Unmentionables...

You know, those things women don't typically talk about, like chin hair and eye brow pencils and burying your mother.

Unless you know Jesus, death is so final.
A box with your mother in it...dirt shoveled back into a gaping hole...ending your earthly relationship and any dreams of better understanding or affectionate touch.

With Christ, however, we have the Hope of a beautiful reunion.
Still there is separation and waiting.

So, time should not be taken for granted.  We each have today...right now...and no promise of days to come.  Reach out to your loved ones and let them know you care.
It will make their day and yours too.

Check out this blog for precious words about legacy and mother/daughter love:
http://www.peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com/

Sending ((HUGS)) through the computer.

A Precious Gift ~

My birthday was this week, and it brought to the forefront memories of my Mom.
I guess it was to be expected. I mean birthdays and anniversaries are perfect times for reflection.

And who shares your birthday more poignantly that your mother?
I've always liked to honor mothers on their childrens' birthdays...after all, they did all the work on that day!

So I was thinking back to the year I was pregnant with my firstborn.  When July rolled around, I was in my 7th month and feeling sooo maternal!  That's when it occurred to me to send my mother a bouquet of flowers to thank her for giving me birth.  She was a real estate broker at the time and I must have sent them to her office (to make the most impact I suppose).

Well, did I get points or what!  She was delighted with the sentiment behind my gift and shared with friends far and wide.

One other time she received flowers on my birthday. 
It was a year of trauma for her with multiple surgeries on her spine.  My dear husband  thought of sending her a lavish bouquet at the hospital to celebrate my 50th.  He did it without asking me or telling me about it.  He was just so thankful for me, his wife, that he thought it would bless both of us.  At the time I was not overjoyed.  Her ongoing illnesses had stripped me of energy, focus and peace, and my life felt like it would never be my own again. 

However, looking back, I am so grateful for the tender love of this precious man!   It was the right thing to do, to try and lift her spirits and I'm so happy he thought of it.

Sometimes the most precious gifts cost us dearly.  Whether it be our pride, or unforgiveness; resentment or jealousy; when we give unselfishly, we are always blessed in the process. 

How about you?  You don't have to wait til your birthday to bless your Mom or another loved one.
What can you do today?

Great Fiction and Thoughts on Love...

Francine Rivers' saga about mother/daughter relationships, "Her Mother's Hope," is a powerful book about the way women misunderstand each other.  You might see glimpses of your own mother/daughter relationships in her story, I know that I did.  Francine has the ability to draw you into a story as if you are right there with her characters.  I highly recommend any of her wonderful books, and this tale has a sequel that is now available (and in the mail to me as I type!).

Well, as I begin in earnest to explore the root of tensions between my mother and me, I'm realizing that so much of it has to do with "how" we tried to express love.  The fact is there was love between us, but it wasn't easy to receive it.  The characters in "Her Mother's Hope" struggle with this very dilemma.

Ever heard of "The Five Love Languages" by author Gary Chapman?  As individuals, we receive love in different ways.  Some "feel" loved when they hear words of encouragement, for others love is communicated through physical touch.  Acts of service is another way people feel loved by others and spending quality time is yet another way to communicate love. Finally, gift giving is also a way that some people receive the message of love.

Which Love Language best communicates that YOU are Loved?
1) Words of Encouragement
2) Physical Touch
3) Acts of Service
4) Quality Time
5) Gift Giving
(*not necessarily in the author's order)
   
The struggle comes when we automatically "love" others in the way we receive love.  Because they may not be "getting it!"  It takes time to figure out which love language speaks to which person.
If we really love someone, we'll make the effort to discover what fills their emotional tank:  encouraging words, physical touch, acts of service, quality time or gift giving.

LOVE is a verb, and sometimes we get lazy and passive about showing it.
What will you do today to show someone you love them?

NEEDS...

Mothers have them.

Young Moms need rest and patience and energy and confidence and guidelines and love.

Moms of small children need all that and more; an extra arm, more hours in the day, a regular break!

Moms of teenagers need courage and wisdom like never before!  And faith that GOD will protect their offspring in ways they never could.

Moms of adult children need discernment to know when to be quiet! 

Grandmas need to be honored and loved.  They need to be needed...yet not to the extent that they must raise the newest generation.

At ALL stages of motherhood we need to trust GOD and let His love nourish our souls.

((HUGS)) to All Moms!