Blog - Do Not Depart

Hannah’s Example

May 13, 2011 by ScriptureDig 5 Comments

Hannah struggled with infertility. When she finally did have a son, she handed him over to the care of Eli the priest. Imagine how she must have felt dropping Samuel off at the temple that day….

“As our brave Hannah entered her hardest hour–the hour appointed for her to leave her long-awaited and much-prayed-for son at the house of the Lord to be raised by another–we see that her focus was not on herself, not on her problems, and not on her sacrifice, but instead on her great God.” -Elizabeth George

Mom can’t be there for every moment of a child’s life. Like Hannah, the time will come when she must let go…

It happens when her son is five and he enters the kindergarten door for the first time.

It happens when her son is eight and she drops him off for football practice and doesn’t stay to watch.

It happens when her daughter is twelve and she drops her off at a birthday party.

It happens when her daughter is sixteen and drives away with a brand new driver’s license.

It happens when her son is eighteen and she drops him off at a dorm.

It happens in moments big and small. Moms must turn around and walk away. And like Hannah, we must trust God. But what exactly do we expect from God by trusting in Him? That He will never allow our children to get hurt? Always keep them safe? I don’t think that’s what Hannah expected as she dropped off young Samuel with the priest Eli. Her trust in God wasn’t conditional. She knew that whatever God allowed to happen in Samuel’s life (be it good or bad) was part of His sovereign plan.

We do all we can to prepare our children for what they will see, experience, and learn when they are away from momma’s care. But ultimately, we trust God. Not only for our children’s safety, but for their sanctification.

As we wrap up our series on biblical mothers, what are you praying for in the lives of your children today? Please let us know in the comments so we can pray for each other!

When Scripture Doesn’t Stick :: 10 Tips to Boost Your Memory

May 13, 2011 by Patti Brown 15 Comments

When I was a child I had a crystal-clear memory. My mother tells me she didn’t look forward to playing the memory game Concentration with me because she always lost! But scripture memorization wasn’t part of our family’s or church’s culture in my early years.

I memorized my first scripture when I was twenty-six. My memory was still fairly strong, and only beginning to get a little fuzzy. Then came children, homeschooling, homesteading… many distractions. As the years pass, my mind seems to be filling up, and I am finding it more and more challenging to commit scripture to memory.

Perhaps you are a whiz at scripture memorization. But you may be like me and find that sometimes it just doesn’t stick. Here are ten things to consider if you are struggling with remembering bible verses:

1. Take care of your body!

Sleep deprivation is a sure memory stealer. Are you getting an adequate night’s sleep? If you are in a season of life when sleep is challenging, consider taking a ten minute nap during the day.

Dehydration also impairs brain function and memory. If you notice yourself losing focus easily or having that “in one ear and out the other” feeling, try setting a timer and drinking 8 ounces of water every hour. You might be surprised by how much more clear-headed you feel.

2. Consider the real goal

What is your goal? Is it to be able to say “I memorized the entire book of Numbers”? Or is it to hide God’s Word in your heart?

It is worth taking the time to reflect on this in prayer. Ask the Lord to show you your heart in the matter. This will require humility! He will be sure to help you see if your goal is self-glorification or His glorification.

3. Be sure your plan reflects God’s goal and the circumstances of your life

Once you understand God’s goal for you in hiding His Word in your heart, your motivation will be more clear. Does your scripture memorization plan match God’s goal for you?

You also need to take into account your life and your schedule. What is a realistic plan to implement in view of the other demands of your life?

There certainly might come a time when God calls you to clear something out of your schedule to make time for memorizing scripture. But being in a busy season of life does not prevent you from memorizing. It just impacts your pace.

4. Pray for your mind

Pray that the Lord will help you take captive all distracting thoughts unto the obedience of Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5). Pray that you will have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Pray that He will transform you by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

5. Meditate on the message

Before you start memorizing a new scripture, spend time meditating on its meaning. It is much easier to remember a verse that means something to you than to memorize a string of words.

6. Start a new verse at your best time of day

Are you most alert first thing in the morning, or do you need a while to wake up? There are no rules about when to memorize scripture. Think over your day… at what time of day do you feel most productive? When is your mind at its most focused? This is the ideal time to work on scripture memorization.

7. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Say every new verse out loud at least ten times. You may need to say it more than ten times. Just say it a lot! Like lifting weights, you need to exercise your memory muscle with repetition.

It’s also okay to take more than one day to learn a verse. Just keep repeating it until it you feel comfortable with it.

8. Take into account your learning style

Are you a visual learner? Use a first letter memorization tool. Or print out the scripture and tape it up anywhere you might linger for a moment… in front of the kitchen sink, on your bedroom mirror, etc.

If you are an auditory learner you will probably benefit from listening to the audio version of your scripture repeatedly. Bible Gateway offers many versions of scripture in audio format for free (just click on the little sound button below the name of the verse you have searched for). If you can’t find the version you want, record yourself reading it out loud on your computer or smart phone. Auditory learners will also be receptive to verses set to music. If you can’t find scripture songs for your verses, make up your own tune and sing away!

Kinesthetic learners will enjoy making up hand motions to go along with the verses. While I am not a kinesthetic learner, I have still found it very helpful to use my hands to mime active phrases like “press on” and “lay hold.”

Both visual and kinesthetic learners will benefit from writing the scripture by hand.

9. Review throughout the day

Get in the habit of reviewing scripture throughout the day. You might tie it to another activity, like washing the dishes, folding laundry, or sitting at a stop light.

10. Don’t give up!

Whatever you do, persevere. Run with endurance the race that is set before you! (Hebrews 12:1). If it takes you a whole month to learn one verse, that is one verse more than you knew before you started. With God’s help you can do it!

A Powerful Woman & A Mother Without Children

May 12, 2011 by ScriptureDig 6 Comments

Picture from Google Images

“The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.” Judges 5:7

For the past two weeks we’ve been gleaning from the lives of some of the mothers of the Bible – women who impacted their children, their communities and their generations – some for good, some for bad.

But today, we are going to examine one of my favorite women in Scripture…Deborah.

Deborah was an influential and powerful woman. She was…

The wife of Lappidoth Judges 4:4

A prophetess in Israel (Samuel was the only other judge who was also a prophet) Judges 4:4

A judge in Israel (The only woman judge in Israel) Judges 4:4

A military leader (Deborah led military campaigns defeating Sisera) Judges 4:6-14

The self-proclaimed Mother of Israel (Deborah sang of her role as Mother in Israel) Judges 5:7

Although there’s no way to be sure whether or not Deborah had any children of her own, the Bible’s silence on the subject is an indication that she probably did not.

Yet, Deborah considered herself the mother of Israel because, like almost every other woman on the planet, her mother’s heart was an intrinsic part of being a woman. She may not have had any children’s hearts to mold, but she certainly molded the heart of a nation.

Let’s learn what we can from the Mother of Israel – the mother without children…

“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.” Judges 4:4-5

♥ Deborah broke the mold – Not hampered by traditional roles, she walked in the calling God had placed upon her life. She was willing to be different for the glory of God.

♥ Deborah spoke truth – She proclaimed God’s truth and God’s will to the nation.

♥ Deborah was wise – Wisdom was necessary for the proper verdict and clear counsel.

“She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go…” Judges 4:6

♥ Deborah called Barak out– Deborah reminded Barak, the military commander, that it was time to trust God, obey His command and go.

♥ Deborah believed God – When Barak was floundering in his faith and in his role as a leader, Deborah stepped up to the plate and challenged him to trust God.

“Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Judges 4:8-9

♥ She was inspiring– She may have called Barak out on his lack of faith and motivation, but she also inspired him to believe God and fulfill the calling God had placed upon his life.

♥ She was bold, brave and strong – She was willing to stand up to a man of great power and then go head-long into battle with him. Her faith was contagious and she was willing to risk or own life to demonstrate that God was who He said He was and that He would do what He said He would do. She demonstrated strength and courage in the midst of adversity.

Ultimately, God used another woman by the name of Jael to end the battle with a tent peg through Sisera’s head. Not a very feminine thing to do, but she ended an era of oppression with one stroke of the hammer and Sisera fell at the hands of a woman, just as Deborah had said.

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon,Barak, Samson,Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophet – who through faith conquered kingdoms” Hebrews 11:32-34 (emphasis mine)

♥ Deborah motivated Barak to become more than he ever thought he could be – Her leadership, courage, inspiration and trust in God was the nudge Barak needed to help him become who he was created to be – a man of faith.

