Sometimes following God leads to hard decisions. Early church believers chose between bowing down to Roman gods or being thrown into the colosseum and torn by wild beasts. In Romania I know a man who lost his job—and his home—for calling himself a Christian during Nicolae Ceaușescu’s reign.
And in ancient Egypt, we read about Shiphrah and Puah, two midwives who faced their own hard decision. Pharaoh told them to kill every Hebrew boy they delivered because he feared the Israelites were too numerous in the land (Exodus 1:9–16). Pharoah was not only a brutal and powerful dictator, he was also viewed as the supernatural link between the gods and the Egyptians.
Shiphrah and Puah had to answer much larger questions in deciding how to respond to Pharoah’s command—what power would the midwives bow down to? Which god would they serve? If they chose to disobey Pharoah, he could have them tortured or killed.
We can imagine Shiphrah and Puah’s epic moments of decision. They pulled forth boys from wombs. They saw the head, then shoulders, arms, and legs of tiny image bearers of God miraculously brought forth, and even if they didn’t have the words to say it, each life was a reminder of the Creator. The helpless babes would lay in the midwives’ hands as new life pulsed through their fingers. What would Shiphrah and Puah do?
They let the boys live. The midwives feared the one true God more than Pharaoh and Egyptian gods (Exodus 1:17). They knew their future was unsure, but they surely would not dishonor God.
Our decisions in following the Lord may not be as dangerous as the midwives, but we personally face all kinds of faith-based decisions. Do we compromise godliness in our relationships or honor God’s Word (1Corinthians 6:18)? Do we file our taxes with integrity, giving “to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21)? Do we confess Christ even when it might cost us a promotion or social connections (Matthew 10:32–34)?
Pharoah questioned the midwives, and they convinced him that the Hebrew women gave birth before they could arrive. Shiphrah and Puah feared the Lord, so the Lord blessed them with families of their own (Exodus 1:19–21).
But following God does not always lead to earthly blessing, such as my eleven-year-old recently learned at school. Another kid teased my son’s friend. So my son stood up for his friend, but when the teacher turned and saw the altercation, my son was in the middle of it and got in trouble. I was moved when he said, “I learned today that honoring God by sticking up for my friend cost me.”
Yes, my son. Following God takes on risk. Sometimes we are blessed like Shiphrah and Puah for our faithfulness to him. But other times—we suffer. Yet the consolation for us all is the same: if we fear the Lord, we worship Him with our lives like the godly midwives of Exodus.
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89 thoughts on "Shiphrah and Puah"
Amen
What bravery! Could I make a decision that had the potential to cost me my life based on my faith?
I hope so and i also hope i never have to find out!
I pray that when the time comes to assess the smaller things – my job prospects or social standing the choice is easy because strong women like Shiphrah and Puah have shown me that they did it when the stakes were so much higher!
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I know im a day behind, but i have to comment.
– Odd that the king thinks a Hebrew woman would work with him.
– Odd that the king would believe such a weak lie from a Hebrew.
-What if “Hebrew midwives” means they simply agreed to provide midwife service to Hebrew women. Not that they were Hebrews.
-If they were Egyptian, it would explain a lot. And it would explain the importance of God making them houses. A place in the family of God!
Amen! ❤️
May I always be wiling to follow God.
My mother and I watched a show called Midwives on Sunday. It’s an English show (Tina probably knows it!) that comes on PBS on Sunday nights. It’s a bittersweet drama where nuns help a poor community. My Mom doesn’t know the Bible and I told her all about what the midwives did to save all the babies! I now want to learn more about the lying, and I remember how Sarah lied to God and said “I didn’t laugh!”
Tina does. It’s very heartwarming.. and I would say true to the past .. in terms of how life was for those in need..❤️
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Funny I watched the first 3 seasons awhile back and decided just a couple of nights ago to pick back up where I left off. It’s a good show!
