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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

 

The Messy Look

 

Sorry I couldn’t resist this one!

 

The Messy Look

I stopped at Costco to pick up a few staples and as I wandered up and down the aisles, I became aware of a man who was staring at me. “I like your hair, he said.  “I know what it’s called, it’s a messy bun.”

I felt suddenly self-conscious and thought the messy look was not what I was aiming for. He then explained he had seen a young woman with the same hairdo, and she told him it a messy bun.   I thanked him for his comment, but in my heart, I was feeling insecure about my thinning hair.

Last year when I returned from a vacation in California, I was so overwhelmed and fatigued and unable to get enough sleep. Along with sleeping problems, I noticed a large amount of hair falling-out. After visiting my doctor and tests taken, he confirmed it was Lupus.

During the time it took to find the right medication, I watched my hair go from a ponytail to a miniature tuft.  Seeing the balding and thinning at the sides and back of my head was traumatic.

I now spend time searching the web and watching YouTube videos on how to find a good wig, extensions or a great hat. Lol

After I left Costco, I reflected on my hair problem. The thought of people looking at my missing hair had made me anxious and fearful when in reality no one likely noticed. My insecurity became so severe I didn’t want to go anywhere or see people and I just stayed home and felt sorry for me.

And then, at my lowest moment, someone mentioned they admired my hairstyle. Thank you, Lord. You knew just what I needed, a new perspective! God delivered a gift at Costco that afternoon.

For almost a year, I put so much emphasis on this problem and it robbed me of joy. I am so thankful God is gentle in leading us to consider new perspectives when we lose our way.

God uses the old, the broken and the messy lives of ordinary people to show us His great love and compassion.  How many times have I believed the sting of Satan’s lies? “Telling me I am unworthy and not good enough to serve a Holy God. The lies we believe take our joy and confidence, so we stay home.”

What are the lies that you believe that steals your joy?

Should we hide in shame from God? He is the one who knows us best and will always love us?

I am so glad God uses ordinary, broken and hurting people to share His Good News and love to a broken and hurting world.

Philippians 4:13      For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength

Jeremiah 1:7    Don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.”

Father, help me stand with open hands before you, surrendering to your will. I want my ordinary life to be extraordinary for you.©

Do you ever feel you are too old, too broken, flawed or wounded to be usable to God? Do you think it’s too late for you?     I would love to connect, let me hear your thoughts.

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

 God loves you,

Lovingly, Karan

 

 

Happy New Tear – A living Legacy

 

Happy New Year – A living Legacy

 

 

A living Legacy

I have always loved Genealogy and learning about my ancestors.  Following their paths from Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia and beyond and documenting their quests for a better life for their families and freedom to choose. It has always fascinated me; their willingness to sacrifice and endure suffering and hardship to reach their goal.

Great-grandfather Christopher immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1900.   Arriving at Ellis Island, New York, with experience in shipbuilding he soon found work helping to build the Brooklyn Bridge.  However, when great-grandfather heard about free land in the state of Wisconsin, he moved his family west. In a few years, he had saved enough to buy a small farm for his family. 

Farming was hard during those years; every acre needed to be cleared of the dense forest before he could plant his precious seed. The tree removal was backbreaking, slow and often dangerous. So naturally, when great-grandfather heard about free land on the prairies in Alberta, Canada, he was interested. No more tree removal!

In 1908, he moved his three young sons and wife to Alberta, Canada by train to start a new life.  The land was beautiful and rugged but cruel in the winter.  Months after arriving in Canada he buried his young wife, who died from Diphtheria. He endured the loss of two more wonderful helpmates, prairie fires, theft, and many hardships, yet the one thing that all his children remember most about their father is his great faith and love for God, no matter what happened in his life.

One freezing night the barn burned down, and all the animals and winter supplies were left lying in ashes. As great-grandfather watched the flames die down, his children heard him say, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1: 21b).  The stories of great-grandfather’s faithfulness and love for God have been remembered for four generations now.  And today, because of his faithfulness, our families are reminded daily of God’s faithfulness too. What a legacy to remember!

“Remembering God’s Faithfulness in the past will give us confidence for the future”

Father, help me to walk faithfully in your ways so that my life will point my family and others to you.

I want to leave a remembered legacy too, that will point my family to God’s Amazing Grace, love and forgiveness. 

That is my prayer.©

 Happy New Year 2020, travel safe

 Love to all. 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