We took a trip to Boone today to attend my niece’s college graduation. The North Carolina mountains are stunning. To take a few hours to get away and experience another facet of God’s handiwork was worth enduring the steep, winding roads and the discomfort of popping ears. Sandwiched between two snoring nephews with alternating modulations during the ride didn’t help much either, but it still did not divert my attention from the cloud-shrouded mountain backdrop and rows of carefully arranged Christmas trees on distant hills. A change of scenery is always good, especially if it's beautiful.
Mom would have been pleased with my niece's achievements. She would have been one of her biggest cheerleaders, encouraging her pursue her field of fashion and apparel design with unrelenting resolve.
As Mother's Day is celebrated today in many countries all over the world, here is a side note to us nurturers--let’s appreciate the gifts God has placed in our children. We should help them recognize these gifts and talents and encourage them to step out and pursue them.
The world is full of adults who have lived lives of despair attempting to please parents who do not recognize and accept their true gifts. Many times we can push our children in directions we wish we had gone so we can have one last chance at fulfilling our own dreams.
God has hand-crafted each one of us and given us specific purposes to fulfill. Let's be brave today and encourage our children to live out their God-given purposes. This is a gift you can give at no cost.
Scripture Links:
In Loving Memory - Beatrice Artis Farmer 6/6/29-11/19/10
To Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior:
(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.
To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):
Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
