You Are Like our Mother!

 

 

 

You are Like Your Mother!

Throughout my life, people would often say, “You are like your mother” and I would cringe. Those were not the words I wanted to hear. I wanted to be a supermom – you know, the woman that did and had it all. I would be organized, clever, and smart about life – no traumatic crisis for me.

My mother came from a harsh background. From my perspective, she spent her life trying to work through the difficulties she encountered as a child. She strived to be understanding and kind towards others and, unlike her parents, she achieved her goal. Even though there were painful personal and emotional struggles, as well as great highs, my mother was always optimistic. Her motto was: “Tomorrow’s a brand-new day.”

Although we were poor, I can’t say that we ever thought we were. My mother worked hard to put a roof over our heads and food on the table, never giving up or expecting handouts. We always had enough and when we outgrew our shoes and clothing, she made sure we had something new to replace the old. Reflecting on my childhood, I realized she went without so my sisters and I would have more opportunities and a few extras.

My mother, Francis, had so many wonderful characteristics. She loved a good deal, so thrift shops, garage sales, and flea markets were thrilling, and she was skilled at discovering the ultimate bargain. She also loved her flowerbeds and gardening much better than house cleaning and often said she felt closer to God outdoors.

Inside she loved reading books, sewing, and listening to the radio. Wherever she went she had many bags of good deals, a plethora of interesting books she checked out at the library, and Christian broadcasting blaring from her radio.

In her daily life, we knew mother loved us and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would sustain her. She taught us daily about God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. We could see through her life how God faithfully protected and cared for our needs. The wonderful memories of my dear mother are worth far more than silver and gold.

Now when I hear “You are like your mom,” I say thank you. Following my mother’s legacy, I pray that my children will know how much I love them and see the light of God’s love in my life.  ©

I am humbled and quiet in your presence. Like a contented child who rests on its mother’s lap,

I’m your resting child and my soul is content in you. 

Psalm 139:13 TPT

Dear friends, thank you for sharing your time with me.

In this season of reflecting on our mothers and what it means to be a mother,

please share a special memory of your mother in the comments below.

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Lovingly, Karan

 

He Is Alive!

He Is Alive!

 

 

Dear Friends,

I am checking in to see how you all are doing? I have been praying for you and your families as we celebrate the Easter Weekend. Be safe.

I’m going into my fourth week of lockdown.  I live in an eight-unit senior apartment;
however, we rarely leave our apartments because as you know mature people need to be careful. Funny, I don’t feel all that mature. Lol.

In the last few weeks, I have cleaned cabinets, washed clothes, cleaned closets and shredded bags of papers and old files.

I’ve been working on all the things I have put off for years because  I didn’t have time. Now I have nothing but time!

The world today is challenging and complex. With extra demands in our homes, families, and work, we face many difficulties. We search for hope, peace, and strength among the isolation we find ourselves in. 

In all the uncertainties of life, the awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me great peace.

I, too, am anxious about all the unknowns, but in those moments, God calms my heart and gives me the courage to keep moving forward. He is the same today as He was yesterday.

The same God, who settled the storms and healed the sick so many generations ago, lives today.  A living God who can be relied on today. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life and believe in Him, I can count on Him even when I am afraid. I have a God who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think he is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life God has given me, my family, how can I not trust Him? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose you, Lord, and I trust you for my future because of who you are, not my circumstances. I love you, Lord. ©

18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the            things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love   28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.  Romans 8:28 (GW)

 

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend, Be Safe
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

 

Do You Hear Me, God?

 

 

Do You Hear Me, God?

A child’s evening prayer. “Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re gonna be in a big mess.”

I’m sure we all feel like that these days when the world is in so much turmoil and distress. I have struggled for years trying to have a consistent prayer life that seems to be more hit and miss, than anything else.

I have felt guilty; I did not pray enough, or long enough.

I feel like I am not good enough, why would God listen to me, I have failed him so many times.

I don’t have enough time; I have a family, my work, and rarely sit down, and when I do I fall asleep.

We all know that the only time to pray is early in the morning.

However, I’m not an early bird. I just stare at my open bible then fall asleep, then feel worse…

Only to become discouraged and give up.  God, why did you make me like this? I can’t stay vigilant in the morning for prayer, I must be your worst child, one who doesn’t merit your constant love and grace.

I invested money in seminars and books that would help me get it right, so many formulas on how I should pray. But it never was intimate for me until I discovered a story about Susanna Wesley who raised 19 children and yet found time to pray.

