Never Alone

I feel as if last week were a blur. Monday was recital, Tuesday Micah had a check up, Wednesday Matt had another Toxo check up, Thursday my weekly cleaning job, Friday another weekly cleaning job, but Saturday was a special day. Saturday morning, Becca hosted a Mother/Daughter Tea at her home. For those of you who know Becca, you'll know it was very creatively done. She had a coffee theme, complete with special mochas, lattes, and carmel machiattos(sp?). Not to mention the great food and inspiring devotional. Matt needed to go into work Saturday morning to help get some chairs built, he could take Siah, but the Micahnator would be a bit much. So I sneaked Micah into a girls-only event. I'm pretty sure we tricked everyone with his disguise. (see photo)

Saturday afternoon was a special time celebrating with girlfriends. Here is a little background. Around here when any of the ladies from our church turns 40 or 50 we do it up big! The last lady was kidnapped by blowdryer-point from work and thrown into the back of a waiting van. We whisked her off to the city for a weekend of shopping and fun. This year two ladies(see photo) are turning 40 and they have received ransom type notes warning them that 4 - "D" things are coming their way. The first "D" was Drama and we all went to see "Lost in Yonkers" at a local college that has a theatre series. Saturday was the second "D" and it was Dirt Cheap Night. We had a progressive snack at three different homes, then we went back to the first house for chocolate fondue and a foot-spa party. We had such a nice time. By the end of the day, I was zonked, but oh what fun. What a blessing to have friends. I wish all of you had been here with us to enjoy it.

On a more serious note, I thought I'd share an experience I had a few weeks ago. I hope it encourages you, as I am sure I am not the only one who faces days of uncertainty. Not long ago I was feeling pretty insecure. I had a few days when I wondered if I was worthy enough to be the wife of such an incredible man. Days when I wondered if it was selfish of me to have had children. What made me think I could possibly mold two souls into the image of Christ? It's easy to have babies and feel all those warm fuzzies, but the reality is, as wonderful as children are, they are responsibility. One day we will stand before God and give an account for how we have or have not trained them. I know in the end the choice is theirs, but how I train them will greatly influence the direction in life they will choose. Their view of God will be influenced by the justice, love, kindness, and consistency they see in me. Just when I had about over-thought myself into despair, my precious logical husband talked some sense into me and also said, "tomorrow I want you to listen to uplifting music all day, music that will focus your mind on Christ." Well, I obeyed and I'm so glad I did. I took my CD player with us to "our" cleaning job and I popped in a CD I hadn't listened to in quite sometime. One of the first songs that came on brought me to tears and helped me come back to an eternal perspective. I thought I would share those lyrics with you. I hope this song encourages you like it did me.

You Will Never Walk Alone

by: Lowell Alexander

Verse 1: Along life's road

There will be sunshine and rain

Roses and Thorns, laughter and pain

And 'cross the miles

You will face mountains so steep

Deserts so long and valleys so deep

Sometimes the journey's gentle

Sometimes the cold winds blow

But I want you to remember

I want you to know

Chorus: You will never walk alone

As long as you have faith

Jesus will be right beside you all the way

You may feel you're far from home

But home is where He is

And He'll be there down every road

You will never walk alone.

Verse 2: The path will wind

And you will find wonders and fears

Labors of love and a few falling tears

Across the years

There will be some twists and turns

Mistakes to make and lessons to learn

Sometimes the journey's gentle

Sometimes the cold winds blow

But I want you to remember

Wherever you may go

Chorus

Bridge: Jesus knows your joy, Jesus knows your need

He will go the distance with you faithfully

Chorus

I pushed the repeat button and listened to this song over and over for about 2 hours. I cried out to God to forgive me for forgetting that the job is not mine alone. I don't believe God reaches down and takes tough jobs away from us, I think as a loving Father He makes us do some work too, so that we might grow and become more like Him. However, I do need Him desperately in able to do the job that sets before me. I was right in thinking the job of being wife, and especially Mother, is way too big for me...alone, but I am not alone. Yes, I am responsible, yes I must do my best to learn to be the greatest Mommy possible for their soul's sake. But I do not have to go it alone. As long as I trust Him, He is with me every step of the way, giving me wisdom as I ask for it and strength as I need it. What a precious Companion.