I think I'm ready...

 I finally got an email with a more detailed explanation of what is happening this morning at church this morning.  6 of us women will be speaking and we each get 7 minutes.  I have what I am saying typed out and I've read through it a few times aloud - I'm at 3-4 minutes.  Which is fine for me.  I typed it out so that I don't ramble and I don't forget to say what I want to say.  Of course a few paragraphs are what my granddaughter had written me in her letter.  That's what I want to share this morning.  It's not about me.  It's about God taking the little things we do and making them meaningful to others.

Happy Mother's Day to you mothers out there!  My first notification was from a co-worker, which made me chuckle.  She beat even my kids.   One of my children have sent a text since.  I'm not concerned who sends first.  It's not about today, it's about every day for me.  I love when I get the occasional text from one of my boys and all it says is 'love ya mom'.  

My daughter and SIL brought over plants yesterday - and I laughed because I had bought planters (that still need to be put together) but was just going to put seeds in them.  He said he'd help me put them together.  They asked what plans I had today after church (none) and invited us over later in the day.  Then I get a phone call last night that they are fixing carne asada and for us to come straight over after church. Guess I will be taking a change of clothes.  Don't think that we will stay all afternoon, but it will be fun to have lunch with them.  So that's the plans for today.

Yesterday I had a blast!  Some people may not think it was fun - but I got caught up in doing what I love to do.  Cook and bake.  I had cheese in the refrigerator that I needed to get used up (it's not on my diet) so I made a batch of eggs ole.   Then I had to make salsa to put on top of the eggs ole.  Only had enough to make one batch, but that's ok.  Got it divided up.

Then I decided to make snickerdoodles for Trayden, our trainer, just in case he came over before he leaves for Wyoming on Tuesday.  He better stop by soon for I have eaten about 5 of them already.  No, they aren't on my diet either, but they are too good to resist.

After that, I decided I still had cheese to use up, so made up a batch of garbage.  I love my new skillet.  It was big enough I was able to make the entire dish in that one pan.  Then, I divided it up in smaller pans - and shared it.

And then I visited my neighbors.  Ms. Diane was excited to get eggs ole' for her breakfast this morning and garbage to have for dinner.  I think her children are coming over for brunch with her today, so it may get eaten tomorrow, and that's ok.   Ms. Vicky was happy to get her eggs ole' and garbage as well.  So I got both of my 'visitations' done yesterday.  Hubby is (it seems) always asking me "when was the last time you went over to see Diane or Vicky?"  Now I did them both the same day, so I'm good for a couple weeks. :-)  Unless I have the time.  Both say they miss me when I don't pop in to visit. 

Psalm 31:30  (NKJV):  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

I think that verse speaks for itself, don't you?  I am probably my worst critic on the past.  But one thing I will say, is that I have sought the Lord in all things and He has been my refuge and strength in my weakest and most difficult and vulnerable times.  I am truly lost without Him. My life would have no meaning without Him.  

I've always said that as my legacy to my children and grandchildren - and now great-grandchildren - I want to leave them with this one thing.... that I love Jesus and live for Him and follow Him.  Not just in word, but in actions.  No one but Jesus knows the trials I have gone through, the pain I have felt, the struggles I've had.  How could I not follow Him and pledge to Him my life? 

Jesus gave His life for me, and for you.  What kind of legacy do you want your children and grandchildren to have from you?

I am blessed to have three children.  They have blessed me with 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  My heart is full.  I love hanging around the grandchildren and the great grandchildren. I wish I could be more in their lives, but they have their lives too.  Grateful for the time I do have with them.   And, if you have children who have moved out and moved on, you know the feeling.  You enjoy being with them, whatever little time you get with them.  It's a blessing.  Right?

So today, this Mother's Day, I am counting my blessings.  Not just in children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but in the things that God has blessed me with.  There is a song about counting your blessings..... but we just can't count that high.  Yeah, I know that feeling.

I think I mentioned one time that I was reading a book called One Thousand Gifts.  I haven't gotten through it yet, but it has popped up in my mind as I write about blessings.  What she started doing was writing down things that she felt were gifts; the rising or setting of the sun, a farm animal giving birth, water in the old water pump.... 

What if we started writing down our blessings?  Could we even count that high?  Let's start with the first one for all of us....

1)  Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Life.  I am still breathing because You breathed into me.

Your turn.  One at a time.

Blessings!

