Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Happy Birthday, Em

Posted on By jennifer

Happy Birthday sweetest daughter of mine!  Thirty years ago today I became a mother.  Be still my heart.  Yes, I gave birth twice afterward and, of course, I love all my children.  Equally.  And am blessed to be called mom by all of them.  My thoughts are not expressly about my beautiful daughter but more about becoming a mom!  There really are no words….if you are a mother, you know exactly what I mean.

My intention this morning was to simply write a “love note” to my firstborn – and rejoin Five Minute Friday next week.  However, today’s prompt, Potential, goes so well with my thoughts, I decided to try and convey them here.  They come from a recent sermon I listened to online and that has been impacting my thoughts ever since.  (I will try to find the pastor’s name and give him credit in my next post.  Fingers crossed.)

GO – If you have experienced becoming a mother, you know the feelings I am trying to express.  The months of dreaming, planning and, even the worrying.  Followed by the hours of labor.  But, then, the exhaustion, the pain, and the wondering erased at the very first glance.  Simply the awe of becoming a mom.

It is one of the most accurate descriptions of joy.  So much so, the Bible even uses the experience as a reference for joy.  And the joy comes from the potential a new birth brings.  All the potential I imagined for my daughter as I inhaled her newness.  The potential for all the ways my life – and my husband’s life –  would be changed and impacted because of our daughter.  Everything that new life meant – and the potential it represented – gave us that feeling of sincere joy.  And filled us with hope.

Christians often struggle to understand Biblical joy.  Joy that should mark the life of a believer.  Joy that is possible even in the darkest days or hours.  Joy that is much more than simply happiness but is available to each of us because of the Holy Spirit within us.  This joy is so hard to define – or to understand.  Much like the difficulty of describing your emotions when you become a mother.  But it is a serene sense of hope that comes from knowing the potential of all that God can do and wants to do – in any situation – that is joy for a believer.

STOP – sweet Emily, Happy Birthday!!  I am blessed to be your mom.  I love you more than all the Oreos!!

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Comments (3)

  3. This is a beautiful post! I especially love your description of joy- "a serene sense of hope that comes from knowing the potential of all that God can do and wants to do – in any situation" That expresses it so well! Happy Birthday to Emily!

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