96...

96. hard work

97. the steady sound of rain and the glow of morning sun in the same moment

98. a garden to plant in

99. a garden to anticipate the harvesting of

100. good neighbours

(from the boys)

101. that I could have my big two brothers and my Mum and my Dad to help me do things (Nate)

102. goats, Flash, cats and ponies (Ben)

103. opportunity to work and friends that love (Sam)

104. warm blankets on my bed

Good night! :)

How can I?

This is my question for the day (and most likely 'days').

How can I, like our first mother Eve, be a bringer of life? In this place, at this time, to this husband, to these children, to these neighbours, to these friends - how can I follow in the footsteps of Him Who is the Life?

Words, words, words

If you were a fly on the wall at my house lately you might have heard me quietly singing (muttering) to myself: "Words, words, words I'm so sick of words. I hear words all day long first from him now from you."

(Envision an impassioned Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" if you are wondering where that random phrase comes from.)

But really, it is my own words I am feeling sick of. Sometimes I get lost in my own words - and I wonder how much good I am really doing for my children with all these words. Are they drowning in the torrent of my words? Sometimes they get that glazed over look which is the warning light - I've lost them.

I have been made aware of by friends over the years that I restate things, oh, a few too many times. (And my husband agrees.) It is part of my search for just the right words... but there is only one truly right Word. Jesus. He is the Word my children need - that I need. It is His Spirit who must breathe life into my words if there is to be lasting benefit from my many failing words.

Maybe my words need to be fewer so my children can hear Him better.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

"For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

May I be filled with Your Words so that I speak life to my children - to all whose lives I touch.

Mother's Day - a reflection

Motherhood.

I am not a Hallmark card kind of mother. No painted fingernails, just nibbled ones. I don't think I am one of those people for whom motherhood comes naturally for that matter.

What is motherood really about?

Discipleship.

A one foot ahead of the other following of Jesus into servanthood. In motherhood Jesus gives me the opportunity (sometimes it feels like every minute) to deny myself, take up a cross and follow Him. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying my children are a burden. I think it is my own selfish nature that is the burden. My children are one of God's graces to me.

Thank you Lord for the gift of being a mother.