If It’s Monday Plus Five Days a/k/a Saturday,

                      It May Be Time for a Name Change….. 

L is for Love, Legacy and Less

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

You know that my very favorite Bible passage is I Corinthians 13.  I have covered every important event in my life with the words of this passage because I knew very early on that love was the key ingredient to a Godly life, both in the giving and in the receiving.  Love unconditionally does not mean to accept behaviors which are wrong.  But, it does mean that you look beyond the bad or wrong to the heart of a person and see the one He made and in doing so, you will find the ability to love.

You and I are both learning that even in the worst of man is a seed of goodness…a goodness which comes from God when he knit that person in the womb of his mother.  As Christians, we are called to love that part of a person in the name of Jesus Christ even when it is not easy, just as we hope others will love that part of us, even when it is not simple. 

As Christ loved us when He lay down His live on that wooden cross…. 

Our cousin posted a quote this week which epitomizes what Real Love is all about… 

“So many girls want a man to save them; A man did save you 2000 years ago on a cross” 

HE and the way HE loves us is the foundation for all other love you will ever experience in your entire life.  Don’t take this lightly. 

CHRIST’s love was so great for MADISON that HE CHOSE to walk those steps to the Cross….to die for every single sin you have ever committed since birth. 

Think      About     That 

If no one else in the whole wide world loved you enough to die for you, HE DID. 

And, not just because He loves you, but because He wants you to receive that love and forgiveness so that you can live into ETERNITY……

Forever….and forever….. 

AMEN! 

Which is why how you live your life is important…

It is why you cannot know how to live your life until you KNOW HIM. 

And, as I have asked you 1,000 times….How do you come to know Him? 

You study Him…. 

In HIS Word, which is really just his LOVE Letter to you, written down so that you can put Him in your hand and touch the very real part of His love for you. 

It is His LOVE Legacy to you…..and, the more your Read His Word, the more you come to know Him, and the more you come to know Him, the more your heart for Him, and for His children will grow and not just grow, but thrive…. 

LEGACY is “something which is handed down from generation to generation.” 

We often think of legacies as “things”, but in actuality, the real legacy of your life is your heart and your ability to love others.  It is how you chose to live your life and for Whom you choose to live.   

I want you to know now at twenty-two what I did not fully appreciate until only recently in my life… 

YOUR LEGACY MATTERS 

What you leave behind matters. 

When I had cancer, I truly felt like I saw my life flash before my very eyes…all of it…the good of it…the bad of it. 

Your walk with God matters….how well do you know Him? 

Your walk with your spouse….how well do you love and honor him?

Your walk with your children….how well do they see you knowing Him and loving him?

Your walk with your family….how well have you invested and come to know them?

Your walk with your friends….how well have you lived so that they know who is your first love?

Your walk in the presence of strangers….would they see Christ living in you? 

A major lesson I received from my cancer is that while I need to remember a lot of things….including the above, ultimately…ultimately… 

At the end of the day… 

I will stand there naked….just like I came into this world….and it will be…. 

Just ME

And HIM

I have this image of Jesus meeting me at the Gates…..he reaches out His hand to me and greets me with a smile….grabs my hand and says,

“Lesa….come meet our Father” 

I walk up to our God 

And suddenly, it is just me and Him… 

And, as God is my witness…..I want to know Him 

I want my life on earth as it is reflected on that day to be one which is testimony to a life of coming to know Him…..

In the way I study His Word

In the way I speak

In the way I live

In the legacy I leave my children

I have learned not to strive for perfection, because there is no perfection in humanity. 

There is only perfection in our death unto HIM. 

I pray that today…you will stop in what you are doing and think about your legacy… 

It matters…

How you live your life, every step you take, every breath you take…. 

They matter. 

Live your life so that when you are at the gates and Jesus takes your hand and walks you to our Father….

Your legacy is one of striving…

To live for HIM. 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”   Ephesians 3:20

And finally, but not the least of today’s sharing… 

LESS….. 

My name, as you know, is LESA…..when I was growing up, many times, people would say to me,  

“Hey Less-a….what are you less of??”

I heard that more times than I care to remember and not only by children, but also by adults who thought they were being funny…. 

It used to really bother me…. 

It made me want to change it to LISA….so GRATEFUL my mother ignored those pleas! 

The definition of “less” is lower in consideration, I knew that.  I can even remember looking up in the dictionary (back in the days when you had to go to an actual hard backed book) and looked up the word less….

Which means….

“lower in consideration….without…minus….smaller in size…..lower in importance” 

And, while I cannot say I was devastated by the times I was asked this question….it did make me wonder at times….especially in hard times….about my worth. 

In actuality, I was named for my much beloved

 

Daddy (Chester LEE) and Mama (Shirley Sue) = Lesa Sheryl  

 

 

A name which I love and appreciate because it is a constant reminder of their legacy to me… 

In name, in life, in faith 

And, as I grew into appreciation of my name and confidence that I was NOT less of anything in the eyes of God…

I actually grew a heart which desired to be less.. 

In HIM. 

Isn’t it funny how God works?

When I was called “less of what”, I wanted to be more? 

But, when I grew in faith and love for God, and AS I grow in faith and love for God… 

I want to become less… 

I have prayed for that….less of me…..more of God 

Less of arrogance and more of humility……God is providing

 

Less of judgment and more of compassion…..God is providing

Less of weakness and weak will and more of strength and bold serving….God is providing

Less of talking and more of listening…..God is providing 

The less I am of me…

The more I grow into Him… 

Less is a good thing… 

He tells us… 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:39-41

“Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his throne, you who have followed me will also sit on the twelve thrones…..and everyone who has left houses….for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life…but, many who are first will be last, and many who are last, will be first.”  Matthew 19: 28-30

And, as God is want to do….HE gave me a daily reminder that I am to be frequently last….

I remember the first time I opened the directory at SCOC after your Dad and I divorced and I had remarried and become a Young…I looked for my name and yours and your brothers…and,

Fittingly….

Appropriately…

Alphabetically….

It was LAST.

I had gone from a comfortable “middle” position in the directory….to

Last…

And, I remember thinking, “Lord, let me always remember this moment….that I am to be less of me…last in importance in this world and more of you.”

And you know….God, our precious Father…He just loves us so much….

He gives us exactly…perfectly what we need..

He gave me a “Y”……..

And, in the so doing, gave me one of His greatest gifts in my life…

A constant reminder to be….Less

Less of me

MORE of HIM! 

Blessings Sweet Daughter,

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

If It’s Monday, It’s Mama 

K is for knees

As I walk closer and closer to the Gates, I find I spend more and more time on my knees…

In prayer,

And, that makes all the difference, daughter.

Blessings on your week, sweetpea,

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

 

 

If It’s Monday plus Four days, It’s Mama…..

 

J is for Journey, Joy and Jesus 

This blog is late, not because of a busy schedule or a sickness, but because of a season of prayer.  You are going on a journey tomorrow for a full week.  A trip with your Dad.  What was to be a fun trip with you, your Mamaw Betty and your Dad is now a journey with just your dad due to your Mamaw having the shingles. 

There are so many things I want to say to you, share with you.   

But, prayer has shown me that what I intended to say is not needed, but my prayers are welcome. 

You, better than any other person on this earth, know the fears I have for you.  God, better than any other person, knows the journey ahead and is paving your way.

 

So, all I really want to share it this. 

I love you, but God loves you more. 

I worry for you, but God has you in His hands. 

I hope for you, because in hope, a person can overcome all things. 

I wish for you, a season of joyful healing.   

I pray for you, a time to forgive and let go and give over to God, not just things relating to your Dad (and, even me) but all things…and, a time to seek forgiveness if that is due from you. 

Daily, I will pray for you and for your Dad. 

And, for healing and for a fresh start and a past duly addressed and laid to rest.  A mutual healing. 

Go with my prayers and greatest blessings, not that you need anything from me, but yet, you have it along with my greatest love and understanding and prayers.

So, travel light on this journey, taking only those things which really matter…..and, leave all else behind. 

J is for JOY 

I love the word JOY.  It means great happiness, internal peace and light, gladness, blessedness, felicity (just saying the word felicity makes me smile).  Joy is one of the “fruits of the spirit” given to us by God…. 

