Sharon Sloan

Delighted by His Word. Dependent on His Grace.

Specifically For Gabrielle

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“Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 11:3
Me and Our Butterfly

Gabrielle helping her young friend to see what’s beyond the wall.

Gabrielle getting equipped to climb the rock wall.


Like all Christian moms, my heart’s desire is that our children abide in the Lord and walk in the truth every moment of their lives. I am completely dependent on God, His strength and His Holy Spirit. Motherhood keeps me humbly on my knees. Parenting is heart work. As a girlfriend of mine always says, “Motherhood is the hardest job you’ll ever love.”

If I have one success in motherhood, this may be it: One thing I am teaching our children clearly is that God meets us in His Word every time we open the Bible and seek Him there. And really, that success has little to do with me and much to do with His perfect provision and faithfulness. He is faithful to daily give us our portion when we make and invest quiet, generous time to read His Word. God gives us the exact scripture we need every day as we take the time to seek Him. I try to demonstrate this truth and tell it to our children every day. I do believe our children are getting it.

[Gabrielle has given me her permission to share this to share how God specifically met her with His Word.]
Our sweet Gabrielle demonstrates a refreshing blend of courage, caution and sparkle. She likes to try to new things, has more athletic ability than I ever did and can call on determination when she wants to accomplish something. Her desire to try new things often ends in success, but sometimes the results are disappointing.
Recently during a family vacation to Camp Of The Woods in the Adirondacks, Gabrielle tried a few new things. She met the challenge of the rock climbing wall will enthusiasm. Harnessed in and being cheered on by family and friends, Gabrielle climbed to new heights. Water tubing at invigorating speeds behind the boat had Gabrielle giggling with delight as she enjoyed a new recreational activity to its fullest. Success at the rock climbing wall and with water tubing.

Then came disappointment. Water skiing…a totally new sport to Gabrielle. Again, she met the challenge with enthusiasm, but after spontaneously trying only once and not getting up, she stopped trying. To be fair, they weren’t best conditions for water skiing for the first time. The water was choppy and Daddy was elsewhere in the camp when she spontaneously gave water skiing a whirl. I think had her strong Daddy been there to help her, she would have kept trying. Had Jim known Gabrielle was going to try skiing, he would have been on the beach for that moment. But her flare for adventure and spontaneity got the best of her, and she didn’t wait for Daddy. (Can we apply some spiritual truths to that about us not waiting for our Heavenly Father’s direction and help? Oh yes! Another post for another day.)
She came to me as tears rolled down her face and we quietly retreated to the cabin. Her heartache cry was breaking my heart, but I kept speaking the truth as I comforted her. It’s rare for anyone, especially a child, to get up on water skis the first time out. Another child in our group, who is physically strong and determined, tried over a dozen times without getting up. Gabrielle needed to keep trying and keep working at it when she was ready. She perked up after we prayed together, but I knew her heart was still tender.
The day we were home from our trip, Gabrielle came to me while I was having my quiet time at the dining room table. She said, “Mommy, look what God gave to me today from His Word. Look what He gave specifically for me in my devotional!” She read from her devotional “His Little Princess” by Sheri Rose Shepherd. The devotion was titled “Try, Try Again”. The scripture reference was Proverbs 24:16

“Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that’s the end of them.” Proverbs 24:16

Try, Try Again (by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

Dear Daughter: Never be afraid of trying again just because something is hard to do. Sometimes it take more than one try to learn something new.

Whatever you face in this life, I will always be here to take care of you. I will be with you as you learn to grow and explore. And I will help you get up again every time you fall or fail. Love, Your King who is here to catch you when you fall

The Prayer – I Will Trust You

Dear God, sometimes it’s hard for me to try new things. It’s especially hard when I try a new thing and cannot do it the first time. Thank you that you will always help me to get back up when I fall and to try again. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

As Gabrielle read this to me, tears streamed down my face. God met her “specifically” with what she needed. She sought Him and He met her with His Word and with encouragement. He reached down to the tender places of Gabrielle’s heart. The scripture and the devotion were perfect for her heart just at that time. God met Gabrielle specifically where she needed it. I’ll always remember her words “specifically for me“. She’s getting it. He loves her that much.

God gives us our portion every time we seek Him in His Word. Every time. Specifically. “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Climb, Gabrielle, climb!


You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. (Psalm 119:57 )

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:12)

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