Thirty years ago today my mother died...

This would be the mother who adopted me and raised me for the first nine years of my life. I've often wondered what my life would have been like had she lived... diffrent of course, sometimes I wonder just how different.

It's been a long road without her... although I did have my mother's mother, my grandmother, to help raise me -and who lived with me until she passed on... that will be eight years ago, to the day, on March 29th.

My grandmother passed when she was 92... I wanted her to live to be 100- which she would have been last September. If she had lived to be 100 I know I wouldn't be sitting here in Maryland right now. Funny how life works out... when she died I thought I would too... of course I didn't, I had the children to keep me going. After she went on so did we. I went back to college, finished this time and went on to complete my master's degree as well. Funny thing about that master's degree, I was so busy I wasn't going to date until after it was all over last December. And then I met DragonMage.... online. For those of you who don't know us we're getting married soon.

So it's a sad month- and a happy one. We're here in Maryland this week beginning our new lives (found out I left my birth certificate in New York and I needed it for my new driver's license, phooey, I have our social security cards though... sigh)

I leave you with the Lenten scripture that Pastor sent me this morning~

Thursday, March 15, 2007

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 8:27

So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

            Troubled waters, stormy seas…I think it is safe to say that we have all experienced these in our lives, ranging from the most basic personal level in our relationship with ourselves, our families and our friends, right on through to a national or even worldwide level (issues dealing with war, world hunger, poverty, etc).  Most people have had to deal, at one point or another, with some sort of troubling issue such as a conflict in interpersonal relationships, disappointment or frustration with ourselves, sickness, death of a loved one, fear associated with uncertainty in situations, feelings of helplessness or maybe even hopelessness.  I suppose that since we are human beings, when things are not going along smoothly, it is natural for us to worry, become upset, be angry, panic, lose hope, or experience a variety of other emotions.

            But first and foremost, we must always remember to keep faith in the Lord and know in our hearts that we are God’s children and that He loves us and will always take care of us, no matter what.  We must trust in Him wholeheartedly even though the road may seem rocky at tim es.  He is always there to guide us and give us the strength to make it through whatever may come our way. We should always keep our hearts open for Him to enter in.

PRAYER:      

            Dear Lord, thank you for all the many blessings you have given me. Please help me to live my life according to your will. Even though at times I may be afraid or worried, help my faith in you grow stronger every day.  Let me take comfort knowing that you are always there to guide me and help me along every step of the way. Amen.

"and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice; love kindness and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8.)"