This is unusual for him because he is usually calm, cool and collected.  That is unless he see a scary movie.  But today was different. It was different because he was running for a position as a 4-H officer for the fifth grade class.  Trying out for anything can be a bit unnerving. And he was indeed nervous.

As he worked on his speech and rehearsed it to us, he confessed he was a bit scared. Really, I think I could have told him that.

Then the what if’s started to come …

What if they don’t choose me …

What if they laugh at me …

What if I forget what to say …

What if I do not make it like the Eldest Son not making the soccer team last week? What if I don’t make it too?

Life is full of what if’s, isn’t it?

What if I get fired …

What if I lose my  house … We all too have a list of what if’s.

But after a moment of reassuring him, Seth simply said “Will you pray for me”

Great thinking Seth!, And I quickly broke into prayer.  I am so glad he thought of that.  Prayer should be our first resort and not our last.  Why didn’t I think of that. Ok, it was early and I must have needed more coffee!

“Let’s pray about that” is what I say.  He is taking my line and Praise God he is.

Life is full and we become distracted by all of its many issues.  But on this Thankful Thursday my heart is filled with joy that the middle Son of Thunder suggested prayer.  Just as his oldest brother does all the time.

Maybe I am rubbing off on them. Raising men of prayer, how awesome would that be.  I could not  imagine a greater gift! My mother would be so proud them.

So once again this week is much like last, win or lose, we can always trust our future to God on this Thankful Thursday and always know we are safe in the cross of Christ!

So be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we remember to bring all things to God in prayer because He cares about the smallest detail of our lives – even the winning and the losing.

P.S. There is no editor today so be merciful!

Be blessed

I have always said Tiger Woods would not be the golfer he is today if his mother had 5 children.  Let’s be honest, we can all only give so much.  The joke around here is at the end of the day there is very little love left over, for even the cats.  They are on their own.

After caring for the  three SONS, one husband ( who I must admit is very low maintenance) one dog who thinks she can fly (and who is very high maintenance) and two wacky cats that will only come for me mind you, my day is pretty full just like yours.

But once again on this Thankful Thursday I am reminded that life is full and that is just fine with me because I have learned to work around it.

One area that my full life is focused on right now is that Eldest SON is trying out for the school soccer team.  He loves soccer and has the most beautiful kick. I love to watch him play.  It is a joy.

I was unaware that half the school would try out for soccer.  Okay not really half, but enough to make the competion quite stiff.  I have spent the week praying and sharing the ups and downs of winning and losing. I have had my share of losses when it comes to pageants.  For every crown I won, I probably lost 5.  So the bottom line is I know how to lose and lose well.

Eldest SON knows how to win. He excels in school and in pretty much whatever he attempt, he succeeds. That is a blessing and a curse.  Because this feels different.  The soccer thing that is.  I have been praying, you moms know what I mean.  I have prayed that if this would be good for the Eldest SON, then I prayed God would open this door.  I also prayed for a bit of God’s favor too!  So needless to say there has been a lot of apprehension at our house. And on top of this some of his friends are trying out too! Which leads to many “what if” scenarios.

I do not know how my  mother and father watched me compete all those years in pageants.  They must have had nerves of steel.

When my mother and dad got sick and Winters’ career was in such upheaval, the three SONS still wanted to do all those activities and sports. I simply could not do the whole soccer thing.  Then I got sick on top of that and it was just too much for me. But later we dove into Boy Scouts, which has been great and a whole other post.

So life was good, I thought.

But several months back, the SONS joined a more laid back soccer team, with a much easier schedule.  Again it was what I could do.  I thought I could handle that and I was right. Again, it was all good, so I thought.

But when I saw Caleb play, there was a look unlike any other I had ever seen before on his face.  Shear joy. Shear pleasure. Like in “Chariots  of Fire,” I could tell Caleb felt a pleasure and joy unlike any other thing I had seen him do.  When he runs the field,  when he kicks the ball  and when he scores a goal he is in his element.  He is in the zone. I am confident he feels God’s pleasure when he is playing soccer.  And for a moment I was sad that I had kept the Eldest from his passion and from fulfilling his dream. I told him I was sorry and he simply said, “mom I love soccer so much.”

Yesterday he asked me to come watch him play.  So I did.  I could spot the eldest Son of Thunder a million miles away in a sea of other boys. I know his run, his wave , his walk and even his kick.  He is my SON and I could spot him anywhere. You know what I am talking about because you probably feel the same way about your children.  We know them and we feel their pain just like it were our own.

