I Sit Front Row and Watch My Son Become a Man                          May 16, 2014

 

I confess, I have a child who so reminds me of me that the watching him grow at times brings highest highs and fiercest pain

My Kenton….he is the middle child who I work hard to keep off center and more to forefront, but his heart is so tender and shy that it is a hard mother's task and unless a mother works at it hard, she will miss the opportunities.  I pray God…do not let me miss a single one

He loves deeply

He feels fervently

He patiently awaits his time and if a mother is not careful, he will be overlooked because he is not one to shout out loud for neither attention nor honor

He was a precious baby, a sweetheart toddler, a gentle teenager and is now a loving young man

I could not feel more proud

I could not be more blessed

He moves along in life, coming to maturity at slow pace and in his own time, just as God intended

The package of a man God put together in Kenton is total:  heart, mind, body and spirit

God gives you these children…you, an imperfect mother without a clue on how to grow them right, and places them in your care and you eventually realize, no skill you have can ever deserve the gift He gives….and, so, you do all you know to do…

You love them

You love him

You love HIM and Them

He gave me four such blessings….all wrapped up in soft, silky skin come hard fought and as a result of skinned, prayer- bent- knees

I love my babies, each and every one of them….those I've come to know and the one who's  gone before us to pave the way, and each one brings to my heart such great emotions that I am confounded to place a word on how deeply they touch my soul

Way deep, deep in the place where Jesus lives in my heart…it's where the love for my children was borne…and, where I go when I know not where else to go..it's where I go tonight for my son Kenton….who travels a journey on which all I can do is pose with him for a son-requested picture, watch as he packs, remind him to shave and feel his large, manly hand squeeze my as only this son can as his Ladder and I pray God's blessing and protection not only on his body but also on his soul

I love him….more than all of the stars in all of the skies in all of the world….and, he leaves our home knowing above all things….

Mama loves him…..a big, deep, son-loving/mother-loving kind of love that only God can give and bless and grow

I sent to the 123 Airlift Wing a boy-child-man and I pray they return to me a man who they see upfront the potential and work and grow and develop him into a man who is like no other…the one God intended him to be

It is because of men-possibilities like my son, Kenton, that I have faith in our country….he is all things honorable and noble and right which is as it should be….

So, tonight as I watch him salute his mother a goodbye until Sunday, I don't feel tears well because of fear or trepidation or anxious heart….I feel them well to over pouring down my face because of all the Mamas in all the world, for some reason….

God chose me

To be this fine son's Mama…..

And, I am bent with grateful heart

ILYAOYMC, Kenton

Mama

 

He Who I Married....Is A Giver

He, Who I Married...is a Giver... 

You came into my and my children's lives unexpectedly and yet, you have been such a humble and precious blessing to all of us.  You loved us, you cared for us, and you walked beside us quietly and formidably, providing a shelter from what was a storm in our life.

You did not push, but waited patiently on us to heal.

You loved me deeply, sweetly and mightily so that there was no doubt I was worthy.

You loved my daughter in such a way that she was able to remember "whose" she was and is

You loved my son with such tender, manly compassion that he was able to grow and become

You loved my son with a reverence for his heart that he was able to find peace

You are a giver of the best kind…

You give yourself

And, in that giving…that precious sharing, you blanketed me and my children so that we were able to grow back closer to God and because of that, I am forever grateful

You shared your heart, your patience and your personal self so that we could find our way

You reminded us that the sound of laughter in a home is a blessing, and that "if it's important to us, it's important to you"

You have taught me to trust….and my children to believe

You are a giver of the most precious kind…

In all of your giving, you ask nothing in return

Nothing

And, because of your unconditional love and giving….

We have found self-love, love of one another….and love of God.

Happy Anniversary, Husband

My friend, my joy….my life

Wife

 

As Only Your Mama Can……                                                             

       February 20, 2014

 "The Prayer Jar"

 

I have always been a pretty consistent person of prayer.  When I lived at 661 Cherrywood Drive in Radcliff, Kentucky, my Great Granny taught me..

