Because I Love You

In a few short weeks, we're going to have several visitors ~ some just staying a few days and another staying for a couple of months.

I decided I had better organize the stacks of vintage books I've been collecting to use for some of my whimsical collages and 3D paper art creations.

Well, in the process I came across this Max Lucado book called Because I Love You and as I sat there on the carpet, I read the whole book!

I won't give the story away but suffice it to say that the story and how it made me think of God's love to me personally, brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!!

If you have young children or grandchildren, read this book to them and if you don't, get a copy and read it to yourself --- trust me ... you'll be blessed :)

Does What I Believe Make a Difference?

Until Then Sweet Rose by John Waterhouse


Our conduct has a direct influence

on how people think about the gospel.

The world doesn't judge us by our theology;

the world judges us by our behaviour.

People don't necessarily want to know

what we believe about the Bible.

They want to see if what we believe

makes a difference in our lives.

Our actions either bring glory to

God or misrepresent His truth."

~ Mrs. Carolyn Mahaney ~

"Let your light shine before men in such a way
that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

~ Matthew 5:16 ~

One Thousand Gifts

Ann Voskamp is an amazing writer whose words never fail to touch my heart or to ignite a memory or simply to paint a picture in my mind's eye!

She has written a book called One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are and I ordered it for my daughter as one of her Christmas presents even though it's not going to be available for delivery until the first week of February!

I'm also going to ask for a copy for my birthday in the middle of February because I don't think I can wait to borrow someone else's copy and would love to read it at the same time as my daughter so we can share thoughts :o)
 
Blessings,

Sharing Your Own Story

Louisa May Alcott ~ The Children's Friend

Someone once told me that they once *came upon* a notebook that told the story of their dead great grandmother. It was all in her own handwriting and began by recounting what she could remember of her childhood, her early married days and years as a mother as well as tidbits of her day to day life.

They were overjoyed and thrilled to have discovered this old notebook and now treasure it so very much.

All this got me to thinking that writing such a notebook or something like it would be a gift that those of us with children could leave for future generations as there is always at least ONE person in each generation that is yearning to know their family's story :o)

Just think about what you could share about yourself and your own childhood and early married days and your experiences as a mother!

Imagine the privilege of being able to share YOUR story of how you came to know Christ as your Saviour -- of being able to witness to your future descendants so that they realize how much importance you placed on being prepared for eternity and in pleasing God in your day to day experience!

What are YOU waiting for?

The Joys in Everyday Activities

It's been a typical day here ...

• I've done a bit of housework
• done 2 loads of laundry; chopped and sliced everything for tonight's homemade pizza
• sliced everything up for my husband's salad for work tomorrow
• baked a batch of yummy muffins which I've already put in the freezer
• answered a genealogy query in my position as a volunteer transcriber of old church register records for a small parish in Cornwall, England
• spread 3 huge bags of topsoil around my front garden plants
• watered my patio tomato plant that is FULL of growing tomatoes
• thanked my most recent Etsy customer for her purchase

and best of all, chatted with my daughter on the phone!!

A Child's Riches

Good Housekeeping ~ Oct 1921

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be ---
I had a mother who read to me.

~ Strickland Gillilan - The Reading Mother ~

I was at a friend's home yesterday for lunch and an afternoon visit and one of the things we talked about was the importance of a child SEEING their parents read and having their parents READ TO THEM.

Without words, the 1st shows the child how enjoyable reading is and what value the parents place upon it in their own lives.

The 2nd shows what value the parents place upon time spent with their child and how very much they enjoy the closeness and wonder of reading with them.

In our family, I read stories to our little ones at various times through the day. But the close of every day was always highlighted by a bedtime story, something we all looked forward to and something that helped soothe and calm them before they fell asleep.

This continued for many years and my daughter and I shared chapter books well into her teens and these times engendered many wonderful conversations.

I don't know how they feel about it, but I know that I treasure every one of those moments :o)

Blessings,

To Each of My Children

Being your Mother

means that I have had the opportunity
to experience loving someone
more than I love myself.

I have learned what it's like
to experience joy and pain
through someone else's life.

It has brought me pride and joy;
your accomplishments touch me
and thrill me like no one else's can.

It has brought me
a few tears and heartaches at times,
but it has taught me hope and patience.
It has shown me the depth,
strength, and power of love.

