He's A Keeper!

I don't know where I would be without my Savior. Yesterday was a rough day for me. I just couldn't get with the program. It seemed like I was mentally off-balance throughout the day. I always check my calendar when I feel 'off ' and sure enough it's almost that glorious time of the month plus this menopause thing is no joke. Where would I be without Him? I don't know what Mothers do that don't know to call on Jesus. This is even more reason to share our Savior with others. I wouldn't make it without Him! He is a Keeper - of my mind.

More Time?

A friend of mine made a very common statement that most women make, "There isn't enough time in the day." Do we really want more time in our day? I don't! I'd just fill it up with more work, more errands, more activities, more busyness, more stuff. Time in our day is like a purse - the bigger it is, the more junk we fill it with. The problem is we don't take full advantage of the 24 hours we already have. I think we call it time management? I failed that course in Motherhood 101. What I would like is more time for MYSELF. Yep, selfish I am. I have to remind myself that I'm the Mother of two school-aged, active boys who keep me joyfully on the go. My time belongs to them, so please allow me to go wake them, so we can start our day. I'm sure they have a list of Mommy-Do things for me to do today. Have a productive Tuesday and let's use our time wisely!

Stand

I couldn’t wait to get to church Sunday. I needed an encouraging Mother’s Day message and selfishly expected a personal word from above. As I walked in the church, I was handed a beautiful carnation. I appreciated it, but a flower wasn’t what I needed. I found a seat and waited for my anticipated word. Finally, it was time for the pastor to deliver. "Dear God, please speak to me." As usual, the message was exactly what I needed, but I was blessed with more. The most encouraging part of the sermon was when my pastor asked if any Mothers were a witness to trusting God to make everything alright. I sat and watched Mother after Mother of children older than mine, stand and acknowledge the power of God in their motherhood journey. This was more than encouraging to me – I was edified - I was empowered! These mothers have no idea how they blessed me as they stood and praised God. Mothers, Grandmothers, Step-Mothers, and God-Mothers were standing. They indirectly let me know they’ve gone through some trying times with their children. They let me know how difficult it is to let their children go. They let me know they’ve had some sleepless nights. They let me know they’ve had to cry sometimes. They let me know their children try their patience and take advantage of their love. Thank you for standing!
I know I will survive my new state of affairs with my pre-teen son and puberty stricken baby boy. We're experiencing new attitudes and new issues. I too, must stand. I must stand on God’s promises and trust Him in every situation – no matter how difficult it seems. These Mothers assured me that I can make it through my new season of Motherhood. I thank God for my word - He never delivers the way we expect Him to. I thank my pastor for prompting these Mothers to witness to me. I especially thank all mothers who share their trying motherhood moments; God knows we all have them! My Mother's Day was special. My family showed me love and several Mothers showed me love by reminding me everything is already alright as long as I continue to trust in God and stand - on His promises.

Acts 26:16 (NKJV)
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Happy Mother's Day! If you know me well enough, you know I believe Mother's Day should be celebrated each and every day. Many of you feel the same way. I have a hard time with the once a year commercialized celebration, but if this is what we can get, I guess we should take it huh? Oh well, as long as we remember to celebrate the One who truly deserves the celebration - the Creator of all Mothers!

I pray each of you will celebrate the role of Motherhood and embrace the privilege, honor, and opportunity to be a Mother for God's children. Happy Mother's Day today and everyday!

Wait For Me!

Time goes by sooo fast! I'm not having fun either; I'm working my butt off today! I looked at the clock and it was almost noon. Good grief! Where did the day go? Idle time has no place in a Mother's life. Idle time has no place in anyone's life! Every single minute counts, but more importantly is to make those accumulated minutes count for productive days. I still haven't decided what I'll cook for dinner, but there is a pound of frozen ground beef on the counter looking at me. The finger prints on the white walls are waving at me as I continue to walk by them day after day and there is a glass on the living room table that begs me to carry it to the kitchen sink everytime I walk by - yes, it's my glass from yesterday. Okay...I just spoke of idle time, so why am I sitting at this computer typing? Well, because writing is what I love to do. Writing is my passion and if I had to pick one thing in the world to do, it would be writing, HOWEVER, I have work to do and time waits for no one. The day is passing by! Wait for me!
What's one thing you can lose and never get back? TIME. Use your time wisely!

She's Gone

I received an email this morning from a friend in California. Actually, it was my friend's husband. He was writing to tell me my friend, his wife, died last month of cancer. What? I didn't even know she had cancer. He asked me to call or email him and I don't feel like doing either, yet I will. She and I worked in the church nursery together and she received the MW Monday Meditations, which is how we kept in touch plus an occasional email to one another. She's gone. Sigh....I wish I had known she had cancer because it would have softened the blow. Friendship is such a bitter-sweet experience. I believe this is what keeps me from getting close to others - I'll eventually have to say goodbye, BUT, being sisters in Christ, I'll see you AGAIN. Thank God for Jesus!

Interceding Bride

I traveled to Atlanta over the weekend to be a bridesmaid in my aunt’s wedding. The day of the wedding, I arrived in very casual attire since we were to dress at the church. Well, the seamstress didn’t have my dress completed nor did she have the bride’s dress finished. Since I wouldn’t be participating in the wedding and definitely wasn’t dressed to attend a wedding, I chose to sit on the back pew and intercede and pray for my aunt who is more like a sister to me. Although I wanted her to have the perfect wedding, as most brides long for, it was important to remove my desires as I stood in the gap for her in prayer. I knew God was using each mishap on this special day as an opportunity to take my aunt to a level of faith she would need in her marriage. My prayers had to be about God’s interest and concerns for her. I needed to stay focused and connected to His will and not my own. As I watched my father walk her down the aisle in her replacement wedding dress, I continued to pray. I was overjoyed as I realized I wasn’t chosen to be a bridesmaid, but an intercessor. Although many things didn’t go as planned, God prevailed and the couple was covered in prayer and married. The seamstress was covered also…from angry bridesmaids. Interceding for others is serious business. Whether we are interceding for our children, husband, friends, organizations, church and political leaders, or complete strangers, it is crucial to remove our emotions and judgments and focus on God’s will in the person’s life. My aunt’s wedding may not have started off right, but her marriage did – covered in prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...

I'm Married!

In her late 40s, my dear aunt is finally getting married. We've been talking quite a bit lately as she has become a batty bride in preparation for the big day. I've had several opportunities to share the reality of marriage with her. The wedding is not the focus, but the marriage! The warfare, the forgiveness, the compassion, the walk to humility, the acceptance of faults. Yes, marriage is a wonderful thing - with God at the head of the table. It's by His grace that I remain married to my best friend. Well, I'm off to celebrate the big day with my aunt and I thank God for my own marriage as hubby and I walk this journey of being one as we strive to become one with the Father.