In January, my daughter and I had the opportunity to minister at a women’s retreat with my mom in the Boston area. Three generations serving the Lord together. It was such an honor!
My mom and I don’t have the privilege of living in the same community so I loved hearing from so many women how much they love, appreciate and look up to her. My mom and dad are such an example of faithfulness and service to the Lord in their church, community and beyond. They not only teach Bible studies and have longterm leadership roles but they open their home and hearts to many on a continual basis. They are such an example to my generation of not growing weary in well doing and in continuing to grow in their walk with the Lord.
What will others say about me to my daughter or son in the years ahead? I pray I will continue to live a life worthy of the calling I have received from the Lord. I also pray that I will continue to pursue the Lord and serve Him whole heartedly even when I don’t feel or see immediate “results”. I want to leave a legacy of love and faithfulness to my children.
My beautiful daughter celebrated her eighteenth birthday last month. She is my youngest so it was bittersweet for me. Our family had so much fun not only celebrating Kellie’s birthday but cheering her on as she was one of the seniors chosen to be on homecoming court. It was a jam packed weekend with events, dresses, make-up and hair appointments, and a whole lot of love and pictures splattered in. She looked absolutely stunning!
I love being her mom and in honor of Kellie’s special birthday I wanted to share a few of the many amazing things I see in her.
- Kellie is brave. She is steadfast in her walk with the Lord and has learned to trust in His goodness even in the midst of difficulty and questions. At eleven, Kellie went through thyroid cancer but that is a story for another time. Suffice it to say that she has been strong and brave over and over again.
- Kellie is diligent. She is the one reminding me to turn paperwork in! She is a conscientious student and worker. Whatever she feels led to pursue in college and beyond I have no doubt that she will succeed.
Kellie is kind. I enjoy watching her love on the little ones at church as she crouches down to look them in the eyes and smile. There have been numerous little boys who have told their moms they might marry Kellie and little girls who pretend to be her.- Kellie is beautiful. Whether in full make-up or none at all, she is comfortable in her own skin. I love that she can be herself without pressure to measure up to an impossible magazine standard. Life is too short to be worried about breaking a nail or having a bad hair day!
- Kellie is resolute. This attribute has been hard to parent at times but I know it’s there for a purpose. She has a high standard for herself and for others. Her heart is fully set on walking in the truth and light of Jesus. Is there any greater joy?
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 4
This year I have chosen to slow down my pace and savor the last moments with children in the home full time. I know I will always be a mom but the change will be drastic since I’ve been doing it full time for over twenty years. If I have any words of advice it would be to enjoy the moments, take a deep breath before responding, count their freckles, don’t major on the minors, pay attention to your husband, pray, pursue and love the Lord with all your heart, forgive and ask for forgiveness often, and talk and talk and talk about Jesus.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframe of your houses and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Bless a child today with a hug or an encouraging text. Being a teen or young adult in today’s world isn’t easy. They need us cheering them on in the race the Lord has set before them. Don’t give up on this next generation. They need our prayers – our support – our voice – our heart – our faith – our example.
What a joy it is to be Luke and Kellie’s mom!
P.S. The winner of the book giveaway from the last post is Natalie!
