Month: May 2019

When the Lord finished speaking with Moses on Mt. Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.  Exodus 31:18

When our family moved into the first and only home we had ever owned in 1990, the initials of the children who had lived there before us were etched into the concrete next to the basketball goal on the driveway.  They remained there through storms, heat, wind, rain and lots of basketball!

I began to think about how strong things are that are written in stone and how long they can endure.  God gave Moses the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God on two stone tablets.  These rules were written in stone because they are God’s rules, and He wanted them to stand the test of time.

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the widow of an American veteran as she reminisced about her husband, his character, and the country he loved.  She referred to her Bill as courageous, fearless, loving, faithful, and loyal.  He flew countless missions in wars, saw unspeakable atrocities, felt the adoration of his country, the pride of saluting his flag, and the honor of serving his country.

She teared up when she told of how hard it was for him when “the bands stop playing, the parades stop marching, and the crowds fade away”.  It seems that he began to miss the excitement, the challenge, the brotherhood, the dedication, and the service.  He died eighteen years ago, but she said the service to his country, his family, and his faith were his greatest achievements.

As we celebrate Memorial Day with cookouts, water sports, and days off, let’s write it in stone that we will never forget the men and women who served our country so faithfully and so well.  Let’s never forget to give them a salute, a well done, a thank you for your service, and a heartfelt thank you.

Is it enough to think today of all our brave, then put away the thought until a year has sped?  Is this full honor for our dead?                                                                      Is it enough to sing a song and deck a grave; and all year long forget the brave who died that we; might keep our great land proud and free?                                        Full service needs a greater toll, that we who live give heart and soul to keep the land they died to save, and be ourselves, in turn, the brave!  Annette Wynne

All gave some;  some gave all.  copied

Charm can mislead and beauty can fade.  The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear of God.  Proverbs 31:30  

They have been a wonderful encouragement to me as they have to you.  You must show your appreciation to those who serve so well.  1 Corinthians 16:18

A few months ago, Randy and I had the opportunity to visit my hometown church for a Ladies Night Out program.  As I was greeting old friends of mine and friends of Mama’s, a lady approached me with these words, “I loved your Mama, and I see so much of her in you that I just have to give you a big hug.  When I hug you, I feel like I am hugging her.”

That was so special to me because it conveys the specialties that Mama shared with so many others.  I began to wonder what had made our Mama so special to this sweet lady.  Did Mama make Mac and cheese for her?  Did she send her a card?  Did she sing at an important event in her life?   Did she visit with her in her store?  Was it just the way Mama had of showing love?

Every Mother has a specialty in the way she loves and teaches her children that is uniquely hers just like most women have a dish that they make that’s their specialty.  Mama’s dish specialty was Mac and cheese. She made it every Sunday when we were growing up for Sunday dinner, she made it every time we came home for a visit,  she made it for every church supper or luncheon,  she made and took it to those who were sick, she made and took it every time someone in the community lost a loved one.  It was so good that it just made everyone feel good.  It was a labor of love she shared. We took for granted how special she could make it, but now that she is no longer here, we would give anything for one more serving of her specialty.

She also had specialties as a mother, and she shared them with her girls, her grandchildren, and her great grand boys.   She was kind, loving, forgiving, smart, fun, joyful, a good listener, talented, humble, set a great example, planted seeds of good character, and loved Her Lord with all her heart.

Everyone has a mother whether it be a biological one, an adopted one, a foster one, one whom we love like a mother, or an important woman in our life.   Mothers have many specialties, but there are some I feel are the most important. The Moms I love are dependable, trustworthy, devoted, courageous, diligent, wise, loving, prayerful, never give up on their children, fair, faithful, and they go through life with grace.  In short, remarkable.

The Hebrew word, Chayil, when translated means strength, valor and in all ways excellent.  It goes on to include those who are dependable and above all love the Lord.  Those are the specialties of a Mother.

Happy Mother’s Day!

The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life.  Theodore Roosevelt