Just for the fun of it I decided to look up the word mother in the dictionary. I was very disappointed! It only described the 'of course' part of who she is - a female parent. However to me, Mother means so very much more. So today I am going to give my own definition.

Mother - The sweetest of earthly names for she is the one who cares, loves, blesses and sacrifices her life for her children.  

Now I want to share a little about about my own mother who has certianly proved this definition to be true. My mother's name is Suzanne and I have been blessed to have her care for over 23 years. Ever since I can remember she has taught me about Jesus and His word. One way she did this was to help me memorize scriptures to overcome my fear of the dark. And it never failed. She also pressed upon us children to always tell the truth and told us why, because God's word said so. I have never forgotten that and seek to always be truthful. More then words she says however, is the life she lives. Through the hard times and the easy she has faithfully showed Jesus. Even when my dad left because he did not agree with her stand for the Lord, she remained steadfast. She has also chosen to remain faithful to her vow to my dad and never marry again. She doesn't speak against him to us or try to influence us in anyway wrongly. She desires that we still honor him and pray earnestly for him, which she does herself. That is an incredible thing to me.

Though my mom has had to work quite a bit and not had time to teach me some things, she has always made a way for me learn elsewhere if possible. She has never been jealous for a moment over my friendships with other older ladies but says that she thanks God for putting them in my life to help fill in the gaps.

One of the things that means the most to me is that my mom is not just a mom but a very dear friend. I know that I can always go to her for help with any problem. I can call her in the middle of the night when I'm gone if I need to talk. I know my secrets are safe and I am prayed for daily. She tells me often how much she appreciates me and loves having me home with her. But she also says that she will be so excited and happy for me when my 'prince' comes along.

How can I ever thank God for blessing me with such a Mother as mine! One who teaches both by word and deed. One who works hard day and night to keep her girls happy and healthy.

Mom, I pray God's richest blessings upon you. Thank you for your unfailing love and godly example. Thank you for being my mom!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

With all my love, Heather

~Who can find a virtuous women? for her price is far above rubies.

She ... worketh willingly with her hands.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; ...

... A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:10,13b,25,26,27,28a,20b 

• Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

For anyone who may stop by, I just wanted to recommend that you stop by Leslie's site ~Set-apart Girl~ and read her blog and latest Q & A. They were both really great!

It's a beautiful day here but I will be enjoying it from inside as I have cleaning and laundry to do.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

I am a hopeless romantic as I "hinted" at in my last entry. My greatest desire has always been to marry my Prince and have a family. At times I have allowed this to make me discontent with my current situation of singleness. The Lord has helped me to come a long way over the years in how I deal with my singleness. Now I really do view my single years as a gift and a wonderful opportunity to serve God with all I have. The point of this post is just a reminder to myself of how, when I am struggling, if I call out to my Father He will restore that peace that I at times allow myself to temporarily lose.

One such time was almost a year ago when my brother got married. We always thought I would be the first to wed but somehow He beat me to it. Well, for a few days after the wedding I was a bit depressed. When I couldn't stand it anymore ( why didn't I go sooner) I went to the Lord and begged for help to find peace again. These are the notes I wrote during that precious time when He fulfilled His promise to me of Isaiah 26:3 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

May 14, 08

Delight thyself also in the LORD; Psalm 37:4a

Delight - 1) a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture. 2) something that gives great pleasure. 3) to give delight to. 4) to have or take great pleasure.

Rapture - ecstatic joy or delight.

From thesaurus - cheerful, cheer or gladden, inspiring, sparkling, encourage, content, happily

(I left off the last part of that verse on purpose because too many times that was my main focus. All I could think about was the desires of my heart and I was missing out on the beauty of just delighting in Him.)

37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Commit - to give in trust or charge

Trust - confident expectation; hope; to commit with confidence.

(Commiting and trusting was and is at times the hardest thing for me to do. Doesn't the Lord need help or at least my opinion? Not hardly. All that has ever accompished is a mess.)

