As Only Your Mama Can……

Dear Daughter,

God sends us little precious moments with Him…if we will but be aware. 

He did that for me this morning….

This sunrise, as I woke up to the new day, I found in my reading at my beside the writing which we received when we attended the celebration of the life of Jim Oldach.  As an insert inside the booklet, there was the song, “10,000 Reasons (Bless My Soul).

Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship his holy name

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship you holy name

The sun comes up
Its a new day dawning
Its time to sing your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

You're rich in love and you're slow to anger
Your name is great and your heart is kind
For all your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find

Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul

Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Soon my soul will sing your praise un-ending
10,000 years and there forever more

Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name
I worship your holy name
I worship your holy name

Sing like never before
Oh my sue worship your holy name
(Jesus I will)
I worship your holy name
I worship your holy name

 

My prayer for you as we enter into December, this final month of the year and the month which we associate with the birth of Christ is that you make sure to put Christ into all you do with your CHRISTmas. 

Not only in practical ways…..using the word Christmas instead of X-mas or Happy Holidays, but also in soul-deep ways such as being a giver to others in His Name and for His Life. 

You and I have talked about how simple it is to put words down where action should be.  How we are a society where talking about doing something is so simple…but, actually doing something is hard…difficult…. 

Or, is it?

In a world where everything we do is broadcast across the internet in large letters 24-7 do we discredit the little things as unimportant and un-Facebook worthy?

I am thinking so….

When I think of the life of Jesus, He truly was a humble soul….birthed by humble parents in a humble manger living a humble life and dying on a humble cross. 

While He did great big things….miracles ARE pretty amazing!  Miracles were not his daily lifestyle.  They were for the purpose of pointing us to God. 

And, they worked. 

As I read Mr. Oldach’s celebration of his life, and Mrs. Linda’s  (I have hers as well), Bethany’s, Nick Nischan’s  and several others….I don’t do so to be sad or to live in mourning… 

I do so because these precious friends point me to a Heavenly Father in the way that they used their time on this earth.

And, what I know of each of these friends makes me confident that they…. 

Took each day as a gift, thanking God for the New Day Dawning….. 

I remember Mrs. Linda saying, “I am dying, but not today”……so, she used her days to not just give God glory and honor…but to LOVE Him… 

And, to love them who loved Him

And, to love them who didn’t know Him so they could love Him 

And, to love us so that we were filled with His love so we could love others who did not know Him.

 

I think of Bethany …”I’ve Got the Power”….she knew at a very young age that by being filled with the spirit gave you all the “power” you would ever need to make it through this world.  She didn’t say it would be easy….she didn’t believe it would be always pretty.  But, she knew…she knew it would be powerful and mighty to be His child and to use her time on this earth in HIS name!

And, she was right! 

Nick Nischan….you were with me at this Celebration of Life….POWERFUL! 

Nick’s celebration was my first time sincerely….truly….”really”  realizing that leaving to go to heaven was a goal I should aspire to rather than seeking to stay grounded in this world we call life…and, that it is truly, perfectly wonderful if I am NOT cool!!!  That MY GOD LOVES ME ANYWAY!! 

Some people tell me that I look kind of funny
My nose is red and the braces didn't work at all
They say the clothes I wear are all out of fashion
I don't fit in and should be shopping at a different mall
I studied classical piano when I could've been playing guitar
I used to drive an El Camino and I'm not even sure it's a car

I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway
I'm not cool but that's alright
I'm still precious in His sight

I'm not cool but I don't care
How I'm supposed to do my hair
I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway

It doesn't matter if I know all the lingo
He doesn't mind if I'm not hanging with a certain crowd
Some people still believe in building image
But I am fine and that's a worry I can do without
I used to wish I was athletic but football was never my game
I met some friends in mathematics but no one can spell my last name

I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway
I'm not cool but that's alright
I'm still precious in His sight

I'm not cool but I don't care
How I'm supposed to do my hair
I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway

He says that I am one of a kind
And I don't have to try to be somebody else
He believes in me and says I'm free to be myself
I can be myself

I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway
I'm not cool but that's alright
I'm still precious in His sight

I'm not cool but I don't care
How I'm supposed to do my hair
I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway

Baby…there is such powerful (Bethany) strength when you live for Him.  There are so many, many blessings (Mr. Jim) when you start out your "days dawning" …each and every one of them committed to being His daughter….and, it makes NO difference at all if you are not “cool” (Nick)…..

