See the suffering

I haven't posted in quite a while, and I don't know that I'm going to continue this blog.  But this is a post I want to do...because I have nowhere else to release the feelings and emotion.
I know I'm supposed to have a picture with every post...I know that I am supposed to write more regularly...but this isn't about "doing it right", it's about sharing something that has been on my heart.

As a mother, we sometimes have to see our children be on the receiving end of suffering.  Sometimes it's emotional...being mistreated, kids ignoring them, calling them names, or being the subject of untrue rumors or accusations.  Sometimes it's physical...an accident or a chronic health condition.  But no matter how old they are, it still stings your heart when you see them suffering.  I have a special needs child that was often ignored by their peer group; I have a child that was the object of a terrible accusation that could stain their character; I have a child that has suffered from chronic health conditions for a number of years...suffering.  Seeing my children suffer can be so difficult sometimes.

Recently I cried out to God and asked that question, "WHY?"  Why, Lord, does the suffering not end??  And I wept...because it's hard to see the suffering.  And God answered me...

"Did not I, also, see my child suffer?"  Yes, He did.  It must have been hard for God to look on Jesus when He went through ridicule and physical torment.  "Lord, there must have been times, in a human sense, when You would have liked to just bring Him home and end the suffering."  (And then this thought came to me, it's extra Biblical and may be inaccurate, but it's my thought) "I have always heard that You couldn't look at Jesus on the cross because You couldn't stand to look at the sin.  But I wonder if another reason could be that You couldn't stand to see Him suffer.  That would have been so hard to see!"

Hebrews 5:8  "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered."

Obedience to the Father can be learned by the things our children, and we, suffer.  Jesus suffered and died for ME.  God left Him here to complete His purpose, just as He does for you and me and our children.

Our children are more God's than ours.  God knows what He is doing and His way is best. 

Is it really the end of April??  I should have been much more regular with posting, especially just starting out!!  BUT...we have a wedding this Saturday :D  My daughter is getting married and to say we've been distracted is an understatement.  Once it's over...and I recover...I can devote more time to the blog!  Patience is a virtue, right??  Unless...you're the one needing to be patient :D

Boot Camp

Warrior push-up, a photo by The U.S. Army on Flickr.

For the last couple of years I have been exercising to DVD's in my living room. Numerous unrestrained dogs in my neighborhood forced my daily routine from the streets to the carpet. I had been feeling the need to bump up my workout and found a wonderful website with a large variety of exercise videos that can be watched instantly.
As I browsed the videos available my eye caught one entitled: Boot Camp Session. I thought, "that's what I'm looking for!" It started off mild enough: stretches, walking and some other common exercise moves. But as the knee bends got DEEP and then she wanted me to get on the floor and do PUSH-UPS, I thought, "what was I thinking??" I'm sure this was nothing like real military boot camp, but when you're in your fifties, it doesn't take much for the body to feel like it's been there!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Buccaneer Among the Aristocracy, a photo by It'sGreg on Flickr.

We have all heard that expression. And it's true. Sometimes God places us in unfamiliar surroundings to stretch us. Sometimes He places us in difficult circumstances to grow us. Those are all good places to bloom.
But sometimes we're planted in a bunch of weeds! People that are gossips, proud or accusing. They will drain the life out of you. In that case pluck yourself out and plant yourself in some fertile soil! Then you can blossom and become all God wants you to be.

Is Anyone Praying?

Prayer is the language, a photo by Lel4nd on Flickr.

One evening recently I was having some side effects to medication that was making me quite ill. I had been praying throughout the evening for God to get me through, and I was struck with the thought - "Is anyone else praying for me?" I didn't know the answer to that question, and it was an empty, lonely feeling.
I thought of how much these words mean:
"I'm praying for you!"
Not done as a reflex, but with meaning and concern.
I did have people praying specifically for me today, and what a difference it makes!!
The challenge to me is - am I praying for others? Do they know I'm praying?

Letting go...as our children grow

willow tree: mother & daughter plaque, a photo by fabi_k on Flickr.

My baby girl has a boyfriend and will be getting married within the next year! One minute we're praying and waiting, and praying and waiting...and then all of a sudden God brings along THE one!!

Then it seems like we didn't have quite enough time together...like we didn't make quite enough memories...like I didn't get to pass on to her all I had wanted to.

However, God's timing is perfect! He brought along an amazing young man for her. She will be his perfect helpmeet and he is her perfect completer. And I realized that was the goal.

I guess the hard part is she is the last one. I wouldn't want her here forever - it's time for her to begin the ministry God has for her as a wife and mother. We do have lots of wonderful memories and I look forward to what God will do through her. But now it's the beginning of a new season for ME.

Sometimes I think we try to hold on to our children too long because we are afraid there will be nothing more for us to do. Or because we don't think there is anything else we CAN do. But that's not true. If we are still alive and breathing, we have purpose!! Just as we have had to trust God as we raised our children, now it's time to trust Him as we let them go.

He will never leave or forsake us. He will never leave us with nothing to do. Embrace this new season and get ready to explore the opportunities God has just for you!!

Praises...BIG and small

It's the little things...

Why is that? We like the big things - the big answers to prayer, the elaborate events, the large gifts. But what is it about the little things?

The little things are personal. They show the intimacy of the relationship. Only your closest friends know you like chocolate, or coffee, or the color green. Only your closest friends know what cheers you up or touches your heart. The same with God. When He answers a small, insignificant need or prayer, it reminds us how well He knows us and that He is intimately involved in every detail of our lives.