The humble women in the Bible is such a rich topic. So glad SRT decided to dig into this hidden and overlooked topic today. I was surprised seeing these names. I was like, who are these people? I have never heard of them. But boy oh boy, did they have a mighty role to play in surviving a whole nation? How many nameless heroes are there that God has quietly put in our lives in the background to birth us, and the nation into existence? A chosen nation, a chosen priesthood yet again is under a threat of a genocide. This brought me to Esther, a humble orphan girl who was chosen to again later save the nation. By putting their life at risks. I pray that the Lord will send spiritual midwives, to birth the spiritual dreams and visions and missions that He has put into our hearts and destinies to come to pass. Can one deliver their “babies” alone? What’s sad is that even by the order of wicked rulers in the heavenlies or by the pressure of culture on the earth realm, God given dreams are to be put to death, may the Lord save again by sending the humble midwives to rescue the infants, the newborn babes, the missions in our lives. “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God” (Isaiah 66:9). “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). A bible study I took by Jen Wilkins a while back, she said God is the midwives in our lives. I was so shocked hearing that comparison. “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19), He brought us to a broad place, from a narrow place (the literary birth canal, also the Hebrew term for Egypt, Mitzrayim, is often translated as “the narrow place” ). Thank you Jen for that. Let all the praise and glory be to Him who’s able to do all things. From the mouths of babes, and also their mothers, let thanksgiving be poured out to God. Praying blessings and mercies over you and your families dear sweet shes.
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@ALEIDA: lifting up prayers for Victor and your family.
@RHONDA: for your nephew. Hugs.
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May the God of all comfort and all power intervene to change hearts and transform lives. In our weaknesses, He is strong.
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Dear Shes
“Never underestimate the power of a woman.”
To the point, two women, God-fearing, faithful, focused!
Yes Gwineth, may I/we be God fearing, faithful, and focused.. every day..❤️
Here is my thoughts on the question about their lying. These women chose to honor God over Pharaoh. I’m sure people who lied to the Nazi’s by hiding Jews did the same thing. But they did a great thing. I don’t think the lying is more important than saving the lives of people who someone trying to annihilate a nation.
But that is just me. These women were important enough for God to list them in the Bible and be blessed by God for what they did.
Today this is a reminder for me to pray for those who are being persecuted today and pray for those of us who might be persecuted in the future.
Praying for all. Have a blessed day.
Cheryl, I agree with you.. the ladies did lie, but God was with them, wasnt He? Afterall, He blessed them did He not?❤️
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One thought I have – this is before Moses received the Law. Was it clear that every single lie was evil? Did God communicate His every law before Moses?
I love how you remind us to pray for those persecuted. In America, we have it so easy compared to a lot of other countries. I have no idea what it would be like to hide my faith. To worship in secret. To fear for my life because I serve GOD.
Amen
“Do we compromise godliness in our relationships or honor God’s Word? Do we file our taxes with integrity, giving “to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”? Do we confess Christ even when it might cost us a promotion or social connections?”
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It’s so easy to just blow by all of these questions, but lets take time to ponder each one. How many times have I tried to “justify” my sin? “But everyone else does it” we might be tempted to say. But God expects us to do right in every circumstance – in every situation we find ourselves in. In choosing God, we can never choose wrong. The difficult part is in the truths brought out by Seana – sometimes we are blessed for our faithfulness, but sometimes we suffer.
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Does that make God any less kind & compassionate? Not at all. He knows whats best and He knows the way to get us there.
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@Linda in NC – I have been praying for Gene, and that all goes well with the procedure. ❤️
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May there be showers of blessings on this rainy day (in NJ) today. Be blessed my sisters. ❤️
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I am so curious about one thing. Didn’t Puah and the other midwife lie to Pharaoh? How is this Biblical? Why is lying blessed?
I thought this same thing too. Their little white lie changed the trajectory of history. And then they were blessed with families. Riddle me that.
Funny enough, this story was the sermon topic at my church last week. And the pastor brought up death rates at birth among ethnicities, and Hebrew women had 4/1000, whereas Egyptian women had around 23/1000, according to Google analytics. So I guess in the technical sense, they weren’t lying.
Well, if it was evil, and I’m not sure it was under the circumstances, it was certainly the lesser of two evils.
I dug a little deeper and this is some of what I found…
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But the Hebrew midwives “feared God” and allowed the male infants to live (Exodus 1:17). To their credit, they valued God’s law above Pharaoh’s laws and refused to commit the act of infanticide. Pharaoh found out about their disobedience and summoned Shiphrah and Puah. When questioned why the boys were being allowed to live, the midwives responded with what we assume to be a lie (verse 19). The Israelites continued to grow in number and strength (verse 20). Also, the Lord rewarded the midwives well by giving them families of their own (verse 20).
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We must also note that the Bible does not say that God commended the Hebrew midwives specifically for their lie. The Bible’s stated reason for God’s blessing is that “the midwives feared God” (Exodus 1:21), not that they lied, per se. Of course, their falsehood came as part of their effort to save lives, so perhaps God overlooked the lie and commended their godly motivation. Perhaps they received God’s forgiveness for the act of lying and were blessed for their act of mercy toward the newborn sons of Israel.