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

 

I find it interesting that Joy is second only to “love” and that is probably not an accident.  Joy is a choice.  Joy is what we chose in our daily living and is what draws us “up” to Him rather than down to the world….I always think of a ribbon of light from heaven to earth when I think of Joy….God’s reminder of His great love for us….always. 

So, as you enjoy your week in the sun, go with great JOY….and make merry…..laugh and giggle and dance in the sand like you did when you were little, read and rest and be grateful for this time.  Soak up the sun and the sea foam and find peace.

Make joyful your heart……. 

J is for Jesus 

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” 

His love is the greatest….. 

Remember that as you travel from here to there…… 

Go, daughter, on your special Journey…..go with great Joy….. 

 

 

And go with Jesus….. 

Blessings,

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

 

A Mama Moment …….with Johnson                                                                                March 6, 2013

Johnson’s girlfriend of one year had two strokes while cheerleading last Saturday.  He has faithfully been by her side at the hospital staying from after school until bedtime in an effort to be a support and encourager to her during what is a frightening time.  I purposely stay awake until he gets home because he is my talker and always comes in and chats with me for a little while before heading to bed.  I have been proud of him because he is young and yet, he has demonstrated genuine care and concern not only for Shelbi but also for her parents and grandparents.

Before my eyes this week, I see a strength of character and maturity which was not there previously.

Tonight, as I did my nightly texting with Shelbi’s Mama, she expressed to me her gratefulness for his care for her daughter.  It was humbling to hear her describe the different ways he had been kind to her daughter, to her and her husband and even to Shelbi’s grandparents. 

She said what every parents want to hear about their children…

“Lesa, Johnson has a great heart.”

~A Mama Moment….thank you God for every single one.

 

March 1, 2013

“A Mama Moment”….with Madison    

A smallish, thin letter from EKU's College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Social Work came in the mail today.  We have been praying for Madison's acceptance into the program and she has worked very hard to be a good candidate.  Madison works 40 plus hours a week in Lexington, goes to college full time in Richmond and comes home to Georgetown on the weekends to spend a little bit of time with family and friends.  Her's is a busy life. 

 I am not sure how she does it.  I could not pull a 6pm until 7am shift in Lexington, drive to Richmond to clean up and head to 9am classes.  I just could not.  But, this is her life and has been for the past several years.  And, she has done it well, earning the Dean's List a few times in the recent semesters.

            I am proud of her. 

            So, when we heard the squeal of excitement as she opened her "ACCEPTANCE" letter to the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work, we were excited along with her!!  

            As a little girl, she had a servant's heart, during her high school years she volunteered and served and even in her current job, she works with those who challenge and tug at the very fibre of her being (Eastern State Mental Health Hospital).  I confess that Ian and I often worry about her well-being and safety because she can and does face unusual peril when simply working a standard work shift.  But, she seems to love it and has often said that she feels like she truly helps those she serves. 

            She is different.  She sees way deep into the hearts of her friends, family and patients.  She sees good where no one else does.  She sees potential where others fail to look. 

            I sincerely believe she will be a wonderful Social Worker and look forward to the day she crosses that line all cap and gown and diploma in hand ready to go into the world, eyes opened and prepared....to serve.

            A Mama Moment is when you see God rise up the potential in your child in HIS way.....toward His will for her life. 

A Mama Moment...God thank you for each and every one!

           

 

           

 

           

 

“A Mama Moment”…..with Kenton                                               February 26, 2013

This Mama who is rarely sick has a bad case of strep throat.  Fortunately, I have some great young men to take care of me while Ian is at work.  After laying on the couch all day, I gathered up my  things to go up to bed at the same time Kenton came in from running. 

“Mama…can I have a short…brief conversation with you?”  “I know you don’t feel well, so it’s okay, it can wait.”

I confess…I wanted to take a rain check because I truly do feel pretty terrible, but something in my Mama’s heart thought to stay and listen.

 

I am grateful that God laid on my heart to stay and listen and that He gave me the ability to actually feel okay while Kenton talked. 

He wanted to talk about God and Jesus and the Bible.  About why I believed the way I did and why his Ladder and Grammy/Poppy believed they way they did.  Did I just believe the way my parents did out of respect for them or did I have my own faith? 