With a busy family, Susanna found it challenging to find private time. Her life was hard, but she recognized the importance of praying for her family.  The children soon understood that any time their mother’s apron was over her head she was praying. So they left the room leaving her undisturbed.

This treasured story taught me it doesn’t matter where you pray or when.  I just need to talk to God like a dear friend, anytime or anyplace, he is only a prayer away.  Have you struggled with finding the right time or place to pray?©

Mark 11:24 (NLT)

 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

” We are put on this earth, not to see through one another,
But to see one another through.

Smile, God Love You

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Mother’s Day

 

 

Reflections:

I have wonderful memories of an extraordinary woman who loved, encouraged and shared her life with me, my Canadian mother-in-law. Although she was opposite to my mother, the one bond they each had in common was their love of God, and for me.

As I have gotten more mature, I can see more clearly how God has made impossibilities, possible. He had a plan before I was born, and knew what I would need to grow closer to Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

He saw me and loved me when others thought I was a mistake; He had a plan. He knew the mother I need to help me through life. (Although when I hit my teens, I was sure he had given me someone else’s mother.) He also knew who my dear mother-in-law would be too.

mom gleddie2Hedevig was a tall, kind, and a gentle Danish woman who loved her home and family. She taught me how to cook, clean, bake those wonderful Danish pastries and pies. I learned to can food, make jams, jellies, pickles, and how to freeze and blanch vegetables. I learned how to garden too.

There was never anyone turned away from her home, generous hospitality, delicious meals, and beautiful table settings.

Our homes were on the same property, and we would see each other daily. She was a wealth of knowledge and made learning fun. She became my second mother, mentor, and friend.

As the years past, three daughters were born to our family, and they loved their grandmother very much. In fact, every day after school they would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their particular time to have Grandma all to themselves.

Over the next few years, she endured severe illness, and like the family, we rode the roller coaster of extreme disappointments. My daughters would still visit Grandma after school every day; however they would set the cookies on the table, make the tea, set the games up, and she would come and set with them and watch as they played. Over a cup of tea, sweetened with laughter they enjoyed their time together

Hedevig was a beautiful pianist, organist, and singer. And that gift was passed on to her children and grandchildren. I loved to listen as she sat and played the piano for hours in her home. I would go over to her house on the corner of the ranch yard and quietly enjoy my own concert. It always brought comfort to her soul as well as mine.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. Always knowing God loved her and had faith he had a perfect plan for her.

My mother’s gifts, have given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. I have been blessed.©

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend as we remember our mother’s.

Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. I would love to hear your special memories of your Mother.

I’ll Choose You

I’ll Choose You

 

Look Out, Here We Come

 

 

I’ll Choose You!

Early one fall morning, I took a day trip to Calgary, Alberta, to get spring and summer fashions for my store. I took my two teenage daughters along for an afternoon of shopping.

Wearing a navy suit to make a good impression at my appointment, I also wore my favorite three-inch heels. It was crucial for me to look pulled together, so the sales representatives didn’t know I was a novice.

My girls dressed for comfort, while I stayed with the suit and heels for our shopping trip. I did not want the trouble of an extra set of clothes. The day was fun but exhausting, and by 5 pm, I wanted to be home. I had a headache, my feet ached, and I was hobbling. I was ready to go home, grab a hot bath and go to bed.

Making one last stop at the drugstore on the way out of the mall, the girls waited for me outside. After paying for my purchases, I hurried out to meet them. As I rushed for the exit, I ran into an extraordinarily clean glass wall with such an impact, people stopped in their tracks to see what all the commotion was.

After my perfect face-plant into the glass, I slid to the floor in an ungraceful heap. My shopping bags were in complete disarray, one three-inch heel fell off, one button flew somewhere unknown and my skirt was slightly higher than I felt comfortable with.

As I tried to collect my wits and composure, I noticed my daughters bent over in hilarity and pretending not to know me. 

Struggling to get up and putting on my biggest smile, I tried to act as if nothing had happened. With head held high, I limped out of the store trying to look as mature as possible, even though my feet were not the only body parts hurting at this time. 

Looking back on that day, I recall the sadness I felt when I realized my daughters had been embarrassed by their mom. And they didn’t choose to claim me as their own.  

I am so glad God chooses us even when we embarrass others and ourselves. He will never run away from us when we hurt or leave our side when we call on him. We are loved and claimed by God.

Dear God,  Recognizing that you will never leave me gives me such perfect comfort and peace as only you can do. I am secure in your love Father, thank you for loving me so much. ©

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.  Hebrews 13:5b (NIV) 

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan