Melissa Runcie | Madabella

The Lord is Present

I wake early.

“The early bird catches the worm.”

That quote lingers, hangs overhead, wooing me to motivation and I wonder at how birds need those worms to be full. To feast on the fruit of labor found early in the morning. Is this my reward? To rise early to get it all done. To quicken my pace to accomplish all that lay before me?

I don’t want to rise early to strive.

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

The birds are fed by the very hand of God. They catch because He provides.

I am not a morning person, but I want to rise early to meet Him. And some days I do.

One particular morning, my eyes opened in the chill of the sun beginning to dawn. I looked around as friends slept soundly on wooden bunk beds in our white washed room. Tiptoeing past, I open the large wooden door with metal hinges to a wide, open, misty sky. I made my way past the barn, past sheep huddled together in slumber and past the garden at the edge of the house. There on a bench, under a willow tree, I sat in awe at the green rolling hills that seemed to have no end.

There, miles and miles past busy London, I sat and worshipped the Lord in the quiet of morning. No worms to catch, no checkboxes to mark off my task list.

On that quiet hill it was only me and Him as I worshipped loud for all the angels to hear.

I remember a trust. Trusting Him to guide my day as I witnessed to people I didn’t know. Trusting Him to guide words spoken to friends. Trusting Him to lead toward the exact place He desired.

If a bird feeds on a worm early in the morning, perhaps I must begin there.

Feasting.

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread along, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

His table is always prepared with the finest. All I have to do is come with a longing heart ready to trust Him and receive.

I remember that morning of long ago and how sweet it was to be present with the maker of Time, as He unveiled a trust anchoring my soul to His once again. The same trust I needed on the mission field many yesterdays ago is what I need this day and everyday thereafter. 

Whenever I rise, may it not be to accomplish more, but to be more present with the One called, “Jehovah Shama - The Lord is Present.”

A Father's Heart: Guest Post by Noel Runcie

In honor of Father's Day, I have been sharing the series on a father's love. Today, I have the pleasure of opening my writing home to my husband, Noel.

One of the greatest ways Noel demonstrates love is in fatherhood. As a father, He is tender and gentle. He listens and responds with warmth and intention. He exemplifies Christ, even in his shortcomings, because his desire is to serve. It’s not unusual for my husband to contemplate and ponder deep before expressing himself. But when he does speak his mind, a strength takes over that I’ve seen in very few people.  

In recent moments reminiscing about our girls, Noel shared about the quality of time spent with them. “It’s not just about playing softball together or going to the park to play. I enjoy being with them for who they are…” As he shared his observations about his daughters, I sensed his great love. And I’m so pleased, he agreed to write his thoughts in honor of Father’s Day. I hope you enjoy hearing from him as much as I do.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Anyone can be a parent, but fathering is love. Without love there is nothing.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:13)

I have been blessed to be accepted, validated and loved by my father. This is what we men seek to know from our fathers – ultimately that we have done a good job. God blessed me and my wife with two beautiful amazing girls, full of colorful character and wonder. I repeatedly ask myself: How do I make sure they feel loved and validated as girls, now and into the future as they walk into womanhood? I have so many questions, I know it’s only through the adventure of trials, experiences and battles will they fully be realized and answered.

When first coming into the stages of fatherhood I recall thinking, "I want to be a father like my dad, caring and loving, someone that can see beyond the now and point me in the right direction of knowing God.” Becoming good friends with both my father in laws, they took me in as a son and fathered me in ways that taught me how to reach for goals I didn’t think were attainable, to be involved, to never give up, and to be forgiving in the hardest of circumstances. From the wisdom and kindness of these three men, I have been given examples of what I aspire to be in a father.



In the short eight and a half years being a father, I have grown through some of life’s toughest and most beautiful experiences with my girls. There have been nights when a crying shoulder or bedtime story built a connection to my girls that will last through this life. A hug or kiss meant more to me than any worldly aspiration. These gifts that were given to me by my girls will forever live in my heart.

Life moving forward with two little girls can be scary, but will be an adventure I look forward too. I'm eager to see how they grow to become women of God and how they show courage and love in life’s challenges. One thing is certain, I know they will continue to teach me about myself and show me how to become a better father and man.