I watched that crowded field of boys, but picked out Caleb every time – he was giving it his very best. And then I thought to myself that this must be much like how God feels.  I am sure God can spot us a million miles away.  He knows his children and he knows our hurts and our fears and our successes.  He knows the good, the bad and the ugly in our life and He loves us just the same.

That is the beauty of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and His unconditional love for us.  Jesus felt our pain on the cross and He feels what we are going through today.

Yes, we do the best we can, but I have hurt this week to think that I kept Caleb from his dream and his passion because my life was just too full to handle any more. Sometimes in life, regardless how busy we are, we must find the time to help our children fulfill their purpose. We simply have to work around it.

Our lives are a bit less full now that mom and dad are with the Lord; sad but true. My health has improved and Winters and I are getting our groove back.

On this Thankful Thursday life has slowed just enough for the SONs, Winters and me to hang onto our dreams, passion and purpose.

I have said it before and I will say it again, we must make time for the dream.

So on this Thankful Thursday I pray you will hang onto your dream, feel God’s pleasure and help yourself and others fulfill their purpose!  As for the eldest SON, win or lose, I have promised him he will play soccer in the spring!  Because the SONs’ dreams are important to me and to Winters. And as far as how we are going to make that happen well we have all winter to figure that out.  Once again will just have to work around life!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as you hang onto the dream!

Frankly, I must bee honest.  I shielded mine.  I shielded them from the pain and hurt I knew they would feel if they watched the videos and heard the recounted tails of horror.  But that really all came to a head last week when we watch the unthinkable happen again to the Twin Towers.  The middle SON vowed to never fly.  The SONS were all holding back tears and tears were indeed the right emotion and yes, followed by anger.

The show we watched was indeed graphic.  They were not ready.  I was not ready.  I never was and never will be.  But in the moments before I could say “cover your eyes” or “leave the room,” we saw human beings falling and jumping to their deaths.  That is just really hard for children to comprehend.

Real life.  Real death.  And as I explained to the SONS, this is not some war game on your play station or PSP –  this is real life.  And real life has some very dark, horrible and grievous moments in it. And this was certainly one.

I remember many things about my mother, but  every year as we approach the anniversary of 9/11 I can remember her calling me like it was yesterday.  Mom was a native of New Jersey who had frequented the streets of New York for years, with horror in her voice as she said” Turn on the TV a plane just flew into the Twin Towers.” She knew right then and there it was no accident.  I assured her it was an accident and she simply said “No Corby, this is no accident.” Her voice had a sound unlike any sound I had ever heard from her before.

Her voice resonates in my mind every time I think of 9/11.  None of our friends or family were lost that day.  All those we personally knew in New York or New Jersey were safe.  However, several of their friends were killed

But it was early this morning I watched such an inspiration message about Lauren Manning, who survived 9/11 and had burns over 82% of her body. An amazing women and amazing story.  Her book is entitled  “Unmeasured Strength”.

In the interview she said  the following things that so stood out to me on this Thankful Thursday:

1. I made a conscious decision, a very conscious decision, to live that day.  I became determined to heal.

2. I have reconciled that I live with vast degrees of imperfections

3.  And I’ve learned to inhabit the body that I have

4. I am more relaxed with the notion that not everything turns out the way we think it should

5. I am more forgiving and patient

6.  We can be touched by a tragedy but not be held by it!

Amazing how the human spirit can triumph over tragedy.  This woman is beautiful from the inside out!  She said she chose to live that day. Others did not have a choice.

Wow amazing life-giving words on this Thankful Thursday.

Later I picked up the morning newspaper and  it said that at 1:00p.m. on Sunday they were asking all Cowetans to observe a time of remembrance by ringing bells and sounding sirens.  The very thought of that then as I read it, and even now as I write it, brings tears to my eyes.

A city full of bells and sirens.  Ringing in honor the lost  that day.  What a beautiful thing to do for such sad moment in history.

I feel certain on that horrible day ten years ago, the angels of God were ringing bells in glory and sounding horns as they ushered in so many to heaven.

On this Thankful Thursday, I pray that you are blessed and encouraged and that you hear the message of hope in the midst of all the tragedy.

In your mind’s eye, imagine sitting in a relaxing meditative state with stillness all around you and the words “inner peace” are calmly being repeated over and over in your mind. You feel serene, with a euphoric type of transcendence and most of all, an inner peace!

Hello? Who are we  kidding here!  Inner peace in the midst of screaming children, barking dogs, piles of laundry and toys strewn everywhere. If you are a mother you are probably in the midst of craziness and it is breaking out all round you!