Being your mother
hasn't always been easy,
and I'm sure
I've said or done things that have hurt or confused you.

But no one has ever made me as satisfied
as you do just by being happy.
No one has made me as proud as you do
just by living up to your responsibilities.

No one's smile
has ever warmed my heart
like yours does;
no one's laughter
fills my heart with delight
as quickly as yours can.

No one's hugs feel as sweet,
and no one's dreams
mean as much to me as yours do.

No other memories of bad times have miraculously
turned into important lessons or humorous stories;
the good times have become precious treasures
to relive again and again.

You are a part of me,
and no matter what happened in the past
or what the future holds,
you are someone
I will always accept,
forgive, appreciate, adore,
and love unconditionally.

Being your mother
means that I've been given
one of life's greatest gifts: YOU.

~ Barbara Cage ~

LOVE to my children :o)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to mothers everywhere
and to those remembering their dear mothers,
especially those whose mothers
are no longer with them.

Four Walls Do Not Make a Home

Two Stepping by Tom Sierak

Four walls do not make a home — though it is a palace filled with all the elegances which wealth can buy! The home-life itself is more important than the house and its adornments. By the home-life, is meant the happy art of living together in tender love. We enter some homes, and they are full of sweetness — as fields of summer flowers are full of fragrance. All is order, beauty, gentleness and peace.

We enter other homes, where we find jarring, selfishness, harshness and disorder. This difference is not accidental. They are influences at work in each home, which yield just the result we see in each. No home-life can ever be better than the life of those who make it.

Homes are the real schools in which men and women are trained—and fathers and mothers are the real teachers and builders of life!

Sadly, the goal which most parents have for their home—is to have as good and showy a house as they can afford, furnished in as rich a style as their means will warrant, and then to live in it as comfortably as they are able, without too much exertion or self-denial.

But the true idea of a Christian home, is that it is a place for spiritual growth.

It is a place for the parents themselves to grow—to grow into beauty of character, to grow in spiritual refinement, in knowledge, in strength, in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, and all the Christian graces and virtues.

It is a place for children to grow—to grow into physical vigor and health, and to be trained in all that shall make them true and noble men and women.

A true home is set up and all its life ordered — for the definite purpose of training, building up and sending our human lives fashioned into Christlike symmetry, filled with lofty impulses and aspirations, governed by principles of rectitude and honor, and fitted to enter upon the duties and struggles of life with spiritual wisdom and strength.

~ J. R. Miller "Home-Making" 1882 ~

A Sweet, Beautiful Home

Cozy Dining Room by Alison Griffin

Home is the true wife's kingdom.

Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred trust, the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle there. In the last analysis, home happiness depends on the wife.

• Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere.
• Her hands fashion its beauty.
• Her heart makes its love.

And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine, that no woman who has been called to be a wife, and has listened to the call, should consider any price too great to pay, to be . . .

the light,
the joy,
the blessing,
the inspiration,
of a home.

The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies.

A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness.

God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling.

~ J. R. Miller, "Secrets of Happy Home Life, 1894" ~

With society's beliefs and practices bombarding us on every side and the rising up of *so-called Christian feminism*, I think it's important for every Christian woman to be reminded of the principles God has laid out in Scripture for our guidance and encouragement and to realize, that there is immense blessing when we follow His leading ... not our own and certainly not the teachings of a society that wants nothing to do with Him.

Blessings,

When Children Cry

A mother does not hear
the music of the dance
when her children cry.

~ A German Proverb ~

PHOTO CREDIT

I read this last week in my used book of prose
and can remember how true it is!!

Blessings,

Tucking the Little Ones In

Bessie Pease Gutman

"The clocks were striking midnight,
and the rooms were very still,
as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed,
smoothing a coverlid here,
settling a pillow there,
and pausing to look long and tenderly
at each unconscious face,
to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed,
and to pray the fervent prayers
which only mothers utter.

~ Louisa May Alcott from Little Women, 1868 ~

As I read this quote from a little 2nd hand treasure that I recently bought, so many similar scenes danced across my mind as memories flooded in . . . of times that I tiptoed into dim, quiet rooms and stood transfixed by the soft breathing of sleeping children, nestled safely in their beds.

I would stand by their beds and listen, knowing all the while that those days would all too soon be memories as time passed and their lives moved on.