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Another important principle is illustrated in the story of the Hebrew midwives. We need not obey mankind’s authorities if they require us to do something that goes against God’s higher law. As Peter and the other apostles said, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29). The Hebrew midwives obeyed God’s will before Pharaoh’s will, and God rewarded them richly.
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Hope it was helful!
Sharon, so glad you looked into this that thought didn’t even come to my mind but it doesn’t really comments. People are wondering how they got away with lying. Thank you for looking us up and informing us. And of course, I agree we always obey God above anything else.
Thank you Sharon!
Thank you Sharon..❤️
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These women are remarkable. Quiet, faithful obedience to honor the Lord above all else at such a great cost. In the case of Moses, their obedience changed the trajectory of history. We can never truly know the ways our own faith, our own obedience can impact someone’s life. If I scale that thought back to my own story or history, what if my grandparents had not been Christians? What if my parents had chosen to walk away from the Lord? Where would I be? I have no grand story of highly visible, influential people – a come from a history of committed, faithful believers that worked hard as farmers and a small business owners, that loved Jesus and prioritized serving Him. There was no persecution or authoritative ruling in their lives (or mine) but they and I all had to make the choice to continue to walk in obedience to the Lord. Most days I don’t feel like I am challenged to find extra measures of courage to live out my faith, but I am very aware that I go against the grain of society that is infiltrated with a secular mindset, far, far, far from living the way God intended or desired. Our world, people are so lost and broken.
Heavenly Father, give me the strength and courage to fear you, live for you, bring honor and glory to you at all costs. May my life be pleasing unto you, my life be my worship, and point others to you. Find me faithful Father. Amen ✝️
Praying for all the requests shared. Thank you Searching and Kelly for always reminding us of current needs. And thank you all for your wisdom, commentaries, insights, questions, vulnerable sharing and challenges that spur us all on in knowing the heart of our amazing God better, and living for and loving Jesus well.
Oh Wendy…thank you, that is good. I think of my mom when you say that. She didn’t do mighty things that were known to many, yet I started reading my bible because she modeled that. I was brought up in faith and living what we believed because of my mom and dad. They were faithful. One of the last things she said to her young grandchildren is that she wanted them to believe as well so she can see them in heaven one day!! I have it on video! Sowing the seeds. May they be watered and harvested Lord, in Your name!!
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Amen Wendy..❤️
I am listening to a Charles Stanley message on the radio that is talking about when situations come up and choices have to be made….that many people respond by these 3 things..
Rebel… blaming God
Run..try to run away from the problem, escape.
Turn to balms- alcohol or drugs, or other things to sooth.
(So true) Have we responded in those ways in the past? So glad of all the examples of faithful servants to God.
But God gives us the answers we need, he gives us strength to endure or/and power to do what is needed for him! Lets not react in the ways above, but know God is the way.
Amen!!
Appreciated how you helped frame the issue, Rhonda!
YEP, following God doesn’t always lead to earthly blessings. We live in this fallen world, just as myself. My heart went out this little eleven-year-old son of Seana. Working at a school (even in TK) I see this happen. One of the things that we do as teachers/paras/staff is “ask” what was happening before the incident, like a “little investigation.” And though it appears that this may have been missed, I’m sure Seana’s mamma’s heart (though painful as a mom) was glad to see her son make the “right” choice even if the world doesn’t see it that way. Just like us standing up for what we believe, which is what Seana is conveying here this morning. Sometimes our efforts don’t get applauded BUT GOD sees ALL! Good for the little guy, WE are so proud of YOU!
By the way….a couple of years ago, we had a student named Puah!
Oh wow! I loved the meanings of the names Kelly shared!
“sometimes our efforts don’t get applauded”..so true. I hope we don’t look for applause as the flesh and world does. May all the Glory go to Him!
YES, may God get the glory!
I love today’s highlight of these two women! Midwives. Two unknowns, yet, by their faith and obedience to God they are in the Holy Book. I have to admit I was like…”who?!” when I saw the title. Then…ah, yes, the ones that saved little Moses and probably countless others.
We may go unknown by some of our decisions, but we do make faith decisions every day. Our choices matter. Many don’t ponder them as life or death in America today, yet there have been so many in the last few years that have had to make hard decisions that affect their careers, reputations, and families.
I hope I have faith, courage, and obedience…and TRUST, that God comes first, should be the center of my life, and that following him should always be the RIGHT choice. It should just be who I am, ingrained. Reading scripture embeds the right into me, because it more than words, it’s putting God on my mind, heart and soul. A love and devotion that becomes unshakable. May I be unmovable Lord. May I stand on the solid Rock. May I not follow people and get my value from them, But you Lord. You are my only master.