Inner Peace. Really?  Yes, really.

You and I as mothers and as wives can find inner peace in the midst of the storms of life that rage around us!

The Sons love the movies, but not quite as much as their mother.  I am crazy about live theater and the movies.

I cry, cheer, and have been known to stop a film to share a life application moment with the Sons! Funny thing is now Winters often does the same. Ha! Ha!

So on Thankful Thursday, the Sons and I ventured out to see Kung Fu Panda Two.  I loved the first one.  I mean loved it and there were so many life application moments the movie was on pause more than a gazillion times.  And yes, the Sons rolled their eyes at me a gazillion times and then would say “are you done yet … or you’re not going to cry are you?”

So here we are in Kung Fu Panda Two and we had heard it is a bit sad.  The Sons, including myself, braced ourselves for the worst.  But here is Master Shifu once again in this movie alone in a cave balancing on the tip of his cane saying the mantra “Inner Peace, Inner Peace, Inner Peace.”  I pretty much lose it and embrace the eldest Son of Thunder.  I have to remind him, one it is funny and two it is dark and no one can see us!  Many times when things are crazy at the Winters’ household I will often say “you are stealing my peace”!!

In the movie there is a part about facing our past, facing our fears and focusing on inner peace in the midst of chaos. Yes, inner peace.

It can be done.  It can. Some of you may know this, but there are those of you who may feel life is just tossing you back and forth and beating you with a giant rubber mallet.

But that is when we focus on the Peace of God. We pursue it and if we have to, repeat the phrase over and over until we get it. Remember He is with you in the midst of the storm.  Remember that you are always safe in the arms of Jesus.

So on this Thankful Thursday remember:

To take time for yourself.

To focus on the Lord.

To listen to the Lord.

To not try to be all things to all people.

To let go of the past.

To give thanks for the chaos, for in the chaos we have some of our greatest growth.

To say “Calgon take me away” when you need  to and enjoy some alone time on occasion.

Finally, seek peace and pursue it because I promise one day you will find it.

Jesus said when you seek me you will find me ~ never forget that dear friends.

Funny what God uses to remind us to seek him deeper ~ even an animated children’s show like Kung Fu Panda can be used by the Lord to help us remember to find inner peace.  And my dear friends, we find it safe in the arms of Jesus.  That is just where we find inner peace!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as you journey to Inner Peace … Inner Peace … Inner Peace!

I thought seriously about what to share with you today.  And I pray this speaks to whoever needs to hear it.

It spoke to me as I wrote it.  Funny that.

As many of you all know, it has been a long four years for Winters and I.  Our family has embraced a lot of change, feelings I have not kept from you. With that change came a lot of sadness and grief.  As Winters put it in the intro to his new book, “we faced death too soon, we weren’t ready, we needed more time.”

There are times I write the LBD’s Guide to a FabYOUlous You and think to myself, I feel anything but fabYOUlous right now, what can I share with these women when I feel so worn out, tired and old.

I painted the kitchen the other day.  I was ready for a change.  It had been a while since I had painted a room and my body reminded me of that.  As I lay in pain I realized that sometimes we must be reminded of our limitations – to realize we have them. Sometimes we forget we can’t do everything.  We can’t be all things to all people.  We are not perfect.  And we are not Wonder Woman, even if we do own the cape.

I was reminded:

I could not paint the entire room as easily as I use to.

I could not save my parents from their illness.

I could not fix the hurt in the lives of those I loved.

I could not even finish my book, yet.

But I also was reminded of what I can do!

I can still raise the Sons to change the world and realize the only thing stopping them is themselves.

I can still work on my book, and I am.

I can still share the gospel with whomever I meet.

I can still have a dance with Winters.

So here is my suggestion, we must focus on what you can do. That is my healthy living tip for today! Yes, dear friends, let’s focus on what we can do!!!

Sometimes knowing your limitations frees you to know what you can do and what you really need to do.

I have said it before, “just because you can do something does not mean you should.”

It was a year ago this week that Winters and I returned to Georgia to launch his book.  We were received with open arms and friends hosted beautiful parties to celebrate our new life.  Amazing what can transpire in a year!

Many exciting things are happening for Winters and I. New books, new opportunities to speak, new chances to teach and change the world for Christ!

I  praise the Lord for what we can do and what we do have: the life we have created here and the friends we have.

So be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we focus our attention on what we can do and what we are called to do. It may not look like you thought it would, but I promise it will be awesome anyway!