As we examine the legacy Deborah left behind, we find that whether we have children or not, God still wants to use us to make a difference in the lives of those around us, as well as those who will come behind us.

Deborah was a powerful woman who wielded her influence well. She is evidence that we can be strong, powerful, bold and brave, and still be godly and feminine.

♥ How does Deborah’s life challenge your own?

Not-So-Happy Endings

May 11, 2011 by ScriptureDig 10 Comments

Casting out Hagar — image from www.bible-art.info

The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar is the stuff of which Lifetime movies are made. It’s a heartbreaking tale of what happens when we don’t rest our faith in the Lord but instead try to accomplish His plan through our means.

Perhaps it’s because I have made my own fair share of supremely bad choices but I always find myself drawn into Hagar’s part of the story. I wonder what it must have been like for her … being a servant in the family of the man who was to be “father of nations.” Was she captivated by the faith of Abraham? Was she envious of the beauty of Sarah? Did she jump at the chance to become her master’s concubine or did she feel used by the very idea? Was her contempt of Sarah really jealousy in disguise? How deep was her heartache at being sent away and knowing her son had been rejected by his own father?

So many of these questions will never have an answer, I suppose. But I’m certain I am not alone in feeling a kinship with Hagar sometimes when life doesn’t end up quite like I had planned. Today, let’s take a quick peek into Hagar’s story. And perhaps we can learn what her greatest heartache must have been.

Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham in her own misguided attempt to fulfill the Lord’s promise to them for a child … and then when Hagar conceived, Sarah and Hagar had “issues.” In fact, we find that Hagar “despised” Sarah (Genesis 16:4 NASB). But Sarah responded in kind. In Genesis 16:6 we find that Sarah “dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her” (ESV). This, however, is not the end of Hagar’s story, rather it is the beginning.

The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarah, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress, Sarah.” The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel of the Lord said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” … So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen Him who looks after me.” {Genesis 16:7-10, 13 ESV}

Hagar understood God’s promise to her. In fact, she understood it so well that she is the first person mentioned in Scripture who gives God a name: El Roi, the God who sees me. And God’s promise to Hagar is the same as His promise to each of us today … He sees us. When life is overwhelming, circumstances are frightening, and we feel as though we are slipping under the tides of sorrow and despair, El Roi remains faithful to us.

I don’t know where you are on this journey of motherhood but I know this: God sees you! And He is tenderly watching over you and your family.

Hagar’s story doesn’t have a happy ending. Though she had heard from the Lord and acknowledged that He saw her, she never embraced Him as her own God, never developed a personal relationship with Him. And yet, He is faithful, always. Even when she was sent away again and left to die with her son Ishmael, the Lord spoke to her again and reminded her, “Fear not” (Genesis 21:17 ESV).

Ultimately we know this about Hagar, her son was also made a father of nations and his descendants are as numerous as the sands. Yet, just as Ishmael lived in conflict with others, so his descendants, the Arabs, remain in turmoil to this day. Hagar had a promise from God – that He saw her. And yet she never embraced the God of that promise.

What about you? Have you embraced not just the promises of God, but God Himself? Do you have a living relationship with God of Life? If you are unsure or unclear about what it means to have a relationship with God, please email me at scipturedig (at) comcast (dot) net. I’d love to share with you how you know not just the promises of God but God Himself.

Packing for Ephesus

May 10, 2011 by ScriptureDig 10 Comments

When I think of the mothers in Scripture who deeply inspire me, two women immediately come to mind. We don’t know much about the personal lives of these women other than their names and one extremely valuable aspect of their legacy – mother Eunice and grandmother Lois poured their lives and their faith into a boy named Timothy.

The Bible tells us that Timothy was half-Jew, half-Greek. We are told that Paul circumcised Timothy before taking him on his journeys with him (Acts 16:3). Reading between the lines, this tells us that Timothy was completely on the outside of Jewish life and culture. He would not have been allowed to receive training in the Torah from the Rabbi, and he would have been restricted from even participating in temple worship.