Is it okay to question God, where you go to worship, and the actions in the Bible, especially the sacrifices in the Old Testament? 

What I thought would be a ten minute conversation (this is my quiet child), ended up being a 30 minute conversation on all of these things, on family, on life. 

He wasn’t asking these questions as a boy….he was asking these questions as a man. 

I asked him to name five people whom he held in high regard and he gave me quickly five names, almost as if he had been thinking about this as well.  Then, I asked him what they all had in common….and, then I just listened…and, was touched beyond measure by what he had to say. 

And, inside my Mama’s heart, I knew that God was working on him….an answer to my Mama’s prayers.   

Tender to my heart are these “Mama Moments”……even when your son becomes a man…maybe, especially, when your son becomes a man. 

~A Mama Moment

 

If It’s Monday, It’s Mama

I is for Ice Cream Cones and Itinerian and Intercessor

 

While I was pregnant with you, I craved ice cream.  We lived not too far from an ice cream store and would go get the little sample sized cups.  My logic was that too much would not be good for you but a little bit might make you happy....well, okay....might make me happy:)

I believe it was a Baskin Robbins but whatever it was, it had a lot of different flavors, and I believe I tried them all during my pregnancy with you. 

Then, when we moved to the other side of town, we did move close to a Baskin Robbins and we did the same thing.  When I was first pregnant with your brothers, you and I would go get you a small, child-sized cone and I would get the little sample cup.  We would walk from our house to the ice cream shop and back.  My thought was that we would burn up the calories we ate by walking. 

And, while you loved going because you loved ice cream, I loved going because I loved watching you enjoy the journey. 

It typically took us quite a while because you would want to stop and look at every flower, bug and interesting thing we met along the way.  We did this often enough that people would wave to us and smile watching Mama and daughter walk, hand in hand, stopping often, talking all the while. 

Those were days I cherished because I could see your sweet little heart all growing and developing and becoming.  You were an extremely happy little girl.  You sang and laughed and danced all the time.  We twirled and skipped and jumped.  It was a very precious time…and, just thinking about it makes me smile. 

It was when you were little that someone told me to make playing with you a priority so that you had happy memories to pull from when you got older.  I hope we did that.  I tried to do that with you.   

And, even now, when I get ice cream (which is not so often anymore), I always smile and when I close my eyes….I can see your sweet little face all lit up and laughing and licking your little ice cream cone….and, I know God loves me because He gave me you! 

I is also for itinerian which means traveler.  You have high hopes for traveling and baby, I hope you are able to travel.  It has to be a goal, not just a dream.  You have to save and work hard to plan it, and then it becomes real.  Ian has told you about saving over 17 years for a big hunt he wanted to go on.  That is what he used to take me to Bora Bora.  Seventeen years is a long time to save for a hunt.  And, then to do something else with the money….that is amazing.  What a wonderful gift he gave your mother.  His doing that taught me a lot about saving, and planning and giving gifts of love. 

One major thing that I learned from him is that “you will never get to your dreamed of destination if you don’t do the work of planning”.  This applies to all of our life’s travels, including that of our journey to heaven.

I see you planning…..and, I believe you will be an “itinerian”…..and, if that is God’s will for your life, I hope you do.  I still believe what Eva Self taught us, “Baby, dream big dreams and if you work real hard and if Jesus lives in your dreams…your dreams will live”. 

Dream big dreams.

Work hard. 

Plan. 

Then, Go….. 

Finally, I is for Intercessor which also means mediator.  God is our intercessor.  He will mediate between you and any one and any thing with which you have as an obstacle blocking you as you try to live your life.  It is in His ability to intercede or mediate that you can have hope and peace and joy.  Ask Him to intercede in your life when you come against things you cannot handle alone.  In fact, ask Him to intercede in all things…..He loves you and is just waiting for you to ask Him.

ILYAOYMC, 

Mama

If It's Monday, It's Mama.......

 

In the three plus years I have written, “If It’s Monday, It’s Mama” I have never written anything negative.  On purpose.  This is intended to be a positive love letter from your mother to her daughter.  And, while I don’t plan to do that even now, based on what you have been going through, I want so say a few things from my Mama’s heart.  I had started a long blog to you but deleted it…..prayed about what to say….and here is what came to my heart…. 

