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You are here: Home / Parenting / The Alligators that Keep us from God

The Alligators that Keep us from God

Earlier this month my husband took our youngest daughter, Malea, to Tennessee to do research for her state project, and to visit family. They had an amazing trip, and made so many memories, but unfortunately upon their return we noticed that my daughter’s favorite little stuffed lion, Leo, was missing. He completely vanished. Countless calls to the hotel, every airport, the TSA, etc. and no Leo.

Even in those times when it feels like God does miracles for everyone but you, go to the Truth, "the Lord is my strength and my shield." He is fighting for you, whether it feels like it or not. Don't let the enemy take you out, stay the course and fight to get to your destination with the Lord. | Faith-Fullness.net

 As you can imagine, her heart was broken, and so was mine. The day after we found he was missing I was talking to her and told her we just needed to continue to pray and ask God for a miracle. Her response to that broke my heart even more. She said, “I believe God does miracles, I just don’t believe He wants to do them for me.”

As hard as that was to hear, I can understand why she feels that way. In just under 6 months her beloved kitten died (you can read about that here), she lost her iPod that had countless pictures and videos of the kitten, and now Leo has vanished. She has experienced a lot of heartache in such a short amount of time, so even though I know it’s not true, I can understand why she feels the way she does.

Two nights after Leo went missing she had a dream that I want to share with you.

In the dream she was at her teacher’s house and a few of her friends were there, on a mission to kill alligators. The alligators were under the floor, which was made of ice and they kept popping up through the ice trying to get her. She said a couple of times they got really close but she was able to go around a wall and get into another room. Her friends had bow and arrows that they were trying to shoot the alligators with, but she didn’t have one. Finally one of her friends ended up giving her one. At the same time she was dealing with the alligators, she remembered that her daddy was at the airport waiting for her. She knew she needed to get to him so they could leave and get away from the alligators. She kept asking everyone if they knew how to get to the airport but no one could tell her. She was finally able to get out of the house but the alligators were still coming after her, however she knew she had to get to her daddy at the airport.

What the Lord showed me through her dream is something I believe is so important for all of us to know. The alligators in her dream represent the enemy trying to attack her. Her friends are the Holy Spirit, which is why they had bows and arrows and were trying to kill the alligators. The Holy Spirit also ended up giving her a bow and arrow but never left her.

Daddy waiting for her at the airport represents the Lord waiting for her. The airport symbolizes a place of waiting, preparation, which means the Lord is waiting for her and preparing a place, so He can take her to her destination. I love that in the dream she knew she had to get to her daddy at the airport and even though the alligators kept attacking, she didn’t back down.

God showed me that the loss of her kitten, the loss of her iPod and now the loss of Leo are alligators in her life. They are the things that happen to make her lose her focus, to attempt to make her lose hope in the Lord – to believe that miracles don’t happen for her. But God is waiting for her, He is preparing a place for her, He has a plan, she just has to stay strong, be guided by the Holy Spirit and not lose sight of what He’s planning for her.

But the thing is, this dream was for Malea, but I feel like it’s true for all of us. We all have alligators in our lives, trying to keep us from what God has for us. God has a destination, a plan, a dream for all of us but the enemy is going to do everything he can do to keep us from getting there.

How are you going to deal with the alligators in your life? Are you going to let them take over, are you going to be consumed by the heartache and sadness they bring, or are you going to keep fighting to get to what the Lord has for you?

I love the words from Jenn Johnson’s song, You’re Gonna be OK, I feel like they should be Malea, and all of our fight song –

I know your heart is heavy from those nights
Just remember that you’re a fighter, a fighter
You never know just what tomorrow holds
And you’re stronger than you know.

Just take, one step, closer
Put one foot in front of the other
You’ll, get through this
Just follow the light in the darkness.”

“You’re stronger than you know.”

It’s true, you are stronger than you know, not on your own, but with the strength of the Lord you will get through the hard things, the alligators in your life.

Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” Psalm 26:6-8 (NIV)

Even in those times when it feels like God does miracles for everyone but you, go to the Truth, "the Lord is my strength and my shield." He is fighting for you, whether it feels like it or not. Don't let the enemy take you out, stay the course and fight to get to your destination with the Lord. | Faith-Fullness.net

Even in those times when it feels like God does miracles for everyone but you, go to the Truth, “the Lord is my strength and my shield.” He is fighting for you, whether it feels like it or not. Don’t let the enemy take you out, stay the course and fight to get to your destination with the Lord.

Faith-Fullness.net

 

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Filed Under: Dreams, Faith, Kids, Parenting 3 Comments

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Comments

  1. Renee says

    February 20, 2017 at 9:27 am

    I love that she knows her father is waiting for her and that is her destination, the focus. I so often give into the distractions that pop up and steal my joy and attention. Thanks for the song! I love it!

    Reply
  2. Linda Miller says

    February 21, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    This is all so true. We let “things (alligators) take our faith away. Satan doesn’t want to see us survive. He wants us to be down because then we cannot praise God and share Him with others. I was hoping you were going to say that Malea’s stuffed lion showed up, and God answered her prayers. But she had a dream where she knew she needed to be with her father and ran through all her fears to get to him. How awesome! She can smile knowing God is always there loving us, supporting us, carrying us when times are sad. I pray that she will always remember that,
    because life has a way of disappointing us & this lets us know how important it is to have God in our life.

    Reply
    • Anna says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:43 pm

      So true. I wish I could say Leo showed up at our house, but he hasn’t. I’m still praying he will, but I have a feeling he’s gone. 🙁 I know, just like all of us, Malea will face much heartache in her life, but I hope she is able to overcome the alligators to get to her Father, just as you have. You are truly an inspiration, thank you for sharing your heart in your comments. (heart <3)

      Reply

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Meet Anna

Hi, I'm Anna! Wife, mother, child of God, and the founder of Faith|Fullness. The pages of this blog are filled with my journeys of faith and the adventures that saying "yes" to God have taken me on. Read More…

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Find me on Instagram – @anna_m_moseley

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So proud of our girl! A quick weekend trip to the So proud of our girl! A quick weekend trip to the Reno T&T gymnastics competition, resulted in 2 medals for Malea!! A bronze in Tumble Track and a silver in Double Mini. 
We also discovered Emilia has mad skills at Fuze ball, and she scooped Matt. 🤣 
We are proud parents, Malea now has 2 competitions under her belt, and 4 metals to show for it! 👏🏻 👊🏻👏🏻
#MaleaElizabeth
I never post political stuff but Zelensky's speech I never post political stuff but Zelensky's speech this morning, broke my heart. I don't understand how we are not doing something to help these people out. I know if we had someone bombing our country, we would demand help from others, how can we just sit back and watch this happens. My heart is breaking for President Zelensky and the burden he's carrying right now. If you haven't watched the speech from this morning, please take the time to watch it, it's powerful, and heartbreaking. 