After a time of silently praying for them, I would smooth the covers and their tender brows, then plant kisses on soft, warm cheeks, tiptoe out and gently close the door.

I'm sure many of you have similar memories that keep you company when you are in a reminiscent mood such as can be brought on by a quote such as this :o)

Blessings,

Continue On . . .

Paul Milner ~ Daydreams II

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it?" she often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise them for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember that you are My servant. Do all to please Me."

~ Roy Lessin ~

Sandra Kuck ~ Homecoming

I hope this is as much a blessing to others as it has been to me :o)

Home Again

I had a wonderful time with family and friends but I was so glad to get home ... to be reunited with my dear husband and to once again realize how blessed I am.

I spent a week at my son and dau-in-law's home and was thrilled to be a part of my grandsons' lives during that time. It gave me a much better idea of their little personalities and how much I love them.

We played, sang songs and my oldest grandson was delighted by the alphabet book that I took with me, just for him :o)

By the middle of that week, the two little ones and then their Mommy, came down with colds. Daddy missed it altogether and I only got a throaty cough out of it, that didn't seem to get any worse or better for the duration of the trip.

I spent lots of time here and there over the entire 4 weeks with my daughter and my mom; a little time here and there with my sister and a dear friend as well as snippets of time with my brother and other friends and an aunt and uncle! Needless to say, I was super busy most of the time and when I arrived back at my Mom's -- I was able to rest a bit :o)

Last Thursday morning, I awoke with a full-blown cold complete with stuffed up head, achy muscles, cough and sinus pain :o(

I am thankful that this didn't happen until I returned home ... I don't know about you, but I feel much more comfortable being sick at home!

I hope that I feel more like doing something this week than I did last :o)

As one of my commenters said, I have returned home with all sorts of wonderful memories filling my heart and I am so thankful that I was able to make this trip!!

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Our Children

"Parents! You are fashioning the destinies of immortal souls!

What we want to do with our children, is not merely to control them and keep them in order—but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christlike beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle of life.

They are to be trained rather than governed.

Growth of character, not merely good behavior — is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws; and the parents' lives are of more significance than their teachings.

Whatever may be done in the way of governing, teaching or training — theories are not half as important as the parents' lives.

They may teach the most beautiful things—but if the child does not see these things modeled in the life of the parent—he will not consider them important enough to be adopted in his own life."

~ J. R. Miller, "Home-making, 1882" ~

~ GRAPHICS ~
*Mother & Child* by Carl Vilhelm Holsoe
*Time* by Jean Monti

Bittersweet ... Yes It Is

As a visitor said in a comment on my blog once upon a time, "Bittersweet. Yes it is."

Our daughter was home for an almost 2 week visit over Christmas. She slept in her *old* room. We had little squabbles as we've had before and we also had many special moments and memories to treasure, but it's never the same as before.

In the photo above she is shown going through security at the airport and I miss her all over again now that she returned to her *new* home on the other side of the country :o(

As you can probably sense, I am NOT a fan of change but I know it's necessary and healthy.

I will pray for her and ask the Lord to keep and preserve her and to help me leave her in His hands, since He knows best.

But, oh, how I will miss her!

Her True Career

Homecoming by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe

One expression in Titus 2 deserves special notice.

It is the word homemakers.
The Greek word is oikourgous,
which literally means “workers at home.”

Oikos is the Greek word for “home,”
and ergon means “work, employment.”

It suggests that a married woman’s first duty
is to her own family,
in her own household.

Managing her own home
should be her primary employment,
her first task,
her most important job,
and her true career.

~ John MacArthur ~

Let Me Hold You Longer

After reading all the touching comments I received for my last post, I was reminded of 3 wonderful books that I have read and want to share :o)

I'm sure many of you have had the same experience as me ~ every time I read *I Will Love You Forever* by Robert Munsch to any of my children when they were young, I got choked-up and could barely read after awhile ... because I was crying!! Well, here's another book that will touch your heart even more!

In Let Me Hold You Longer, Christian author Karen Kingsbury talks about how we celebrate all of the firsts in our childrens' lives, but often overlook the lasts.

To quote the author: "There are no photographs or parties when a child takes his last nap or catches tadpoles for the last time. For the most part, it's impossible to know when a last-moment actually occurs.