P.S. I think this post was actually for me but I hope it blessed you too. By the way, the kitchen looks spectacular and I don’t feel so old today and I know true love!

Now that is a good day!

Yippie!!

Yes sir, that is where you would have me this morning, and in fact one of my best buddies dropped by and found me in said outfit! It made for a good laugh.  Just as I said last week, you can learn a lot digging in the dirt and you can also learn a lot upside down scrubbing toilets, too.  I am always grateful that God can speak to me just about anywhere and that I can talk to God in equally the same manner.

I do some of my best praying while cleaning and it is a great way to keep me from grumbling about the mess The Sons have made.  So as I clean, I always give thanks that I have an indoor toilet to clean. Really, I do.  I give thanks that I have arms and hands to scrub with as well.  I usually thank God that through cleaning I am serving The Sons and Winters.  

Now just so you know The Sons also do toilets too, but I just can’t let them run amuck with the Clorox or I will be in big trouble.  Let’s be honest – a man who can’t clean a toilet is not a good thing.  Men must know how to do certain things in life and toilets are just one that I think is pretty high on the list.

As I clean I pray for God’s blessing over our home.  For God’s peace to fill it and that our house will be a place where friends and family can experience the loving touch of our Savior Jesus Christ. Me included!  I often pray that the things and responsibilities of this world do not distract me from the real and important things of God.

I want a beautiful home, but more importantly, I want a beautiful heart.

So make your cleaning day multi-purpose.  Because cleaning day can not only be good for your house it is also really good for your soul.  Why not make house cleaning a time to get real with God and ask Him to clean us up as well.

A self-examined heart is a good thing and when you are upside down cleaning toilets that is as good of place as any to ask God what areas of your life might need a little work.

So on this Thankful Thursdays, here’s to clean floors, clean toilets, clean clothes and most of all, clean hearts!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly on this Thankful Thursday as we live a self-examined life one; that is holy and blameless before the Lord!

In The Power Prayer Girls Handbook, I write about praying not only for others, but also for yourself.  I also mention that when God heals we need to give thanks and glory to God for our healing. God cares about your every need.

Pray for your health.  Pray for your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.  We need to pray specifically for our bodies.  Pray for your mind.  Pray for whatever you need to pray about, but by all means pray!

It is so important to pray for ourselves and to ask God to take care of us.

I usually pray something like this when praying for my health: “Lord, I bind sickness and disease from my body.  I pray Lord that my body is healthy.”  I ask the Lord to heal whatever it is that needs healing and I ask the Lord to take care of certain areas of my body. For example, my thyroid, my voice, my heart.  I have prayed for my hormones and countless other things.  You get the point I am sure.  I think the more specific the better and I have done this for years.

Several years back I became really sick.  I had no energy and was completely depleted.  I also had an odd pain in the front of my neck.  

It was a very, very stressful time with Winters’ work and my parents’ health decline and all the other responsibilities as a mother.

I finally went to the school nurse, yes, you read that correctly.  We loved Miss Kathleen and I was busy so I popped in to ask if indeed the pain in my neck was near my thyroid and she confirmed my concern.  She immediately said “you need to go to the doctor and soon”.  So I did.

My primary care doctor whom I love, listened to all my concerns and ran every crazy test I wanted from Lyme disease to mononucleosis to potential thyroid problems.

It was confirmed I had  hyper thyroid and my doctor soon sent me to a specialist.

The doctors were giving me all kinds of feedback on how I would have to treat the problem, much of which I did not like hearing. The treatments were extreme and there was very little room for other medical options.

I was very sick and felt completely spent. I went on medication for about a year, but was told the most likely option was going to be to radiate the thyroid with a little tiny pill. I would then be on medication the rest of my life.

My options were limited according to the specialist. I told the doctor from day one I was believing for a healing, but the doctor was very glib and said ”It is unlikely.”  She went on to say “rarely, if ever, does anyone get healed.” So I said “well, I am praying that I am one of those people.”

The doctor went on to say that stress had nothing to do with it either.   Stress has nothing to do with it, okay now you are kidding me! We all know stress has almost everything to do with everything!

I know she was doing her job and I was doing mine – believing I could be healed in the name of Jesus!

I was certain all the stress in my life was greatly contributing to my problem.   I tried to cut out as much stress as possible, eat better, take more vitamins, get more rest and I even started getting massages, and I also spoke to a counselor to help me.

Even a counselor knows when she needs a counselor!  But most of all I continued to believe and pray for my healing.

