THE GIFT OF BEING A MOTHER

     I was blessed earlier this week with a visit from my mother. While she was over, she took time to read a book to my daughter. As I sat there beside them, listening and watching the way my mom read the book, I was transported to my own childhood. I can vividly remember my mom reading to me as a child and I appreciate it even to this day. She read with emotion, changing her voice for each character with full expression. She pointed out words that my daughter could easily learn to read on her own and as she repeated them, I smiled from the inside out. My mother always made reading exciting. In my memories, I can still hear my favorite stories in her voice. I too have read to my children in that very same way and they all love to read and to learn. It's a great blessing to watch them as they are growing each day and it's wonderful to pour into them the great things that my parents poured into me.

Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV says,

¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Live a life worthy of your calling. This word was shared with me years ago and it certainly impacts my daily living - being called to be Christ's very own.  I also feel that I am called to be a mother. Better yet, I know. I can look at the work of God in my life and know that He is guiding me down this path day by day, step by step. It is definitely a calling in which you must be humble, gentle, patient and bear with one another in love. With the Holy Spirit leading you, your days can be filled with unity and peace, even in the midst of chaos.

So today on this Mother's Day, I'm thankful to God for the gift of being a mother. It is a calling that I humbly accept and hope that HE is pleased with my living. I'm thankful that JESUS, my LORD and SAVIOR, walks with me and guides me and even forgives me when I mess up. I'm also thankful to God for my own mother, because HE blessed my life with her.  Many women have poured into my life but HE chose her to be the first.

Thanks Mom!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!

 

A SPECIAL DAY

 Today I decided to start a special day with a special treat- a hot cup of coffee with broiled butter toast, not to be enjoyed alongside, but dipped in the coffee. My grandfather introduced me to this when I was a young child and I have enjoyed it ever since. There is just nothing like it. I truly miss my Granddaddy, but he lives on in my memories. I love to imitate his voice and laugh about the funny things he would say and do. He will forever hold a special place in my heart.
  I remember as a child, watching my grandfather kneel at his bedside to say his prayers each night. His example impacted me and taught me it was important to pray daily. My granddad cared for me, encouraged me and loved me unconditionally, even when my actions weren't good or perfect. He gave me a glimpse of just how much God loves me and for that I will always be thankful. 

^{John 15:9-12 (NLT)
9} “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you." 

How great it is to be loved by JESUS who gave HIS life for you, for me and all the world.  How wonderful it is to have the opportunity to reflect HIS love in the lives of others. I'm thankful for those who have done so in my life.

Just 2 words?

Ephesians 4:6-8 (Amplified Bible)

⁶One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.
⁷Yet grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift.
⁸Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men.

 There is a campaign going on, that perhaps you've seen billboards or posters for. I've even seen it online and on bumper stickers.  A view of the website shows different people sharing their testimony on how the gospel of Christ changed their lives. To sum it up, they can begin their story with just 2words. Actually one word, first posed as a question, then as a definite.
 In viewing the website for this campaign, it made me think - what word could I use to tell my story of how Jesus changed my life?  I came to the conclusion that I couldn't do it in just two words.  I was gifted so many things by the Lord Jesus Christ when I came into fellowship with HIM. He restored so many things, that one or two words just couldn't say it all. I am eternally thankful from the depth of my heart. As the elders would say, "If I had a thousand tongues, I couldn't thank HIM enough!"
 The above verse shares that GOD's unmerited favor is given to us in different ways, in proportion to Christ's rich gift. So while some may be able to give their story in just a couple words, I my friend have many. However, the important thing is not the amount of words you use, but that you do indeed share a word. HIS WORD.
 A statement I recently came across read, "You could be the only Jesus that someone encounters today."  God puts people in our path that we can touch with HIS LOVE, simply by sharing HIS TRUTH and how HE has changed our lives. So whether you use 1 word, 2 words or several, may our words and our actions glorify God!