Trying To Look Like Jesus

Today some special homeschooling mamas, our kids and I went to the 9-11 Garden of Reflection in our area. There was a special service going on, of course, to commemorate those who lost their lives on that beautiful, sunny day 13 years ago.  I can only imagine the sad thoughts that were going through their loved ones mind as they sat there listening to the names of the fallen . While we sat for a picnic lunch afterward I posed the question, "Where were you when the towers fell?" Every one of the ladies with me had a vivid memory of what they were doing at that somber, scary moment. We will never forget. I pray that the families can find peace in Christ one day, if they haven't already. I thank God that such a thing is possible .

How did I get here?  I feel like Bugs Bunny when he would end up somewhere different then he was headed and he'd say, " I must have made a wrong turn at Albuquerque". I made a wrong turn somewhere because I felt like I shouldn't be where I ended up. With a wayward daughter, engaged to a lost man with one foot out the door! Oh yes, she also decided she's moving out to live with him and his family, far, far away. Was I such a terrible mother that my daughter wanted to move hundreds of miles away from her family? What did I do?  Help me Lord! And He did. Once again he gave us the grace to face this evolving challenge. He showed us the way to go, one step at a time.  In just a few short months I would have to say good-bye to my first born. She made up her mind. Believe me, we tried to talk them out of it, but when young people have their mind made up there is no stopping them. It's them against the world. Guess how I know that? Because I was once 18 and i...

Although we wanted so much to be Christ-like in this situation, we weren't at first. But then we asked God for grace to handle this new challenge and He gave, and gave, and gave. We needed A LOT of grace. It all started one day in November. I was trying to take my sanctified Sunday afternoon nap between services when all of a sudden I couldn't sleep.  My daughter was heavy on my heart and God wanted me to talk with her. I told her things like, "You know you can always come to me about anything", and "when I was your age..." I shared my heart with her. We cried, prayed together and hugged; but she still wasn't talking.  "Well Lord, I did my part!" That night we were sitting on the couch watching TV and I noticed her looking at me then the TV. This went on for about a minute and I just looked at her and said, "Are you ready now?" She started to cry, no words came out of her mouth.  I asked some more questions and finally asked her i...

Yup! This pic explains exactly how I felt last school year. I was caught off guard and fell flat on my face! The good thing though is that the bible says, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.." I didn't want to get back up. I felt like I had failed and in some ways I did and I need to own that. But I had to get back up, dust myself off, and keep going. You see, the school year started off with great promise.  It was my oldest last year of high school. Yes! I had one last year before she went off to college and started a life of her own so, I wanted to make it count, but something was wrong. She wasn't the same. She was moody and stand offish.  I chalked it up to Senioritis, nerves, self doubt.  Never did I suspect she was acting off because of a boy. Yup! A boy....not just any boy THE boy. He swept her off her feet and she was dare I say; in love? So what's the big deal you ask? She was 18 and this was her first serious relationship but...

I can't believe it's been a year since I've blogged! It was nice to go back and read all that we've done.  I couldn't help but think why I hadn't written anything in so long.  Well, then I remembered, it was all down hill from my last post.  Stay tuned....