"Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back to the Creator is what you do with your life." Billy Mills
Another year is behind me. Where have the days gone? Life seems to be passing too quickly and I can't stop the clock. Our son will be half way through middle school, our daughter will enter her last year of high school. I'm not prepared for what is to come in this next year. I don't think you ever plan for many things that happen in life to us . I'm so thankful I can't see the big picture of what is ahead. I think I might have a panic attack.
As each year passes, life gets more serious, for our friends, and our family. Parents aging takes on new meaning, my generation feels the weight of being sandwiched in between raising children and taking care of elderly parents running in and out of the hospital. This year, people I love have lost loved ones; parents, sons. Yesterday, I visited with a dear friend who has been fighting cancer for over 15 years. Today we received news that one of my oldest and dearest friends has been diagnosed with a very serious illness. So much in life doesn't make sense, it is so hard to process all that is happening around us. All of a sudden, the daily routines and rituals that at times are so consuming seem so small and unimportant.
Last year on this day, I spent the day celebrating my grandfather who had just passed away. This year, I am entering this day with a heavy heart for friends I love so dearly. Celebrating a birthday takes on new meaning for me. It means a new start, being more intentional and grateful for each day that God gives me breath and health and others to love. Summer is just around the corner. Work, life and my inability to say no when others ask me to do something, takes away from the hours I can spend quality time with my friends and family. While it is important to make a difference in the community around me, I also realize that it is important to invest in the lives of those that live within the walls that surround me. It is also important to be a better steward of the temporary body that God has given me and focus on being healthier. It is really hard for me to do that when I am always making others a priority.
My personal word for years has been "Intentional". I think my word for this upcoming year will be "Present". This means I will have to unplug more, listen, talk less, and become more available. When each day passes, I can't go back and retrieve it. I'm thankful for friends who have stood by my side all of these years and family who have learned to love me inspite of my imperfections. Regardless of my external appearance changing, I can still choose to live life of an optimist and choose Joy, for each day, there are hundreds of reasons to be thankful.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
To Mom with Love
I look through Facebook and see all of the posts, posted to women I have known throughout my lifetime; friends and family. They are all moms and grandmothers. I see many similarities from family to family. "Mom you were there for me all of these years."
"Thank you for always being there. Thank you for supporting me!" An excerpt of my other card said "You help us with our problems and your devote your time to be with us."
How thankful I am for being part of lineage of great women who loved, prayed and supported their children. I am also thankful to be part of a bigger family, extended family, church family and friends who also share my passion to be the best mom I can be.
This is evident in all the pictures displayed from yesterday, moms at track meets, volleyball tournaments, soccer games, baseball games, football games, horse competitions, gymnastic competitions, fishing, hiking and playing at the park. Again and again it is evident that these are parents investing in the lives of their children, day in and day out.
From birth to when they breathe their last breath, mom is always there. I am reminded that the road is not always easy. In the baby and toddler years there are many sleepless nights, through sickness and various stages of life. Then comes the child declaring their independence and struggles of power, to becoming the coach not the mother and having to let their child fly away. The job of a mother is never ending. I have watched my friends watched their children walk down the aisle and then transition to being parents themselves and having to step back and let them grow and flounder. I have also watched those dear to me walk through their child having a terminal illness and watch them breathe their last breath.
A mother's job is never ending without trials or having to give their hearts away. However, it is evident in the child's post that the mothers' efforts don't go unnoticed for the daily investment in the life of their child receives many benefits; mostly in the eternal benefits that will one day be reaped. Some used to believe that being a mother was just providing food, clothing and shelter. Being a parent is so much more. It is also giving a child the emotional, spiritual and relational tools helping your child walk through life to see the bigger picture. Every person is created in God's image. Every person is created for a specific purpose while they are here on earth. It is the mother's job to help their child be the best that they can be, to fulfill their purpose. I am sure that there will be millions of mothers, regardless of race, culture or economic status that will one day hear the words "Well done, though good and faithful servant." They will hear these words, for they invested in the life of their child teaching them to go out and bless others. If you are a mom or are going to be a mom, just remember that it will be the most important investment you ever make! The rewards are greater than the investment!
"Thank you for always being there. Thank you for supporting me!" An excerpt of my other card said "You help us with our problems and your devote your time to be with us."
How thankful I am for being part of lineage of great women who loved, prayed and supported their children. I am also thankful to be part of a bigger family, extended family, church family and friends who also share my passion to be the best mom I can be.
This is evident in all the pictures displayed from yesterday, moms at track meets, volleyball tournaments, soccer games, baseball games, football games, horse competitions, gymnastic competitions, fishing, hiking and playing at the park. Again and again it is evident that these are parents investing in the lives of their children, day in and day out.
From birth to when they breathe their last breath, mom is always there. I am reminded that the road is not always easy. In the baby and toddler years there are many sleepless nights, through sickness and various stages of life. Then comes the child declaring their independence and struggles of power, to becoming the coach not the mother and having to let their child fly away. The job of a mother is never ending. I have watched my friends watched their children walk down the aisle and then transition to being parents themselves and having to step back and let them grow and flounder. I have also watched those dear to me walk through their child having a terminal illness and watch them breathe their last breath.
A mother's job is never ending without trials or having to give their hearts away. However, it is evident in the child's post that the mothers' efforts don't go unnoticed for the daily investment in the life of their child receives many benefits; mostly in the eternal benefits that will one day be reaped. Some used to believe that being a mother was just providing food, clothing and shelter. Being a parent is so much more. It is also giving a child the emotional, spiritual and relational tools helping your child walk through life to see the bigger picture. Every person is created in God's image. Every person is created for a specific purpose while they are here on earth. It is the mother's job to help their child be the best that they can be, to fulfill their purpose. I am sure that there will be millions of mothers, regardless of race, culture or economic status that will one day hear the words "Well done, though good and faithful servant." They will hear these words, for they invested in the life of their child teaching them to go out and bless others. If you are a mom or are going to be a mom, just remember that it will be the most important investment you ever make! The rewards are greater than the investment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)