A Father's Heart: Intimacy and Affection

Approaching Father's Day, I am writing about a Father's love. Today, a revised post from the archives remembering my father and at the end of the week, I will have my favorite guest ever!



Me and Dad, circa 1979

For years I knew my dad's nickname, "Abba" had a meaning that gave us greater insight into who God really is. I'm not sure why I waited so long to tell him. Perhaps God had to ordain the perfect time, place and moment for me to share.

That day came this May 26th. His birthday. 

The character of God is most revealed through His names and titles, some of which are

El Shaddai {God Almighty}

Adonai Yahweh {Sovereign Lord}

Jevohah Jireh {God our Provider}

However, when Jesus came to tear the veil that separated us from God, we could now know God in a new way.

Avi {Father}

We are told "even before he made the world, God loves us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us into Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:4-5

Stop and consider that God decided to make US his children. The God who spoke life into existence. The God who set the stars in the heaven. The King of kings and Lord of lords delights in being our Father.

To call God Father means we can have a relationship with Him.

To call God Father means he is deeply personal in our lives, not just some "guy upstairs" or Supreme Being.

We can relate to Him on an intimate basis each and every day.

To call God Father means we can know Him.

As Father, He lavishes us with love, protects us , comforts us, guides us, encourages us, disciplines us and corrects us. No matter what our earthly father is like, our Heavenly Father is the perfect Father...the one who is ALWAYS there for us.

I told my dad that his nickname Abba refers to God as Daddy or Papa.

It is a deeply personal and intimate name, an affectionate name, that gives us an even closer relationship to God. How special it is to know the God Almighty is our Abba.

"We cry, Abba Father and the Spirit of God bears witness that we are indeed children of God through faith in Jesus Christ." Romans 8:15-16

Little did I know the nickname my dad had as a baby when he could barely utter a few sounds was the very name he would need to cry out to when he lay lifeless in a coma and unable to utter a word.

"Dad, you cry out to Abba, Father!"

On June 4th, 2010 I whispered over and over into my dad's ear to cry out for His Father, His Papa, His Daddy to scoop him up into His arms so he would feel no more pain, no more tears.

Today, I don't have my Dad to spend Father's Day with. I have my "Dad Too" who is my stepdad, but even more importantly, I have a Heavenly Father who desires to spend every moment with me. And for that, I am grateful. Eternally grateful.

May today (and every day) be the day YOU spend with your Abba, Father.

A Father's Heart: Love

Approaching Father's Day, I am writing about a Father's love. Today, a repost from the archives and at the end of the week, I will have my favorite guest ever!

Holding red handwritten letters strung together in my hand, something wells up inside me. At first, it doesn’t make much sense. It’s a mystery these words. Are they even words?

I settle on the edge of my daughter’s treasure chest filled with magical clothes that transport her to another world by the imagery of her mind. World of perfect possibility and shimmering lights at all times of the day. World of fascination and every color imaginable and unimaginable. Twirls and curtseys and princes in white horses.

Yellow princess gown lays lifeless on the floor, next to a wand and crown discarded. It was her time to leave the castle of dreams and fairytale endings. Beside this scene of abandoned beauty, I see emotion of words.

Circumstances of play shoved her out of the glistening castle in the sky to write a love letter to sister.

 
A sister who sometimes yells and demands and shuts her out.

A love letter of acceptance and resolve, “I hope you apologize. Sometimes you are mean. But I still love you.”

God’s faint, gentle wind billows beneath and around. Memories crash in and through. Memories of my broken inheritance of sin perfected by bad decisions and consequence ripples and is carried by the wind.  I know, Lord, I have grieved you.

Responding is this mystery of love real and raw that the Prince of Peace, Creator, Mighty God departs the Holy place on high, the grandeur castle in the clouds, hanging up his unequivocal majesty to encapsulate glory in the prison of flesh and bones.

His robe of righteousness lays lifeless on the floor, next to scepter and crown discarded. (Philippians 2:8)

For a moment, He steps out of the beauty that radiates His throne and into a lost and ruined world to pen a love letter in red.

“But I still love you.”

“And I always have.”

