If it’s Monday, It’s Mama (plus four days and a need for a name change)
N Is for
Navigating’, Nurture, and Nickname
You have heard me say many times over
your soon-to-be twenty three years that “life is a journey.” It is our daily walk and while it may seem
like it can last a long time, when you get to my age, you realize it is over in
a wink and a blink and a nod.
As with any journey, it has its
high points and its low points, many of which are determined by the company we
keep and the places we choose to go. And
for the most part, it is our choices which determine our path.
Choose wisely.
Choose with discernment.
Choose with a heart for where you want
to end up at the end of your life.
When I was your age, I kept a journal
and on one page, very early on, I wrote down goals for my life, most of which I
have now accomplished..
Simple goals
Not lengthy, but rather…brief
But, focused.
Ten of them….listed in just a few,
simple words
And, at the very top is….
Live for
Christ
I wrote this in 1980….I was 18 years old
I may have been young, but I knew whose path
on which I wanted to walk, and it was not mine.
What I did not know at 18 was that
choosing to live for Christ was the easy decision. What is much harder is “navigating” this life
in a Godly fashion every day, every way….all the time.
Navigating, by definition, means to find a way through a place…
And, that is what life is truly about….”finding a way
through this life…this world…this time….as we seek to get to THAT place called
heaven…
I wish I could tell you it would always be easy, but you
know from your short 23 years that it is not easy….
So, I ask myself…what about navigating this journey have
I learned that I would like to share with my precious daughter?
Here are a few lessons I have learned, some from my own
learning, some from that of others….I hope it helps…
Ask God to send you and to stay with you
every step of your journey
Begin with the end in mind….if heaven is your
goal, walk heaven’s direction
Become faithfully fit..it requires time with
God…in His Word
Be physically and emotionally fit…it requires
time and effort
Know your limitations and give all to God
Be committed…disciplined
Choose your attitude up front
Your attitude toward your journey will determine how you
navigate your life…..and, it will make all the difference. You are going to have times of great joy and
gladness…and, you are going to have times of great sorrow and brokenness.
You navigate your emotional life just as you do your
physical life….by choice.
I don’t know how to say this enough….because I think you
struggle with it at times..
Chose to navigate your life with a positive frame of reference.
Lay down on the path those past matters which will hold
back joy in your life…and
Walk forward….
N is for Nurture
Nurture is to give tender care and protection….I
think you do a good job of nurturing others.
I see it with your friendships and with your co-workers and even your
family members.
You have a nurturing heart…a kind heart…a
sweet heart. 
You have always had a nurturing heart even
when you were a little girl. Although
you most definitely were a tumbly little girl…tomboy-ish even at times, you
always took time to be kind, gentle and to take care of those around you.
What I have not seen as much of is nurturing
yourself and that is my prayer for these next few years in your life…that you
see your value and worth and give yourself permission to take care of yourself.
It is okay.
It IS Godly to take care of yourself. He expects is of us.
Taking care of one’s self does not equate to
selfishness….it equates to Godliness.
Even Jesus took care of himself….to rest, to
pray, to breathe and seek His Father’s direction.
So, baby….nurture yourself….
I don’t know what all that would entail…I
have a few thoughts on the matter but I won’t say them here because I know it
drives you crazy when I do….:)
But, you know…
You are headed into a profession so pulling
on your wellness that they require you to take a class on “self-wellness”…they
understand and are trying to prepare you for the trials which will come your
way as a social worker.
How can you help others….if you do not help
and nurture yourself.
Love yourself….nurture yourself….eliminate
those things which hinder you from doing so…
You are worth your very best effort to
nurture yourself…
N
is for Nicknames…
Sweetpea
Maddie Beth
Maddie Poo
MEJ
Snickelbritches
Sweetie
Princess
Puss (from Grammy, a
tradition and intended for good)
Sweetie Girl (from
Mamaw)
Jewelsy
Speed deamon
Baby
And, the list could go on and on…
I love nicknames which families and friends have for one
another…
Nicknames are an indication that there is an intimate
relationship between the nickname giver and the nickname receiver…they often
tell a story….remind us of precious moments or even of silly and fun times
together…
And, we have had many…..wonderful, blessed, precious
times together.
I cherish each and every one…
And, I find myself at times…laughing out loud remembering
something silly or funny or sweet
It brings joy to my heart and laughter to my soul
And, gratefulness to my heart…
That of all the mothers in all of the world living at all
of the times….God would chose me to have you…
My daughter
Friend
Companion
Warrior
Confidant
Co-writer
Silliness provider
And, I am confident that over the years, you will earn
even more nicknames….from friends, from family and one day, maybe even a
husbandJ
In the interim….enjoy those you have now…
They are good nicknames…they are sweet
And, they should make you smile…for that is what
nicknames are for…
ILYAOYMC,
Mama
