Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2012 has been a good one – spending the day with Mom and Dad, enjoying the garden, talking in the sun room, being able to cook for them instead of the reverse. I wasn't really planning on posting a blog today, but the fact that it's Mother’s Day and the sermon this morning inspired me to send some props to Mom (and Dad). The readings today centered on “love” and what true love looks like. Very different from the secular, Hollywood, convenient “love” that we see every day, the bible talks about a much deeper love. The kind of love that leads one to “lay down their life” for someone else. That kind of selfless love is difficult for us as humans and many people probably never excperience it from another human being. But, I can say that I am fortunate enough to be the recipient of that kind of love, and I have been for the past 30+ years. My parents have always been there for us, putting our needs in front of their desires, making sure we had what we needed, protecting us, teaching us, giving us the freedom to go our own way, but never turning their backs on us. I'd hope that a lot of you can say similar things about your parents. The part that really resonated as unique and special was when they talked about “laying down your life”- that takes things to a new level, much easier said than done. Two years ago when I received the diagnosis of Stage IV cancer, Mom and Dad “laid down their lives” to help me fight for mine. Without hesitation they gave up their “lives” to sit with me in the hospital, take care of me when I was sick, move away from their home! There's a lot that I don't remember, but I can still hear Mom telling me they would do whatever it took, nothing else mattered.
I am so blessed to have them in my life and can say without a shadow of a doubt, that I am truly loved.And with that, I'd like to say Happy Mother's Day to the greatest Mom. I love you!
“There is no greater love than to lay down one's life…” ~ John 15:13

Saved by the grace of God

On this beautiful, 80+ degree day I decided it would be a good idea to mow the grass. First time that I've personally attempted it this spring. The reasonable thing to do would be to do it in parts, and I considered that. But after I got started and realized how hot and itchy I was getting, I decided that I should just push through and finish it so that I could go shower! But, I guess even when mowing the grass, God knows how much we can handle because the mower ran out of gas before I did ;) Better luck next time. In all seriousness, I'm doing well, getting stronger every day, and this is a big week for me – 2 years of remission! Who would have guessed? (Well, I know that we would, but who in the medical community would have thought?!!) Not sure how it's possible, but once in a while, I seem to forget what was going on 2 years ago and have to remind myself that every day I'm alive is a miracle and a sign of God's power and love. Sure, there are some things that I really wish I could still do, but in the big picture, I can do so much and am so blessed. I know that God's not done and hopefully he has some more miracles up his sleeve, but in the meantime, my “new normal” is going pretty well and I'm really enjoying the spring! “Surely God is my help, the Lord is the one who sustains me.” ~Psalm 54:4