MOTHER’S
DAY! This year I am looking at this
special day in an entirely new dimension.
You see, a new generation is on it’s way in our family … and though her
arrival is about three and a half months away yet, in some ways I feel like I
already know this new little one! It has
been my most valued privilege through each new stage of my life to pray for
those that God has gifted me with!
Becoming a mother to three sons over a span of thirteen years, how I
loved praying for them before they were ever born. I truly believe God not only used those prayers
to help shape, guide, protect, and bless them – but I believe it has given us a
unique relationship that has drawn us and kept us closer than if we had never
known the joy of praying about things together!
My greatest joy yet is when our sons call to ask me to pray about
something specific in their lives! And
no, they are not little boys anymore … they are 39, 38, and 26! Even as they were toddlers, I began praying
for their “wives-to-be”. A little early,
you say? Well, I felt as if it was never
too early to begin praying for the little girls somewhere who would someday be
their wives. I claimed God’s blessings
and anointing and protection over them.
And how He answered … He chose exactly the most perfect young woman for
each of our sons! It’s one of my most
treasured blessings to be able to call them “daughters” ~ for that’s who they
truly are! And we, too, love praying
together for God’s answers – whatever the request might be! Then … another generation appeared on the
horizon! Another generation prayed for
from the moment we knew they were being formed by God – just for us to enjoy
and nurture and impact. And my husband
and I loved the sound of our new names: “Grampa”
and “Gramma”! Eight times, we have
received phone calls any time of the day or night – and heard our sons
introducing our newest grandchild to us by name! We could hear their newborn cries, and wished
we could have been there to hold them - only minutes old! Nothing could keep us away, though, and
within just days, we were arriving from afar off to lay eyes on them for the
first time, to hold them and cuddle them, to sing and pray over them, “Jesus
loves you, baby!” And we made sure to
add their name! The joys of praying for
our grandchildren transformed from “Jesus, please heal their ouchie!” – to them
calling us to pray about their boyfriend or their girlfriend! Or for tests or competitions in school, or
for jobs! And how we still love our long
talks about things of God when we’re together – or on the phone! Keep those calls coming, grandkids!! How awesome to be able to tell you that God’s
promises are still true – that He’s never broken one yet … and that He’s not
about to start! And now just days ago,
here came the sweetest baby shower invitation for our first
great-grandchild! Did I say that? Can that be true? We are MUCH too young for that, right?! But we have been excited from day one about
this new little one that our God is knitting together in our granddaughter’s
womb! Psalm 139 says that our next
generation girl is being fearfully and wonderfully made. She is not hidden from God while she is being
made in the secret place, and His eyes see her unformed body. Amazingly, on the invitation is the picture
of her perfectly shaped baby’s face, nestled in the womb – that secret
place. Unseen to our human eyes, but
brought before our eyes through ultrasound technology … there she is, the new
little great-granddaughter we are already joyously praying for! May God’s DNA course through your heart and
soul, body and mind, little one! May His
Spirit rest upon you even before you breathe your first breath! And may you always be His princess prayer warrior,
devotedly loving Him and following Him all the days of your life, I pray! Happy Mother’s Day to me … my third
generation gift – straight from Heaven!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Marty & Kelly, May 13th/BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Isaac, May 12th & to Theo, May 19th!
SPECIAL THANKS to Hazel … to Tina, Theo, Wayne & Verla, & to Larissa for an incredible Mother/Daughter event!
SUN, MAY 13: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with a special Mother’s Day message to honor our moms!
SUN, MAY 13: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION Sunday School classes for all! Plan to participate!!
SUN, MAY 20: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / MISSIONS EMPHASIS SUNDAY with exciting updates!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Tina, Julia, Ruth, Kelly, unspoken, our moms, Lundstroms, & Seykoras as they travel
REMEMBER . . . “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” ~ Billy Graham
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