Jesus, Tender, Shepherd hear me,

Bless the little children tonight…

In the darkness be thou near me,

Keep me safe 'till the early morning's light

I later came to realize it was a prayer originally written by Mary Duncan, and when Grammy was pregnant with my sweet brother, Jim, someone gave her a lamp with a little lamb and the first portion of the prayer written on it.  I remember sneaking into his room and turning on the little light with my smallish hands (it had a small, twisty knob) and it would light up the little lamb.

As I grew older, my prayers grew longer and more purposeful and with great confidence in Him

As I grew older still, sadly, my prayers grew more about asking God for things…healing, jobs, joy

As I grew into womanhood, I began praying with other women friends in Bible studies….Some women I really enjoyed hearing were Mary Wooten and June Valentine… Carol Anderson and Linda and Kelly Oldach, Barbara Neller and Judy Leek…Helen McFadden and I prayed until we could no longer pray….Tammy Nischan and Patty Rhodes…Karen Locklear and the list goes on and on.  I am blessed to have in my life many prayer-warrior women and that has made all the difference.  There were sacred moments of prayer kneeling with Tracy Cowart which forever changed my life.  I remember praying with my Daddy when his daddy died….and my hearing my mother pray with the little children in Bible class.

My brother Chuck prayed with the young men at church during a youth event and I remember thinking…he's a man.

My brother Jim is a man of precious and heart-felt prayers….I have prayed with him during all seasons of his and my life.  And, I am changed as a result.

Jay has very lovely prayers….full of purpose and direction and reflection.

But the sweetest, heart melting prayers have come from my babies…and, I carry in my Mama's heart folding over your little hands in sweet prayer…teaching you early on what my great-Granny taught me…

We prayed a lot.  We said prayer words.  Sang prayer songs. 

Your mama believes in prayers….in praying….in the power of prayer

I pray one of the legacies I leave to you is that you, too, will be a prayer-warrior woman and that you won't just say the words, but will believe in the power of God's response.

I pray in all ways as do many: while in the shower, in the car, walking around the block, folding clothes.  I pray in the rain, snow, sunshine and storms.  I pray when happy, sad, broken, joyful.

I've prayed the "Eat, Pray, Love" prayer of Julia Roberts….in the movie of the same name at the darkest time in my life.  I've prayed the "shout it from the mountain tops" prayer the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, baby Joseph and your brothers. 

Every time you pray, I believe, you give a little piece of your heart back to God.

So, pray, baby…..pray often and in faith

While I am a woman who prays faithfully, frequently and fervently….what I am not good to do is to leave my prayers in the hands of God and surrender them….

If I don't get an immediate answer,

If I don't hear a quick response or see rapid change,

If I pray and pray and pray for the same thing over and over and over

I have, at times, lost hope…

Hope that God was hearing my prayers,

Hope that God was responding to my prayers,

Hope that God could see my desperation as I prayed and prayed and prayed….

And, while intellectually, I know better….

Within my heart…..it was hard, at times, to believe that He heard, understood and is/was responding. 

As I get older….I know that not only does God hear my prayers, see my praying, feel with me as I share my heart…

He does answer.  He always answers.  He faithfully and fervently answers.

IN HIS TIME

And, His time is not necessarily "my" time

His ways are not necessarily "my" ways

I've come to not only acknowledge this and accept this and understand this, but I have come to appreciate and respect and hope for this…

For when you give over your heart in prayer to God…and, you receive His answer….

You are blessed beyond measure….and, in ways you cannot even imagine, just as promised in Ephesians 3:20.

One thing I have done over the years to help me in this is to write down my prayers.  I've written them in books, journals, index cards, my Bible.  I've written them on my calendar, my computer and my cell phone.

This year, I started a Prayer Jar…..

I write down on little cards my and our family's prayers…pray…and then, put the card in the jar.  Once a week, I get out all of the cards and look at them…pray…and enjoy seeing how God has already answered so many of my/our prayers, see ones which are still waiting for an answer.

Amazing it is to see God's creativity and sweet tender response to our prayers…..already….in just one and one-half months of 2014.

Some are longer, lengthy prayers, some are simply the name of an individual, and some are in memory of a loved one who has gone to heaven…

All bless my heart….change my vision….touch my soul.

My prayer for you and your brothers is that you will always find your way to God through prayer….and, will always know that He will always answer you.

In that you can have full faith and confidence.

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Only Your Mama Can... 