"Today my age stopped when the hearts of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life, if it means it cannot stop the deaths." - Zelensky
Day 8 - Our last day. 😢 After packing we headed Day 8 - Our last day. 😢 After packing we headed back to Makena beach to take in our last waves, and Malea found some big ones. 
🌊
After a couple hours we said our goodbyes to the waves (and the chickens at the beach) and as we walked away I wondered if it would be another 20 years until I get to be here, and how much life has happened since I had been there last. It really is amazing how time flies. 
🌊
Next we went back into Kihei for lunch, some last minute shopping, and a must-stop, for me, Cones on Kihei, where my cousin worked when we lived here. The smell of the  freshly made cones took me right back, and they still had my favorite flavor!! It was fun to get to share this delicious treat with the girls. 
🌊
Then it was back to the condo to get cleaned up and ready to leave. I am so grateful for our time here, the hours at the beach, the beautiful meals, and watching how much the girls loved so many of the things I love about this island. I hope we get to come back but even if we don’t, my heart is full and I am thankful I got to return and relive/revisit so many things from, what feels like, a lifetime ago. Goodbye Maui! 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 7 - Our last full day was probably one of my f Day 7 - Our last full day was probably one of my favorites with a hike out in the lava fields, then snorkeling with Malea, and views of some bright yellow fish before we left. 
🐠
Then we headed into town and had the best sandwiches at @808deli. After lunch the girls were exhausted so we dropped them off and Matt and I walked the beach path in Wailea. We saw lots of whales jumping and even some turtles in the reef. We walked the beach and took in all the beautiful views of this wonderful island. 
🌊 
Next we picked up the girls and headed to Makena beach for some more beach time. The girls played in the waves until we had to pull them from them, so we could go get ready for our luau. 
🌊
We hit the road to Lahaina and headed to the @oldlahainaluau. This was such a good luau, ran like a well oiled machine with stellar service and beautiful dancing, sunsets and the best mocktails of the trip (the girls were in Heaven). 
🌊
Trying not to think about leaving tomorrow, but taking in all the stars and crashing waves, while I still can. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 6 - Lots of birthday celebration! Malea turned Day 6 - Lots of birthday celebration! Malea turned 13 and we celebrated with a little party in the morning, then headed to the waves. 
🥳
We went back to the cove, where the girls surfed for hours and caught lots of waves. Then we had lunch at a beautiful, and delicious food truck park, set in a canopy of trees. 
🥳
Then it was back up the condo for some out of the sun rest time, and then, of course, we finished out the day at Makena beach, where the girls played in the waves until we had to leave to get ready for dinner. 
🥳
We celebrated in Lahaina with ribs, for my rib girl, and then of course, Hula Pie. 😋 
🥳
It was the best way to celebrate our baby girl turning 13, and a birthday I’m sure she will always remember. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Happy 13th birthday to one of my most favorite peo Happy 13th birthday to one of my most favorite people ever. Malea, since the day you were born you have been such a blessing. You love big, you love unconditionally, you live large and you are an over-comer. 
💜
I have learned so much from you, you make me a better person, and I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for you! Wuv you baby girl!!! 
#MaleaElizabeth
Day 5 - Started the morning with the girls surfing Day 5 - Started the morning with the girls surfing the cove, where I learned to surf. There were tons of other people there taking lessons but the girls had a blast, and caught tons of waves. Malea is officially hooked on surfing. Yay!! 🏄‍♀️ 
🌊
After hours of surfing we headed back to the house for some down time, and then back to Makena Beach to close out the day playing in the waves, and drinking margaritas to celebrate margarita day. 
🌊
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, and an incredible meal at Hotel Wailea then headed home and were surprised by fireworks! What a perfect way to spend Malea’s birthday eve. 
🌊
Matt and I decorated before bed and then I laid in bed thinking about where I was 12 years ago and how the best gift I’ve ever received came at 11:29pm the next evening. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 4 - Started the day with worship, and our frie Day 4 - Started the day with worship, and our friend’s baptism, at the beach, which was followed by celebration, even by the whales. 
🌊
After the baptisms we picked up surfboards and headed to the waves. It was low tide, so the waves were small, but the girls had a blast and we even got to see more whales.
🌊
Then we headed back to Makena Beach, for some more wave time and found so many chickens! 🐓 8 roosters to be exact ( Malea counted them). 
🌊
Next headed home, and enjoyed wine on the patio, which has been Matt and my afternoon tradition, since we got here. 
🌊
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🌊
After dinner we met up with our friends to talk about the baptism and catch up since we haven’t hung out in awhile. We ended up back at our place, talking late into the night. I am so grateful for how much the Lord has done in all of our lives since we met a few years ago. 
🌊
Tomorrow more surfing and more sun. Maui perfection. 