2 Timothy 1:5 tells us that his mother and grandmother had “sincere faith” which Paul was persuaded lived in Timothy also. 2 Timothy 3:15 tells us that Timothy had known the holy Scriptures “from infancy.” Lois and Eunice had poured their lives into him. They had taught him the truth from infancy and prepared him to the extent that the other believers spoke well of him and Paul called him to follow him on his journeys.

Paul sets out with young Timothy. They walk thousands of miles together. Eventually, they spend three years in Ephesus.

Ephesus would probably blow our minds. Ephesus offered asylum to any criminal. It was the slave capital of the world. There was not a single believer in Jesus Christ when Paul arrived on the scene. The worship of Diana (or Artemis) was so central to life in Ephesus that we are told in Acts 20 that eventually as more people placed their faith in Jesus Christ and abandoned idolatry, it was upsetting the local economy and actually caused a riot! Into this pagan and corrupt culture Paul walks, with his teenage disciple Timothy. Every mom’s dream for her boy, right?

Eventually Paul leaves for further missionary journeys, and he appoints young Timothy to pastor the Ephesian church. Alone. In Ephesus. Get this: Scholars say that in less than 100 years, Ephesus was 90% Christian. Partly because of a gangly teenager, an outcast from his culture, who was taught God’s Word from infancy, discipled well in adolescence, and equipped and sent to serve.

The impact of Lois and Eunice challenges me in two distinct ways.

These women taught Timothy the Word of God themselves. They didn’t sit around feeling sorry for themselves that Timothy’s father or the temple leaders were not as involved as they would have liked. They knew the Scriptures themselves, and they taught him well – from infancy. At this stage of my children’s lives I have a tremendous number of hours each week with them – what am I doing with those minutes?
As I consider the world my children will grow up in and the corrupt culture that presses in around them, my mama heart wants to build a big strong wall around them and insulate them from it all. The thought of watching my adolescent son leave my town with the Apostle Paul (you know, the one who was always getting stoned or shipwrecked or beaten!) and head out toward Ephesus (of all places!) blows my mind. Lois and Eunice’s testimony challenges me that not only must I teach my children God’s Word, and teach them well, I need to remember that the goal is not to insulate them from the corrupt culture around them – but to prepare them to impact their world.

Moms, what we do each day can feel small and unimportant. But in the midst of diapers and homework and dirty socks and soccer practice, Lois and Eunice remind us – our job is not just to bring them through this day. Our job is to disciple our kids – to teach them God’s Word, to train them to obey, to walk with them into ministry, and equip them to turn their world upside down for Jesus Christ.

That’s the legacy I long to have.

Wake Up Sleepyhead

May 9, 2011 by Katie Orr Leave a Comment

Over 700 women have signed up for the Maximize Your Mornings summer challenge! If you have been around Do Not Depart for a while, you know that Kat’s Inspired To Action blog is one of my favorites and joining in this challenge has been a great source of encouragement to me in my efforts of getting up early to spend time with the Lord.

Won’t you join us?

If you are interested, there is still time to sign up and join in the challenge. You will be assigned a group of women in your same time zone and you can check in and connect with your group either through Twitter or Facebook. Registration for the summer session ends Wednesday, May 11th, so act fast! If you would like to be in my Twitter #HelloMornings group, just register with #mym1 at the beginning of your name!

Click here to learn more about the Maximize Your Mornings Challenge.

We have some exciting news, here at Do Not Depart, that will go along with this challenge. We are incredibly excited about it and should be announcing it shortly, so stay tuned!

Mom to the Sons of Thunder

May 9, 2011 by ScriptureDig 2 Comments

As the mother of two boys, I can relate to the woman we meet in Matthew 20. She is the mother of James and John, two of Jesus’ closest disciples. This woman, called the wife of Zebedee, may have been Salome, a devoted follower of Jesus (The Woman’s Study Bible). She wanted the best for her two boys. She must have been proud they were Jesus’ disciples. And she may have heard Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:28, “So Jesus said to [His disciples], ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” Even if she didn’t hear it personally, it seems as if James and John told her about this promise.

This mother approached Jesus with a request. Matthew 20:21 says, “And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’”

When I was a Middle School English teacher, I had mothers meet with me and say, “My son really needs to be on the front row.” My husband, when he coached, had lots of moms asking for (or demanding) more playing time for their sons. All moms want what is best for their children. But this mother did not understand exactly what she was asking. In Jesus’ gentle way, He corrected her, and everyone learned an important lesson that day about following Christ.

