Family

I’ve been blessed with an amazing family.  I think that one of my favorite things about my family is that there is an unconditional love I have with each member that puts me at ease and gives me great security in my relationship with them.  We have our ups and downs but what family doesn’t!?! 

I have learned a great deal from each member.  My father… he is a servant!  He has come to my rescue time and time again and has never complained about it.  I called him once while I was house sitting because the dogs were in a full on attack against each other and I didn’t know how to stop them.  My dad rushed home and quite easily separated them. :)  My dad has taught me patience.  In a house-hold of only two men and four women he had to put up with a whole lot of emotions but he was, for the most part, entirely patient with us.  He’s shown me stability… through thick and thin I’ve never once heard him doubt the goodness or reality of who God is.  He has continued to worship even when I’m sure it took some strength to lift his hands. 

My mother… her desire for holiness and lifestyle of prayer has challenged me to press in to the heart of God more and more.  If you ask her to pray about something… SHE WILL!  She spends hours every day seeking the heart of God and guess what?  He speaks to her daily!  Of course!  God gives her insight into things because she talks with Him.  She’s a great example of the seek and find verse.  She seeks and finds… it’s pretty simple really.  She is a woman of boldness!  She had a saying in our family when we were kids and it was this, “there are no shy Stovers”.  We were taught not to be afraid to speak to adults but to remember our “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “why” and “how’s”.  She taught us how to fight the attacks of the enemy!  If we were sick, she’d tell us to rebuke satan and plead the blood of Jesus over us.  She’s a go getter and a woman of honor!

My sister, Melissa… she is a woman with a heart after God.  I’ve realized this more in recent years.  Like my mom, if you ask her to pray about something, she will!  She has a huge heart too!  She genuinely loves people and desires that they fulfill the purposes God has for them!  She is a GREAT listener and always shows interest in what you’re talking about… I love that about her.  She is a woman of wisdom and joy!  And she has become one of my best friends!

My brother in law, Eric… this man is incredible!  He is an entrepreneur… a hard worker for sure!  He is one of the biggest givers I know!  He gives in effort to see the purposes God has for people come to pass.  He is a man of integrity and uprightness!  He speaks the truth in love and in boldness.  He has spoken into my life time and again and it’s always been easy to receive what he says for he speaks in kindness. 

My brother, Micah… what a joy he is!  He loves putting a smile on your face and I love that about him.  He’s extremely smart and very clever.  Along with my dad, he has to put up with a house full of women and I give him props for that.  You don’t have to put on an act around him… you can totally be yourself and he’ll just smile at you for it.  He is a giver too!  And he is one of the most hospitable people I know… his home is ALWAYS clean and he’ll buy things for people so that when they come over they feel comfortable.  For instance, there’s this one gal who likes drinking out of straws so Micah went and bought straws so that when she’s over, she’ll be hydrated.  Another person really loves tea… so what did Micah do?  He went and bought a whole bunch of different teas!  He’s a gem!

My sister, Hannah… what a beautiful girl she is.  I love Hannah’s ability to forgive and forget… she doesn’t hold a grudge for long.  She is a role model to many young girls not only because of her super cool style but her heart for the Lord.  She has a teachable spirit!  Hannah is also so extremely fun!  She gains energy from being around people!  She goes, goes, goes and doesn’t ignore an opportunity to hang out just because she’s tired.  She is gifted in many areas… dance, singing, worship leading, hair, the prophetic, fashion etc… she too has become one of my best friends. 

My nieces and nephews… there is so much to be learned from children.  And my nieces and nephews, in my opinion, are the most amazing kids there are!  They have been taught the Word which makes them little warriors!  Every night they draw a name from what they call their ‘prayer box’ and they pray for whoever’s name they drew.  They love Jesus and follow Him!  They are full of joy!  They obey their parents and are all very smart.  These children have captured my heart!

I say all this about my family in part because I feel super blessed to have them in my life and feel like sharing and because I see characteristics of God in each one of them.  We’ve been created in the image of God!  So, looking back at what I’ve just written about each family member and comparing it with the nature of God I can say that I’ve learned through them that God is… a rescuer, that He serves, He’s patient, He’s stable, He’s holy, He’s bold, He’s a defender, He’s honorable, He’s wise, He’s loving, He’s a great listener,  He’s interested in us, He’s joyful, He’s hard working, He’s giving, He’s kind, He’s smart, He’s beautiful, He’s forgiving, He’s fun, He’s energetic!!! How cool is that!?!   God uses those around us to teach us more about who He is!

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