“Intentionally Hidden”
by Terri Bonin
The word I have written across my journal for 2015 is Intentional. But then the word has a big line drawn through it and is replaced with the phrase:
Intentionally Hidden.
Now before you start to worry that I’m drawing the drapes, quadruple locking the doors, and erecting a tall fence around our house, let me explain.
It’s these kids! The gravity of “raising them right” is quite frightening! So I’m hiding them…
I’m kidding of course, but seriously… What’s a good mom to do? Micromanage the kids’ education, watch over their relationships, check off their chores, make sure they are playing the right sport and volunteering in the community? What is the formula to raising respectable, God honoring children?
I’ve asked these questions and sought the answers by looking to the mothers of a few great people that have impacted the Kingdom of God in the way I dream my kids might one day. I’ll list four of my favorites.
First there’s Augustine of Hippo. His mom, Monica, pleaded for his life to be turned to God with such tears that God heard her cry and answered bigger than she could have imagined. Augustine stands as one of the great founding fathers of the Protestant Reformation, meaning Augustine’s writings still impact the church today. God heard his momma’s prayers.
Then there’s John and Charles Wesley. Their family lived in a small house overflowing with children, yet their momma, Susanna Wesley did not let their chaotic circumstances hinder her prayer life. She would toss her apron over her head and pray like her family depended on it.
And they did.
God heard her prayers and the fruit is clearly seen in the sermons of John Wesley and the famous hymns of his brother, Charles Wesley. Susanna did not toss her apron over her head in vain. God heard her prayers.
Then there is Catherine Marshall, one very dear to me personally. Catherine’s books brought comfort and healing to my soul during a lonely, dark period in my life. Her mom Christy, made famous by Catherine’s writing, was known for her extravagant prayer life that filled rooms with practical supplies for the mountain people. Catherine’s influence is simply an overflow of her momma’s faithful prayer life.
Charles Wesley
I do not believe we would know these names today if their mommas had not Intentionally Hidden themselves for a time of personal one on one communication with Jesus.
If Monica had not Intentionally Hidden herself in the Presence of the Almighty pleading for her son’s salvation, would the influential writings of Augustine
(The City of God and Confessions) have been written?
If Susanna Wesley had not Intentionally Hidden herself under her apron, would John’s grace filled sermons have drawn so many to the cross? Would Charles’s hymns have so blessed the church?
If Christy had not Intentionally Hidden herself quietly in her prayer closet to converse with the Almighty, would she have had a story worth retelling and a daughter so inspired?
I think not.
These are the few reasons Intentionally Hidden is written across the first page of my journal for 2015. I want to be listed among the great mommas that had the hunger to hide for a time each day and the discipline to intentionally make it happen.
What is your word or phrase for 2015?
~Terri♥
Meet Terri Bonin, the author of 31 Days to Fit, 14 Days to Ignite Your Marriage, and Live, Laugh, Love and Laundry?. Terri’s 23 year union with her favorite dentist (her husband), has been prosperous in their prolific production of 10 darling children. She also holds a degree in nutritional counseling which seems to be most frequently used to persuade her children to eat their greens. Terri’s secret pleasure is sneaking away from juggling the daily tasks, home schooling, and dating her husband to escape to her office to write for her own enjoyment. As you can imagine she has a LOT to write about!