The greatest mystery of love is revealed and evidenced in the relationship of Father and Son. The sacrifice both made for you, for me.

This Father who is Rav-Chesed, LORD Abounding in Love.

“The LORD of Lords…abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”Exodus 34:6

The sheer essence of God is His perfect, holy, abounding, fervent love.

God does not merely love, He IS love. Everything He does flows from His love.

The heart of a Father is to love. 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love and drawn you with loving-kindness.”Jeremiah 31:3

The beauty of this passage is the display God’s love toward us. We like to say that love is not a feeling or love is a verb. Rather, a higher love is working through the grit and mess of relationships. However, God feels a love deeply for us.

God loves us with everlasting love, Ahab. In Hebrew this word for love means “to desire, to breathe after, to be inclined toward, to delight in.” Love is indeed a feeling and God has an affection toward us that is inconceivable and reassuring.

God’s love toward His children is also a covenant loyal promise that will never be broken because it is rooted on who HE is, not who we are.

By this unfailing, constant, merciful, unchanging, eternal love we have been redeemed. (Isaiah 63:9)

A distilled response or lack of affection will not change or disfigure God’s love toward me. Transient and wavering is my love for God, but His divine love is an anchor to my soul.  

The One Who Really Needs to Understand Me

The dinner table is our sanctuary. We peel away layers of the day and gather close to pray, talk about our day and simply be. Our words are usually uplifting and encouraging, but the other night, words were misunderstood.

Just about every day, Madelyn eagerly tells me about a neighbor or friend at school that needs Jesus! At the bookstore, she’ll bring me a Bible and say, “She needs this, Mommy!” or I’ll hear prayers of friends names roll off her tongue. When my father was in the hospital, Madelyn wrote a card that said, “I pray you know God.”

Madelyn’s heart is set to the tune of evangelism and I pray she always has the willingness to share the love of Christ.

Head bowed, I offered up a prayer for my youngest daughter. “Lord, please continue to give Madelyn a burden in her heart for her friends to know you.”

Before I could say “Amen,” Madelyn bolted upstairs mumbling on about a birdie.

Excitedly she rejoined us at the table with a toy bird in her hand. “Birdie! Birdie! You don’t have to pray that I have a birdie in my heart, mama! I have one right here, see?!”

We all looked at each other clueless at first and then laughed as we realized Madelyn heard my prayer as “birdie” rather than “burden.”

At times it’s not simply words that are misunderstood, but also motives or actions. It’s inevitable that we will encounter moments of defeat or loneliness, seemingly climbing an uphill battle to be understood. Or trying to understand those around us.

A well of hurt can rise within when we have been falsely judged or when others look beyond the heart of who we are and make assumptions or misguided criticism. Eventually if you dwell on your circumstance long enough, it becomes larger than it really is and the pit we have dug ourselves only becomes deeper. Last year, I was in this circumstance and it was so hard to set my mind on what I knew to be true.

And there have been times I misunderstood or wrongly criticized others. We’ve all been guilty of having preconceived notions and making assumptions.

There lies a deep desire in all of us to be known and valued. And the truth is, we are.

Only Jesus Christ knows our true hearts. He formed our most inward parts and He sees the deepest places that dwell under the surface. It is only when I truly love people, that I can look past the surface. Rather than try to understand others, I can know they are loved by God.

Walk in confidence, knowing you are fully understood by God, even when misunderstandings isolate you. He makes our motives right, He allows us to love others unconditionally and He imparts grace to extend to others.

Madelyn may have thought I wanted “birdies” flying around in her heart, but even amidst misunderstandings, my Heavenly Father knew exactly what I wanted. A burden for the others. In her heart and mine. 

Sacred Summer + Printable Summer Mini Album

When my daughters were much younger, I raced against the clock to meet their needs. Whether to bathe them, read stories at bedtime or play board games, I always had something more important to accomplish, a more urgent request to fulfill. Time with my daughters became one big rush hour.

However, summer taught me the sacred of motherhood where time ceases to exist.

Several years ago, I slowed my life to catch up to theirs. I learned to capture my girls as they truly were rather than who I wanted them to be or what I wanted them to do. No longer going head to head with Father Time, I simply began to see. To look around and fellowship with my precious little ones.