1)  You are a much beloved daughter and your Dad and I should praise God daily for the gift of you. I know I do.

2) Parents are human and make mistakes, even grave ones.  Work toward forgiveness but don’t accept unGodly behavior from either of us.

 

3) Your self-worth comes from God…and no one else….ever.

4) A forgiven past is dead to God.  Do not let anyone draw you back to the prison of your past. 

5) You cannot force a person to be Godly, but you can pray God will.

6) You cannot force truth, but you can pray God does.

7)  You cannot force relationships, but you can pray that God will restore them.

8)  Surround yourself with those whose lives reflect a love for God and for you.

9) Forgive.

10) Choose love…unconditional love. 

In my own life, those times I felt most broken were those same times I let the words or actions of another make me feel like I was a sinner…or bad….or unworthy.  I let them be my God rather than God be my God. 

I want to encourage you….don’t just utter the words….but, go to God….daily… and ask Him to grow you into the woman he wants you to be. 

He knew all about you even before He knit you in my womb….He knew the challenges you would face and knows what you are facing now.  Go to Him…..ask Him to help you, to guide you, to heal those broken places.

It is ONLY He who can….. 

And, Madison….it is really only He who matters….. 

I won’t always be here to remind you of these things….so, learn them now….. 

And, finally, I leave you with this…. 

You are a lovely heart…..you are God’s girl….You are a growing spirit….. 

God is not done with you yet….just like that song Mrs. Debbie and Mr. Mark taught you.. 

“He’s still working on me….to make me the way I ought to be….” 

That applies to your Dad and me as well.  Don’t lose heart…..but, give it over to God. 

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.

There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.

In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If It’s Monday, It’s Mama…. 

H is for Hands, Humble and "HIS"

When you were little, and by little, I mean barely able to sit up, one of your favorite songs was “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands.”

If you're happy and you know it,

Clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it

If you're happy and you know it,

Clap your hands

 

I know we sang this at least 1,777 times!  I began singing this to you when you were in utero and we sang it until…well, until even now.  Precious are the memories of you growing up with this song…at first, I had to clap your chubby little fingers together because you didn’t know yet how to “clap” and then, you finally figured out how to clap, but could not keep the exact rhythm.  Later you found the rhythm but couldn’t remember the words and finally, you got it all together and could sing it on your own.

 

Also precious to my mother’s heart is watching you teach this song to your little brothers when they came along.  You were five when they were born and you very patiently and lovingly taught them many things, many songs, many tasks, but watching you teach them to sing and clap to “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is probably one of my favorite memories.

Hands are important, as you know.  Hands can be used to love or to hurt.  

You know I love hands because I have taken photos of yours, Ian's, your grandparents and other people.  It was touching to me that your dad took the photos I took of Mamaw and Papaw's hands to Papaw's funeral and set it up front in a place of honor.  Obviously, it touched you and your brothers because each of you mentioned it to me. 

Hands tell a lot about a person.  They are used to express emotions, they are used to care for a little baby or child.  Hands are used to work and make a living and are used to play sports and games.   

I think often of Jesus' hands and whether or not we will see the holes in them when we meet Him in heaven or will they be healed and as if they never existed?  I don't know...we will find out some day. 

I have held your hands many times in your 22 years.  I held them when you were born and they curled around my finger.  I held them when crossing the street to go play.  I held them in prayer at night or when we kneeled over the couch.  I have held them when you were scared, I have held them to encourage you and I have held them as you (and I) wept.

But, mostly, I have held your hand in love...at church...at home.... 

You have kind hands, serving hands.  You have happy hands, silly hands, sweet hands. You have hands who can take on a challenging patient and hands which can rock a baby. You have lovely hands...right now they are decorated with "nails" and are all pretty and French looking.

I look forward to many more days of holding your hand...and am grateful that God chose to give you such a wonderful set... 

Hands matter, baby.  Always use yours to the good...only take them places which matter.  Only behave with them in ways which are kind and loving and caring.  Take care of whose hand you chose to place your hand in....for the man who holds your hand for life needs to be worthy...Godly....tender and loving. And, ultimately, I pray you are greeted by God's hands...at the golden gate in the Ivory Palace.... 

