I Hope You Smile!

     One thing is certain, we live in a scary, dangerous world! We read the newspapers and turn on the news and we hear about tornado's, earthquakes, stock market and the economy teetering on the verge of collapse! So, when we as Mom's who look after our children see this, it can be hard at times to cope.

   But... we are not just Mother's, we are daughter's of the King (insert Hallelujah here). When we read God's Word in Proverbs 31: 25b it says,  "... She smiles at the future."  You may read that and say, "How?",  "In this world that I live in, how can I possibly smile at the future?"

     I will tell you how. Because God is already there. God who is our Father, is there in the future. He holds our tomorrows in His Almighty hand. Whatever lies ahead, the trials and disappointments, God will be right there with you, helping you bear your burdens each step down this journey called life.  We are not promised an easy road.   But remember He cares for you and loves you. Never forget that dear child... dearest daughter of the King!

     Another reason we can smile is because Romans 8:28 is true. This beloved verse says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  We need to keep our minds focused on God, and focused on the precepts of Scripture. Do you love God? Then this promise is for you.  All things are not necessarily good. But all things will work for good. Maybe not right now, and maybe not even in the near future, but they will. God's good is that He is molding us into the image of His Son. He will use even the hard, difficult things to do this.

    Another reason we smile at the future is we know that in our future is heaven! This is not our home. Once we have traveled all the way down this road, and the Lord calls our name. We will go to heaven to be with Him and all our loved ones who have gone on before us.  We will spend eternity with God. Smile at that sweet sister in Christ!

     In the earlier part of the same verse, (Proverbs 31: 25a) it says, "Strength and dignity are her clothing," There is a sweet, older lady on facebook that I have come to love. She often says, "Now don't forget to go out today without your smile!" No matter what you wear, beautiful ladies, you always look your prettiest with a smile on your face!

     There was a country song that was popular a few years ago. The name of it was, "I Hope You Dance".  Well not everyone can dance. So today my wish for all you sweet, precious Mothers is...

The future is calling... I hope you smile!

A Mother's Day reflection of an empty nest

Recently I was pulling weeds in my flower bed and I saw an empty nest in the tree. I have been thinking about that little empty nest a lot. In light of Mother's day, and the fact that I am a Mother, I was thinking about my own nest.

Last Mother's day I still had a bird in my nest. Daniel was still living at home then. So this is the first Mother's day that I have had an empty nest.

At first it was very hard. I know we hear the phrase..."Give your children roots and wings", but it's easier said than done. Until that time comes you think it's all going to be fine. I mean, you have been preparing them their whole life for this right?

But then you wonder....

What if their wings aren't strong enough?
What if they're not ready?

Well ready or not, that day finally comes.

He moved out last July to get his own place and to get ready to make his own nest. Which he did last November. I felt at first like he took a piece of my heart with him.

As I reflect on that today...

That's okay. There's still so much of my heart here in my nest... So much I have learned. So much left to learn. Yes, some of my heart is gone... but most of it remains. Remains with which to continue to build on my nest with my sweet husband.

So I can continue to give some more of my heart away.