 

When you know WHOSE you are to for WHOM you live and that you do this ….

Then so many other things in your life make sense……. 

Go forth…and, do Good (Poppy)

Let a Smile be Your Umbrella on a Rainy Day (Grammy)

Life is short if you live to be old…live it well (Mamaw)

Be good whenever you go (Papaw)

 

And, while I think God wants us to always look forward and upward…..I believe He also wants us to look into the lives of others who would point us to him…both those who have gone before us…and, those who walk with us.

And, perhaps just as important…I believe he wants us to be ONE of those who point those around US…to HIM..

So, as we walk through this December….a fresh month….where the world sets its eyes on the birth of Christ… 

I pray we are a luminary in His honor and in His name…. 

Blessings,

ILYAOYMC, 

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

As Only Your Mama Can…..

It was four years ago in September that I wrote my first blog to you.  You were a college freshman at WKU.  So much has happened since that time. Some wonderfully happy things, some painfully sorrowful things….some things which brought praise to our heavenly Father, some which only He could love us through.

 

My daughter….my precious, precious daughter…..we have been through so much together.  And all of it….ALL of it….I can honestly say, I have heartfelt thanks.  Some things drew us apart….but, oh so many things brought us together… 

Together…..you and I

 

Together us and HIM 

Truth is….you deserve the best life has to offer.  The very very best….and, truth is… 

I am not that best. 

But, for some reason, God gave you to me as His gift and I have come to understand that He does not make mistakes.  I may.  You may.  But, he does not. 

So, we are together through this life to help one another make it through the rough, tough times and to celebrate the wonderful, joyful times. 

And, I think we do that…. 

Do that very well. 

As I close out this year of blog writing through the alphabet…A through Z, I have special joy in my heart for the opportunity to be your Mama, Mother, Mommy, Mom….to be your friend…..and, I praise Him for the opportunity… 

Z is for Zariba, zsiag, Zion with a little bit of zorroant thrown in for good measure! 

Z is for Zariba.  Zariba is a fortified camp.  Fortified means to strengthen, make stronger, tougher, able to resist.  A camp is a short term accommodation.

That is our life. 

Not just the kind of house we live in…but the kind of soul in which we reside. 

Life can be hard.  It can be tough.  Sometimes, it is our own decision making which makes it tough….but, sometimes, it is just the act of living which is tough…..what makes a difference is the foundation on which we build our life and the type of fortified camp we create. 

When we have as our foundation the truths of God….when we build our “house upon the rock”…..then if the trials come….when the trials come….wherever they make present hardship into our lives…we can be ready….and able….to stand.

Baby….you have personally witnessed seasons of living in a fortified camp and seasons when you did not live in a fortified camp.  We both know which is better…..more live-able, more calm. 

My greatest prayer on your and your brother’s behalf is that you build for yourselves a strong and mighty fortress to live….build by the saving grace of a loving God….with Godly hands and hearts who would pour into your very foundation a mighty and masterful and strong home….life….walk with God. 

Chose to live in a ZARIBA……a mighty fortress fortified by God. 

Z is for Zsiag.  Zsiag means the essence of being fabulous.   

Sometimes, as we age, we think we have to let go of our child-like wonder.  Don’t. 

The best most wonderful most lovely individuals I know are strong and thoughtful adults who have the heart for and like a child. 

They understand that God has made so many wonderful, magical things for us to enjoy…. 

The break of waves on the beach, the cotton-candy colored sunrises, the laughter of a child, the holding of a little baby’s hand, the smell of a new born's neck. 

These things are not just sweet…and darling…. 

They are fabulous….outstanding…wonderful….even magical. 

Enjoy the fabulous!!   

Live the fabulous….. 

And, make no apologies to thanking a creative God for all the fabulous things He has given us! 