37:7a Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him

Rest - 1) relief or freedom esp. from trouble. 2) to refresh oneself, as by lying down.

(Rest really only comes when we lay ourselves and our desires down at His feet and LEAVE IT THERE.)

37:23&24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

(The Lord knows I will fall but by His grace I won't stay down, He will lift me up)

38:9,10a &15 LORD, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me;

(God knows exactly what my dreams are and He willingly listens when I cry out to Him. I know that I have no strength of my own and I am only strong in Him)

For in thee, O LORD, do I hope; thou wilt hear O LORD my God.

Lord, please give me shining eyes, smiling lips, and a singing heart.                ~ Dear Princess

I love the title of the book ' A life that says 'Welcome.' That's what I want my life to say to those I meet,  'Welcome to the love of Christ.' I want them to see the beauty of Jesus and nothing of me.

Joyful - causing joy. Being joyful then means not only that I am full of joy myself but that I cause or spread that joy to others. Nothing we are given is to be kept to ourselves. It is all meant to be shared that it may continue to grow. And remember too that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

My ending verse is this - Psalm 39:7 And now, O LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Truly my hope is in the Lord. Everything that I need and want can only come from Him. My peace, my joy, the godly husband and marrige that I desire. But before I can please and bless my husband, I must please and bless my Father. One essential way is by trusting His timing and going forward with my heart content in Him.

Finding these notes and reading them over was a blessing because once again I saw how the Lord always comes through and all we need is in His word.

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

This past weekend I attended the wedding of an aquaintence of mine. It was very beautiful and I was so excited for her as she had waited quite a while for this time.

I have to admit that weddings are a bit difficult for me. I am happy for the couple but a bit sad for myself. However this time around was different. One song that was sung was very touching for me. I believe it is called "Give me Jesus." My favorite part was this:

When I am alone,

When I am alone,

When I am alone,

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus.

I love this, because I am discovering more and more each day that He really is enough. Why this revelation has come so slow I'm not quite sure, maybe somehow I was fighting it. I always knew that it should be true but I couldn't seem to live it out. I told people it was true and yet I found myself searching for more.

My wish was to be married as a teenager. Nevermind that my mom and sister needed me, they'd figure something out. Now I realize how very selfish I was. Even my motive for getting married was partially selfish. I thank God for not letting me marry the first man who came along. We would both have been miserable, me being the primary cause.

But I serve an amazing God! One who is merciful even amongest my foolishness. Looking back now I see how much I would have missed. My sister is 10 years younger then me and I shudder to think of all I would have skipped out on. The places we've been and experiences we've had cannot be replaced. Most of all I have been able to see her grow in the Lord, maybe even had a small part in it.

My mother has had to work full time since my dad left and has willingly allowed me to stay at home and keep house in my effort to prepare for the future.These past few years have been hard and yet blessed, sad and yet happy. Most wonderful of all is the close friendship we now share on account of it all. My own relationship with the Lord has been most greatly influnced by my dear mother.

But even more then all that these single years have allowed me to know the Lord in a way  I couldn't otherwise. Not haveing had a father since I was 15, I have come to appreciate God as my Father in a truly wonderful way. Most amazing to me is the simple fact that He loves me. Me, of all people. How patient, loving, and good He has been.

The road has not been easy, the trials have not been few, but He has never forsaken me. He has allowed it all to bring me to where I need to be, in His arms. No matter the outside circumstances. No matter that I may not understand. His plan is perfect, He knows what He's doing. And that truly is enough for me.

(I have a feeling this all might sound a bit random. Hopefully my skills at writing my thoughts down will improve through having this blog.)

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Just thought I would share one of my favorite songs to start off my blog. I don't remember where I learned it but I love it!

God is good, all the time

He puts a song of praise in this heart of mine

God is good all the time

Through the darkest night, His light will shine

God is good, He's so good, all the time

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link