Life Lesson Number 6:  Find Out Who You Are And Do It On Purpose              

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose" 

                                                                          ~ Dolly Parton.   

I sincerely believe that so many people spend so much of their lives trying to figure out who they are that they become unable to be who God intended them to be.  I also sincerely believe that so many people spend so much time of their lives trying to figure out who THEY are, that they become unable to see who others are…and in the so-doing, live lives of constantly seeking and never truly being.

When you don't know who you are….it can be paralyzing.  

But, when you realize who you are….it can be freeing.

So, I want to share some truths that have helped me in hopes that they might help you, too…..because if you spend all your days wrapped up in the expedition of figuring out who you are, you miss out on a life of being in the presence of others……..and, baby, I believe that God wants us to share Him by being in the presence of others….

1)  You are a child of God: John 1:12 "But to all who have received him…those who believe in His name, he has given the right to become God's children."

I can promise you this, I have known about you since September of 1989.  And, since that time, I have known that you were a gift to me, but that you were a Child of Him.  When I first felt you move in my tummy, I knew the most glorious holiness of God…..and, I began reading that passage in Psalm 139:

For you created Madison's inmost being;
    you knit her together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because she is fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵Her frame was not hidden from you
    when she was made in the secret place,
    when Madison was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw her unformed body;
    all the days ordained for her were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

I can make no promises to you in life except this one….You are His Child, in that you may be confident.  Whether or not you chose to live as His child during the days He gives you on this earth will always be up to you.  But, you can live in confidence of this truth. 

You are His baby girl, little princess, sweetheart, darling, love,

His hope and His treasure and His Jewel

2) You have been chosen of God and are holy and beloved:  Colossians 3:12.

When you are chosen of God…and, you are…you are Holy….You are Beloved…and, Colossians says you are "dearly loved".  There is a strength that passes from God to you as a person, an individual, a girl, a woman, when you can know with confidence that the maker of all the heavens and earth dearly loves you.  This power gives you the ability to live differently….humbly….sacrificially and yet boldly in your life because you don't have to doubt the value of your life.  You can know that you are of great worth.  And, you can know that others have great worth.  It makes it simpler to do as he asks…..

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

3) You have been set free in Christ. Galatians 5:1: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

You do not have to live in this world as if you are a resident of this world.  God has set you free in Christ to live as Christ lives.  You are not bound to the opinion of others, to follow the path that sin would lead you down, to carry the burden of sinfulness.  You are not a slave of this world.  You are free in Him to live beyond this world.  

Slavery is defined as "the state of a person who is chattel of another." "Chattel is tangible or moveable property."  So, slavery means that you are owned by another who moves you around at his will, not yours.

God has set you free.  You are the chattel of no one…the slave of no one unless you give yourself to someone or to something.  REMEMBER that.

No one today can own you without your permission.  They may be able to imprison your physical body, but they cannot force ownership of your heart, your spirit, your mind, your soul.

Remember that.

You have been set free to do and live and be…..and, in that freedom is a power which enables you to do and live and be…..whatever you want to be.  Choose to be something which makes an eternal difference in the time He gives you on this earth.

4) The Peace of God Guards Your Heart and Mind: Philippians 4:7

As you are likely learning in your Social Work classes, many a poor decision is made when an individual is anxious or afraid.  Relationships are broken, friendships are lost, people are hurt and even killed because someone was so stressed that they reacted to a situation rather than acted on conscious choice.  As a counselor, you will spend much time attempting to address an individual's anxiety and to help them come to a place of peace in their lives so that they can make good decisions and therefore, find a healthier peace.

We can have this peace by doing the following…….

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

God did not intend for us to carry the burdens of this life alone.  He gave us family, friends, spouses, mates, children, others to walk with us through this journey…but, most importantly, He gave us Himself….He tells us,

"The Lord is near…give all over to Him and he will give us the peace which transcends"

"The Lord will fight for us; we only need to be still"  Exodus 14:14

When you choose to give over all things to Him, you are choosing to find peace that will enable you to life a more joyful, productive and peaceful life.  You have to choose.  Over and over and over again…..it is a journey…this decision to choose. 

5) Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you: I Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

We don't talk a lot about the Holy Spirit, but we should.  From the Holy Spirit comes the power to live for God in your daily living.  The Trinity…God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are three in one.  I don't understand how it all works, but I believe that it does work.

