Thoughts on Mothers' Day

Since we celebrate Mothers’ Day this weekend, I wanted to share with you all what my mom means to me.

I’m blessed to be able to call my mom my friend, and a close friend at that.  We continually think of and pray for each other.  Several times a week we’ll talk on the phone “just because.”  We don’t need a reason—we just like each other!  So much so that we take two days a week to get together. 

She comes over for an hour or two on Mondays so we can visit and talk about what’s going on.  Or about nothing.  Friends are comfortable with each other that way. About three days later, I head to their house and we play games and share dinner together.  I look forward to it each week. I’m not a poet but I do like to express myself in writing so I wrote a small poem for my mom about 25 years ago and I thought I’d share it with you today.

 

My feelings for you, Mom, are hard to express

Just thinking about it, I really am blessed.

You've taught me so much as I've grown through the years

To dare to strive higher, and persevere.

 

Nothing is ever too big or too small

You've taught me "I can" if I give it my all.

Success isn't all that you've taught me to find

But happiness too and a true peace of mind.

 

Each time that I've needed you, you have been there

To listen, to comfort, to show that you care.

Thank you for sticking with me to the end

Thank you for being a very good friend.

 

For all of you mothers out there, know that your kids (whether children or grown) love and appreciate you.  You sacrifice more than we can imagine and it’s hard for some of us to know how to express how we feel.  But we appreciate you. 

 

 

 

 

 

A Mom's Love

Yesterday was Mothers’ Day, which I always enjoy.  Every year it gives me a special reason to let my mom know how much she means to me.

 

We’ve always been close and even to this day I consider her to be one of my most trustworthy friends.  I can share anything with her, knowing she truly cares and will listen and encourage me when I need it most. So today, Mom, I thank you publicly for your love and continuous support in everything. 

 

I think most of us have someone (whether it’s our mom or someone else) we appreciate who’s been there for us in good and bad times.  How do you show them how much they mean to you?  I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going.

 

 

 

 

 

 God Directs Us

 

 

Life can pull us in all different directions, not just physically, when we need to be in two places at once, but emotionally too. I find the latter is much more difficult. There are many times when our lives are going well. There’s money in the bank, our health is good, and we have friends we can rely on. We enjoy it and, if we remember to, we thank God for them, recognizing He’s provided them for us.

But when something happens that changes our lives, we’re often left wondering why and what to do next. It could be anything—job loss, health issues, death of a loved one, or any host of other circumstances.  What do we do then?

I’ve found we have to hold on to what never changes in this world and that there are three things that meet that criteria: God, God’s Word, and God’s promises.  We’re going to take a look at these over the next several weeks. I’d love to hear your feedback in the process.

First, God is love.  So everything He does is done out of love for us.  Sometimes I find that hard to believe, especially  when life doesn’t go the way it should. When senseless things like someone dying far too young.  Often God doesn’t answer our “why questions.”  Sometimes we have to wait, for a variety of reasons.  I’ve had to wait for an answer to that question for months in the past, regarding my health.  It frustrated me, but I spoke to Him more in that time than usual. Perhaps that was part of the point?   Maybe. 

Now it’s your turn. What have you been through when you questioned God?  How did you make it through?  Share your experience here. Someone will benefit from it.

 

image courtesy of www.freeditigalphotos.net

Making the Bible Personal

A friend of mine gave me a  copy of a page in the December 2000 issue of Decision Magazine. In it, the author examines Psalm 23 one concept at a time and suggests what each means for us today.



Psalm 23 For Me

The Lord is my Shepherd.

Safety

I shall not want.

Supply

He makes me lie down in green pastures

Peace

He leads me beside still waters.

Harmony

He restores my soul.

Healing

He leads me in the paths of righteousness.

Guidance
For His name's sake.

Purpose

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Darkness

I will fear no evil.

Confidence

For You are with me;

Protection

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Instruction

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Provision

Thou anointest my head with oil.

Consecration

My cup runneth over.

Abundance

Surely goodness and  mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

Loving Care

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Eternal Home.

I've read Psalm 23 many times, but not until I read this breakdown of the concepts did it mean so much.

When I look at each of these,  I realize just how much God gives us, and wants for us.  For me, guidance is one of the key needs in my life, especially since so much changes in today's world. 

How 'bout you?  Have you ever considered how much Psalm 23 tells us about God and His provisions for us? What strikes you as most significant? 

My Child, Part 5

God has even more to say about how He sees us.

It is my desire to lavish my love on you.--I John 3:1   

For you are my child and I am your Father--I John 3:1

And my plan for you has always been filled with hope Jeremiah--29:11

♥~...

heart-shaped bokeh♥
from ~♥ Mademoiselle 5oo5a ♥~...

I will never stop doing good to you--Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.--Exodus 19:5

I want to establish you with all my heart and soul-Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.--Jeremiah 33:3

Thinking of my relationship with God in this light makes me want to draw even closer to Him.  How do you see it? 

My Child, Part 4

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. I John 3:1

And I desire to lavish my love upon you. I  John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. I John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

photo courtesy of Richard-Ugadawg

If you seek me with all your heart you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs Matthew 6:31-33

photo courtesy of Kitten

My plan for your has always been filled with hope Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)

Sophie and Aubrey are safe in their parents' care,without even knowing it.

So it is with us and God.

Obedience School

If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15

Our six-month-old puppy has a strong will. He’s a naturally happy, people-loving dog, but he has a mind of his own. While that’s not necessarily bad, it can get him into trouble. So we found ourselves at obedience school with him.

During the first two weeks of class, we focused on basic commands like sit and stay. But in week three, we learned what I saw as one of his most significant needs—the necessity of paying attention to us. We learned how to teach this important concept. Once he was sitting in front of us, we held his leash up straight so his gaze was focused on us. When he looked away, I was taught to give the leash a slight tug. If he continued to ignore me, I increased the force to bring his focus back to me.

The purpose of this lesson was two-fold. First, it taught the dog who his leader was and that he needed to do what he was told—even if he didn’t want to. The second reason was protection. His owner can see more than he can and can spot unseen dangers, like a car coming down the road, or an unfriendly dog. If he focuses on his owner and pays attention, he’ll be safe. If not, he risks getting hurt. Whether he’s distracted by other stimuli, or simply chooses to be stubborn, he increases his risk of harm.

I realized the same is true in my life. I’m like the puppy who’s still learning what to do in each situation. I can’t see everything around the corner or ahead of me, but I have a Heavenly Father who can. He sees the big picture. He is the Master who loves me and has my best interests in mind. So I need to trust him and follow his lead. As long as I do, He’ll keep me safe. But I have to pay attention.

Be obedient and focus on Him.

Ellen Andersen, a native of California, moved to Greenville, SC nine years ago. She is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers and An Author World in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus so she could minister to others to whom she could not otherwise relate.

I Asked God, Day 5

Photo by luigi diamanti

I asked God if He loves me and God said “Yes.”

He gave me His only Son Who died for me,

And I will be in heaven some day because I believe.

I asked God to help  me love others,

And God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea.”