I saw laughter and delight.
I saw beauty and love.
I saw needs and fears.
I saw innocence and vulnerability. 

That summer, I saw them with a renewed passion and wanted to soak up every minute rather than wish them away for the sake of reaching my own goals.



What a beautiful day it was to be with my daughters without looking behind me to see what I missed or looking ahead, overwhelmed of all that is left to do. I no longer walked ahead of them, calling for them to catch up, behave this way, do this right, don't do that. More often, I sat in their shadows, followed their footsteps and let them lead me to a magical place of joy that only a child truly knows. 

This summer, I want to remember the sacred. The sacred of being present. Most of those moments will be snapshots sketched in my mind, but sometimes I'm quick enough to bring my camera along to simply capture life.

To honor the stillness of time ushered in by summer, I created a 10-page Mini Album to catalogue the gift of our days. The album contains a cover page and 10 distinct, whimsical pages for you to add photos and remember the sacred. 




To download the 10-Page Summer Mini Album along a "Days of Summer List" to write down your dreams for the summer, click here at MODSquad, Mothers of Daughters, where I write about my perspective on motherhood each month.

Enjoy creating and capturing life's sacred moments! 

Wait and Be Faithful

“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and he heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1

Every day it seems I am waiting for something. For someone.

I wait for calls to be returned, for emails to appear in my inbox and for my favorite late night television show to come on.

I wait for the school bell to ring and for my children to hop in my truck.

I wait for my husband to greet us when he returns from work and for the kitchen timer to tell us dinner is ready.

 

In the midst of a world frantically spinning with millions having places to go and people to see, we are all waiting for something. And in the quiet moments, I am waiting for deeper promises to be fulfilled and hard situation to be resolved.

I wait for God to reconcile loved ones to Himself so true restoration can take place.

I wait for God to lead me to a place in this world where my husband and I can serve side by side.

I wait for God to cultivate the gifts He’s given me and use them for His glory, in His time.

I wait for God to bring peace and comfort in a time of grief and remembrance.

I recently felt the Lord telling me to wait on Him. To my chagrin, I went into toddler mode, frantically waving my feet in the air and waving fists toward the skies, crying out for mercy. Really?

I want it all now, God. I’ve waited long enough.

Yet, God has extravagant promises to those who wait on Him. So why should I worry?

In the waiting room we are strengthen for what lies ahead. There is the assurance of being specifically prepared for a unique situation God has in store. You may feel ill-equipped for the turn of the season, but rest assured, God is firmly establishing your steps as you patiently wait on Him with excited expectancy. His plans for our life always prevail. Let us believe this.

Soon He will put a new song in our hearts and the melody will burst forth of all things we have been waiting for. Certainly, the lyrics and tune might be different, but God’s promises are far beyond our finite understanding. We will sing of deliverance and many see us praise God for setting our feet upon a rock and they will put their trust in the Lord.

Waiting is not always for our purposes, sometimes it is designed to be a witness to those who are watching, so God may be glorified.  Our job now is to be faithful to what He has called us to.

When my toddler heart tames, I grab a pen and begin to write a prayer, listing all the things I am waiting for. In a whisper, I surrender it all to Him. Like a flower waiting to bud, Lord, make it all beautiful.

Are you waiting on God for something? Continue to trust, knowing He is building you up for a season yet to come and a purpose yet to be revealed. Wait and be faithful.

Discovering Motherhood: She Sees My Imperfections

According to the newspaper headline, my youngest daughter had to determine which delightful words described the “World’s Best Mom!”, which apparently was me. Madelyn vigorously began checking every box, giving very little thought to selecting the outstanding and colorful verbs.

Awesome.
Craftsy.
Funny.
Loving.

After completing the entire list of more than twenty words, she paused to glance back over the list. She realized she made a mistake. Turning her pencil around, she carefully erased one check mark, then another. To be certain I didn’t see a remnant of the check marks, Madelyn scribbled out the words. That is, the words that don’t describe me.

Click here to read the last installment of "Discovering Motherhood" and find out what my daughter really sees when she looks at me. 

On the 2nd Thursday of each month, I contribute perspectives on motherhood at MODSquad, an online community devoted to strengthening the hearts of our daughters for God.