I always envisioned the Holy Spirit to the fire that lights up a lighthouse and causes it to be a beacon of direction and hope to the sailors on the sea.  If left unattended, it will die out and be of no value to those who would use its light to find their way safely home.  But, when attended and stoked and cared for, it sheds it beams across the ocean and those who would otherwise be lost are now found! 

The Holy Spirit is POWERFUL.

Remember that.

We are given the Holy Spirit….we are told to seek the Holy Spirit….we are encouraged to ask it to reside in us and to make us alive.  We are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit.

We are encouraged to believe in the Holy Spirit.

And, I do.  And, I hope you do, too.

"Have all of the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit have all of you"…..and, see what a difference that makes in your daily living.

6) You are redeemed and forgiven by the Grace of God: Ephesians 1:7 "in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

I believe this with all of my heart…..IF we would make a list of the sins of our own personal lives, the things we have done, not done, the words we have spoken, the gossip we have shared, the physical sins we have committed, the hatred we have poured out, the lying, deceiving, stealing, murdering in our hearts, the sexual immorality, arrogance, mean-spiritedness and selfishness….etc. etc. etc. If we had a wall on which to write down every sin we had ever committed since birth…..

We would drop to our knees in despair

In hopelessness

In fear

And, as we lay prostrate on the floor…..

We saw the presence of God walk over with His hand slowly and carefully and perfectly wipe away every sin…

Every misdeed, mis-thought, misappropriation of our spite and wickedness….

And, watch Him wipe and clear and remove….

Until the wall was pure and white and untarnished….

We would be forever changed in how we live our lives

And, in how we view the lives of others.

When such a gift….of forgiveness…is given to us so purely, so tenderly, so freely….

At such a cost to Jesus…

In our name, He took our sins

At such a cost to God…

How can we not help but be changed?

When the grace of the one who made us is poured out upon us so that our wall of sinful living is wiped clean and as pure as snow….

That is Grace….

And, if we are given this gift from Him,

Isn't it right that we allow His grace to pour into us and through us and to His children whom are in our lives….?

In His name

That is Grace personified….

Grace given and grace received are graceful gifts He gives to us and calls upon us to give to others…

There are so many more ways in which we can determine who we are, but most important is to know WHO's we are…..

You don't have to guess.  You don't have to wonder.

You know.

You have found yourself.  You have done it on purpose.

You don't have to spend the balance of your days wondering.

You are free to live for Him, through Him and because of Him….

And, that will make all the difference.

Blessings,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2014

 

Five Minute Friday:  Hero

 

He has a quiet walk, one which enables him to alight on you without your knowing, but with your enjoying.  He is so often soft spoken that when he speaks a louder volume, you sense it is of utmost importance.  And, you find in yourself the desire to listen carefully. 

He is a man of great knowledge.  One whose love of God is evidenced in his gentle demeanor and sweet smile.

He knows for whom it is he lives because he has taken time to know, to understand,

He is a man of great strength.  One whose personal life has faced challenges that would have left most lying prostrate on the floor and yet, he, with quiet ability, lifted himself up to take another step in this journey of life.  And, he had done so with grace and peace and joy. 

He is a man of great heart.  It has been said that we are to watch who the little children love for it is those who have the greatest hearts.  If this is a solid truth, then it is further proof that the heart of this man must be big for little children love to sit near him to learn and laugh and sing. 

He is a man who has learned that we all have a place in this life and finding that place and growing it to the best of our ability is our life's mission. 

When I close my eyes, I see this man as a little boy wearing smallish shorts and white shoes, laughing.  I see him in his Sears jeans and flannel shirt riding in the back yard simply enjoying life and being a part of the family.   

I read his youthful writings and see great potential in such a young man.  He is able to pen words onto paper with a maturity that comes from living deeply. 

I watch him warrior up to life never quitting always battling to be the best "him" he can be. 

Working hard, striving harder…. 

Never leaving behind his great heart but always carrying it forward as one would their coat of arms during battle.

I've never one time, in all the years I've known him, heard him complain at the challenges that life has thrown his way.  Never. 

Instead, I've witnessed his humble heart strive to find reason for the seasons in his life and watched as he gave over his heart to being true to himself. 

