Mother's Day 2014

May 11, 2014

Dear God,

Hi! It's me ... Miss Dottie. I went to your house this morning ~ Lifepoint Church in New Tampa, FL. It felt so good to raise holy hands, do a little dancin', and soak in the presence of the Holy Spirit. I don't see a lot of churches around here. I guess they are all off the beaten path. I'm so grateful that the church I grew up in was so close. To be honest, the town was so small, I guess everything was within walking distance! Before anything else was on our schedules, church activities came first. "Train up a child in the way he should go..." ~Psalm 22:6 So many times in my life, when I was so very lost, I knew where to go and that it was You. Praises! You have broad shoulders for me to lean on.

It's been a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I have spent so many years sad and feeling so alone that I am drinking in every bit of this one!! I flew in to Tampa last Wednesday and it's been a whirlwind of activity ever since. Friday night, Jane and I had VIP tickets to the Il Divo concert. We got all gussied up to attend the meet and greet. Yep, there they were with their arms around Jane and I for the photo shoot. OMG, handsome beyond handsome and very charismatic. The concert itself blew me away. I was hoping they would sing Hallelujah but I had to settle for when you walk through a storm hold your head up high. Perfect! We sat in the third row, center seats. It was like having a personal performance tailored just for us! We met some great folks including a service dog by the name of Sebastien (named after one of the fellows in the IlDivo group). Sebastien loved the concert and got a thumbs up! Definitely a night to remember forever.

The theme of the Il Divo concert was
Broadway tunes ~ Jane got into the mood!

Sebastien the Service Dog

Saturday night we had dinner reservations at Season's 52 in Tampa. Hors d'oeurves to die for, steak that melted in my mouth, and desserts fit for a queen. Yum.  Bless those chefs, Lord!! When we got home, Tim and I watched the movie Philomena. Boy now, that tore at my heart strings. To think that things like that happened in the 1950's ~ to have one's child ripped away simply because they were conceived out of wedlock ... horrific!! Makes my blood boil. I also saw the peace that Philomena had due to Your presence in her heart. I would hope that I am like her, Father. Not because of anything I've done but because I've chosen Your ways.

I woke up this morning to the aroma of bacon, canadian bacon, toasted muffins, hollandaise sauce, and eggs ... Eggs Benedict ala Tim plus a Mimosa. What a treat!! With reminders that church was at 11:30 we all headed to our rooms to get dressed. As I said, church was fabulous ... the sermon was on being a happy mom. It really got me thinking because it seemed to give credence to my own thoughts about my journey through life. Jesus always seems to begin his work in me with what I have and uses my small steps to meet huge needs. I can never remember not believing in You. That being said, the change in me began from the inside out when the Holy Spirit began to dwell in my heart. My thoughts, choices, and decisions were very different and I had this awesome peace that wouldn't let me hold grudges or be a mean soul.

I am so excited to report that once my heart changed (thank you God!) I truly became born again. I was a new woman centered on You and confident in my beliefs. This morning, I received a Mother's Day letter from my oldest granddaughter. As I began to read, tears welled up in my eyes and all I could think to do was hold her tightly, my tears spilling down her back. She looked at me saying, "What???" My gosh, I love that girl!! I am hoping she will allow me to share it one day. Until then, I shall ponder it in my heart.

Heavenly Father, today is a day to think about how we have been blessed by our mothers. I also think that today is a tough day for many women as they make it through the hours with troubled hearts. I pray for mothers estranged from their children, those who don't know where their children are, whose children will not speak to them. I pray for mothers whose children have hurt them and disappointed them and used them. I pray for mothers who have given so much that their love is threadbare and tired. I pray for mothers who are trying to go it on their own because their husbands have left them or maybe those husbands just don't care. I pray for mothers who have realized too late that they messed up as moms and are overwhelmed with guilt. May you open doors to new beginnings. Grant those mothers who have buried their children an extra measure of peace. What grief these mothers must carry, what a burden of sorrow. I think of the moms of soldiers who have fallen in war, moms who have lost children to starvation and disease. I pray for women like me who wanted to be a mom and couldn't resorting to fertility treatments. My mom and I had unfinished business and I miss her so much. What I wouldn't give for one more chat, one more hug. I pray for mothers whose mothers were not good mothers but who were distant or selfish or hateful ~ so preoccupied with their own problems and desires that they had no room for their children. I wish the world was a perfect place and wasn't like that God, but it is and some hearts are aching today when they think of their mothers. Flood our hearts with the kind of grace that passes all understanding. Strengthen us today and tomorrow in the tender kindness of Jesus.

My family ~ for better or worse ... gosh, I love them all. I am a woman blessed with perfectly imperfect souls who share my journey. Thank you!!

Madison & Miss Dottie

I love you Mom!
Madison & Jane

Katrina deep in thought!!

Sir Winston Corghill
Madison
Feelin' the love!

NOTE TO READERS: I am thinking about my little furry kids at home and how they make every day Mother's Day. Their licks, wagging tails, yips, and yaps just make my day. It is a year ago that I adopted Ezekiel 'Zeke.' This little bundle of white fur captured my heart the moment foster mom Laura placed him in my arms. Today I want to encourage my Readers to reach out and touch some lives. Your kindness may just be that spark that makes their day!!