Blessings Week Take 2

Friday is my Mom's birthday. She'll be 65 (Thanks for being born in 1950, it makes things nice!)

I don't think Jake and I have ever thought to rise up and call my Mom blessed, and say "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all", like the children of the Proverb 31 woman...but that probably says more about us and let about her! 

My Mom is one of my favorite people ever, and when I'm at my end or having a bad day, she is the person I most want to call (yet another joy of her retirement, she can answer!). My Mom encourages me in being a Godly women, mostly by example....the hardest, deepest, and best way. It speaks a better word to my soul then words alone. And yet, that's only the beginnings of my blessings!

1. She is (almost) 65 people and even in the last 5 years of her life I have seen so much growth in her life. I see her pushing herself to trust in the Lord more and more, even in little things. This shows me many things, especially since the Lord is moving in her life as she seeks him. She likely won't be alive when/if I am ever 65, but if her Lord, and Savior is faithful to her at 65, He will be faithful to me at 65. If he is still sanctifying her now, He will be sanctifying me then. This adds a strange comfort to me...I don't have to have my life figured out at 65. In humility trusting in the Lord (like my Mom), I can still be figuring out my life and the Lord will still be faithful. It reminds me that although he has already redeemed his people, on this earth he is still bending our hearts towards him and refining our sinful parts.
2. I have never question whether my Mom (and my Dad) pray for me. My Mom is great at telling me (and leaving her lists around the house). This is something that I've never thought about until recently when one of my friends said something like "I think your Mom has prayed for me more than my parents have ever prayed for me my entire life". Oh the blessings my Mom has given me in the form of time in front of the Lord. This is an reminder for me to of the importance of prayer and the encouragement it can be to the Christian when they know what others are praying on their behalf. (Also to my shame, I'm sure my Mom has prayed more for my friends, then I have in the past month).
3. My Mom loves me and others well and encourages in little ways. I also see her using her time well. She does a lot of mundane tasks, usually nothing glorious, but she does it in such a way that gives others rest.  In doing this she shows me what it is to love well and serve other well, she uses her own strength to give many rest, let that be true of me. 
• She knows this has been a busy month for Brad and I, and that we have felt some weariness, both physically and emotionally at times. She told me the other week that she would love to help in anyway she can and suggested doing our laundry, scrubbing my bathroom tub (which she has done before)...I love her humility and servant's heart. She also has dropped her plans at a notice moment to find a new desk for my husband (which he loves!). 
• I see her serve her husband well. She works, hard in a season of her life where some may be tempted to be lazy. She works hard so my Dad has minimum to do when he comes from a long day on the clock. 
• I also see her use a lot of her vacation time to visit and love my Grandma. My Mom has said when people hear she is going to Florida to visit her Mom, they think vacation. Really she serves my Grandma by doing the things that my Grandma wants to do (going to Red Lobster and mopping the tile, etc).
4.  I see great generosity, in her time, money and energy. Almost all of my examples, show great generosity :)

There is so much more I could write about my Mom...My Mom is one of the people who gets me the most; just like my Dad I have never felt like I had to prove anything to her, but just felt the comfort and confidence of being loved by her. I love you Momma DJ! You (and Dad) have been the visible smile of God to me for my entire life. My testimony is one of beautiful boringness, and by His Grace it's been through and due to your faithfulness.