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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is all........

 

…..love held in suspense awaiting those precious words, “I will” 

…..the moment a child arrives and parents are born

…..when kneeling beside my children in silent prayer of thanksgiving  

…..a brother is found  

 

.....a parent is healed 

…..life-long broken heartedness is repaired with three simple words, “please forgive me”  

…..when one gets to the bottom of oneself and arrives at the beginning of God 

…..a precious friend hears the news, “the cancer is leaving” 

…..the sound of ocean waves on the spot where God lives in one’s heart 

 

…..the judge gifting family to us in the form of our nephew and niece 

…..the laughter of my children and my children’s children yet to come 

…..a Daddy and Mama whose hearts live now and will continue living then 

…..childhood friends whose memories keep yours in check…..with laughter 

…..celebrating the lives of those who made your own life a gift 

…..human-kind when we choose love and service over all other things 

…..knowing when to speak and when to grow silent

…..humble acceptance of all things, trusting…..and trusting again 

…..a husband whose love covers in ways no soft-warm blanket ever could 

…..souls who come into your life and draw out your most holy self 

…..our love letter from God 

…..the sweetness which comes from HIS sacrificial giving for MY surrendered living 

It is all……. 

GRACE

As Only Your Mama Can……. 

Y is for Youth, Greek Gamma Symbol “ϒ” and Young 

Y is for youth……

Youth and being youthful is not simply an age, it is a state of being, existing, living. It is a season in our life where so many things are new to us, where we are learning, growing and developing who we are and who we will become.  For some, our youth is filled with glorious experiences joy, and laughter where we can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning to let the fun begin and where we beg to stay up late so that our day can last even longer….a magical season where growing flowers with your Mama and climbing trees with your brothers….where baking chocolate chip cookies and making homemade Christmas presents and swinging full out on the swing are daily parts of your existence.   

And, I sincerely believe that it is during our season of youth that we begin to know God…..perhaps never in our lives are we so clearly able to see God in all of his splendor as in our youth where our view of the world is sweet and innocent and joyful. 

You were a child whose love of God spilled forth from your life in a sweet and precious way….you were enamored with the stars so we lay out on the roof of our home to examine them.  You wondered how high grew the tree in our back yard, so you climbed to the top.  You wanted to fly like the birds so we made you wings and you jumped from the picnic tables.  I will cherish always the way you would hold your little hands over my very pregnant belly, with your brothers, and listen to you giggle as they would kick your hands…”Mama, watch….Mama watch” you would tell me as their kicks seemed to follow the warmth of your body.

I love how it is written in Ecclesiastes 11:9 

“you who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth….remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”

You were clearly a child of God then as I know you are a woman of God now.  And, I believe with all of my Mama’s heart that you brought great joy to our heavenly Father in the sweet way you seemed to love just being you….young, sweet, innocent…. 

Delightful…. 

Baby, being youthful is a choice.  And, the great thing about growing older is that you don’t have to forgo the wonderful things of your youth…you can still have a youthful heart.  You just twine that youthful heart with maturity and grace and wisdom which comes from age…. 

You have a wonderful example of that in your Grammy and Poppy…..watch them closely….follow their footsteps….for they have figured out that while God calls us to obedience and Holiness, He also calls us to delighting in our lives…..

 Delight in your life, baby…….and, do it on purpose! 

Y is for the Greek symbol “Gamma” 

There is no “y” in the Greek Alphabet; however, there is the symbol for Gamma which is ϒ.  I started not to use this until my research indicated that this symbol stands for “loyalty”……and, I like that. 

Loyalty defined is “faithful adherence to a sovereign cause”.   Isn’t that beautiful? 

You and I have talked a lot about loyalty….because we have been personal witness to its opposite and we understand the value of being loyal….. 

Baby, if there is one thing I want to encourage you to be, it is to be loyal. 

Be wise in whom you give your loyalty to, but when you have chosen….then...

Be loyal from the beginning…..until the very end 

Be loyal to God in how you spend yourself...your thinking, speaking, living

Be loyal to your husband….in your behavior, words and love

Be loyal to your children….in your commitment to mothering, loving and caring for them

Be loyal to your family…

Be loyal to your friends…

Be loyal even to your enemies…..not standing and allowing them to strike your heart but in praying for them and theirs

And, sweetheart…..most of all…. 

Be loyal to yourself….

You are God’s girl made whole and delightful and lovely.  God is growing you into a beautiful woman, with a great heart, a deep spirit and a precious soul……love, nurture, grow and develop yourself on purpose every single day knowing that you are here for a God-given purpose…..so, be loyal to HIS guiding, leading and molding of you.

Y is for YOUNG…. 

As you know, when I was a young girl who crushed on Ian, his Daddy would tell me, “well, honey, if you marry my son you will be young all of your life.”  He said that to me often from the time I was about thirteen until I was eighteen and possibly a few times even after that.  At the time, I thought that was his way of saying I would remain youthful….but, as I think on his words now while married to his son, I think he was telling me even more…. 

Being a Young is a blessing. 

This reality became evident to me as Ian and I visited his parent’s home place this past weekend.  We went to Williams and Bedford Indiana where Ian’s Mama, Dorothy Young was born and raised.  And, his Dad was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.  

The Young legacy was boundless….from the Church of Christ Dorothy attended as a little girl and then with her husband and son to the family home place, to the covered bridge to the gravesite where Dorothy and Herschell now rest their physical bodies, you could see evidence of their lives.   

And, while the Young part of your family is a graft to your personal family tree, it is a blessing to have that graft as a part of your life, your heritage, your spiritual development. 

Being a Young means a lot of things…..God first, family second; Commitment to the end; Personal Intelligence and Human compassion.  If you are a Young, you have excellent work ethic and a heart for others, you know how to give and as well how to graciously receive.  You understand that the Son rises on you…..but, just as well on others, that houses are just storing places for things we love but homes are where that love is shared and nurtured and treasured.  When you are a Young you understand that to know God is to love His children, to give sacrificially of yourself and to share what you have with those in need.   

And, in addition to being a Young, it became real to me that we now are also Maegerlein-Youngs.  Ian’s mother, Dorothy may be a woman you never personally met while here on this earth, but you are the beneficiary of her life through your ladder, Ian.  Dorothy was a sincerely Godly woman who gave her all to be His Girl, just like you are trying to do.  I met her sister, Carolynn, the twin image of Dorothy, and when I hugged her, it brought a flood of remembrances of those few times I ever hugged Dorothy.  What a blessing to add these two women to your family tree and spiritual journey.  Both are strong, determined and hard working.  Both raised equally strong and intelligent and Godly children.  But, most importantly, all are now a part of your Godly heritage…..and, a blessing to your…to our lives. 

Being a Young means you Love…love….love children, Christmas and dogs.  It means you love, love, love, love family, shaking hands and written notes.  It means that you will go the extra mile for another and sit an extra time to listen as someone speaks to you.  It means you will love studying His word and reading the words of others.  It means you will travel great distance to be together.  It means that while you may have differences, you will overcome them to remain in the circle of family.  

And, most importantly….being a Young means that God is your Father, Love is your labor and Grace is your gift. 

Blessings, 

ILYAOYMC,

Mama