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What Is in Your Hand?

The widow of Zarephath had enough flour and oil to make Elijah one last loaf. ( I Kings 17)
The Samaritan woman had only a vessel of water. (John 4)
The boy had two fish and five loaves. (John 6)
David had a slingshot and a stone. (I Samuel 17)
The woman had one pound of perfume, that she broke and washed Jesus’s feet. (John 12)
So many different things…yet they all did the same thing with them.
They gave them to God.
That made all the difference in how the story ended.
Why?
When you give your things to God, He multiplies them.

The widow of Zarephath made the cake for Elisha, and God gave her bread until the famine was over.
The Samaritan woman gave Jesus a drink, and God gave her living water that satisfied an entire town.
The boy with two fish and five loaves gave them to Jesus, and God fed five thousand.
David used his slingshot in God’s power, and saved his people from the Philistines.
The woman gave her small perfume, and God told the world what she'd done for Him.

What is in your hands?
Do you think you have nothing?
Your hands are full of wiping noses and dirty diapers…and you wonder how this can be worth it.
Your hands hold papers to be graded or filed…and you wonder if this is all there is.
Your hands wash dishes that will be dirty again…and you wonder why such routine.
Your hands fold laundry, and you wonder why keep up.
Your hands are full of zuccinni. And everyone can grow zuccinni.


What happens when you give your things to God?
He multiplies them.
You say, “No thanks. I don’t want any more dirty noses or diapers.” But then they grow up and you find you miss them.
You’d give anything for a stack of papers to grade, because that shows you have something to do, some meaning in life.
You have no dishes because you don’t have anyone to eat what you cook.
You have no laundry because it’s just you. And how dirty can you get?
You make something with that zuccinni that will help someone else.
Maybe your hands are empty of what once kept them busy. You can no longer do much with them. They are not useless, they can be clasped in prayer for those who need your intercessory prayers more than you know.

When you give your things to God, He gives them meaning.
You don’t see just the dirty noses and dirty diapers, you see the soul of the child you hold near your heart.
You don’t just see papers to be graded, you see the hearts of those children who must know truth.
You don’t see the dirty dishes, but you see the service of feeding the hungry for God.
You don’t notice the countless loads of laundry, you see the testimony of those who wear those clothes shine in a world who needs help.
You notice the quietness in your house, the quietness reminds you to bring your loved ones before your Father for His blessing.
When you give them to God, He gives meaning, not just for tomorrow, but for today.

What do you hold today?
Give it to God. And you will find even your dishes, laundry, and dirty diapers have meaning because you serve God.
And your service, though often hidden by man (and unnoticed by your husband), when done for Him is not forgotten nor unimportant.

What is in your hand?
Just what you need for today.


In keeping with what is in your hand, I asked my readers to share what they are doing.

Faith Herndon, our neighbor and fast becoming a good friend, has shared what she does. In addition to two small children who are very well trained (which you know takes constant care), she uses her hands to make useful things for babies and moms. I share them with you to encourage you to give what you have to God for His use and He will make it worthy.

Hello! My name is Faith Herndon and I have two children; my son, Gideon, is 3 and my daughter, Della, is 2. (Family pictures are sometimes hard to capture, as is evident by the old photo from my pregnancy with Della. All you moms understand, I’m sure.) My husband and I have been married for 6 years. We recently moved from the center of town to 5 acres in the foothills just outside of town so we could raise our children in a better environment that will be more conducive to raising them according to Biblical teachings. My mom taught me how to knit a few years ago and I’ve decided to put that teaching to use by making various accessories for not only my own children but others as well. It started out as the occasional baby shower gift and eventually turned into an etsy shop. While my main focus still remains on raising my children and taking care of the home I hope I can use this hobby I enjoy so much to help contribute to our family’s needs. You can check out my shop atwww.etsy.com/shop/longaftermidnight or on facebook at www.facebook.com/longaftermidnightca and stay tuned for some upcoming additions and giveaways!

I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

Click on book cover for details.

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Tell of My Kingdom's Glory
Three Book Series
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Author of Biblical fiction, married to my best friend, and challenged by eight sons’ growing pains as I write about what matters.

Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
Dear Faithful and Loyal Readers
Life Falling Apart? Try Gratitude
A Few Words about Marriage
When Suffering Gets Personal
What an Amazing God We Serve
Response to Healthy Gaming
How Miserable Are You? Are You Happy?
The Need for Meaning Even in Pain
Reminders of What's Important
God's Unmeasurable Love
A Quarter of a Century Spent for Our Country
What Were You Thinking?
Who Are You Watching?
Boundaries for a Better Life
God's Boundaries
Memories of a Hero Mom
The Ripple Effect
How Do We Think Like Jesus
Litany of a Waiting Woman
Ever Cook a Frog?
New Year's Reminders
They Galled Her Gammy
When God Speaks
A Russian Christmas Story
Be Thankful
Be Grateful
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
  (reprint)
Laughter—Why Laugh?
Mom
Are You Disturbed?
Unity of the Brothers
Encouragements To Declutter
Do You Have Too Much Stuff?
Too Much Stress
Getting Past the Noise—The Value of Silence
Are You Scatterbrained?
How Good Are You?
Looking for Something Good To Read?
A Cup of Cold Water
I Will Trust When I Cannot See
Encouragement—What Is It?
Being in God's Presence
"Einstein and the Professor"
When God Is Silent
Do You Crave Beauty?
Using Stories to Discipline
The Danger of the Wrong Story
Using Stories to Teach Lessons
God is in charge of the future
November Dare Joy Challenge
Ungratefulness
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking for Jesus
What Do Your Prayers Reflect?
Life's Little Pleasures
Daniel—Greatly Loved by God
Take Every Thought
Jars of Clay
What Do Your Words Reveal about Your Heart?
How Do You Get Strong Faith?
Too Busy for God's Word?
How Do You Think Like Jesus?
Reflections from a Mom
Pain—What's It Good For?
Why Marry?
Consider the Robin
One Life Who Made a Difference
What Day Are You Living In?
Interrupted by God
Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
Are You Beat Up?
What's Your Hurry?
Are You a Manipulator?
Are You Salty?
Are You Condemned?
Trying to Understand?
Do You Expect Answers to Your Prayers?
Do You Eat Your Stress?
Need Focus?
Going through Trouble?
Immanuel—God with Us
Looking for a Relationship?
When God Says, "No!"
What Do You Do with Left-Overs?
How Great Is Your God?
Are You Needy?
How Do You See Sin?
What Do Your Words Mean?
Is Evil Overwhelming You?
Those Aha Moments
Is Your Soul Happy?
Are You Ignored?
Looking for the God Moment
Do You Know Truth from Almost Truth?
I Believe in Jesus—What Now?
Do You Have Your "Son"-Glasses On?
Less Is More
Singing His Praise
Are You Trying To Do It All?
What Do You Do with All These Prayer Requests?
Have a Problem?
Do You Know How to Pray?
Looking for God in Every Moment
Are You Receptive to God's Blessings?
Tell the Senate: Mothers Aren't Birthing People
Is Your Life Complicated?
How Do We Fight Evil?
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Giving Up or Taking Away
the Bible is simple
Are You a Dripping Faucet?
What's Your Testimony?
The Final Move
Be Careful What You Wish For!
Are Your Prayers Answered?
I Choose Joy
What Have You Learned from Your Hardship?
Who Are You Trying to Change?
What's Your Five-Year Plan?
The Danger of "Aloneness"
My Colors
Are You a Whiner?
Are Your Works Approved?
Do You Think You're Stressed?
Is Your Soul Feeling Ragged?
God Speaks to the Heart of the King
What about the Details?
Have You Felt the Long-Suffering of God?
How Does God Lead You?
Do You Have Enough?
Don't Carry More than You Need
Cast the Seed
God Is Faithful
Are You Deceived?
Are You Essential?
Are You Safe?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
Does the World Make Sense?
Have You Seen God's Majesty?
Do You Feel Judged?
If You Only Had One More Day To Live
Are You Understood?
Do You Long for the Word of God?
Slow Down and Smell the Dead Leaves
Are You Hospitable?
Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
I Did It My Way
Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
Are You a Watchman?
Where Do You Find Meaning?
The Lamb of God as Told by a Scribe
What Love Is This?
Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
Tea and Rest
Do You Have Peace?
What Makes a Marriage Work?
When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
Be Faithful through Suffering
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Are You Spit in God's Mouth?
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
What in the World Is Happening?
It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
Are You Sinking?
Are You a Rule Follower?
Useful for Him
An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
   Underclass

Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
    Heart of God?

See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
Contentment: It's Not for the Timid
How Secure Are You?
How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:
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under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:
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under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found  here, 
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under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Special Days
Remember: The Symbols of 
   Passover Explained
    

Aug 12, 2017 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
July 4th, Freedom
What Is an American Soldier?
Valentine's Day: A Day of Love?
Memorial Day-A Day To Remember
Veterans' Day-To Honor Our Men
Fall Colors
First Thanksgiving Day
    Proclamation

Christmas: Stories behind the Songs
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs, part 2

100% Natural Sheepskin

$50.00

Overview

  • Handmade item
  • Materials: Sheepskin, Wool, Genuine Sheepskin, Genuine Fleece, Natural Fleece, Natural Sheepskin, Fleece
  • 100% Natural Sheepskin
  • My sisters and I have always wanted the coziness of sheepskins in our homes, but have never been able to afford the space or funds for the large sheepskins. We decided to modify the large ones in order to bring the price and space requirements down to a more sensible, affordable level. Each of the sheepskins we offer has its own unique look because they were individually hand shaped and sized, but they are all approximately the same dimensions.

    These decorative sheepskins have many possible uses; accent throws, chair cushions, headboard decorations, small area rugs, warmth on a chilly evening or simply to use for your own, unique purpose.

    In many cultures sheepskins have been used in babies' beds to regulate their body temperatures, no matter the climate. They also provide parents with peace of mind if their babies are tummy sleepers because of the many air pockets created by the soft, downy wool. Due to the many regulations we are subject to under federal law we cannot officially recommend that you use these sheepskins traditionally as described above. We can officially recommend that you use that wonderful brain you parents possess (sleep deprived or otherwise) and make the best personal decision for your child and your needs

Lighthouse Living Hand-Knit with Flannel Baby Blanket

$60.00

Custom Bunny Ear Teether -
Set of 3 
$25.00
Overview
Handmade item
Materials: wood, flannel, natural

Any parent knows that teething is rough. Help ease your baby's pain (and yours) with an ECO-friendly, wooden bunny ear teether. Let your baby cut their first tooth on the wooden ring or dip the bunny ears in water and pop the whole thing in the freezer for a bit for soothing relief of your babies gums. The fabric can be easily removed from the natural wooden ring for regular washing. See ad for more.



Displaying 1 comment

This is such a great article, will be saving it and sharing it to remind all of us that even our little can be much with God. Thanks so much Sonya, such a blessing today!