H is also for humility.  Live a humble life.  Have a humble heart.  Be a humble soul. 

His is also for “HIS”.  You cannot truly “his” unless you are truly HIS.   

And, I believe that “he” cannot be truly “yours” until “he” is truly “HIS” 

So, baby…..be HIS. 

Blessings on your week. 

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If It’s Monday plus five days (a/k/a Saturday), It’s Because Ian’s Birthday, Valentine’s  Day, My School Lunch and school were on Mama’s Agenda… 

G is for “Gam Zu L’ Tovah” Hebrew for “This, too, is for the best”

“Gam Zu L’ Tovah is from a story in the Talmud of a sage named Nachum, whose staunch faith in God led him to declare all of God’s actions as being for the best.  His name, therefore, became Nachum Ish Gam Zu, or Nahum, the man of “everything is for the best.”  Note that gam zu l’tovah does not imply that everything IS the best, that is, that this is the best of all possible worlds, but rather than everything is FOR the best, even if that future good is hidden from us at the present time.” (www.hebrew4christians.com) 

I have been studying a little Hebrew and really enjoyed this lesson of Nachum because he DECLARED all of God’s actions to be FOR the best, even those he could not see.  He placed his faith in the Lord and in God’s desire to prosper him…even when it did not feel that way.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I liked this with regards to you because you are at a point in life where many unknowns are coming onto your horizon. 

You have applied to your Social Work Program and await finding out your status

You work for a business which is laying off workers and you hope to maintain your employment

You are trying to decide to get an apartment or continue living at home and in dorm

You are looking at graduate schools and trying to decide where to attend

You are saving for trips for the future, which ones, if any, should you take 

You are trying to get back onto your PKU diet…it is hard 

You are striving to find a church home… 

You are challenging your friendships and are striving to keep only the true ones 

You are trying to manage your relationships, some of which are not easy 

You want to make good grades, in this you are successful

You want to be a good employee, as your review indicates, you are excellent! 

And, very important, you are trying to grow into God’s girl and are praying that you are patient until that time HE sends you God’s boy, if He does…

The list could go on and on of the things you talk with me about…those future plans for which you are trying to prepare.  But, as you prepare, I want you to remember what God says…

James 4:13-14 “ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

So, it makes sense to me to become Madison Gam Zu L’ Tovah….Madison believer that “everything is for the best.”  Because of Him….. 

For it is in this believing that you let go of relying on yourself and put your reliance on God… 

And, that is where you will find the answers to all of your life’s questions.   

G is also for GUMPTION… 

Gumption is the courage to act or to take what action is needed, when it is needed and you have this in spades.  One thing I am so proud of concerning you is that you have used your past to make yourself a better future…granted, it has been and remains a very slow process, but in that process, you have grown in “gumption” and for that I am very grateful. 

I believe that you believe that when you rely on God to direct your path, you can do anything He will bless.  I believe that you believe that when you make up your mind to do something, you will do it.   

There are things still on your canvas of life which you have not yet accomplished, but I believe you will.  I can see you walking that direction.  I know you know what you should do.  I believe you are building up the gumption to get it accomplished and are readying yourself. 

I believe in you. 

And, finally, but FIRST, G is for God. 

I talk a lot about God because I want to reinforce WHO it is we live for…and that nothing in life matters except that we live for Him. 

But, I know in your heart you know this…. 

So, I just want to share that G O D is all you ever truly will need in life.  The rest of the things you achieve, the rest of the people you love and have friendships with, the places you will travel, the jobs you will have, the scarves you will collect, the boys you will date (or men), the color you will paint your home, the car you will drive, the songs you will play, the books you will read…

They are just the icing on the cake of life…the little life-gifts that God gives us to show us his love, to encourage us to use to His glory, to use to help others, to be a blessing during our short breath of life…

But, GOD….HE is BEST….he is the Everything 

HE is the “everything is FOR the best”…. 

So, give your life over to Him and let Him work on you, 

Madison Gam Zu L’ Tovah…..daughter of everything is for the best.

 

Blessings and love,

Mama