Woman Holding Toddler's Hand --- Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis — (image via Microsoft clip art)

The mother of these “Sons of Thunder” learned what a high cost it would be to attain this honor. James and John must

have been near by because Jesus directed His answer to them. “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (v. 22). The cup He described was one of pain and suffering. In fact, in verses 18-19, Jesus had just described part of what would happen to Him. He would be mocked, scourged, and crucified. Out of ignorance or pride they answered, “We are able.” And we see from the whole of Scripture that they indeed suffered for Christ. James was the

first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2) and John was a condemned exile on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9). Jesus went on to explain it was not for Him to choose who sits at His right and left, “It is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father” (v. 23). Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Personal ambition is not a factor in the eternal, sovereign plan of God.”

But this was not the end of the lessons Jesus would teach this day. The other disciples heard the conversation and “were greatly displeased” or “became indignant” (v. 24). Oh, this was not the first time the twelve argued over their own importance. In Mark 9:33-37, Jesus had to correct their bickering over “which one of them was the greatest.” And again at the Lord’s Supper, in Luke 22:24-30, they continued to show their selfish ambition by having the same argument over who is the greatest.

Back to our scene in Matthew, Jesus told the disciples exactly how to be great. It is one of the most descriptive passages of Jesus Himself from the gospels. “[W]hoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many” (26-28).

That’s one of the many things about Jesus I love! He not only told us how to be great, but He Himself displayed the humble attitude He described. He is always our perfect example.

Commenting on society, John Piper wrote, “Today the first and greatest commandment is, ‘Thou shall love thyself.’” Clearly, this is not what Jesus taught. The last phrase from our section today is an important teaching. In fact, it is the foundation of the New Testament. Christ died as a ransom for your sins. Because He lived a sinless life, only He was able to redeem you from the slavery of sin and death.

We have the benefit of learning these lessons through the account of James and John’s mother. Her request led to important teaching for every Christian to follow. Christ is our example of servanthood. We must not seek our own glory, but to do what is great in God’s eyes. This is the servant spirit of Christ.

A Fresh Start

May 8, 2011 by Katie Orr Leave a Comment

Welcome to Do Not Depart’s new home!

Subscribers, you can view the new site here.

Our Mothers, Part 2

May 6, 2011 by ScriptureDig Leave a Comment

Mentor and Friend ~ Kristi Stephens

I’m so thankful for my mom! She has always been a wonderful mother, and I treasure that as I’ve grown older she has become a dear mentor and friend to me, as well. I love that when my mom and I talk on the phone, our time is often equally split between updates on the children and what we’ve been doing in ministry.

I so admire my mother for how she is actively mentoring younger women in their church, teaching God’s Word, and lending guidance to younger female leaders around her. A little part of me is jealous that I’m not in their church benefitting from serving there alongside her, but I’m deeply grateful to call her my mom! She is a Titus 2 woman – and I pray that I will be like her as I grow older, not just in phrases I hear myself saying as I raise my children, but also in the godly pattern of her life.

Just Like Mom- Sandra Peoples
I have spent my entire life hearing that I look just like my mom. People would say, “You must be Thresia’s girl.” There were times I didn’t always appreciate this (especially since I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma where news got back to your momma about what you had done before you even got home)! But the older I got and the more I got to know my mom, I realized that any any comment about our similarities is the highest compliment I could ever receive.

My mom is the most kind, gracious, and patient person I know. She gave me a foundation of faith, unconditional love, and support to follow God’s plan for my life. I am thankful for her investment in me. She is my very best friend and I’m blessed to have her just a phone call away!

Lessons Learned ~ Teri Lynne Underwood

My momma is one of the most creative, loving people I know. When she loves you, it is with her whole heart. Growing up I don’t know that I really understood how deep her love for me was … but as an adult, in my moments of deepest fear and hurt, it was mom’s comforting embrace and willingness to sit with me, silently holding me up, that I began to grasp the depth of her love for me.

