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I don’t consider myself a Proverbs 31 woman.  I feel like I have such a long way to go to achieve that status.  I do, however, feel that I’m on that path.  Sadly it took me way too many years to set that as my goal.  I always felt like it just wasn’t attainable.  I remember my high school principal giving devotions each morning from the book of Proverbs.  Whenever he would talk of the Proverbs 31 woman, he would make mention of his mom and his wife.  They are/were the picture of that chapter!!!!! I loved them both so much but I knew I wasn’t anywhere close to their godliness.
As I prayed for my children this morning, I thanked God for blessing me with such precious treasures. Each time I knew I was going to be a mommy again, I prayed something specific for each one of them.  Some things were spiritual and some things were…well…selfish.  God answered each silly request.  I think I may be one of His favorites.  ;-)  I often feel that I fail them as a mother.  They in turn remind me that they think I’m pretty awesome.  This continues to make me shake my head.
 
For Phebe, I asked that she would have dimples in her cheeks.  Phebe is 22 and I often tell her I want to grow up to be just like her.  She has the patience of Job.  She NEVER complains. She refuses to gossip.  She ALWAYS sees the best in others.  She is an encourager, a teacher, a helper, and thankfully my daughter.  I tell myself many times a week that I couldn’t do my job without her.  Today in her card to me she said she hopes to be half the mom I am.  Isn’t that funny?!?!? I want to be like her…she wants to be like me.   God knew what He was doing when He brought us together. She is beautiful inside and out.  Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Thank you Phebe for being the one who made me a momma!
 
For Abner, I prayed that he would have lots of energy and be filled with happiness. These were two things that were lacking in my life at that time.  Abner is now 16 and let me just say, "WOW, parenting a teenager is REALLY difficult!!!!!"  Don’t get me wrong…I love this kid completely!  He’s just in that stage of life that he has to learn so much big stuff that it’s hard to cram it all in.  I mean who really wants to be learning ALL THE TIME?  We all like to goof around.  We all like to not be “adult” at times.  So being an “almost” adult is crazy hard.  This guy has taught me to really think before I talk.  I’ve learned that he can only hear so much from me.  If I start to lecture him, all he hears is Charlie Brown’s teacher…Waw Waaw waw. How many times does it tell us in Proverbs to essentially keep our mouths shut or to choose our words wisely?  LOTS!  Proverbs 31:26 says, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and her tongue is the law of kindness." So thank you, Abner, for helping me to learn this very difficult virtue.
 
For Uriah, I prayed that he would point others to Christ.  Uriah…how could someone who was on this earth for only 2 days make such an impact on my life?  It’s amazing how much he taught me.  I learned so much about God’s peace, love, grace, and mercy through his short life!  Uriah was so beautiful!  His skin was a little dark, he had crazy curly hair, big round eyes, and a cupid lip!  I could have never asked for anything more.  I can still feel him in my arms.  I can still smell him. I can still hear his final breaths.  I still love him.  I still miss him.  I still hurt for him. I couldn’t be happier about where he is.  I never have to worry about him.  I never have to wonder if he is going to accept Christ as his Savior.  I never have to wonder if he will be hurt or hurt others.  He lives in perfection.  He lives with my Lord.  He’s waiting for me. Proverbs 31:25 says, "Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come." Thank you Uriah for being such a wonderful little soldier for Christ!
 
For Asher, I prayed that he would love Jesus with ALL his heart.  Asher is 5 and boy does that little man love Jesus.  Asher is able to convict me like no other.  I remind him occasionally that he is not the Holy Spirit.  ;-)  The other day he said to me that he was trying to find things every day that he can do to help others.  He says this is what God has created him to do, so he must be faithful to his job.  Well, I’m here to say little Dash Dash has not missed a day of work.  ;-)  When he told me about this it made me stop and think about myself.  Do I daily look for ways to help others?  Um, yeah…he keeps me on my toes.  I seriously make decisions based on what Asher would do.  Is that insane or what?  The kid is 5.  He was my healing balm after Uriah went to heaven.  How could I ever live my life without this little soul winner? Proverbs 27:11 says,  "My son, be wise, and make my heart glad!"  Thank you Asher for making me want to be a better Christian!
 
For Selah, I prayed for blue eyes and curly hair.  Selah Grace, my little 3 year old.  Woe, let me just tell you this.  If I wasn’t saved and loved the Lord with all of my heart this little girl would make me consider beating children. OK, not really, but she does get on my last severed nerve many, MANY times throughout the day.  She’s one of those people who will be doing something wrong and just look at you with a big ole smile on their face.  She KNOWS she’s going to get in trouble, but the consequence never seems to deter her from her sin.  I guess I better come up with some better consequences. She’s amazingly independent and loves to accomplish things that seem impossible for someone her age.  I honestly think she thinks she’s in her twenties.  She is one of my favorite people to hear pray.  She’s so genuine and sincere.  She thanks Jesus EVERY day for her family and especially her baby brother.  If she knows someone is sick she thanks Jesus for making them better before she asks Him to heal them.  It’s the cutest thing!!!!  She loves her daddy more than anything in this world.  She’s quite certain that the sun rises and sets on him.  I love seeing how much she loves my man!  Proverbs 15:29 says, "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." (She's not righteous yet, but I know the Lord is working.) Thank you, Selah, for helping me be a better prayer warrior!
 
For Baryk, I prayed that he would bless others, through Christ, for all his days. Baryk L. will be a year old in just a couple weeks.  I cannot believe how fast this last year has gone! This little guy is the happiest baby I’ve ever seen.  He laughs all the time.  If he wakes up in the middle of the night and I go to get him he holds his little arms out to me with the biggest smile.  Once I pick him up he giggles like I’ve just tickled him for ten minutes.  How can I be upset that he wakes me up?  He is a smart little guy too.  He says far more words at this age than any of my other babies.  I know he will be walking soon.  I’m sure as a momma I’m supposed to be happy about that, but it brings tears to my eyes.  I’m very well aware that as soon as they take their first step that it is their first step walking away from me.  I know that my job is to raise them to live for Christ, and allow them to live an abundant life God has in store for them.  Knowing something and wanting something are two very different things. Bear was our little surprise, but oh what a blessing he is.  Hence his name…Baryk L. = blessing from the Lord.  I’m so thankful that God knew I needed this little smiley mister in my life. Proverbs 31:25 says, "Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice."  Thank you Bear for making me smile all day (and sometimes all night) long!



Last, but surely not least my moms!

 
My mom who carried me.  Thank you for loving me enough to send me away.  Happy Mother's Day!  Love you so much!!!!
 
                My mom who raised me and told me about Jesus.  Thank you for teaching me                
                 so much about being a godly momma!  Happy Mother's Day! I love you! 



 
My mother in love.  Thank you so much for loving me just the way I am.  You always make me feel like I'm doing such an amazing job!  Happy Mother's Day...love you bunches!!!!!