The Joy In Choosing The Hard (Mother-Giving)

I was in Barnes and Noble (love this store! I could spend all day there) reading this morning and I saw a woman and 2 small school-aged children sitting at a table with many books open as they were deep in study. I saw that and new immediately what it was. My heart smiled. I know this scene very well, and anytime I run-across this beautiful picture joy fills my heart and I just watch for a moment. The mother looks tired and looks as if she is running on empty, and its only Monday. She helps the smallest child with a question and I continue to watch. I see the love in the mothers eyes as she gives loving attention to the little one. She does this because she is THERE. There is contentment at that table and memories rush back. I am most certain those sweet little children don't understand yet the gift their mother is giving them. She is giving herself to them. She chose the hard. But when the little one smiles with understanding as she gets the concept they are studying, the hard is so rewarding. I inwardly thank the mother for her selflessness for choosing to be there and to GIVE. I have seen first hand the hard of it, and as I grow older and look back, everyday I am thankful more and more.

I have learned a new understanding of my own mothers sacrifice now that it has been a few years since I flew the coop. She chose from the beginning to STAY. To teach. To be THERE. I advocate this kind of mother-giving to the core. I pray often that the Lord will allow me to give of myself like this one day - this special kind of mother-giving. It is precious. It is a gift.

I stand to leave my table, and one of the little ones smile at me, I see the joy in that adorable face. On a Monday, on a school day, she sits across from her mother. What happiness :)

Perspective

These last couple of days I have been reading a wonderful book you might have heard of or even read yourself, Kisses from Katie. My eyes have been blood-shot and weepy. I'm soaking it all in of this girls selfless heart of a servant. If you haven't read this book or even heard about Katie's story, you can read more about it here, http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ . She is so giving and humble. Go read her book.
As I have read this book, I had a recent different perspective on my life and how easy and spoiled it is. I went to the store to buy groceries today and I walked into a huge building that had A/C and worked so well that most of my time in there I froze. I also was able to use a buggy for my groceries, so I wouldn't have to carry everything around, every item is neatly situated and organized on the shelves. Something as simple as  beans come in a can or a simple bag in a freezer section... I just pick them up and sit them in my buggy. I check out and hand the lady a debit card to pay for my groceries. I hand her a card. So many of us have these cards because we have been blessed with a generous amount of money that we save in a bank. Are you following me here? I come home a little later and work on paying some bills. That adult thing that's always hovering over you. I was BLESSED to pay the water bill, the power bill, and a medical bill (yes, 4 months after I broke my leg they're still coming, but that's okay). I walk to the bathroom to wash my hands and the clean warm water and soap cleanses them. Anytime I want I can go flip on a switch or turn the nozzle on and blessings turn on or flow out. It so simple isn't it?
I hope I can do a better job of being thankful for the everyday things. Its unreal how much we take for granted so often. This isn't a deep blog post, but I hope it will get you thinking. Just thank the One who blesses you over and over and we don't deserve any of it. Now, I'm feeling quite muggy from this Alabama heat, so I have the capability to go turn on our cool air, and I will be thankful because He continues to bless me though I fail Him often.