Pencil in His Hand: A Mother's Journal of Stories, Thoughts, and Poems.

  Berg River Dearest Lord, I've been thinking about what it means to be a homemaker: mulling over words like sacrifice, obedience, surrender, as well as that long one that I can't remember right now, which speaks so eloquently of Your sacrifice.  Sometimes, when I'm pondering these aspects of being a homemaker, and indeed of being a Christian, a picture of a miserable, dull, doormat comes to mind, as I'm sure it does to many of us. But it shouldn't. Lord, You surrendered all, yet You were so strong, so royal, so peaceful, so full of joy as You walked with Your disciples and interacted with mankind here on Earth. You humbled Yourself and now You are exalted. So too, You call me to humble myself, to lay my life down here in the home. It's a daily surrender; a daily saying "No!" to the flesh. Some would definitely call it a doormat life. I disagree strongly. For just today I have been reminded of the countless blessings and enjoyments You allow me every d...

  Mom with V in V's memory corner Dearest Lord, Here I am again Lord. Thank You for always listening and caring for me. I am so aware today of your constant presence within me. I am never alone, never abandoned, never unheard. Whether I write my prayers down, or whether I say them out loud or breathe them within, You take time to listen. Thank You. I love You. Thank You for saving me; for dying for me; for all of us, on the cross. As You know, Mom has been very much on our minds these past days, it having been her very special birthday on the 29th of February. V and I love to put little mementoes and flowers on that day. Will You please tell her we love her? I was thinking about the cats today. I remember how the three of them would sit in a half circle in front of the oven waiting for Mom's famous scones to come out. They would get a little taste. I'm sure that V remembers the cozy scene too. And of coming home from school to a pot of tea and scones or something else. The ...