Mother's Day- Proverbs 31 Women in my life.

I love to put my thoughts on paper (ok on computer screen) but I have always thought that one of the scariest things to me is a blank sheet of paper, whether I am getting ready to start a new drawing, a new blog entry, or even a new post in my journal. Will I be able to make myself understood, does it really even matter if anyone other than me understands what I am trying to communicate, or will I ever even finish it. For example, I have over 11 blog posts started but not finished. I figure when the time is right they will be completed and posted--so my posts here are few and far between.

I could not let today, Mother's Day, pass without thanking a few women who have been so powerfully instrumental in my life. I am not a big gift giver, gifts are just not high up on my priority list and I feel like I am terrible when it comes to picking gifts for others. However, today I want to give a gift of thanks and encouragement to several women whom God has placed in my life and have shaped and molded me into who I am today. 

 

Recently, God brought a new friend into my life. This was an unexpected Gift and Treasure. I was asked by another very close friend if I could help a friend of hers pick some colors for a wood floor in her rental home. The home owner lived in another state and had left the decision in the hands of the tenant and she was overwhelmed. I am an interior designer by trade, so I thought, sure I can spend 20 minutes or so helping the friend of a friend, but God had other plans. He brought into my life a prayer warrior. I not only helped her pick colors, but I helped hang a few pictures and arrange some furniture for her.  Nancy and her wonderful husband took my husband and me out to dinner that very evening and a friendship blossomed. Nancy has prayed many prayers over me as we have literally walked the hills of Colorado Springs early in the mornings; she has fought non-physical battles on my behalf through prayer.   Proverbs 31:15 & 17 reminds me of Nancy. 

 

 

"(vs. 15a) She rises also while it is sill night, And gives food to her household.... (vs 17) She girds herself with strength, And makes her arms strong."

Nancy has taught me to take everything to the Lord, rise early when possible and worship God in EVERYTHING you do as you go about your duties.  

I am so blessed in so many ways, but one of the ways that God has richly blessed me is through my heritage. I have had the privilege of not only knowing but walking in close relationship with all of my grandparents (and even 3 of my great grand-parents). I know that who I am today is directly related to the prayers and faithful walking of those who have gone before me. In Deuteronomy chapter 5, God specifically talks about showing love to a thousand generations for those who keep His commands. Does that mean that my family is perfect--GOOD GRIEF NO--but we love one another and laugh together and we bring anyone and everyone along who wants to join in. My Grandma Harriette is the ultimate hostess. She has taught me through the years that there is always room for more folks at the table. In my mind, she has demonstrated to me Proverbs 31 over and over. Idleness is not even on her radar or in her vocabulary, she works daily until well after midnight (but DO NOT call her house before 9 in the morning- this is when she is sleeping.) This woman knows how to organize like no other, shop for the ultimate bargain, plan the perfect party, and love her family with God's unending and unconditional love. She is into her 80's now, and I think that she might be slowing down just a little, but what a precious gift she is to me. She has taught me to open my heart and my home to others, to work diligently, and to give generously.  

 

Grandma Harriette is in the kitchen of course.  She taught me to make homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and egg noodles.  I remember her mother coming to visit every year when I was small and they would spend two weeks baking yummy goodies.  What a treasure.

My Grandmother Mona spent the majority of her years on the mission field and has the ultimate servant's heart. She is an encourager with the gift of mercy. The following verses remind me of her every time I read them:

 

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Matthew 9:35-38

She and my granddad are well known throughout the highlands of Papua New Guinea for their service to the local people for the Lord.  Grandmother does not let anyone's birthday or anniversary go by with out a note or a card of some type. She is extremely frugal and knows how to stretch even the smallest resources to make them go further. Grandmother has taught me to be still and listen, observe those around me; see where they are hurting and encourage them, pray for them, and love them.  