Z is for Zion.  Zion is a place of Christian life and worship emblematic of the household of God. 

There is an old song, “We Are Marching to Zion…Beautiful, Beautiful Zion”…….. 

It’s where the heart of God lives….within the heart of us. 

You will walk all your life in a march either toward Zion or away from Zion. 

March toward, precious daughter. 

Understand the gift you have of your Christian faith….embrace it and walk it. 

And understand…

Zion is not just a place you seek to live… 

It is a place you seek to “be”….. 

Where the presence of God is felt deep within your heart….where your soul clings to His hand, where your head lays at rest on His shoulder and where you can lay down your burdens at His feet. 

Zion...the household of God 

Walk there…..on purpose….

Z is for Zorroant.  Zorroant is an anonymous, generous person. 

Be that baby.  

Be an anonymous, generous person. 

Go…give…do…be… 

In Jesus’ name, be a giver….

Of your heart, your soul, your personhood. 

Of your finances, your work ethic, your personal wealth. 

Do it not for your own glory or reward 

Do it for His Glory and His reward 

And, do it often. 

Don’t give to the point of broken-ness in your own life so that those who watch you live see it as a burden they would not want to adopt. 

Give as we are taught by the ultimate Gift giver so that others who witness your giving see the love and holiness of Christ…

So that they want to come to know Him.. 

Giving is really receiving….. 

Receiving the heart of Christ so that you can give the love of Christ. 

Go forth…do it 

Do it often 

In His name

For His glory 

And on purpose. 

Finally, sweet daughter….I share with you my most favorite song…. 

I cannot imagine the numbers of times I have played, listened to…cried, prayed….this song in the past five years.  God used it to minister to me during the most sorrowful time of my life….he used it to walk me through until I once again felt the sunshine of His love on my face.

Until I could breathe again…. 

God is like that…. 

Walking beside us…sending us precious…tender….loving little reminders that  

HE IS WITH US…. 

Always 

In All Ways….

 

The Prayer

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

La luce che tu hai
I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore restera
And hold it in our hearts

A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei

Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'e
When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita

La forza che ci da
We ask that life be kind
e il desiderio che
And watch us from above

Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Need to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salvera

 

This song is my reminder that He never leaves us…is always with us…..

His zorroant to us……our gift from one we do not see….

But, ONE we can know….

Deep, deep within our heart, our soul….our being…

Who will walk us to Zion….who will be our Zariba, our fortified camp and who will do it Zsiag….

Fabulously.

God go with you, sweetest daughter….

I love you as only your Mama can….

In His name….

With Thanksgiving in my heart

That he gave me a great gift….

In you.

Blessings,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

As Only Your Mama Can…..

It was four years ago in September that I wrote my first blog to you.  You were a college freshman at WKU.  So much has happened since that time. Some wonderfully happy things, some painfully sorrowful things….some things which brought praise to our heavenly Father, some which only He could love us through.

My daughter….my precious, precious daughter…..we have been through so much together.  And all of it….ALL of it….I can honestly say, I have heartfelt thanks.  Some things drew us apart….but, oh so many things brought us together…

 Together…..you and I

 

 

 

Together us and HIM 

Truth is….you deserve the best life has to offer.  The very very best….and, truth is… 

I am not that best. 

But, for some reason, God gave you to me as His gift and I have come to understand that He does not make mistakes.  I may.  You may.  But, he does not.

So, we are together through this life to help one another make it through the rough, tough times and to celebrate the wonderful, joyful times.

And, I think we do that….

Do that very well. 

As I close out this year of blog writing through the alphabet…A through Z, I have special joy in my heart for the opportunity to be your Mama, Mother, Mommy, Mom….to be your friend…..and, I praise Him for the opportunity…

Z is for Zariba, zsiag, Zion with a little bit of zorroant thrown in for good measure! 

Z is for Zariba.  Zariba is a fortified camp.  Fortified means to strengthen, make stronger, tougher, able to resist.  A camp is a short term accommodation. 

That is our life.

Not just the kind of house we live in…but the kind of soul in which we reside. 