Nothing signals a mother to stop and notice the last time her little boy runs and jumps into her arms ... Would I have held on longer if I'd known it was the last time?"

With the tenderness of a mother speaking directly to her child, Karen reminds us not to miss last days of kindergarten and last at bats in Little League amidst the whirlwind of life.

Adapted from a poem in Rejoice, mothers and grandmothers everywhere will identify with the tenderhearted reflections in *Let Me Hold You Longer*. It makes an idea gift book for special occasions, from baby showers to graduations!

Here are a few lines, out of order, to give you a little glimpse:

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts . . .

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.
The last time you said you'd marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past---
Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

The last time I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.
The last time I pray with you and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two . . .

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer----want to recognize your lasts . . .

I've watched you grow and barely noticed the seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts . . .

For some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away.
One last hug, one last good-bye. one quick hurried kiss.
One last to understand just how much you'll be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.

Another book that would make a wonderful gift as well is a book called Someday.

I came upon it when browsing for something for our grandson and as I stood there reading it, I very soon was so choked-up and teary that I had to inobtrusively wipe my eyes before I purchased it :o)

It made a beautiful gift for my daughter for her birthday that year, especially since she had moved across the country by then!

"One day I counted your fingers and kissed each one," opens Alison McGhee's understated yet emotion-charged expression of a mother's love and hopes for her daughter.

Peter Reynolds's wispy pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations give an ethereal quality as the the young mother speaks to her daughter of milestones to come in her life, first recalling her infancy: "One day I counted your fingers and kissed each one".

She then contemplates her future: "Someday you will swing high—so high, higher than you ever dared to swing" then her adulthood: "Someday I will watch you brushing your child's hair".

Quietly the emotion builds, as the mother thinks of the future in store for her daughter, its joys and sorrows: "Someday I will stand on this porch and watch your arms waving to me until I no longer see you." Here Reynolds depicts the woman, older than she was at the start of the book, gazing forlornly across the white expanse of the spread.

At the end she refers to her daughter's own old age: "Someday, a long time from now, your own hair will glow silver in the sun. And when that day comes, love, you will remember me".

This story's deeply personal quality will resonate with mothers of all ages and seasons and touch hearts long after the back cover is closed, gently :o)

Blessings,

The Mother & Homemaker

My days are days of small affairs

Of trifling worries, little cares --
A lunch to pack, a bed to make,
A room to sweep, a pie to bake,
A hurt to kiss, a tear to dry,
A head to brush, a bow to tie,
A face to wash, a rent to mend,
A meal to plan, a fuss to end,
A hungry husband to be fed ---
A sleepy child to put to bed.

I, who had hoped someday to gain
Success -- perhaps a bit of fame,
Must give myself to small affairs,
Of trifling worries, little cares.

But, should tomorrow bring a change,
My little house grow still and strange ---
Should all the cares I know today
Be swept, quite suddenly away,
Where now a hundred duties press
Be but an ache of loneliness,
No child's gay ribbon to be tied,
No wayward little feet to guide;
To Heaven then would I rise my prayers ---
"Oh God, give me back my little cares."

~ Author Unknown ~

Jesus Loves Me by Kathryn Fincher

I am now in that period of my life where my children are grown and 2 of them are on their own and I have 2 tiny grandsons.

This is a poem that I had written down while our children were all young and read many times, reminding myself that those wonderful, hectic, busy, amazing days of little feet running around the house and little hearts to guide, would be over sooner than I realized and that I should treasure every single moment.

I wish I could say that I always did, but alas, there were times that I complained and times that I was frustrated and tired.

Thankfully, there were more times that I was amazed, filled with wonder, overjoyed and humbled to be a part of something that has eternal results!

Taking Care of the Possible

A painting done by my Daughter when she was very young

"We mothers must take care of the possible
and trust God for the impossible.

We are to love, affirm, encourage, teach, listen
and care for the physical needs of the family.

"We cannot convict of sin,
create hunger and thirst after God, or convert.
These are miracles,
and miracles are not in our department.

~ Ruth Bell Graham ~

For the Feeling You Cherished Them

Golden Moments by Trish Romance

"Children will not remember you
for the material things you provided,
but for the feeling that you cherished them."

~ Richard Paul Evans ~

Heart + Soul by Trish Romance