Not only has my momma taught me to love, she has also taught me to persevere. Her life has been filled with challenges from being a teenage wife and mother and having a child with a birth defect to losing her mother while she was in her 20s to managing life in while married to a pastor of small church. There have been times she has questioned her faith and questioned her purpose, but she has never once given up hope. I’ve watched her fight for the best for her children and her marriage and I’ve watched her learn to surrender her hopes and dreams and fears and failures to the Lord.

My momma is one of the strongest people I know … and also one of the tenderest. She loves me, my dad, my brothers, our spouses, and our children fiercely. If, as an adult, my daughter is as thankful for and proud of me as I am of my momma, I will truly be blessed.

Our Mothers, Part 1

May 5, 2011 by ScriptureDig 5 Comments

Discerning and Wise ~ Kathy Howard

My mother has always been an incredible judge of character. Now, I recognize her uncanny sense as the spiritual gift of discernment, but when I was a teenager it just annoyed me.

Whenever I introduced her to a new friend she never failed to give me an evaluation later. She always shared her wisdom with tact and love, but when I was in high school I did not want to hear anything negative about my “best friend” of the moment.

Mom never pushed or insisted that I stay away from a particular person. But she did stick close and continue to gently advise. Then when one of those friends showed her true character, Mom always comforted me and helped make things right. And I don’t ever remember hearing her say, “I told you so.”

I’ve tried to follow her example with my own children. I’ve prayed for wisdom to guide my three in their own friendships. I’ve offered a shoulder to cry on. And I’ve really tried hard not to say “I told you so.” Unfortunately, I’ve failed with that one a time or two!

Blessed with Two ~ Stephanie Shott

Steph and mom — Stephanie with her Mom and Grandgirl

I left the hospital room with a friend that day and glanced back at my mom. Her weakened condition was only surpassed by the strength of her resolve. We made our way into the elevator where a gentlemen smiled as he said, “Don’t forget Mother’s Day this Sunday. After all…you only have one mother.”

As the door opened and he exited the vertical tram, I smiled at my friend and said, “Well, I’m blessed with two.” The one who loved me enough to choose life for me and put me up for adoption, and the one who raised me and loved me as her own.

That was last year – when my mom was still with us. That was last year – when I could still hold her hand, see her smile and hear her voice. But my mom is with Jesus now.

Steph & Birthmom — Steph with her Birthmom and Grandgirl

My birthmom is still with us as she struggles in her own battle with cancer.

My mom has given me a heritage of strength, resolve, hard work and the grace to quietly and courageously walk through difficult times trusting God.

My birthmom is leaving a legacy of a sweet, meek and gentle spirit. She’s a woman of prayer and a woman of faith whose life challenges my own.

Most daughters are blessed with just one mom – I’ve been blessed with two. And I’m so thankful for the life lessons from both.

A Mother’s Garment ~ Julie Sanders

Shopping for winter coats, I found a chocolate one with cream colored ski stripes, just like the ones I saw girls at school wearing. No one had to know mine was on sale or that it was missing the fancy tag inside. Sporting my fashionable coat, I had to wonder why my mom kept on wearing her worn out coat that was so out of style. In fact, I noticed that she didn’t even look for a coat for herself, and I concluded that when moms get “old,” they lose their sense of style and desire to have the latest ski jacket.

The coat was perfect timing for the snowy winter we had, including all the days we missed school and went sledding, instead. I remember my mom wearing her thin coat, while we sported our slope-ready outerwear. It wasn’t until I grew older and had children of my own that I finally figured out why Mom was willing to wear the old coat. She was a woman of priorities, and she knew divas don’t make a good mom. While she wanted to look nice, to dress attractively, and to be her best, when resources were tight and a choice had to be made, Mom didn’t put herself first. Motherhood and divas don’t mix well.

Like the Proverbs 31 woman, she was not “afraid of snow for her household” (v. 21), because she had prepared us in the best way she could. Clothed in “strength and dignity” (v.25), she looked “well to the ways of her household” (v.27) and worked hard to make what we had go as far as it could. Meeting the needs of others meant someone had to serve and be selfless, and Mom was willing to be that servant.

My brown ski jacket went out of style a long, long time ago, but Mom’s selflessness and her priority of caring for others has endured. Her self sacrifice is a “garment” she challenged me to wear as I became a mother and one I’m honored to put on, even without a cool stripe.

~*~*~*~*~*~

What attribute of your mom’s character are you most thankful for?