If It’s Monday, It’s Mama (written on Thursday….now I understand why the delay) 

To my Sweet Madison Elizabeth Jewel…… 

Since Monday was Labor Day, I vacationed from writing.  But, on Tuesday, I had no words.  Wednesday was no different.  As you know sweet daughter that is unusual, even for me….(said with a smile).

Now I know why. 

Rather than focus on all the happenings in your life these past few days (car, flood, school), I want to let you know something about you…

You are growing.

You are maturing.

You are walking closer to God. 

It is evident in how you are learning to handle things. 

You said to me almost a year ago to the day, “Mama….you know…when you can have peace and quiet and calm in your life, you can give better thought to how you are going to handle things and you make better decisions”.  (actually, you were a little more blunt than that about how differently our lives were).

 At the time, if you remember, I cried. 

You didn’t say those words to help me, but they did. 

In a sea of anguish, your words inadvertently let me know the hard decisions I had made had, in fact, led you to a place where you could have calm and peace and quiet….a place where better decision-making could be made.  Please forgive me for not taking that path earlier in your life.  Please forgive me for allowing you to get to that wrong path to start out with…and, I know you do. 

And so, here you are today…. 

I am not certain why some people have a few more hurdles in life to handle than do others. 

But, in this I am very confident.  Your ability to understand and have perspective on your life is something of which I am very proud.  You understand that so many suffer….hurt…..have sorrow in ways which are beyond our ability to imagine. 

I understand you are working on outwardly expressing less and inwardly focusing more…..you are a youthful 22.  But, I am grateful for the steps you are taking to “take charge” of your life and work through your past so that your future will be one which gives God all the glory. 

I know with my Mother’s heart, if you will continue to lean on HIM, HE will show you your path for your life…..and, He is even now.

I pray daily that all that you have learned in your 22 years, you will be able to use to serve others.

 I have changed the way I pray for you…. 

Now, I pray for God to gift you with a joyful, calm and peaceful life.  That HE protect you from harm and that He lead you to Godly decisions.  That God give you the discernment to make wise and thoughtful choices.  That he will remove road-blocks in your path. 

I pray that from the top of your blonde head to the bottom of your little stinky feet, that God will BLESS your life immeasurably…. 

That you will throw your heart and soul into living for Him and that He will protect your soul so that you can.

I pray for boldness…..the ability to decline sinful behavior.   

Mostly, I pray in thanksgiving….that of all of the babies in the entire universe, for some reason I will never fully understand, He has given you to me.  Your mama….mother….friend.   Not a day goes by that I don’t give thanks to Him for you… 

I ask that you take a few minutes to read Psalm 51…… 

God’s greatest gift to us is to love us unconditionally….all the time…in all ways. 

Our gift in return is to love ourselves…the vessel He has made us to be and to share that love with others giving credit to God so that others may come to WANT to know Him because they have met us.

I leave you with this Mother’s blessing…..I pray, starting this very moment, that God protect you from harm, lead you to wise-thought and forever help you to fully understand what a precious Jewel you are to Him….to me….to us.

ILYAOYMC,

Mama