I received a letter.....

 from a granddaughter yesterday that touched my heart.  I can't really explain what I felt, but it was like I had a 'breakthrough' of the heaviness that has been upon me for various reasons.  She touched my heart right where it was needed.  And God knew that.  He orchestrated it by putting the thought in her mind to write, by having it arrive just when it did.  In this letter she mentioned how she was asked to lead a group at church.... and she remembered my teaching at our church when she was growing up.  She shared that I helped her build strong faith; and she thanks God for the little things, like a break in traffic.  I nearly cried as I read the note, for it touched me deeply.  

I wanted to share the note with others, but it was personal.  I didn't want anyone to think I was bragging, for my bragging isn't about me, but about the beautiful woman this granddaughter has become.  Her words touched my heart in ways I can't explain.  I did share with my boss, for I knew she would understand I wasn't putting myself in the picture, but sharing my granddaughter's walk with God.  My boss and I frequently talk about God and how we both depend heavily upon Him to get us through things.  I knew she would understand... and she did.  LOL  And she has known this granddaughter through me because I worked with her when this one was born!  There are some of my grandchildren she has heard their name frequently over the years.  She was happy with me.

This is a letter that will eventually go in my 'Treasure box'.  Why eventually, because I am so taken by her words, I want to read it again a few times before putting in there.  Her parents are so proud of her, I'm sure, as I am.  

Today is our team event of axe throwing.  Sarcastically, I say, "I can hardly wait!"  I don't want to drive nearly an hour to get there.  Perhaps that is the main reason.  I don't know all these people that well in the 'team'... I don't even report to this boss!!  But, I will go; there will be three other women of which I know two fairly well; one I support.  It's almost a 'play day' from work from about 11AM on.  I'll have to leave by then to get there in time.  It's to start at noon.  And I have to remember to 'bring my own drink' and my boss said he'd buy a pizza.  Guess he is really cutting corners to save money.  I'll find a big jug to put water in.  No biggie.  I don't expect to be back home until about 2:30-3PM.  And I may glance at messages on the computer, but I don't plan to work!   I can wear jeans and t-shirt, but I will have to put on makeup and fix my hair.  

I see my boss and a few others sent emails after I clocked out at 4PM - I have meetings to schedule first thing this morning.  I thought about jumping on the computer and doing them last night as they said 'as soon as possible' or 'critical'..... but... it wouldn't happen last night so didn't.  I'll take care of them this morning - and they won't be scheduled for today for these people will be at the axe throwing with me!  Unless I can find time first things this morning.  Starting at 7AM, I can sometimes get people at 8AM.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT):  "Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing."

That verse actually reminds me of my granddaughter.  I do thank God for her and her faith in Him, for it is growing within her and she is using that faith, and her mother and grandmothers' teachings, to share with others the good news about Jesus.  The picture of she and I praying for her daddy many years ago just came to mind.  God will answer that prayer; and has answered in many ways.  

Who is there in your life that you may need to sit down and send a note to, to thank them for influencing you?  It may - or may not - be your walk with God that they influenced, but how else did they influence you?  Perhaps they encouraged you in ways that you needed it at that time.  Maybe it is in your job that you felt encouraged.  Or could it be that they have just always been a friend to you and you treasure that friendship, knowing that at any time you could call them to talk through things.  Each one of us needs to have someone that knows us well, and perhaps we need to just write it down - or call them - and let them know they are valued.

Perhaps there is someone, a child perhaps, that you want to let them know how proud you are of them. Don't let them think they are taken for granted.  You have an opportunity to build them up and show them what a treasure they are.  Send that text and just tell them that you love them.  You never know where their heart is, and they just may need to hear someone say I love you.  I care.  I'm proud of you. 

Stop reading now, and send that text.  Let them know you are here for them.  Encourage them.  Walk the journey of life with them.

Maybe it's a friend that needs to hear they aren't alone.  And if you feel alone, unloved, discouraged... reach out to someone and build them up; you will find that you too will feel refreshed and renewed.  God works in mysterious ways.  

I Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT):  "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."

And with that, my friend, I encourage you, to be all that God has called you to be.  I often wonder if any of this rambling that I write makes a difference in some one's life - and once in a great while, I feel it does.  And for that, I give God all the glory and praise, for only He is worthy of all praise and all glory. God works in mysterious ways, for sure, and if He can take my ramblings each morning and encourage someone, I am a blessed woman.

Blessings!