Brotherly Love

The other day, I overheard my two sons
discussing various topics in the backseat
of the car. Man Vs. Wild episodes, girls,
sports players.









Talking not arguing. I wondered if this was a glimpse of their future relationship. One that doesn't include wrestling, "that's stupid", dirty looks, aggravating, stuck-out tongues, "you're not the boss of me", pestering, agitating, punches, and tackles.






Flashforward 10 years?

Well, maybe 20 years to be safe.




If you love Nicholas Sparks, you will enjoy "Three Weeks with My Brother", a book written with his brother, Micah Sparks.



"Keep on loving each other as brothers." ~ Hebrews 13:1

Be a good one!

Abraham Lincoln said, "Whatever you are, be a good one."

What am I? Am I a good one?

Honor can come from all the titles I hold.

From the lowly Toilet Scrubber to the celebrated Cookie Baker.

As any mom can attest, our jobs seem to never end....

Dish Washer. Stain Remover. Carpet Cleaner. Floor Mopper. Bed Maker.

Furniture Duster. Clothes Washer. Laundry Folder. Grocery Shopper. Yard Mower.

Errand Runner. Children Driver. Activity Coordinator. Birthday Planner.

Homework Helper. Appointment Maker. Insurance Claim Disputer. Meal Cooker.

Card/Bill Mailer. Lego Builder. Book Reader. Song Singer. Playdate Producer.

Coupon Clipper. Quarrel Stopper. Bedtime Tucker. BooBoo Kisser. Waiver Signer.

Problem Solver. Nail Clipper. Hair Cutter/Fixer. Doctor Taker. Pharmacy Refiller/Picker-Upper.

Touch-Up Painter. Caulk Remover/Replacer. Hedge Trimmer. Flower Planter.

Holiday Decorator.

And the list goes on and on.

But as a mom and wife, I strive to be a "good one."

So, I wear each title with pride---and a little dirt.

No tiara, glass slipper, or fairy godmother.

No gold stars, blue ribbons, or trophies.

Smiles, xoxo's, and a "Thanks Mom" are my rewards.

For Better or Worse

"For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer.

In sickness and in health.

To love and to cherish.

As long as you both shall live."



Sound familiar? Have you ever pledged these vows to another?



Although we promise 'til death us do part, statistics show that half of all marriages end in divorce.



One has to wonder, where did the love go?



It's easy to love...

When times are good.

When there's enough money.

When your spouse is healthy.



But what about...

When times get rough. Loss of a job. Stress.

When there's no money. Bills. Debt. Bankruptcy.

When your child or partner is ill. Diagnosed with a disease. Confined to a wheelchair.


Lord, let me always be mindful that when I took those vows, it was not only to my husband, but to You, as well. When I get stressed by my busy life, let me always be mindful that You provided me a helpmate.

Let me be mindful that I am not running the race alone.

Let me be mindful that we are a team.

You are the coach.

Your Word is our playbook.

Must-See Movie!

To Save a Life is a must-see movie, especially for the youth of this generation!
http://tosavealifemovie.com/

Heaven's Gold

Instead of uncertain,
Future paths still untold,
One day you will walk,
On streets paved with gold.

You will shine like a star,
In the heavens above.
You will know of His mercy,
Forgiveness and love.

Wrapped up in His arms,
Never again feeling cold.
Renewed body and mind,
Never again growing old.

Sweet echoes of trumpets,
Deaf ears will now hear.
His healing voice---
Ringing loud, pure and clear.

Blind eyes that will see,
His face on the throne.
Silent lips that will speak,
All the goodness He's shown.

Crippled bodies will stand,
Dance on legs that unfold.
Babies and loved ones---
Scarred hands will now hold.

Those who are hungry,
Thirsty souls who crave more,
Forever sustained,
Never again to be poor.

God's glory now drowns,
The darkness of night.
His presence now fills,
Our need for sunlight.

Flowers never wither,
Always fragrant with blooms,
Filling His house;
He's prepared many rooms.

Mysteries and doubt,
No where to be found.
God's truth will reign;
Supreme, sure and sound.

Void of all suffering,
Death, pain and loss.
No more tears shed,
Ransom paid on a cross.

If you should question,
What tomorrow may hold,
Just give Him your life...
The reward? Heaven's gold

I wrote this poem last year, trying to explain heaven to my then 7-year-old son.

"Will my toys be in heaven?" he wondered.
I assured him that they would.

Toys in heaven? Probably not. But to a 7-year-old, toys are treasures.
And heaven will be full of treasures...

~loved ones who have died before us
~vision
~healing
~forgiveness
~streets paved with gold
~a place He has prepared for us

Read more about this "inheritance that never spoils or fades" in I Peter 1:3-7
May the treasure we seek be eternal.

Today: Make it count!

When the alarm went off this morning, I was weary. Still tired, but scheduled to substitute teach, I turned off the annoying buzzer and made my way to the bathroom. Besides substitute teaching, my husband and I own batting cages. As much needed rain forced baseball teams to practice indoors, we'd been busy the night before, and as a result, our family went to bed later than I had anticipated.

But as I looked in the mirror, wishing I could crawl back into bed, God brought someone to my mind...

Christee.

A friend from high school who had passed away the day before. She died of breast cancer.

And she was only 35 years young.

Married.

The mother of 3 children.

This would be her family's first morning to wake up without her. Waking up to the fact that mommy was gone. Gone to heaven where she would now be pain-free, but gone from Earth.
Her face no longer to kiss. Her hand no longer to hold.

Tears fell from my eyes. I felt ashamed, for I knew my body was healthy.

My breasts were healthy too, according to the annual mammogram I had just received the prior week. A year ago, my mammogram had revealed a place of concern. Now, the radiologist was pleased with this spot that he diagnosed as fibrous tissue.

If Christee were alive, she would have gladly traded places with me. She would've felt privileged to do the mundane chores I took for granted.

Rising early. Cooking breakfast. Brushing tangled hair. Tying unlaced tennis shoes. Driving kids to school.

God reminded me that we must make each day count.

Feeling humbled, I thanked God for one more day.
One more day where my boys would walk down the stairs and know their mom would be waiting for them. Waiting to help them get ready for school. Waiting to hug and kiss them good morning.

And for that, I felt privileged and grateful.

To read more about Christee's life and legacy, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/christee

Words of Wisdom

The foundations of character are built not by lecture,
but by bricks of good example, laid day by day. ~ Leo B. Blessing