One benefit of getting married, is gaining another mother. I am supremely blessed in this area. My mother-in-love is another prayer warrior in my life. I have called her at 2 in the morning on more than one occasion so that she could pray with me over something troubling. Carolyn is a gift-giver, anytime she sees me or one of the children she pulls a special treat out of her purse, (I love that she calls it her Mary Poppins bag) just to bless us. I call her mom, because that is what she is to me. The day she blessed me by entrusting her middle son into my care, she became my mom. Mom loves deeply and gives freely to those that come across her path. I have watched her take the earrings from her own ears and give them to someone who expressed how lovely they were. She sacrifices her time and talents for "the least of these" serving orphanages in Africa. Mom has taught me to give good gifts to my children and those around me, pray for them as I bless them, and serve others that God brings into my path.

Here mom is with some of the grandchildren, she knows how to have adventures and have fun with the kids.  Her sparkle in her eyes and her huge smile are so precious and beautiful.

 

Proverbs says:

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24

Eight and a half years ago, I signed up for a women's bible study at our church. There was a new teacher that was teaching a study on the tabernacle and I signed up with no expectations in my mind, other than to read God's word with fellow ladies. God had something else in mind entirely. As I sat at Deborah's feet (figuratively, not literally) my lonely woman's heart cried out and said, "I want this woman as my friend, I must get to know her." Deborah and I became fast friends despite the 17-year gap in our ages (although she was NOT happy the day someone asked in the grocery store if she was my mother).   Deborah is a second mother and teacher to my children, a close personal friend, and her family has been grafted into my own more and more each passing year. We have wept together, we have prayed together, we have rejoiced together, and we escape (not as often as we would like) the pressures of daily life when our schedules and husbands will allow the time away. I have helped with two of her children's weddings, she has taught my children to read, I have painted her house, she has cooked me amazing meals and we enjoy the time that we spend together. 

Deborah is a pianist and teaches two of my four children.  She is dear to my heart and a gift from God.

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue, She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her" -Proverbs 31:26-28a 

Deborah is on the other end of the parenting cycle, and it would take days and weeks to enumerate all of the lessons that this special friend has taught me, but here are just a few. Deborah has taught me to pray without ceasing (even if that means escaping to the bathroom for 5-minutes of quiet), nurture and train my children in everything (you "raise" pigs and corn, you "train" a child), and to love God with all of my heart and seek Him first. Most importantly she has taught me to live with my hands open and my palms up to heaven, because all that I have is His anyway and while He may choose to take things away, if I choose to live close fisted, I won't be able to receive His blessings either. 

My mom is one of my best friends--we talk on the phone 2-3 times a day (this was a big shock for my husband after we married and moved to North Carolina, before the days of free long distance). God blessed me with a mother who is strong, even though she does not always realize it. She shows mercy to those around her and loves deeply her children and grandchildren. Her love for the Lord shines through everything she does. I love that my children know when they spend the night at her house, that Nanny reads her bible and has her coffee every morning. Last time Callie, our daughter, spent the night at my moms she asked, "Nanny, can I sit on your lap while you read your bible?"  What an amazing legacy she is teaching these young ones.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates." -Proverbs 31:30-31

My mom has taught me how to see the positive qualities in everyone and each situation around me. She loves her children and grandchildren and prays for each of us daily. She is a lifetime learner, reading through her bible multiple times and gleaning new information to share. She is a quiet supporter, always trying her best to be at every piano recital, dance recital, or school play--no matter how many times she has heard the same song played or sung over and over again. 

I know this post was very lengthy and it was about the women who have spoken into my life. I don't have fancy gifts to give today, but I wanted to give them the gift of words. The one last person that has loved me and helped shape me into who I am today, is not a mother or even a woman; but he is my best friend and my husband. Our pastor said a few weeks ago that when a single person is beginning to date and seek a spouse, they should be looking for a man or woman who will lead them to God and who will lead them on the path to holiness. Every story in the bible tells of God's great love for us, and how He longs for his children to be reconciled to Him. Pete leads me and teaches me about God, he loves me unconditionally, even when this is a challenge.  He takes his role as leader and protector seriously and cares for me and our children.  It is the small ways that he says I love you that mean the most... like today's Starbucks delivered to me before I was even out of bed.  I thank God daily for him and the blessing that he is to me. 


Happy Mother's Day.