Memorial Day

              Remembering all our families who have sacrificed for our country.

Slow Down!

The other day I ran into someone I hadn't seen in while. When she asked what had been going on I just said “Oh, you know, go to work, go home, cook, eat, watch TV, go to bed and wake up just to start the cycle over again.” She just responded that she knew what I meant.

Later that day I thought about that conversation. We live in a fast-paced world and don't take enough time to enjoy life. Think about how you spend your day. The alarm blares and we roll out of bed. Almost immediately we jump into our routines. Be it showering and ready for work, or getting the kids out of bed and ready for school. We rush out the door and head to our jobs. There, we do what we need to do, watching the clock for our cue to head home. Once there, we have dinner to cook, dishes to wash, kids to get settled, etc. before we can sit down for a little while and watch TV or read, pushing the day out of our minds. All this and it doesn't include the little emergencies that crop up. No wonder we tired and drained. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done.

The way our lives are going, we don't stop to just relax and enjoy the beauty around us. Whether it be sitting in your yard, enjoying a sunset or playing ball with your kids. When was the last time you took time to just have fun and actually enjoy the day?

Even God rested after six days of creation. So if God rested, what makes us think we don't need to. Perhaps you can get up 15 minutes earlier and drink your coffee outside, enjoying the early morning. Maybe you can make a point of spending 5 or 10 minutes of relaxing when you get home from work. Spend a few minutes talking and listening to your spouse and children.  

Whatever it is you can do to “stop and smell the roses”, do it. Why don't you take a few minutes and enjoy the beauty of nature by watching this clip.

A Mother's Love

Mother....the woman who carried you in her belly for 9 months and gave you life. Everyone has a mother, not one person is exempt. And every mother has made mistakes. Ask one. If she had it to do over again, there are things she would have handled differently. You see, motherhood does not come with a manual. A mother just does the best she can for her children. Why? Because there is a love bond that no one can match. That love develops in her inner being while her child develops within her. Granted, some women have made terrible decisions about their own lives which affect her child. But even in bad circumstances, that woman has a deep rooted love for them. Perhaps she doesn't know how to show love. Perhaps her judgment is clouded by addictions or other circumstances. Perhaps she has medical conditions that prevent her from being the ideal mother.

Its very much like our relationship with God. We are His children, He is our Father, and there is a love bond like no other. Sometimes we make bad decisions but we still love Him. There are even times we get mad at God, but the love is still there. Perhaps there are times we don't feel or act very loving towards Him, but we do. At times like that our feeling of love is clouded. The love is still there. 

With Mother's Day coming next Sunday, remember to show her your appreciation. It doesn't have to be a fancy, expensive gift or a dozen roses. It can be something as simple as making a phone call to tell her you love and appreciate her. Maybe just a ”thank you”, letting her know that you appreciate her efforts. 

Some of our mother's have passed on. But we can still celebrate her life. Perhaps cooking her favorite meal, looking at family pictures, talking about things you have done together, etc. When a mother passes, it leaves an hole in your heart. Take some time to fill that hole with loving memories. That is one of the greatest tributes we can give her.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”