Thursday, January 26, 2006

Thank You Mom...I Love You!

I was one of four people to talk, about encouragement and how I had been encouraged, at our church's Mothers and Others Tea in May. I've been thinking about my mom a lot the last little while and thought I would blog my "talk". She's my example of perservance and strength, unconditional love, given me a positive example of marriage and reminds me to always live each moment of life to the fullest and with a smile on my face and in my heart! She's been on my heart a lot this week...through my mom's fight with kidney disease, I have see the truest form of true love and living out of your marriage vows through my parents. My dad is by my mom's side always...never complaining, always informed and concerned for her well-being...truly selfless love...for better or worse, in sickness and health. They have shown me that marriage and life isn't just about the good times...that there are ups and downs...but usually those times are the ones which strengthen our faith and strengthen us as a person...I love my parents so much and that's where this post comes from!

When I looked back at the past year, I realized how difficult a year it has been. This year for me was one full of uncertainty and stress, sadness and grief and the true realization of how sick my mom truly is! The other realization was the avenues of encouragement, which were with our family during this last year. My husband and best friend and my family are a constant source of encouragement. My small group, church family and friends are also a constant source of encouragement. During the good times this year, people have been there to encourage me with notes, telephone calls, hugs or handshakes during greeting times on Sundays and many other ways. During the harder times, people have encouraged me by offering to help me during weeks which were overwhelming or uncertain, through prayer for my family, especially my mom or simply by letting me know if I needed to talk, that I had a lot people I could call.

These may seem like very simplistic things, but I wanted you to remember that encouragement doesn’t have to be a big deal—it can simply be a phone call, e-mail, stopping to chat a couple of minutes or just dropping a note to someone to let them know you are thinking of them. What seems not so important to us could really be an encouragement or turning point of someone’s day! Many times God talks through the smaller things in life and he isn’t selective about who he chooses, so we need to remember that he might choose to use you or I in a big way, through something we think might be small or insignificant.

I think someone who does bring me a lot of encouragement in my life is my mom. She has always told me that I can do anything I put my mind to. As I began motherhood, my mom was always there if I needed help, but she has allowed me the blessing of learning and growing from my mistakes. She is always just a phone call away and even if she can’t be right there, because of distance, she always encourages me with laughter and humour, stories of when I was a child or just offering me loving concern.

My mom has strength of steel and a positive outlook, which helps her through all circumstances. My mom’s strength and perseverance, as she battled and beat cancer, and now as she battles kidney disease, are a constant encouragement to me. She has taught me how to live my life fully, no matter what roadblocks may come along the way. Even though she has discouraging days, uncertainty with her treatment, fatigue or a multitude of other things, she always manages to keep a positive attitude, sees the humorous side of things and is thankful for the fact she’s living a good life, filled with a multitude of blessings and love. She has taught me to always be there for those around you and that even on your worst days, by helping to brighten someone else’s day through laughter or a kind gesture, you will not only be an encouragement to them, but also will allow yourself to be uplifted and see the blessings you have been granted.

Prayer and scripture are a daily source of encouragement to me and I would like to share a verse I have claimed as a prayer and an encouragement in my life. Isaiah 40:29-31 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

I’m thankful for the fact the Lord uses people sometimes in the smallest of ways, to be an encouragement in our lives. I’m blessed with an amazing family, church family and friends, who support and encourage me everyday, and I just wanted to say, “Thank You!” for your constant encouragement and love!

6 comments:

audrey` said...

Dear Cinder

Thank you so much for sharing about your dearest Mummy.
She is a very special child of God. Jesus loves her very much.
We are always here for you, Cinder.
Please take care.

Cinder said...

She's definitely a great and dear Mummy! I'm very blessed to have her...it's nice to be able to talk with my blogging friends...I'm enjoying it!

Kc said...

My Mother went home over 10 years ago but she is still an encouragement to me and I expect always will be. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement too. ;-)

Corry said...

Thank you for sharing this, Cinder. Your mom is a remarkable woman and God blessed you with her and your family and friends. I know first hand how encouraging and comforting that is:-)

Cinder, if you like to join the mailing list of the Prayer Blog, then you can send and e-mail with your e-mail address to: neededprayers@bellsouth.net and you will be automatically updated of new prayers:-)

God bless you.

God's Grace.

Anonymous said...

we're always here for you, cinder.

God bless.

audrey` said...

Yes, you're right, Cinder :)
It's always so nice to be able to speak with our blogger friends =D