I continued to take my medication and we then moved to Oklahoma. My new doctor said it was time to check and see if my thyroid was working right. Praise God, because in August of 20o9, I was declared healthy! Praise the Lord.  Just last week we checked my blood work again and everything looks great!  The thyroid is working perfectly!

A Thankful Thursday does not go by that I do not give thanks for my continued health and healing.  But dear sisters, please remember I was believing and confessing my healing while I was being treated.  Faith is believing things that are not as though they are.

Jesus said, to have the faith of a mustard seed, I feel confident each of us can muster up mustard seed faith!

I believe a lot of things contributed to my health and recovery, but I know for certain that believing God can heal is imperative.  We must pray for our healing even in the midst of bad news and the worst diagnoses. We are to profess and declare the healing touch of Jesus.  I still continue to believe and trust God to keep me healthy and I never take my health for granted.

Praise the Lord~ Our God is an awesome God!

So today on this Thankful Thursday, if you have experienced any kind of healing or someone you know has, then let’s give thanks and celebrate the healing touch of Jesus!

Let’s give God all the Glory!

I was not moved by the speed of my car. I was not moved by a song on the radio. And I know that is a shock to all of you because I am always, I mean always, moved by music.

But no, this time it was a good old commercial that got me. And so I didn’t cry, but I was reminded of something really good. Something I really do believe in. So it moved me.

Live Well and Thrive!

That is the Kaiser Permanente slogan. I have always loved that.  That message is really quite rooted in God’s word!  Kaiser Permanente was talking about random acts of kindness and how much these acts actually help our health and help others.  No doubt they want to keep their subscribers healthy because that saves them money.  But the fact that we are to live well and thrive truly is what I believe what God wants for us as his children.  

We want that for own, don’t we?

I certainly want that for the Sons and for Winters!  Frankly, I want it for everyone, hence the post today.

When we are kind to others we really are in turn kind to ourselves!

Jesus made it very clear when he said “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Bottom line – treat others the way you wish to be treated and you to will be blessed.

Live well and thrive and as often as you can, do random acts of kindness!  Celebrate the small and the big things you can randomly do for others!

At our house it is quite simple.  Say you’re sorry, get utensils for someone when they need it, get their book bag, turn down the TV, shut the car door if  a Son neglected to shut it, carry in the groceries, be polite, pick up your clothes and so on and so on.

You get the point I am sure.  Do something kind for someone else without grumbling, murmuring and complaining!  But remember don’t do it to get something in return. Just do it to do it.  Do it to simply because it’s the right thing.

I must add that on this particular Thankful Thursday, I am so thankful to have a healthy young kindhearted teenager now residing in our home! Our eldest Son of Thunder just turned 13 and on his special day we offered up many thing that he could do.  The best was being able to eat out at his favorite restaurant.

But God love him, he said he would rather stay home and have his favorite home cooked meal.  Spaghetti and meat balls, an awesome recipe passed down from my mom. I have to admit I did tweak it a bit, sorry mom! But they are truly spectacular meat balls, so it doesn’t surprise me that the birthday tradition continues on that my brother started years ago when we were kids.

What a gift to know that for today; dinner and a movie with the family is still Caleb’s hearts desire! You gotta love it! And for that I am so thankful.

My friends, Life is short and we are mere travelers here. Our time here is so precious.

So for today …  try hard to make the most of each passing second. Celebrate this Thankful Thursday by giving thanks to God for all His many blessings!

We are each a treasure in the arms of Jesus and those who are believers are safe in the Cross of Christ! Praise God!  That is worth being thankful for today and Sister you are still here!

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we live well and thrive!  And of course, do random acts of kindness along life’s way and especially on this Thankful Thursday!

Many things ran through my head, but she quickly put my suspicions to rest.  ”Your bracelet idea” she said.

Praise God! If you’re going to steal an idea, that is a great idea to steal.

But as I told her, you can’t steal something that I want you to have!

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I have been writing The Power Prayer Girls Handbook and when I speak and minster to women one area I talk a lot about is raising up mighty intercessors for Christ.

If ever we have needed women of prayer, it is now!

Being a great Power Prayer Girl doesn’t just happen over night though, you have to work at it!

One of my favorite ideas I share as a ministry tool is to take a tangible object and use it to make a connection with those we love and frankly, even those we don’t.  

This is especially helpful if the one you are praying for is far away.

