Welcome back,
For most of us, school is out, and warm weather is upon us. Summertime, vacations, and all things good for each of us to embrace. The anticipation of relaxing and hopefully enjoying time with family are just some of the fun things summer can offer. Hopefully, you are enjoying it so far. My husband and I just returned home from spending a few days with one of our sons and grandkids while his wife took time enjoying a special beach trip with some special ladies in her life. She deserved a mommy/birthday break.
The times that we have together with our family make me realize how precious life is and how special each moment making memories together is. On this trip, we didn’t do anything fancy or expensive; in fact, we hung out together at their home in and out of the pool and hanging out in the a/c watching movies. It’s the little things that truly bring joy. As the saying goes, “God is good all the time and all the time God is good.” As I reflect on life, I remind myself that I need to live more in the moment; we are not promised tomorrow. For so many people, life can have extra struggles with uncertainties. One of these people just happens to be our son; he is battling brain cancer. I don’t say that lightly, and he inspires me daily. As parents, any time our children go through struggles, we just want to make it better. I pray a lot about this, because I personally can’t make it better. To give you a little more information about my family, I helped raise both of my stepsons into the young men they are today. They are my children as much as my daughter is. I love all my children so much, and as a mom, my heart breaks when I can’t make things better for my kids or even my grandkids. My trust is in God, and my faith grows stronger each day.
God seems to have me spending a lot of time lately helping out some of my family members. I guess this is my current mission field. Grow were God has you in life no matter what it looks like or seems like in the moment. Everyone has their own set of circumstances and challenges that life can bring. For my son, the battle of brain cancer continues daily 24 /7. The side effects vary. While we were there, he done another round of his chemo attempting to be as normal as possible for his kids and for us. Fighting the effects of chemo of nausea and weakness as well as praying that he would not have a seizure. I try to keep positive in all things; my faith of knowing God has got this* keeps me going. I know that God is in control of all things, and even though I may not know what happens next, God does. He holds us and the future in his hands. To the average person, no one would necessarily know of my son’s daily challenges. This is true for all of us out in this world. As we come in contact with people, let us remind ourselves that each person may seem in a certain mood whether good or bad; everyone does not handle things the same way. We truly never know what mask they might be presenting to us in that moment and what pain or struggle that they might be dealing with themselves. Let us all consider our lives as a mission field and to be a disciple for Christ; react to people in love always even though that can be hard. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and it is true that no one comes to the Father but through him so therefore show Jesus and his love to all people always. We may never know the impact that we may have on a single person’s life even someone in our own family. I am challenging myself to always keep Jesus and his word fresh in me; not stale like yesterday’s bread for He is the Bread of life.
Again, I am thankful to God for reminding me to always cherish loved ones and be thankful for the little moments. Be blessed today and love unconditionally.
Until next month, Dana