Motherhood

Tomorrow my son turns 14 and I quess, as most women do around their childrens' b'days, I'm feeling rather nostalgic. Where have the years flown?? I remember the tiniest details of his birth and the weekend I spent in hospital, right down to certain smells, yet I can't remember what I wore yesterday! Does this tell me something? YES! It tells me that the birth of a child is one of the most momentous in a womans' life!

This got me thinking about Mary! (Strangely enough, I visited another site last night and there was the song I have been searching for for ages! "Mary, did you know?) I have never before actually thought of how Mary felt as a MOM before I had heard this song and it really moved me deeply! This has also made me think seriously about the responsibility we have as moms! Mary knew Jesus was coming to save this world-but did she know HOW He would have to do it? As moms we feel as though our own hearts have been ripped out when our children experience hurt-especially emotional hurt! No band aid to put on and kiss it better! Was Mary equipped to raise the Son of God? Of course she was! God chose well! Are we equipped to raise our children? Of course we are-God chose us to have that particular child-no matter what! All we need to do is follow His guidance-like Mary did!

My husband asked me today (tongue in cheek) "How important was Joseph? He wasn't involved with the conception, so why was he needed?" I thought for a moment,and actually started wondering for real about Josephs' part (knowing of course that God DID have a part for him!) It was actually quite obvious to me that the part he played was the Daddy! Jesus learnt from his earthly daddy-Joseph took him to the temple regularly (in fact, they "lost" Him there once remember? :-) This reminded me that our responsibility to our children doesn't end with providing love,security,clothes or food etc.It should begin and end with His way first.If we do everything according to His will we will do a good job with our children!

Do we fall short? OH YES!!!! Sometimes I ask God "Father, what were You thinking giving me such a precious little person to raise?" Seriously, I DO! I feel so inadequate sometimes-but that is when I look to Him!(I need to do this more often!!!!)

I LOVE being a Mommy! I remember ALWAYS having a doll at my side as a child and this just proves how much I had a God-given desire for children. I am so very GRATEFUL for the two boys He has blessed me with! They are healthy,beautiful and intelligent, and I would have loved them even if they weren't these things! But most of all I am blessed because they both know and love Jesus! I may fail as a mom(and I do-a lot!) but God will never fail them and this makes my mommy-heart leap for JOY!!!!!

Fourteen years ago I received the BEST gift! I became a Mom.It truly is the gift that keeps on giving! I look forward to many more birthdays with my sons'.I look forward to many years of friendship with them in the years ahead.But I also look forward to times of trials and tears-because His grace is sufficient!

At this Christmas season , take time to think on Mary and her special baby! It has made me look at my own special boys' in a new light! The song has a line that says " Mary did you know that when you touched the face of your little baby, you touched the face of God?" I Love that line, because when I hug my boys or look at their sleeping faces, I too, feel as if I see the face of God!(And I do!!)

Be Blessed

Satisfy us!

Yesterday I was all happy Christmassy,holiday happy etc. Today I'm a little outa sorts. I've been reading another journal and Christmas,for this person,is a time of worry (about money,no gifts etc) and this got me seriously thinking about my own view on Christmas.Have I not also fallen into the trap of the emphasis being on the gifts-yes I KNOW I have as those with children often DO! My heart went out to this lady and I wanted to tell her how much I could relate to what she was saying.

A half hour ago (8pm my time) my hubby,myself and my two boys were in the pool swimming (yes, it's HOT here in South Africa!) and we had a blast! I kept thinking-we might not have money, a lot of gifts etc, BUT we have eachother and I know its' very cliche but it's SO TRUE. We have to remind ourselves about what counts in this short life! I think of a little boy I met online-Diego-who died at the age of 6!I think of an egangelist Paul Young(smallpaul) whose 2 year old died of meningitis a bit before her third birthday.... I could go on and on telling of tradegies that happen daily, so I remind myself to CHOOSE to think on positive things at this "festive" season, which for SO MANY people is NOT a time of joy!

Let's all stop on Christmas morning and think of those whose joy has been robbed.There is a beautiful verse in the Bible-"Satisfy us early with Thy mercy, that we may be happy ALL of our days" This is my prayer for all of us this Christmas! Be blessed!!!!

Congratulations to Caroline

Congratulations on passing your exams Caroline! I know how very difficult this was for you to do and want you (and all our journalling friends) to know how proud I am of you! Well done!!!! All our online friends-please drop Caroline a line of congratulations as I know she is so modest that she would not brag- SO I WILL!!!!! Congratulations also on your new job for next year! God is so AWESOME!!!

Holiday Happiness

At last ! I am on holiday for 6 glorious weeks!!! I don't know how I would recharge my batteries without this break! I know my friends in America only have a short break at this time and I can't help thinking that you need to change things HEEHEE.I know you also have a long break at the end of your school year, but I would personally not like to have such a short break over Christmas! I LOOOOVE Christmas time, and I really would do just about anything to be in America for Christmas! You guys sure know how to decorate!!! Please put many pics of the houses lit up for Christmas as we don't have that over here!(Well, last year one person,that had been to USA,had done up her house and the cars caused traffic jams during the whole season!!!!)I LOVE to see these!! So pretty! My house looks "very American"-as my son calls it! (I love decorations!!)You guys would be proud!!!

While I really do LOVE Christmas(especially the excitement my boys have over their gifts), I can't help becoming very nostalgic too.Christmas is also a time when I really miss my parents (they are no longer living on earth, but I know they live in His glorious splendour).I am almost 40 and I still long for them-does this ever change??? It is a time I remember my own childhood traditions and long once again for them! Having my own boys to start new traditions with, is wonderful and they are truly gifts from God! My eldest son was born on the 18th of December 14 yrs ago and he was my best Christmas gift I ever received!(I also got married on the 21st of December 16 yrs ago so THAT was a good gift that year as well :-) Maybe we could share with eachother,the best gifts we've ever received?Could make for interesting reading!

Talking of gifts! Don't you agree that the BEST GIFT EVER was JESUS!!!! I really do go overboard with the commercial side of Christmas,BUT, I make sure my boys know and understand whose special day it REALLY is!Without Jesus coming to earth as a humble human, we would not be able to experience His wonderful grace and mercy and FORGIVENESS!I want everyone who reads my journal to please say a prayer of thanks to God for His Son, Jesus.If there are unbelievers who read this, please pray anyway because He WILL hear you ,cos He made you and He LOVES you!HEEHEE

On that happy note, I shall leave you now to go and switch on my MANY many pretty lights!HO HO HO