#MaleaElizabeth @mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer
Day 3 - Started with a 3.4 mile run, with @mmosele Day 3 - Started with a 3.4 mile run, with @mmoseley15, and lots of beautiful views. 
🌊
It was too windy to surf today so instead we headed to Lahaina for lunch (a very messy lunch for my little rib lover) and some shopping.  We scouted out beaches on the way home, and stopped for some fresh fruit at the roadside stand. 
🌊 
Everyone was exhausted but we needed some beach time so we finished up the day with the waves at Wailea beach and another beautiful sunset. 
🌊
Excited because tomorrow we finally surf! 🏄‍♀️ 
#MaleaElizabeth @emilia_boehmer
Day 2- my favorite beach, Makena beach. We used to Day 2- my favorite beach, Makena beach. We used to spend hours, and days here, so it was a dream come true to get to spend hours in the waves and on the beach with Matt and Malea yesterday. It’s as beautiful as I remember it and I was so thankful to be back. 
🌊
After hours of beach time it was a food truck lunch, and time to head into Kihei, my old stomping grounds. We took the girls to the open market where they shopped and shopped, then we ended with shaved ice. 
🌊
The day ended with another beautiful sunset and dinner at MonkeyPod Kitchen, with the best Mai Tais we’ve had and Malea trying to convince Emilia to let her teach her how to cube. 🤣
🌊
Tomorrow we surf. 🤗 🏄‍♀️ 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 1 (yesterday)- A few thankful tears were shed Day 1 (yesterday)- A few thankful tears were shed when I finally got to sit down in my plane seat, and a huge sigh of relief that we were finally on our way. 
🌊 
It has been 19 years since I’ve been to Maui and I expected so many changes, which some of it has, but so much is also the same, including places we worked and a few favorite spots. 
🌊
But the best part was getting to be here with my family—watch the girls disappear to find the pool, and the beach, and the smiles on their faces as the realization sunk in that we were actually here!! 
🌊
Today I am thank for @mmoseley15 bringing me back here, beautiful sunsets, the Maui air, and upcoming beach time with my family! 
#MaleaElizabeth @mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer
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Saying goodbye (for now), last night, to these bea Saying goodbye (for now), last night, to these beautiful people, was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. The neighbors who showed up with brownies the first time we met them, who became friends, who quickly turned into family—secondary parents to Matt and I,  and grandparents to Malea. 
💛
I have grieved and cried whenever I think about them leaving, for weeks, because I don’t know what it will be like without them. They have always been there for us, supported us, asked us how we are doing, even on our darkest days, and they have loved us and cheered us on, encouraged us to keep going because it will all be worth it in the end. 
💛
I will never hear the end of how terrible it was we decided to move to Palo Cedro and “abandon them”, but that didn’t discourage them from showing up with homemade birthday goodies and driving “all the way to the other side of the river” to stop by and see what we’ve been up to, and encourage us with how well we are living out our dream here on our farmstead. 
💛
I am honored they chose to spend their last night with us (even though technically we were 2nd choice 😉) but it was exactly what I needed. Bev, of course brought gifts that spoke to our hearts, and we reminisced, laughed and I think everyone cried at some point. 
💛
Dear friends I am excited for your new adventure, I can’t wait to hear where we need to go next, I can’t wait to “visit” Europe through your pictures, but please don’t forget to come home, you will be missed!!! 💛💛💛
We worked hard this weekend. 💪🏻 Our amazing We worked hard this weekend. 💪🏻 Our amazing house church showed up and helped us run all the electrical in the back garage—can lights, outlets, fans, exterior lights, etc! We finished so quickly that one couple decided to stay and help us frame out the storage room. 👏🏻
Today Matt and I added the door and a few other things, so now the room is ready for sheetrock! 👊🏻 A weekend of hard work and it ended with a beautiful sunset. Game room should be done in the next couple of months. 🙌🏻
#weekendwarriors #diy
Such a fun weekend away to Mt. Shasta, to celebrat Such a fun weekend away to Mt. Shasta, to celebrate Matt’s birthday. 
I am thankful for the beautiful place we live, friends who are as ridiculous as we are, amazing food, hilarious games, and most importantly my husband—who is definitely with celebrating. 
@mmoseley15 @kah_rhis_10
So this happened. 🏦 I still can’t even beli So this happened. 
🏦 
I still can’t even believe it. I am so thankful to finally be able to talk about this with people, because I am so proud of Matt! 
🏦 
When I first met Matt he told me his dream was to be the president of a bank someday, and here we are, in 6 months he will be. I am so proud of how hard he has worked to get to this place, never taking the easy way, always taking the strategic path, even if it meant taking less pay, a lower title, or doing the work of multiple people to make sure something got done well. 
🏦 
This is a dream come true, a promise of the Lord fulfilled, and I can’t wait to see what this next season holds for us. 
Congratulations Matt, you deserve this, and thank you Jeff, for paving the way, and being such an incredible boss, leader, and mentor for Matt. 
#FaithandFullness #faithfulness
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