While
cleaning yesterday, I found this little book of inspirational sayings
wedged between my favorite reading chair and my bookcase. I
flipped it open to this page and stopped. Yes, that speaks to
me right now! I thought it might encourage other ladies, too.
It's
Mother's Day, and I was curious to see our how our pastor would
handle a day that can be so difficult for those who long to be
mothers, or who have lost their mothers or a child to death, or who
have wayward children, or who have strained relationships with their
own mothers. I am grateful for the sensitivity of his prayer
for all of these women. Being a nurturing woman, whether to
your own children or to others God sends on your path, can be very
challenging and sometimes disheartening. It is tempting to
give up when the going gets rough. That is why I like Victor
Hugo's words so much:
Be
like the bird
That,
pausing in her flight
Awhile
on boughs too slight,
Feels
them give way
Beneath
her and yet sings,
Knowing
that she hath wings.
There
is much in my life that gives way, that can't hold the weight of my
expectations. Yet I am not at the mercy of circumstance, nor
held captive by what others say and do. Every day, including
today when things haven't exactly gone as I planned, I have to remind
myself to rise above it all and fly. God has empowered me
with wings.
On
the last day of our home school co-op on Monday, I wanted to give my
English students one more life lesson. I told them how Jesus,
during the Last Supper, knew where he came from and knew where he was
going, so he had the security to wash their dirty feet, humbly
serving his disciples instead of demanding the honor that was due to
him as the Creator and Redeemer. I know my identity in Jesus as
one who came from the creative love of God and is destined for an
eternity without sorrow or shame. That gives me wings. It helps
me find my own voice to sing.
So
do these kind Mother's Day words from my 19 year old daughter
Joanna: "My mom
has raised the first five of her ten to adulthood and still has 12
years until the youngest of the following five graduates high school.
Some people may say that is crazy, yes. Some days she feels at the
end of her rope and calls herself crazy. I say that she is a woman of
commitment, a woman of love, and a woman of intuition. Over the past
several years in particular, I have watched her blossom even more
into being a woman of strength who develops her own convictions (not
blindly accepting the ones of those around her) and lives them out
boldly, yet graciously. This speaks worlds to me. Mom-- you are
beautiful, you are unique, and you will always be in the hands of
God. I love you."
I
leave you with a few verses from one of my favorite Psalms, which I
memorized when I was a newlywed. Friends, even in times of
tears, you have a safe place, you have strength, and you have wings.
"Even
the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young -- a place near your altar, O LORD
Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in
your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose
strength is in you, who have their hearts set on pilgrimage. As
they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from
strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion."
Psalm 84:3-7
If
you have had a negative experience with a church or other Christian
organization, you may wish to read: Recovering,
Still...
Blessings,
Virginia Knowles
www.ComeWearyMoms.blogspot.com
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