Keeping Promises

This morning while praying, I had a humbling experience.
My life is usually pretty busy for the most part, but I made a promise to the Lord some time ago that I would devote some time to Him each day, time for pondering and deep prayer.
Well, between preparing for our daughter's wedding, starting our business (which has included doing some remodeling,) and everything else I have to do, I let my busyness cut into the Lord's time. I still prayed and studied, but it had become hurried. In this, I broke my promise to the Lord, placing Him behind other things.

This morning, the Lord reminded me of this. And the realization of my sin hurt because of how much He has blessed my life.

I apologized to Him and asked Him to forgive me, and I renewed my promise, knowing with
certainty that as long as I keep my word, He will keep His.
I won't ever break it again.

Being Still, Falling Down, and Getting Up

I have been trying to do a lot of being still lately. We all have so many things we would like to do - things we feel that we need to do each day. But really, the only thing we truly NEED to do is just be still and know that God has a plan, and then try to do our part to help Him accomplish the plan He has for each of us.

Sometimes we get a little impatient waiting for that plan to emerge. I know I have my moments, and it is during those moments of impatience that I stumble, as we all do. We long for that peace that the Lord has promised His people - and by His people, I mean those who are striving in one way or another to be as He is, to follow His example.
A big part of being still is loving God, loving His Son, and doing our very best to live as They would have us live. Forget about trying to force His will or His peace. If we are obedient and patient, it will automatically happen, and that peace will come through His grace.
Bob Carlisle (I call him Butterfly Kisses Man :-) ) sings a beautiful song that I absolutely love, and it's about the longing for peace and the daily struggle to attain it.

Cursing every step of the way, he bore a heavy load
To the market ten miles away, the journey took its toll
And every day he passed a monastery's high cathedral walls
And it made his life seem meaningless and small

And he wondered how it would be to live in such a place
To be warm, well fed and at peace; to shut the world away

So when he saw a priest who walked, for once, beyond the iron gate
He said, "tell me of your life inside the place"

And the priest replied

We fall down, we get up
We fall down, we get up
We fall down, we get up
And the saints are just the sinners
Who fall down and get up

Mother's Day Thoughts

As I reflect on Mother's Day, certain women come to mind.
The first is Mary, mother of the Savior.
There has never been a more pure, obedient, virtuous, holy, and righteous woman. She gave so much when she willingly became the handmaid of the Lord to bring our Savior into the world - a world where some would love Him, but many would despise Him. Yet her sacrifice was made in love, just as her son, the Son of God's sacrifice was. And she raised God's son in complete righteousness. Apart from Eve, who was the mother of all living, there has never been a greater or more revered mother.

Next, I think of my own mother. She was a precious daughter of God who, despite suffering the debilitating sickness of alcoholism, did the best she could. I will not judge her because the Savior knew her heart and

understood her. and I know she is at peace. I am grateful for that knowledge and grateful for her.

Then, I think of my grandmother, who had always been like a mother to me. She was an amazing and courageous woman. Like my mother, Grandma wasn't perfect, but she was a choice daughter of God, and He used her to accomplish great things.
I think of my sweet mother-in-law and the great lady she is. She raised wonderful children and I was privileged to marry her amazing son. In fact, it wasn't until marrying him that I truly came to understand what a family is supposed to be like. Before that, my examples were not good. I've learned a lot from her and I'm blessed to have her in my life.

Finally, I think of my daughters, including the daughters I have gained through marriage to our sons. Each and every one of them is beautiful, incredible, and more special than they know. I am so proud of them for the women they are.

We women are extremely loved by our Heavenly Father. We are special to Him, and we are all endowed with the ability and power to be a force for good. Whether we have given birth to children or have yet to, we have the privilege and responsibility to be a force for good in the world. God is counting on this. He is counting on US, on our obedience and Christlike nurturing hearts. We have so much to give. No, none of us are perfect, but if we are constantly striving to live as Christ would have us live, clinging to charity, and reaching for those heavenly virtues God has deeply ingrained in His daughters, we are doing okay. God will - in some way - let us know and say to each of us, "You are mine, and you are doing okay."
Happy Mother's Day!