Thank you Father God for sending Jesus to give us a new life in you, giving us the Holy Spirit to comfort, protect, guide and help us make decisions for you. We know your ways are better than ours, and you give us the courage to stand against enemies, giants, and even the small decisions every day!! Your are our cup, and our daily bread and the lamp at our feet. Fill me and my sisters today, fill my sister in her worry and stress today with her son. You have your children’s best ready and working out. Thank you Lord for your provision for us. Build our faith. Give us clear direction daily. In Jesus name, Amen.
Let’s also remember to wear our armor daily…for the enemy lurks looking to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet we have power against him in Jesus Name!
@Mercy–Where have you been!? Hope everything is okay.
Amen. Thanks for your thoughts and insights, Rhonda.❤️
Hi sister. I am here. Was taking a short break to catch up with life.
Amen Rhonda..❤️
Could you imagine being a midwife given that terrible task? Ugh.
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And I always wondered why the girl babies were not killed instead… as women, they would have been able to increase that population more than a man would… I guess because Moses was the plan, huh?
Boys grow to be men – able to rebel, fight, battle and overtake the Egyptians. The girls/women, were considered weaker, and unfortunately, could be “used.” Hence, kill the boys, but let the girls live.
And yes, Moses was always the plan!
Nice work, MI Sherry!
The podcast mentioned that the girls could have intermarried with the Egyptians and been absorbed into their population, thus increasing the Egyptian’s population and power. In a word: breeders. Ugh!
Oh thank you, that makes sense.
Matthew 10:28 Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
This reminds me of the three Hebrew boys Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel. Who chose not to bow to this awful image of king Nebuchadnezzar. The author of the devotional reminds Pharoah was considered a god. Shiphrah and Puah chose life and the G-d of Abraham, Issac,and Jacob.
Also reminds me of all the named and unnamed people who defied Hitler and saved Jewish lives during the Nazi reign of terror. At the Yad Vashem in Jerusalem a tree is planted in their honor and they are deemed as” the righteous among the nations” for the preservation of Jewish lives when this government had created a final solution.
Do I have the courage to defy a secular government to obey G-d?
Does G-d have his own avenue of the righteous?
Thank you, Tanya.
The morality of capitulation…the mysteries of faith.
Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell: POWERFUL. Whom shall we fear this day?
I found this sermon from Lisa Harper that she gave this past Sunday in case anyone else wants to watch. It’s helpful in really understanding the story of Shiphrah and Puah.
https://youtu.be/83wsZpEw9Ww
I’ll definitely watch – Love Lisa Harper! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome; my pastor preached Sunday on them and a mother’s courage. I’ve always enjoyed Lisa
Thank you Kristen, I shall listen, as I looove Lisa Harper!!!❤️
Yesterday, I really pondered this statement from the devotional: What people meant for evil, God meant for good—in Joseph’s life, in Jesus’s life, and in our lives too. We often ask, why do bad things happen to good people? I know there is no guarantee of an easy life as a Christian, and often that is the quick answer that people give when this question is asked. But I was feeling a little stumped, I guess, at the thought of the word “intended” when it comes to God. I know people “intend” evil, but I always thought of it as God USING the evil and turning it around for good. But God INTENDING the evil for good, that’s another story. As I pondered it all day, I felt a peace about it, like it’s not that God wants evil for us, but He is also not a God who is just sitting up there waiting for bad things to happen and then fixing them. No. He knows all things. He holds together all things. Nothing surprises Him. So He knows that evil will happen to us. But instead of swooping in and fixing it, He already has a plan for our good.
I feel like this truth about God applies to Joseph’s life but also to this story. He knew that the Hebrew baby boys would be targeted. He knew that Pharaoh would do this to His people. But He had a plan all along, and He used these two midwives to move His plan forward and they were blessed because of it. He didn’t need them. If they had been too afraid, He would have carried out this plan another way, but they were faithful and they were blessed because of it.
Lots to think about today. Experiencing some gaps and uncertainty like so many of us, and grateful that God already has a plan for all of it. He is in it with me.
❤️Thank you for your insights and vulnerability
❤️ thank you for the distinction you draw out. That small thing could either drown us in bitterness against God or set us free.
Amen❤️
Courage in Quiet Places
Shiphrah and Puah were ordinary women who made an extraordinary choice to fear God and protect life. Their courage wasn’t loud, but it was powerful—and God saw it.
Their story reminds me that obedience doesn’t have to be dramatic to matter. Faithfulness in small things—standing up for what’s right, being kind, telling the truth—can have lasting impact. God honors quiet courage.
