“...because "Mommy" is forever. It's such a powerful name. Mommy means "I trust you." Mommy means "you will protect me." Mommy is for shouting when you need someone dependable and for laughing with when you are excited. Mommy is for crying on and cuddling with when you are sad, or giggling and hiding behind when you are embarrassed. Mommy is the fixer of boo-boos and the mender of broken hearts. Mommy is a comfort place - a safe place. Mommy means "you are mine and I am yours and we are family.”
The Silversmith
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.
She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, that "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
-Author Unknown
Children are God's Apostles, sent forth, day by day, to preach of love, and hope, and peace.
~ James Russell Lowell
~ George McDonald
Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into here.
Where did you get your eyes so blue?
Out of the skies as I came through.
Whence that three-corner'd smile of bliss?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.
But how did you come
to us, you dear?
God thought of you,
and so I'm here.
~ George McDonald
Tribute
Fernando Ortega sings Give Me Jesus Thanks to Julane Sprague for posting this on Facebook!
A Jesuit Priest's Viewpoint
Pedro Arrupe, S.J. (Date - 1991) Jesuit Priest, penned this wonderful reflection on relationship with God
Fall in Love
Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.
Fall in Love
Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.
Three Things from "The Mom Creative"
For all of you who have ever had a child,
or hope to have one...
I hope this video brings a smile to your face as it did mine.
"When we traded homemaking for careers, we were implicitly promised economic independence and worldly influence. But a devil of a bargain it has turned out to be in terms of daily life. We gave up the aroma of warm bread rising, the measured pace of nurturing routines, the creative task of molding our families' tastes and zest for life; we received in exchange the minivan and the Lunchable."
— Barbara Kingsolver
— Barbara Kingsolver
For those of you who enjoyed "Smoke And Mirrors" thanks for the e-mail's and critiques. It was great to hear from each of you! I'd like to pass along a comment about it from Donna McDine. The real life experience she shares from her childhood sums up the subject well. Donna is the author of "The Golden Pathway", a children's book about a boy's journey as he comes to terms with his father's beliefs and actions toward slaves. She also writes a newsletter "Write What Inspires You" and is the creator of "Dynamic Media Release Services." You can read more about Donna McDine at her website. Thank you Donna, for your heartfelt comment!
Donna wrote..."Terrific post and worthy conversation to have with my daughters. Talking to our children, whether boys or girls about image and self esteem is crucial. My dad is retired from being a commercial artist and I remember when my sister and I were about 15 or so we were complaining about our skin and bodies and the very next night my dad brought home model photographs that he had to render for one of the fashion magazines and he showed us the process that the photos had to go through to be worthy of the magazine. The original photo to the end photo were of the same person but the results were drastically different. That has stayed with me all these years knowing for a fact these models have flaws like the rest of us.
Donna wrote..."Terrific post and worthy conversation to have with my daughters. Talking to our children, whether boys or girls about image and self esteem is crucial. My dad is retired from being a commercial artist and I remember when my sister and I were about 15 or so we were complaining about our skin and bodies and the very next night my dad brought home model photographs that he had to render for one of the fashion magazines and he showed us the process that the photos had to go through to be worthy of the magazine. The original photo to the end photo were of the same person but the results were drastically different. That has stayed with me all these years knowing for a fact these models have flaws like the rest of us.
Andre Bocelli
Andre Bocelli tells a little story...
Lyrics:
"I want to live like this with the sun on my face, and I sing happily, gracefully. I want to live like this, with the air of the mountains, because this enchantment doesn’t cost anything."
Lyrics:
"I want to live like this with the sun on my face, and I sing happily, gracefully. I want to live like this, with the air of the mountains, because this enchantment doesn’t cost anything."
Smoke and Mirrors
Have you ever browsed the magazines at grocery check out stands, only to wish you hadn't? If you're like many women, you've probably compared yourself to the airbrushed models on those glossy covers. Now, I know we should care about our appearance and health. But the problem lies in thinking we have to look like that in order to be successful and desireable. We buy into the message, without acknowledging that what we're looking at is mostly smoke and mirrors. Recently, I saw a magazine featuring advice on ways to create a few physical illusions of our own. It listed the most sought after body enhancements for women today. And some of the treatments were even rated appropriate for young girls.
In the book "So Long Insecurity" Beth Moore points out that...in all of history we're the first generation to grow up in a media-driven society. We're drowning in unchartered ers and it's time we learn to swim." She goes on to consider that although we have many conveniences that our mothers and grandmothers didn't have, media exploitation is something we would be better off without. I agree. We need to learn to survive the choppy waters of today's media messages, if we're going to make it to shore with our self-esteem intact. We have to wake up to the relentless effect media has on us.
We should remember that men don't have it easy, either. I recently overheard a conversation by young man in a grocery store that emphasizes this point. He was accompanied by two girls around the age of four or five who were complaining about something. His response to the problem was emphatic. "Don't complain about being girls. You should enjoy it because girls can have anything they want. Besides, you don't want to be a man. Being a man is really hard!" Although it's not true that we can have anything, we may not always take into account that men experience insecurity and doubt too.
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
1 Peter 3:verses 3-4 NIV
My Work
I have the greatest work in the world;
The job of rocking a baby to sleep,
That of guiding his tottering feet,
A baby's clothes to launder and fold,
A precious life to shape and mold,
A drink to give from a little cup,
At night his toys to gather up,
Hurts to heal and fears to quell,
A baby to keep clean and well,
A stack of diapers to put,
Oh, what a happy worthwhile day!
I am a "Mother."
I have the greatest work in to world;
A husband to encourage when things go wrong,
When he comes from work to greet with a song,
Denims and shirts to wash and mend,
A helping hand, when needed, to lend,
Three times a day is meals to cook,
To strive to be my best to look,
His back to rub at the close of the day,
For his faithfulness to God I pray,
When hubby's in the field I take lemonade,
for all these tasks his love has Paid.
I am a " Wife."
I have the greatest work in the world;
A home to keep happy, clean and bright,
Make things go smooth and strive for the right,
Jams to cook and jellies to make,
Cookies and pies and bread to bake,
Washing, ironing, and sewing to do,
So many tasks, will I ever get through?
Lettuce to wash and peas to pick,
floors to scrub, lost items to seek,
Dishes to wash and windows to shine,
These and many more tasks are mine.
I am a "Homemaker."
Help me, Father, to faithfully work,
Forgive if I unconsciously shirk,
give me the patience and love I pray,
To keep myself in duties way;
With all the hustle that each day brings
May I not neglect the needing things;
Each day to spend time alone with Thee
That Jesus Christ be seen in me.
Thank you for husband, our home, our girls and boys;
Thank you for love which brings me much joy.
Thank you, Lord.
~Mary Lou Burkholder
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