become that the work of foster parenting and the ministry we provide at Mission OKC is life changing for these kids. The change that comes in their lives will in turn have a lasting and positive impact on our community.

Recently, I read an article written by Brittney Schaeffer, MS, LMFT, Titled “What You Should Know About Toxic Stress.” 

In the article she defines Toxic Stress or Trauma as “an experience that overwhelms us, sometimes making us feel like we are in serious danger.”

Examples of some of the toxic stresses a child growing up in poverty might face is being a witness to domestic violence, physical or verbal abuse, not having their vital needs met and a life in constant upheaval.

In her article, Ms. Schaeffer states that, “A child that has experienced at least four toxically stressful events was 15 times more likely to attempt suicide, 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 4 times more likely to become an alcoholic or intravenous drug user.”

Studies have shown that constant exposure to trauma actually changes the structure of the brain and as a result causes an overactive survival instinct. Trauma affected brains and bodies become flooded with stress related chemicals that not only lead to developmental delays, but a greater susceptibility to chronic disease and addiction.

Hope for Healing

“The good news. . .” as Ms. Schaeffer explains, “The brain has the potential to make new cells and create new connections—most effectively through safe, compassionate relationships with others.”

For this reason, health care professionals, mental health providers, educators, faith-based workers, and peer relationships are critically important to building resiliency to toxic stress.”

At Mission OKC we are on a mission, not only to help the children in our poverty areas make healthy connections to caring members of our community who serve as volunteers, but at the core of our ministry is the desire for them to know the Great Healer, Jesus; To know that they can trust Him with their lives as He promises to make all things new.

What will happen to all these children? They are one caring adult, one kind friend away, from healing and learning to walk with the Lord.

If you are interested in becoming a part of Mission OKC as a prayer warrior, financial supporter, or volunteer, please visit our website www.missionokc.com or contact us at MissionOKC@outlook.com.

For more helpful resources like the article sited in this post like Instilling Hope & Wellness on Facebook.