Life can be hard.  It can be tough.  Sometimes, it is our own decision making which makes it tough….but, sometimes, it is just the act of living which is tough…..what makes a difference is the foundation on which we build our life and the type of fortified camp we create. 

When we have as our foundation the truths of God….when we build our “house upon the rock”…..then if the trials come….when the trials come….wherever they make present hardship into our lives…we can be ready….and able….to stand.

Baby….you have personally witnessed seasons of living in a fortified camp and seasons when you did not live in a fortified camp.  We both know which is better…..more live-able, more calm.

My greatest prayer on your and your brother’s behalf is that you build for yourselves a strong and mighty fortress to live….build by the saving grace of a loving God….with Godly hands and hearts who would pour into your very foundation a mighty and masterful and strong home….life….walk with God.

Chose to live in a ZARIBA……a mighty fortress fortified by God. 

Z is for Zsiag.  Zsiag means the essence of being fabulous.   

Sometimes, as we age, we think we have to let go of our child-like wonder.  Don’t. 

The best most wonderful most lovely individuals I know are strong and thoughtful adults who have the heart for and like a child. 

They understand that God has made so many wonderful, magical things for us to enjoy…. 

The break of waves on the beach, the cotton-candy colored sunrises, the laughter of a child, the holding of a little baby’s hand, the smell of a new born's neck.

These things are not just sweet…and darling…. 

They are fabulous….outstanding…wonderful….even magical. 

Enjoy the fabulous!!   

Live the fabulous….. 

And, make no apologies to thanking a creative God for all the fabulous things He has given us! 

Z is for Zion.  Zion is a place of Christian life and worship emblematic of the household of God. 

There is an old song, “We Are Marching to Zion…Beautiful, Beautiful Zion”…….. 

It’s where the heart of God lives….within the heart of us.

You will walk all your life in a march either toward Zion or away from Zion. 

March toward, precious daughter. 

Understand the gift you have of your Christian faith….embrace it and walk it. 

And understand…

Zion is not just a place you seek to live… 

It is a place you seek to “be”….. 

Where the presence of God is felt deep within your heart….where your soul clings to His hand, where your head lays at rest on His shoulder and where you can lay down your burdens at His feet.

Zion...the household of God 

Walk there…..on purpose…. 

Z is for Zorroant.  Zorroant is an anonymous, generous person. 

Be that baby.  

Be an anonymous, generous person. 

Go…give…do…be… 

In Jesus’ name, be a giver…. 

Of your heart, your soul, your personhood. 

Of your finances, your work ethic, your personal wealth. 

Do it not for your own glory or reward 

Do it for His Glory....

And, do it often. 

Don’t give to the point of broken-ness in your own life so that those who watch you live see it as a burden they would not want to adopt. 

Give as we are taught by the ultimate Gift giver so that others who witness your giving see the love and holiness of Christ…

So that they want to come to know Him..

Giving is really receiving….. 

Receiving the heart of Christ so that you can give the love of Christ. 

Go forth…do it 

Do it often 

In His name

For His glory 

And on purpose. 

Finally, sweet daughter….I share with you my most favorite song…. 

I cannot imagine the numbers of times I have played, listened to…cried, prayed….this song in the past five years.  God used it to minister to me during the most sorrowful time of my life….he used it to walk me through until I once again felt the sunshine of His love on my face. 

Until I could breathe again…. 

God is like that…. 

Walking beside us…sending us precious…tender….loving little reminders that  

HE IS WITH US…. 

Always 

In All Ways….

 

The Prayer

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

La luce che tu hai
I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore restera
And hold it in our hearts

A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei

Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'e
When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita

La forza che ci da
We ask that life be kind
e il desiderio che
And watch us from above

Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Need to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salvera

 

This song is my reminder that He never leaves us…is always with us…..

His zorroant to us……our gift from one we do not see….

But, ONE we can know….

Deep, deep within our heart, our soul….our being…

Who will walk us to Zion….who will be our Zariba, our fortified camp and who will do it Zsiag….

Fabulously.

God go with you, sweetest daughter….

I love you as only your Mama can….

In His name….

With Thanksgiving in my heart

That he gave me a great gift….

In you.

Blessings,

Mama