I witnessed my mom doing this often, using photographs and even a Christening gown to pray for the “Sons of Thunder”.  You can use a photo, an article of clothing, a dish towel, a necklace,or even a simple bracelet. Really you can use just about anything you want too!  But the bracelet is the is one my friend like most.

That is the idea she “stole,” and I must say this made my day!

The whole point of ministry is to teach women ways to grow in their faith, their ministry and even with the women they come in contact with.

Here is how I use the bracelets: I purchased four Pandora bracelets, although you could use any kind you want. I told each of the “Sons” that I was going to pray over these bracelets for them, for their future wives too.  I further explained that I was going to pray for their health, their protection, their purpose and God’s plan for them.

Each “Son” knows that they will receive this bracelet one day, the one I have prayed over for years.  They love it and often will say “now this one is mine” and point to it. They even chose some of the charms. I also pray for each “Son” specifically and for whatever issues in his life he faces.

I have an opportunity to hold these bracelets and pray for them and make a tangible connection to the “Sons” and their future brides!

It would be impossible to wear these bracelets  and not think to pray for them. I can stop in the middle of my busy life and pray for the Sons of Thunder, that is a gift!

You may have noticed I said I bought four.  The fourth is for Winters and I!  I pray for us, our marriage, our purpose and life as well.  So when the other three bracelets are gone one day, I will still have this one forever!

Prayer is our hotline to God!  God cares for you, for your children, for the needs and the concerns of your life.

My friend said she shared the story with the sales clerk! That is what I am talking about! Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ whenever or wherever you are through a simple story of faith.

What a blessing it would be if that clerk’s life changed forever by the story of prayer, hope and love!  And to think that someone is praying for you or me every time they pass our pictures or hold a tangible object well, all I can say is WOW!  Wouldn’t that be a gift!

That can be our legacy! We can be mighty intercessors for Christ and pray for God’s best and purpose to be fulfilled in the lives of those we love!

Prayer can be a part of your ever waking moment, from making the beds, to mopping the floor to driving in the car! Prayer is our connection to our creator and we, dear sisters, can be conduits for Christ!

So on this Thankful Thursday remember that we can make a lasting impression in the lives of others by praying and lifting them up in prayer. And if a picture or bracelet helps to make that connection, then I say “Go for it!”

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as you are a conduit for Christ and make a tangible connection to those you love through prayer!

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I went to purchase Mother’s Day cards.

One for Winters’ mom and one for my dear friend, Carol, who is like a  mother.

I also gathered a few extras for some amazing women in my life who have never had any trouble telling me how much they love me. They are the kind who’ve been there through thick and thin.  Those cards have now been sent out too.

I read many cards, trying to find the right ones. I finally turned to the lady next to me and said “I  have had enough, I am getting out of here. This is making me want to cry.” And I did shed some tears a few minutes later.

I have found many perfect cards in my lifetime, but my favorite by far are by Papyrus.  They are lovely and worth every penny.  They are simply exquisite.  Definitely worth sending on Mother’s Day.

There was one card that stood out among the rest and it had my mom’s name written all over it! But there was a problem, she was no longer here.

It read” Only a mother as Fabulous as you … Could have had a daughter as Fabulous as me … Happy Mother’s Day!”    

It just put a smile on my face.  Miss Eddi would have loved it.

There was nowhere to mail so I simply brought it home.  And as it sat on the counter, the youngest Son of Thunder inquired  about the card and I explained the dilemma.  That we couldn’t really mail it, not knowing the address of heaven so I thought we would just hang onto it and remember what a Fabulous Mother my mom was!

He agreed it was a great idea.

With mom and dad both gone, questions often run through my mind. Questions like …

When your parents pass away, are you still a daughter?

Are you now an orphan?

Who will worry about me  if something happens to me?

Who will encourage me when I need encouragement?

Who will love me like my mom and dad?

I ponder those question once in a while …not often but yes once in awhile since I am new with whole thing.

And so on this Thankful Thursday I am reminded that God is faithful … He has and will fill your life with women and friends that will love you like a daughter; those that encourage and support and believe in you.  Those who believe in your very being and the very essence of who you are.

And most of all I remember there are no orphans in the Kingdom of God. We are all His children for eternity.

That’s true whether we have parents or not; whether we are separated by hurt or separated by death.

Remember, we are never separated from the love of Christ when we are in Him!

So on this Thankful Thursday be blessed and encouraged abundantly today that God will send people into your life to love you like their own!

Remember you were loved; remember you are loved.

And most of all, remember you are loved by the Creator of the Universe and it doesn’t get any better than that!