A Mother's Love...

I friend was relaying to me a scene at the hospital between a sick mom and her rebellious adult child.  At first I was taken back by the fact that the child, who has caused nothing but stress and grief for years, was even at the mom's bedside.  Of course the child was remorseful and looking for acceptance and wanted to reconcile with her sick mother.  The story continued to include mom and child embracing, tears flowing, and the need for multiple tissues.  Initally, I walked away from the conversation rather appalled that the child would take advantage of her sick mother to try and weasel her way back into mom's good graces.  

In another conversation with my friend, she challenged me to evaluate my relationship with my own kids. (I have two adult sons and two beautiful daughter-in-laws).   She feared that I was becoming THAT mom.  I spent two days crying and praying.  Was I becoming THAT mom?  You know, the one who's children fear her!?  The one who's kids only came around because they feel obligated!  The one who's  kids are afraid of a guilt trip if mom doesn't get her way?!?

These two conversations made me really think about what it is to be a mom.  I've realized that no one can truly understand the dynamic between a mother and a child.  I'm the mom and sometimes I don't even completely understand why I am so emotional or stubborn about some things when it comes to my kids.  Not even another mother can know and completely understand what is between my children and me.  A mother's love is not something that I can tell you about and that you apply to your life.  It's not something that can be learned from a book.  It's more than knowledge, it's more than feelings, it's more than spiritual.  A mother's love is different from generation to generation, family to family, and from one child to the next.  A mother's love is a combination of raw emotion, experience, trust, instinct, and God's grace.  A Christian mom has the blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by faith in Christ.  A mother's love is forgiveness, acceptance, and restoration when no one else can understand why.  A mother's love is about being the biggest cheerleader and the harshest critic...occasionally even at the same time.  

Yes, I am a little crazy, yes, I can be overbearing. But my boys have assured me that I am NOT becoming THAT mom.  They told us that they genuinely enjoy spending time with me and actually look forward to seeing their parents.  (Just to be sure, my husband asked the official question....with the promise to "break it to mom easy" if needed on the boys behalf.)

I thought back to that mom in the hospital.  I imagined myself in her place.  Even after the worst of disagreements with my boys, and there have been a few hum-dingers, I've always prayed for restoration.  It's not something that "the world" would understand, but it's what a mother's love longs for.  It seems like a crazy place to put yourself, setting yourself up to be hurt, to be taken advantage of, or to end up disappointed, but for a mom, it's all worth it.  And it's a mirror of the Father's love for us!  What an example that mom is to her child, even if she doesn't realize it.  Unconditional love is a gift from God, the sacrifice of Christ, and this sick mom in her hospital bed was showing that unconditional love to her child.  

A strong family bond and time together is something I am thankful for and will try very hard to never take for granted. But, if our family should ever find ourselves in a broken place, I pray I have the strength that mom in the hospital had...a mother's love...a picture of Christ's love....and a heart to forgive.

Prayer requests - 

For many to come to know Christ this Easter season

For strength in my marriage and the marriages of my children

For restoration of health, wisdom, and a strong faith for the mom that was in the hospital

For opportunities to be a faithful believer and strong friend to those God has placed in my life 

The Little Things In My Life!

It's the little things in my life that make my heart sing.

Dinner with friends...the kind of time where you forget you are in a restaurant full of people and laugh a little too loud, or lose track of time and sit talking for hours.

Shopping with my mom, or my daughters-in-law....the kind of bargain hunting that makes you feel like you have really accomplished something, a fist-pump kind of coupon, a deal that beats all deals!

Coffee with my hubby....a cup of coffee that give way to a great conversation that allows me to see the heart of the man I fell in love with, learn new things from him, and fall in love even more.  

Prayer with other believers....a time of sharing, fellowship, and heartfelt prayer, together, growing in faith, laying it bare at the foot of the cross.

Laughing with my granddaughter....clapping, blah-blah-blahing, walking, and giggling with a precious little life,  wondering what her future will bring at a year, two, ten, or more, imagining more grandchildren or simply this one and a gaggle of her friends, knowing no matter what, it's a blessing!

Snuggling with the cat...what was God thinking when he created the purr?  Soft, sweet fur balls that snuggle and purr.

Worship....singing and praising God with a church full of people, learning, healing, growing, failing, and forgiving together.  

That song on the radio...the one that brings back a memory from way back when and makes me cry or laugh or simply sing along.

There are so many of The Little Things In My Life that may not mean a thing to anyone else, but are the world to me.

A man that my husband works with died last week.  We are not sure how he died, but it was a bold reminder to appreciate the little things in life.  Rick was expected at work the other morning and never showed up.  A friend and coworker went by the house later in the day to check on him and ended up calling the police.  Rick was found dead in his bed.  Imagine going to bed tonight and not waking in the morning.  

If you didn't wake in the morning, first, and most important, where is your personal relationship with Christ?  Do you admit you are a sinner?  Do you believe that Christ died to forgive that sin?  Have you confessed your sin and committed your life to Christ?  If not, you need to get that sorted out.  

Second, what are the little things that others would miss about you?  Are you patient?  Kind?  Are you a gossip?  Gruff with others?  Do you show the love of Christ or the bitterness of a lost soul?  

I am praying that when I am called to be with Jesus,  people will say they saw the love of Christ in my life.  I pray I will hear the words, "Good and faithful servant."  I know that He has shown Himself to me over and over and over through all The Little Things In My Life!  How has He shown Himself to you today?  This week?  How will others see Him through you?

Praying for my family, for Matt and Rachel as they decide on Matt's school schedule and job choices, for Marc and Herta and the ever looming immigration decisions, for my extended family's personal relationships with Christ...it's one thing to know about God, it's another to make it personal.

Praying for my church, for ongoing upgrades and improvements around the building, for all the different ministries and the people involved in them, for the paid staff and the volunteers that make worship happen every week, for the Pastors, Elders, and Deacons that teach and lead the flock.

Praying for my community, for those who I call neighbors and still don't reach out to, for those who are lost, hungry, and needing right here.