Most of us may have been affected by the situation written about in this guest post by my dear sister Roxanne McKoy-Chambers. Life sometimes gets in the way of our devotional lives and we just don’t get around to spending quality time in communion with him. As Roxanne shares her experience, I hope you will be able to see the love that God has for us even in these moments.
My limited vocabulary would not allow me to adequately express the joy I felt as a mother welcoming my second child (my baby girl) into our home. It did not take me very long to recognize that with this beautiful bundle of joy comes a major shift in every aspect of our lives. Our schedules were rearranged, there were constant demands and time spent with my older son seemed to dwindle.
Aware of the new challenges that this very major change would bring, I had a plan of action or so I thought. At an early age it was instilled in me that morning devotions were like a vaccination. This vaccination I concluded, would protect and help me withstand any challenges a day could bring. I soon realized that the shift also included my vaccination time. Not being able to cut out sufficient time at the beginning of each day made me feel as if I was lost and drifting far away from that still small voice of God.
I felt exposed and fearful that at any time the turmoil of life would just overtake me. My all or nothing approach to my devotional time caused me to look with disdain on a rushed word of prayer while I was busy attending to my motherly duties. I felt like I was disappointing God since He and I knew I was hurriedly rushing through the pages of the bible.
My motherly duties were competing with my need to spend quality time with God, but despite the pressing demands that came with my new reality, I still managed to be consistent with reading to my children their Sabbath school lesson. A feeling of consolation swept through me as I reflected on my actions. It almost seemed as if I was saying “well I might be drifting from God but not you my children, you will stay close to him”.
Little did I know that studying God’s word for my children was as much for me as it was for them. Even though I was unable to fulfill my daily devotions the way I had grown accustomed to, God did not expel me from His presence. He was still interested in me and would send a word of comfort when I really needed it.
The title of the lesson: “Paul and the shipwreck” immediately arrested my attention. In some ways this title was mirroring how I felt on the inside. Since I was suffering from the pangs of sleep depravity, I began reading the story emphatically while yielding the added benefits of allowing my children to remain interested. The story is recorded in Acts 27 and it tells of how Paul and the others were on a ship and the sea was calm when all of sudden a storm came and ravaged the ship. While everyone else around panicked Paul was calm. Unbeknownst to the others on the ship, an angel told Paul that not one of them would die but the ship would be lost.
As I sat there with my children enthused by the story and staring at the pictures, God spoke to me in a profound way. He pointed out that our lives are a lot like this story, there are times when everything in our life’s experience is going well. Then without a warning the storms of life inserts itself in the worse possible way. In this trying process we may lose our ship. Our ship may be our health, job, money, marriage, or even a loved one. God never promised that our ‘ship’ will always be speared the brunt of the storm, but we can claim the promise that during our time of despair, hopelessness, loss or time of spiritual drought that “whosoever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom10:13).
These words from my children’s Sabbath school lesson were akin to “apples of gold in settings of silver”. Within a very short timeframe of receiving these words of reassurance, I came face to face with my personal storms. Both my son and father were hospitalized at the same time. The demands of catering to their needs, the hospital visits and caring for my newborn began to take its toll on my body physically. I was not able to pray, meditate or do my bible studies, but God’s word stayed with me.
When I couldn’t carry myself anymore, God carried me upon His promises. His words of reassurance that “no power can take out of His (God) hands the souls that go to Him for pardon” (Patriarchs and Prophets 516) was held dear to my heart. It was right then I realized that it was never about my ability to hold on to God through my rituals but it was all about God’s ability to keep me through whatever circumstance I faced. I have now learned that my moments of quiet undisturbed quality time with God is not only meant to vaccinate me against the storms of life but it also keeps me in times of drought. The word was hid in my heart and when I needed it most, it spoke and said “I will never leave you nor forsake you”(Hebrews 13:5).