I want to be someone who fears God more than people, who chooses integrity even when it’s risky. Lord, give me that kind of strength and help me trust that You’re working through even the small, unseen acts of faith.
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“Courage in Quiet Places”…seen, heard, upheld.
Though trembling.
So lovely, Kimberly.
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Father give all that love You strength of faith, strength of body, strength of mind to continue to walk on Your ways and glorify you. In Jesus name, Amen
Let’s not neglect to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who face these life and death decisions. May God give them wisdom, courage and peace.
❤️ We forget Christian in this country has minimal discomfort.
The Voice of the Martyrs non profit has a global prayer section that can be emailed weekly and is a great resource for knowledge and ways to help
Amen & Amen, dear Audrey.
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Shiphrah and Puah – God followers and quick thinkers, good examples of strong faith when there’s clear risk involved.
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BG verse for today: Psalm 139:13-14
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
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So many great comments yesterday – thank you, sisters.
TAYLOR ❤️
LISA H – praying for Andrew, thank you for update
CEE GEE ❤️ jealousy … thank you for insight
SUSAN BURLEY – thank you for sharing about your forgiveness of your brother, a difficult thing to do in the situation. And for sharing that it was for your sake and not his … forgiveness is always for our sake, and sometimes for theirs.
TANYA EVANS – thank you
RHONDA J – praying for nephew, for physical and mental protection, and turning to the Lord
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – not living a random life, but one purposed by God, Amen, thank you ❤️
TINA ❤️
Psalms 139 – one of my favorites! I often include Psalm 139:13-14 in the birthday cards that I send to believers & non-believers alike.
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From the FaithLife Study Bible:
“Shiphrah The Semitic root of Shiphrah means ‘beautiful.’
Puah The Semitic root of Puah refers to a fragrant flower or blossom.”
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and
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“Pharaoh targeted males because they can reproduce with many women—men often had more than one wife in the ancient Near East. Furthermore, since men can serve as soldiers, the Egyptians feared that the Israelites would become a rival military power.”
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I find the contrast to China’s one child policy interesting. Chinese culture wanted more males to increase their strength and Pharoah wanted to weaken the Hebrews by increasing the females.
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I wonder whether the faith of the midwives was normal for the time or a rarity. This is the same generation that left Egypt and kept doubting and murmuring against God because they lacked faith in Him.
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LINDA IN NC – praying for peace and clam as you and Gene prepare for tomorrow’s procedure. May the doctors have wisdom.
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KATHERKNE JENKINS – any update on your mom’s biopsy results?
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SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – any updaates on Scott? Any interest in your son’s apartment?
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MICHELLE P – how are things going at the coffee shop?
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LYNN FROM AL – how is baby Banks doing?
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TINA – how is Ali?
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HEIDI, JENNIFER LOVES JESUS, ERB, JULIA C, SARAH D, VICTORIA E, and CHURCHMOUSE you are missed
Kelly, thank you for asking about Abi.. OMG, if I introduced you to her you may think I mislead you about her. She is so thriving she has began dating!
I’m telling you, GOD IS GOOD! He will never withhold from His own..
Bless you Kelly, for checking in on Abi..❤️
Wonderful news, TINA ❤️
Thank you for this background, KELLY ❤️
Joining you in prayer for LINDA IN NC and Gene and also in missing our dear sisters.
I typed my comment before reading all sister’s comments. Thank you for the clarification on girl vs. boy babies.
Thank you for asking about Banks! His tumor has shrunk a little but not much. Praise God it isn’t growing! This sweet family always needs your prayers. The dad is one of Jack’s former wrestlers. They have an older daughter about 5 or 6 and Banks has a twin sister. ❤️
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Kelly thank you for that added information, and thank you for always remembering us all in prayer!
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I have not heard anymore from Scott. I tried reaching out a few times but he never gets back to me.
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My son Jonathan decided to stay in the apartment until the lease runs out. Work for him is very busy in the spring and it was just too stressful for him to think about. His ex paid her half March – June, then he is on his own. It will cut into his savings by $1000/month until Feb. but he should be able to make ends meet, then he’ll move to a cheaper place.
Dear Kelly
I see extraordinary strength & as another said, remarkably quick thinking!
Following the Lord is always the right decision, even if it’s not the easy decision. ✝️
Amen
True! Praying we trust the Lord when the right decision is the most painful one.
Ain’t that the truth, Searching..❤️
Amen!
Not always easy, but for sure the right way..
Lord, that I may be that person every day..❤️
Hey Lucille…Allow me an expression from sports, “if it were easy, everyone would be doing it”!