A mother's love

I am richly blessed to have grown up in a home with a mom who loved me well and helped me know God's love for me. She continues to be an amazing blessing in my life. But I know that not everyone is celebrating today. My grandmother passed away last December and this is my mom's first Mother's Day without her mom around. My mom also had the gift of many years with her loving mother, but some children never have experienced that blessing. We live and work at a children's home in a country with millions of orphaned and vulnerable children. There are so many children who do not have the blessing that I have had for 40 years now. 

I cannot imagine how my life would have been different without the love of my mom. She has always been an amazing support and encouragement to me. I never had to wonder if there was anyone who loved me. If I was sad, I had a mom who would comfort me. When I went through a particularly challenging time in my teenage years my mom sat by my bedside and rubbed my back and spoke words of truth to me for hours. She prayed with me and for me. She still does. I strive to be this kind of loving mother to my children. But as I look around, I cannot help but think about the many children right outside my home who do not have a mother's love.

On this Mother's Day, I want to remember to show the love of God to all the children I know. I pray that on this Mother's Day, I will not waste time thinking of how I want to be appreciated by my husband and children. Instead, I want to show God's love to the many children in my life. On my own, my love will run out, but I have a Heavenly Father whose well never runs dry. As my heart breaks at the many in need of love, I want to remember that God has given me the gift of serving as His hands and feet in the lives of those around me today. I pray that God will give me His grace to love others well as I come into contact with so many in need of love today. 

Life without a phone

Last week my phone fell out of my pocket into the toilet. Until then I didn't realize how dependent upon that technology I had become. Even here in Uganda, where much of life is outdoors and interacting with people, I still check my phone many times every day. (Although, those who have tried to get in touch with me might say that I don't check it enough.) It is interesting that I feel out of sorts and disconnected when it means that I have a 2 minute walk to talk with someone rather than a quick phone call or text. I also have realized that my first tendency when something is on my mind is to communicate with a person rather than pray. I have been processing a lot recently and find myself wishing I could communicate with family and friends more easily. We already have the challenge of the time difference and the international phone call costs, but now I don't have a phone with me to easily make a call. (If you are trying to get in touch with me, you can call David or send me an email which I will check daily.)

I remember another time in my life when I couldn't talk to anyone else and realized how much I needed to pray. I had driven to Macon, Georgia from Athens to visit my grandmother, aunt and uncle. I had an almost one year old Elijah in the car with me and I was pregnant. We were very excited to be expecting our second child. While I was in Macon, I began cramping and bleeding. On the drive home I knew that I was having a miscarriage, but because of the lack of cellular service, I could not call David. I couldn't call my doctor. I couldn't call my mom or my close friends. That was when it occurred to me that I had my closest friend with me. No, not my baby in the car seat, but the God of the universe who loves me, gave up his life for me and works all things for my good. (Romans 8) He was with me in that time of grief when I felt all alone. I spent that two hour drive pouring out my heart to God, "casting all my anxieties on Him because He cares for me." (I Peter 5:7) That day was 12 years ago.

Since that day, I have had several other extended times of choosing to be alone to talk with God about struggles and joys. I know that I need that! But it is usually by choice. Recently, I have had a lot on my mind, and I am reminded that while it is good and healthy to talk with family and friends, I need to make sure that I am talking with God first. He is the One who cares the most about my concerns. He knows what I need and He is working for my good, even when my phone falls in the toilet!