About the writer: Roxanne McKoy-Chambers is a mother, wife, friend and sister who enjoys sharing the word of God both in writing and through the spoken word. A teacher by profession, Roxanne enjoys her role in shaping the lives of future generations. She is also an international speaker who has traveled to several countries sharing the good news of salvation.
Faith in Focus: Devotions for Professional Women 
I am continuously blessed, I am learning and proving how God works eveyday….i pray God’s blessing for you.
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I have my devotions Almost every morning it is very rare I missed one.
This is a powerful and strong words of encouragement, it’s a reminder and also reassurance that our God is an on time God who will never leave me or forsake.
Thanks for sharing. My God continue to bless and keep you.
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Praise Godf for your my sister. Life is real and the stresses that come with motherhood are real. We however cannot and should not neglect to nurture ourselves spiritually. Thank you for making yourself vulnerable by sharing your personal experience. May God continue to bless you with wisdom.
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So Deep, Miss. 👌
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Indeed God uses every experience to bless us and draw us closer to him. I was truly blessed and encouraged. All who comes to Him, He will in no wise cast out. John 6:37
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Awesome
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Thank you for sharing Roxanne. This is a very timely rdminder that God is still our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. I will keep you and your family in Prayer. Congratulations on your addition to your family. God bless and keep you all.
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Once we press to the love of God we are sure to receive blessings beyond compared. He is willing and able to deliver anyone who fear him.
Very impressive my sister this is the way to the heart of men. God’s remission of sin for people. Wonderful!!!!!! Work.
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Judy ann pottinger
Let God take control
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Truly l am blessed by these words. This reminds well that The Lord knows our ever need and situations and even though we are not able to give to him in the way we are accustom to, he still accepts and will be there with us when our situation alters our pattern of worship to Him.
May the Lord continue to bless and keep you my dear Roxanne.
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Great testimony Sis. Chambers. Quality and quantity time with God is very important. You have recognized something awesome. However much, or little time we spend in personal devotions, it is God who ultimately keeps us -in everything. His righteousness comes to us by the faith He gives us through His word.
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Thanks for sharing Roxanne, awesome testimony, let us all keep our morning devotion as a vaccine in our lives, may God continue to bless you and your family. ..
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A friend sent me this link, I followed, I read, and I was greatly blessed. Especially due to the fact that I too had concerns about how my personal communion with God will be affected in a few more weeks when my second child arrives. But thanks be to God for the reminder, that it’s not about me or the ritualistic way of communing with Him, it’s about God and His way of always reaching me where I am at… I am reminded as I type, that the least we do for anyone, including our vulnerable children who needs us most, we do it unto God… Although, I may have to make some adjustments in my personal communion, I trust that God will accept my “little” and multiply my faith much – in every act of service….. God bless you for sharing sis.
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God had a special plan to save mothers, especially those of us are committed to this high calling. Your strength will come largely from the reservoir that you have already filled. Those treasures will keep you in the dry moments. Make use of every quiet moment and alone you get. The breast to feeding times, over the iron board, the washtub, the batheroom, to name a few. The great thing is that our Lord meets us where we are. Some of my most treasured inspirational, discerning moments happened over the ironing board. God sees the heart so carry on in faith sister many of us have been there and is willing to share. ‘one hand washes the other’.
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What great hope. Amidst the storm there is calm, praise God. Thank you for allowing God to use you.
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I want to thank Chauna for motivating me to share in this medium. I happy for her visionary attitudes that’s what sister hood is about lifting each other. Thanks for the comments each comment was a devotional specially for me.
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This was shared with me on the published date and I shared it among my circle of friends. However, I never took the time to read it until now. O what a blessing and reassurance! This was for me at this time on this date. Thanks Rox-Anne for not keeping this testimony to yourself. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
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Mrs Chambers, I was blessed. I feel sometimes I am not getting enough time with God because I have to get to work for 7 and working with 2 year olds I sometimes feel so tired on arriving work. Thanks for the reminders. May the Lord continue to use you.
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