Blessed I am to have spent these past 45 years walking beside him in this journey of life.  He has lived in those short years what most of us spend many more seeking to be.. 

Godly

Patient

Kind

Tender

Strong

Brave

Generous

Intelligent

Endearing

Noble

Faithful

Forgiving 

Of all the people in this life I am living, I have learned more from this man than any other….and, not from what he had to say… 

But, from how he chooses to live. 

When I look into his eyes, the window to his soul, I see a man who has lived fully that which God has given him… 

And, I am grateful he is in my life. 

He is more than my friend, my confidant, my valiant warrior at arms… 

He is my brother,

My Hero 

And, as I write that simple word, hero, I know he would bow his head and disclaim the compliment in humble refusal to see himself in that light… 

But, a hero to me is not one exalted to the sky for great works and acts 

A hero is one who walks quietly doing what is right and just and pure, not in his own name nor for his own sake,

 

But in example…..

 

 

As Only Your Mama Can….                                                                                                         January 30, 2014 

Life Lesson Numbers 6:  Live Your Life So That Your Passing Is A Celebration!!

In the past ten days, I have attended the memorials of two very Godly women.  One, I was intimately friends and shared the deepest parts of my soul with, and one with whom I wish I had done so.

Both had a common bond….which I pray will be true of me when I leave this life….and, I pray for you as well….

They were Godly women who loved God and others more than this life…and it was demonstrated in how they made use of their days….

Helen Teresa Jacoby McFadden was God's gift to our family since you were two years old.  She loved us right where we were….little children climbing gates to get to her pool, screaming loudly as we played in our back yard, sharing "Tom Turkey" visits with you as you looked in awe.  We cooked meals for the month, took walks together and prayed and cried and celebrated.  I have held her tiny hands in prayer and watched her as she held yours to do the same.

I can count three people in my life with whom I have shared my truths ….the good and the ugly….and, Helen is one of those three.  There is something other-worldly…sacred… when you have that kind of a friendship with another….it's what God intended when he gave us one another as life-mates….

Helen was my sister….my sacred friend who taught me all she knew about our Heavenly Father….

And, fortunately for me….that was a substantial gift for she knew Him well on this earth, and now knows Him intimately in Heaven.

Don't be fooled….Helen's life was not a confection of perfection.  She had her struggles, her sorrows, her heartaches.  She had things with which she struggled and worked through and battled to overcome.  I know this because she shared her life with me.

But, taught me this….yes, she did….

Life is to be celebrated!

Not simply in the way one would celebrate a birthday….or anniversary…or birth….

But, in the way one would celebrate the GIFT of each day of life…of living!

I can remember her encouraging me to look for the preciousness of each day…to find nuggets of joy…to be positive and expectant that with God all things are possible and all things are made beautiful…

She told me to find good in each person and peace in each experience. 

To not rely on my own understanding of things, but to give my all over to God who knew all things.

She taught me that daughters are sacred treasures and husbands are eternal gifts that you grow to understand and appreciate as time is added to your life.

She encouraged me to dream big dreams…and, to give my dreaming to our Heavenly Maker….and, to wait with great expectation.

It was while with Helen at a Focus on the Family Women's Conference that I heard that quote from Eva Self on which I raised you and your brothers…

"Mama told me…Eva…honey….you gotta dream big dreams, I mean really, really big dreams for Eva…if Jesus lives in your dreams…your dreams will live."

Helen and I loved that quote…..we spoke often about how just like we love to hear the dreams of our children, God loves to hear our dreams….

And, how, when you place God in the center of your dreams…Your Dreams Will Live!!

Helen lived out many of her dreams for her life…..and, we were witness to that while living next door to her and even after we moved, we were witness to that as she shared with us….

So much so, that when she called me to 1016 Balsam Drive to give me the news of her illness..and, then later again to her hospital bed, her words to me were not ones of sorrow and sadness for a life cut short…too short.

Her words to me were, "I had a great life….a wonderful time….and, I am ready to go"!!

Helen gave me…and you….and her family the greatest gift a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend could give those who love her…

She lived a full life….

She was God's girl…

When her time came to pass from this world to that new home with God…

She was ready!

So that, instead of mourning like those who have no hope…

We are able to CELEBRATE her life with the full expectation of joining her some day!!!

What a day of rejoicing that will be!!!

