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Ain’t Nothing Like a Mother

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Her children arise up, and call her blessed… (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭28‬ KJV)

I am thankful to have had not just one but several mothers throughout my life! Women who kept me in line, advised me, and beat my tail when I needed it. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. In their honor…

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My sisters and I have one grandmother still with us, our granny Sarah. She’s technically our step-grandmother, but we’ve never considered her as such, treated her as such, and won’t let anyone else treat her as such. She’s ours and always has been. She keeps God in her heart, a smile on her face, and joy in her spirit. Sometimes she’s so happy her words flow to 100 MPH! We love every bit of it and every bit of her.

Two grandmothers are in Heaven now. Our grandmother Frances was honored by my dad and his siblings as a mother who did what she could, who loved as she could. She had her life struggles, but I hope she felt our love to her through it all. I remember her as quiet and serious; I am a similar soul, and I’ve embraced that part of me. I’m thankful for our times with her.

Now Ms. Fleda was our queen, the one with the first and the last word! A sweet spirit, sold out for God, and mean as a whip sometimes. Always loving, always thought of others before she thought of herself. She had her life struggles, too, having experienced loss and the sudden absence of four family members from a single, terrible tragedy. Healing took time, but she got the rest of her family through. She left us peacefully, held our hands, cried with us, then went on to be with her Maker. We miss her so much, that gal…

Then there’s that one. The one who gave my sisters and me life. She’s our best friend. She’s our heart, our blood, and our teacher. She never meets a stranger. She has the best laugh on earth – don’t get her started! She is a Nana grandmother herself now, and keeps three little young ones in check. Love me some Brenda.

Anyone who is a mother deserves to be honored and respected not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. Love and thank you to all who are called blessed.

Part of New Day’s “Girlfriends in May” series.

Girlfriends in May

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May is a season of celebrations – graduations, holidays, Mother’s Day, and weddings. It continues our welcome to spring, bringing together families and neighbors at cookouts and special gatherings.

I especially have appreciated time together with my sister friends – catching up, sharing the latest gossip, and giving advice for life’s challenges. It is in that spirit that I dedicate May here on the New Day blog to the theme Girlfriends in May, in honor of the blessing and gift of sisterhood. GIM 1 The Word says, Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9-10‬ KJV) I think all of my sisters reading this can agree: there’s nothing like a girlfriend to make life a little better. The support, the trust, the love found in a true friend can’t be matched. The tears you cry, the pain you suffer through, even the happiest times – when you can pick up the phone and make that call, all is well with the world.

We need to do more of that: support, love, trust. We need to honor who we are by honoring those whom God has placed in our lives and across our paths. His plan for sisters in our lives is purposeful. Thank Him for this gift.

In this season of beauty and renewal, celebrate the sister girls in your life! Let them know you appreciate their presence in your life. Send a card or a note, go shopping, take a fun night out – do something! Make it purposeful. Life is too short… Well, you know the rest.

I admire a particular friendship, a true sisterhood, my mom shares with two great women of faith. They worked together for over 35 years until their retirements. They bowled together, celebrated birthdays and holidays, laughed together, called, visited. Their friendship is still strong today, and they call each other sister. My mom recognized them at her retirement party last year, and they shared the sweetest sentiments. I almost cried. Well, I think I teared. That meant so much to me, and I was so glad for my mom. Love them.

Happy May, sisters! Enjoy and celebrate and bless your girlfriends!

Grateful Friday

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This is one of my favorite times in the blog, when I stop to give thanks for life’s happenings over the past month. While I believe gratefulness ought to be personal and intentional, it’s good to be official and public about it sometimes, to encourage it in others. When I think of God’s goodness, even during what I deem as hard times, I can’t help but to be thankful and humbled by God’s constant thought of me. When you know of that kind of love in your life, you can’t help but to want to share it and pass it on. He is just that good. So here’s my list of thankful for this month:

Learning. I’ve previously mentioned that I’m taking an Adobe Illustrator class hosted and taught by Lauren Hooker of Elle and Company in order to serve this blog and other pursuits. The first few classes have gone great, and I’m making my way around a new program. I’m glad I’m still able to appreciate and receive learning and apply it to wherever God has placed me.

God’s gifts. God has endowed each of us with gift to glorify His name and to share His gospel to others. When you come to understand your particular calling, follow it. God wants to fulfill purpose through you, but if you aren’t willing to heed His call, then you’re only short-changing yourself, I believe. Why would you want to miss participating in the glorious work of building God’s kingdom? This is an awesome time to be involved in the work of God.

God’s sovereignty. No matter what goes on in the world, no matter what seems to crumble around you, you better believe God is in control. Don’t ever doubt His presence, His work, power, His hand in all things. Believe.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)