Discovering Motherhood: The One I Really Need to Thank

 

Has someone in your life helped you grow and flourish as a mother?

In the first years of raising my daughters, I naturally learned from my mother. I’d pepper her with questions as simple as setting a routine and as complex as cultivating a spiritual relationship with Jesus. Eager to be my role model, she’d share stories of when I was little and how she made it through each day as a single, working mom. Her example influenced me as I reflected on childhood memories and simply watched her be "Nana" to my girls.

My mother’s insight and love for Christ has and continues to be an anchor as I discover the complexity of motherhood. Over the years, another person in my life became a portrait of motherhood. And it wasn’t who I expected.

As my daughters grew older, I continued pursing dreams and passions through my career. Little did I know I was slowly leaving them behind. Yet, this person humbly stepped behind me to pick up what was left in my wake.

Sacrificially, this person tended to my daughters every need – putting band aids on scrapes, filling out permission slips, and preparing home cooked meals.

Lovingly, this person handed out hugs and kisses on the forehead when I was away, tucking my daughters in when the sun went down and making breakfast when the sun came up.  

Compassionately, this person loved my daughters when their hearts hurt and stood by me in my most difficult circumstances.

When I became a stay at home mom almost three years ago, I had to ask, “What snacks do the girls like in their lunch?” I remember so distinctly the confusion I felt that early morning when I was schooled on how to pack my daughter’s lunches. Even in my own kitchen it felt so foreign to put ham on sandwiches and cut apples into thin slices. Isabella likes red apples. Maddie likes green. 

Patiently, this person led by example, teaching me to see my children with a new set of eyes and a much bigger heart.

This person is my husband.



I no longer have dreams and passions that manifest in my career. They are here, living and breathing right in front of me, tugging on my shirt for another hug and asking me yet another question. My passion truly is to become a mom (and wife) that loves deep and wide. One who leads with a heart that beats for Jesus and extends the same grace I was given. 

We all have a unique story of motherhood and how we've grown. Some have learned how to be a better mother from on-the-job training, others from reading pages lit by the dim night light. Others learn from the very children they are raising. And I suspect most have learned from trying, and simply trying again. However, I am sure at least one person has enriched your life along the way.

This Mother’s Day purpose to acknowledge someone who has helped you flourish as a mom. Perhaps it’s your own mom, or if you are like me, it’s also your husband’s love, quiet leadership and obedience to Christ. Whoever speaks into your motherhood, speak up and let that person know, even if it turns out to be someone you least expect.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms! Click here if you've missed any of this week's series, "Discovering Motherhood."

Each month, I contribute perspectives on motherhood at MODSquad, an online community devoted to strengthening the hearts of our daughters for God. Click here to join in the conversation and share how motherhood has changed you. 

Mothers of the Bible + Bookmark Printable

 

This week I’ll be exploring motherhood by sharing what I glean from, “Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today” by Kathi Macias and offering creative DIY ideas for Mother’s Day gifts.

As mothers, don't we learn along the way? Mistakes teach us about grace as we partake of its abundance during each stage our children face. Sometimes their very words strike a chord, compelling us to trust even in the Holy Spirit who resides in their hearts. Other times its the sound words of those who have gone before us.

I love the power of story. Jesus taught through story and the Bible is filled, from Genesis to Revelation, with stories of when God came down seeking fellowship with His people. So when I happen to come across the book, "Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today," I didn't have to read the back cover to know I wanted it. Stories of mothers, their lives written for all to see.

God's Word and His truths stand the test of time. I was not disappointed when I began to pour over this book, gleaning from women God chose to become mothers. Already I have learned about Hannah's persistence in prayer and Mary's sacrifice. I've related to Eve's mistakes and Sarah's impatience. 
Each woman had a sacred calling. The same calling as mine, even as I fold laundry, cook meals and look for my lost keys! Along with character studies on each woman, you'll find journaling prompts to weave together their purpose with yours.

If you are a book lover, buy this book and download these bookmarks, reminding you of how blessed you are to be a mother! These bookmarks can be gifted to friends, family, neighbors and any other mothers in your life.

 
:: Click to Download Mothers Day Bookmark (PDF File)