Fast forward about ten days…

And, I find myself once again sitting at a memorial of another such Godly woman…God's girl….

I didn't personally know Ms. Rose Marie Cox Davis.......but, then again, yes I did.

I have known her through her son, Ken, these past thirty-four years or so…

As I sat at her memorial, in a room filled to overflowing with family and friends, I could not help but smile….

It was said that she not only walked beside great dignitaries in the State of Kentucky as she served our Commonwealth,  but that she also walked among we common friends as she served us and our children as the gentle "cookie lady" and to her….we were all simply "family".

Doesn't that just give you a clear image of what a Godly heart she had for HIS children?

The minister, Dr. Fugate said that she was a selfless woman…a giver if you will.  She gave from the deepest part of her heart and in that giving, found her greatest joy.  In fact, he said that she was such a kind and gentle giver that when the time came for the recipients of her giving to take care of her as she battled cancer, she found it amazing and humbling to be on the receiving end of such love and support….

Dr. Fugate said that watching those who Ms. Davis had blessed by her sharing take their turn in returning that blessing back to her was a thing of humble beauty….and, watching her learn to be a receiver was truly a gift…..

Clearly, Ms. Davis…or "Blossom" as Ken and I called her, was a Godly woman who, too, loved God and His children more than herself.

And, like Mrs. Helen….it was clear from what was shared about her life and what I know through her son, Ken, that she, too…..

Celebrated her days!

As I left Helen's memorial which started out in a winter white-out but ended in a beautiful sunset….and, yesterday, as I left "Blossom's" memorial in the rays of sunshine which ended in a lovely sunset….

I was grateful…

To bear witness to the lives of two women who's passing, while leaving rays of sorrow at their absence…

More so left beams of joy at their living…

And, they didn't just live any little life….

They lived a life for which being a part of its celebration was a beautiful and wonderful and joyful

Gift….

So, dear daughter…..learn from Mrs. Helen and Ms. "Blossom"…..

That is their gift to you….to me

The example of living a life so that our passing is a day of CELEBRATION!!

Blessings,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Forever Friends"..........to Helen

Forever Friends…..

In life, we are given many friends. 

Friends “since birth”, friends from school, friends from church.

We have friends who share “trouble” with us and friends who keep us from same.

Friends who are also siblings and friends who we would have never imagined being friends with except for our life’s circumstances.

I have had the humble honor lately of being in contact with some of my lifelong friends and it has been a blessing.

I purposely dropped by one of such friends this week…I had not seen her in a while....very unusual for us.  

My heart raced as I drove onto her street.  It raced even more quickly as I saw the lights on in her home.  She’s home…she’s here. ….

I quickly stepped to the door which her husband opened…walked into the room and straight into the warm and kind arms of one of my most precious friends.

My tears were heavy….

We caught up on the surface things going on in our life and then she said what I knew would be coming…”okay, now tell me what is really going on in your life”.  I confess that I didn’t go there to share sadness with her.  I wanted to keep things light and “happy”…it was easier to pretend.

But, she would not allow that.

Again…”Lesa…how are you really?”  You can share anything with me.

And, so I did.

It was refreshing to actually be able to bare my soul to someone whom I knew would hold sacred the pain of my heart…who would listen quietly and who would love me through my sharing…

And, she did.

But, even more precious to me is that we didn’t live in the pain…she held my hand as we walked through it, kind eyes staying focused on me as the words tumbled out of my heart…

I shared truth with her.  I shared sadness.  I shared heartache.

And, then my story was over and she said, “Lesa, that is “LIFE”….and, it is one reason God gave us to one another…to help each other make it through this earthly life.

We embraced hard…the kind of hug which will keep you going until next time you meet…even if that meeting is not until heaven.

Her hug was real…I felt it to my soul.

Her love for me was true.  I felt it in my heart.

And, I left with no promises of when to meet next, but rather, with the knowledge that our love and friendship would last until that time…whenever it was.

I drove home…no longer alone in my car, but filled with the sweet thoughts of my precious friend.

Once home, I greeted my sons….they  said they missed me…I liked being missed.

I sat down to my facebook page and there it was…a message from my friend.

“I love you Lesa…..You are my “forever friend”.

I am grateful.

Blessings on your day,

Lesa