Mom's Legacy

My mom's sister had a very sudden illness that really hit home for my mom.  I think it scared her.  Made her afraid that she could lose someone close to her, that she won't have enough time to do everything she wants to do, that she could leave this world at any moment.  She has started wondering what her legacy will be, so this ones for you mom.  Here is your legacy to me:

You worked so hard all of your life.  On those days when I'm not sure how I'm going to find the energy to make it through, I turn to memories of you cooking supper after working all day.  And you cleaning the house and working on the lawn every Saturday.  You instilled a strong work ethic in me that also transfers to my home.

You set a wonderful example as a wife.  Watching you support Dad through everything taught me that I need to stand by my husband even through the hard times.  And even if I don't agree with every decision.  It's hard to be a loving, supportive wife.  It is easier for me because you are there to talk to, to encourage me and to remind me what really matters.

As an adult, I cherish the many faith-based conversations we have had.  The Bible is complicated and hard to understand.  I take great joy in discussing it with you.  You have led me to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.  You have taught me that going to church is important, but going to a church that preaches God's word is vital. 

You have shown me that even though we all make mistakes, admitting when you're wrong can make all the difference.  There are so many times that I make a decision that I later realize was not the best choice.  Because of your example, I know how to make that right.

I am the mom I am today because of the mom you were to me. You have taught me how to love my kids unconditionally. How to see their flaws and love them the same anyways.  How to worry about them without letting it consume me :)  How to let them grow up and become their own person.

These are the things that you have given me.  The things that I will remember forever.  The things that will live on through me and my children and their children. 

Heavenly Father,  Thank you for blessing my life with such a wonderful mother.  Your sovereignty is so amazing.  The way you place each family together, knowing the outcome long before we do.  My mom could not be more perfect for me.  I thank you for her strength and courage.  Thank you for all the days I have left with her.  May I cherish each one and may you bless each one.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sissy's Prayer Today

This is just a section:

"Thank you for mommy being a baby. I mean for making her be born. And that she is okay and normal and everything."

I wonder how much longer she'll think of me as "normal." I think Precious has already figured out that that's not true:)

5K

A few weeks ago I ran my very first 5K.  I have walked in charity ones before but never raced in one. 

I tried to run track in junior high.  I'm pretty sure my coaches still remember me.  And not because I am from a crazy small town, but because I spent more time complaining about running than actually running.  I was terrible at everything.  It was obvious that I couldn't sprint, so they had me try high jump and long jump.  Nope, couldn't jump either.  I eventually ended up with the 800m and relays of course, where other people who were fast could make up for my slowness. 

I distinctly remember the time I actually got a ribbon in the 800m.  It was the only individual ribbon I earned.  There was a girl right behind me so I had to go all out at the end, but I squeaked by with a 6th place ribbon.  I remember my coaches at the finish line cheering me on and giving me a hug as I collapsed into their arms after I had crossed the finish line.  I didn't realize what great coaches they were until recently.  They did not discard me and only pay attention to those athletes that they knew would succeed.  They cared enough about the person inside to devote part of their time to someone they knew they would never reap any benefits from.  That's what makes a great coach.

All that for you to see how pathetically bad I was at running.  I said in an older post that I have devoted my running time to God.  Well, it's amazing what God can do when you surrender a part of your life to him.  Galatians 5:22-23  But what happens when we live God's way?  He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.  We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.  We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

In the 5k I placed 51st out of 504 people in my age group.  I placed 478 out of over 4,000 people.  My time was 26:39:1.  I don't really know if that is good or bad, but I don't really care.  I had so much fun and I don't want to obsess over my time.  My friend, Erin, asked me what I want to do now.  Am I going to work on running faster or farther?  Neither.  I plan on continuing to love running 3 miles a day however fast God leads me to run that day.  Because running to me is about spending time with God, not about being the best or the fastest.

Hope, riches, and power.

These verses have been speaking to me lately.  Each time I look at them, I walk away with a renewed spirit to do His work each day.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  Ephesians 1:18-19

Hope that's just waiting for us to realize it's there.  And power...great power!  Friends, when He calls us to something, He will provide everything.  All we have to do is believe.

Right now, I pray these words for my church.  That we may be enlightened to know the hope which he calls us to.  That we lean on His great power and not our own.  That we replace worry and fear with hope and love.  That we believe God will provide these things for us.

Proverbs 7:3

As I go through my daily Bible reading, many times there are verses that speak to me or just a new understanding that I gain.  However, something that seemed so clear to me one day easily fades over time.  This is an effort to remember those things and "write them deep within my heart."

King Solomon who was granted wisdom by God himself could not resist the temptation of sin.  Wisdom is important, but it is not everything.  We are called to study His word and hide it in our hearts, but most importantly we are called to love.  Matthew 22:37-38  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."  To love God and through Him love our families and friends, love our church, love strangers and enemies.  Because (1 Corinthians 13:2) if I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.  Nothing.....

Father,  Please don't let me go through my life as nothing.  Fill me up with your unending love so that I can share it with others.  So that I can be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better church member, and a better witness for you.  Please speak to my church as we go through a difficult time.  Help us to share with others and grow, but most importantly help us to love.  Love our pastors, love each other, love our community.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Small Victory

Each night, I wait until my husband is home so I can go for my jog.  Well, the other night he had a softball game to play.  I could either skip my run or do it with BubbaJ in the jogging stroller.  Because I'm pretty stubborn, I opted to go and push the extra weight.  I actually made it all three miles!  Yes, I'm pretty pumped:)

Running with God

I love running!!!  And I hate running!  There are days when I can't wait for my husband to get home so I can lace up my shoes and hit the pavement.  Then, there are days when it's all I can do to peel myself off the couch to go out.  Either way, I can't do it without God by my side.

I don't know about all those people who have always loved to run, but for me there is a moment in every run where I begin rethinking why I went.  The thing that gets me through that is God.  Because I know that alone I am powerless, but with God I can do anything.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

I don't listen to music when I run.  There is so much going on in my life every day.  If the kids aren't attacking me with questions or needs, then my husband can't find something or supper needs made.  When I started running, I decided that I wanted it to be about me and God.  No music, no kids, no distractions.  Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10.  My runs are spent pondering the days activities, wondering what tomorrow will bring, and allowing God to pull it all together for me.  He reminds me that His glory, His agenda, and His will in my life are that really matters. 

When I get home, I feel so good!  I feel better about my health and my weight.  And everything has been put into perspective.  I can come home and love my kids and husband because God has filled me up with His love while I was gone.

Father, Thank you for being so faithful.  For always being there.  I know there has never been a moment in my life when you weren't there.  I'm so grateful for the love that you so freely give.  Without it, I would not be able to be the mother and wife that I am.  May all the glory be yours.  In Jesus Name, amen.