Category Archives: GENERAL INTEREST

Posted on

To My Son: A Letter about Life

A Mother’s Heart

My son was visiting me a few years back when we began talking about life, God, and how the two intersect. We were open with each other as we delved in and considered the “whys” of personal belief. We discussed the meaning of life and how it ties to one’s perspective of God, the spiritual–or lack thereof–and the philosophical.

As a followup, I decided to write Son 2 an email letter about my hopes and desires for his life, especially on the spiritual side, and the meaning I derive from this. I wished to challenge him in new ways and to give him something more to contemplate.

I hoped my son would grasp the delightful knowledge that belief, Christianity, and God in one’s life, can be vital, rich, and much, much more than most Christian people know it to be. God is life-giving when he is accessed in open and tender, real relationship.

I share my letter to my son here on my blog for the same reason: to encourage you in your faith walk.

Letter to a Son

My Son,

What would I have my son to be? I would have God to be real to you.

I would have you get away from all that seems meaningful for a moment in order to have an honest and open conversation with God.

I would have you reevaluate the important, the very most important, values in your life. These tie in to your beliefs, why you do what you do.

I would have you to not run, if this is any part of the equation. People often do this when life gets complicated.

I would have you thank God for every grace he has given you and praise him for his mighty work on your behalf.

I would have you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, to give up the right to your life. This comes first.

I would have you to be everything you are, my beloved child, and everything God wants you to be, as his beloved child.

I would have you to live in freedom. Life, real God-life, has an energy force all of its own. Few Christians seem to tap into it. They live unfulfilled lives of so-so Christian living, far short of the life God offers them.

I wish for you, that you will and can partake of the great flowing grace of God. He must be the focus or it will be a wasted effort.

Most of all, I wish for you to fall in love with the Savior. He loves you so very much.

I love you,

Mom

My son was appreciative. This sparked additional two-way conversations.

Posted on

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” song lyrics and tune have been playing in my head for several days. I want this to speak to the joy of being thankful. Being grateful enhances being thankful.

YouTube: Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Beautiful sunsets. Lovely friends. Gracious comments. Happy moments. Butterfly kisses from our littles. Fresh rain. God’s Word. Favorite verses. Gorgeous paintings. Sweet relationships. Happy campers. Lyrical tunes. Tender hugs. Ocean breezes. I could go on and on. Life has an underlying secret beauty. I think it’s called “majesty” or speaks of something majestic. O the wonder of it all.

Have you ever experienced one of those crystal clear moments you capture in your memory? When I was a teen my family was driving through Nevada in the winter. After visiting Harrah’s car show in Reno, we drove through Carson City. Down the road awhile later, looking through the back window of the station wagon, a gorgeous snow-capped mountain could be seen. I was in awe of its majesty so I decided to commit it to memory to imprint the image forever. I can still see the mountain’s grandeur in my mind’s eye.

A happy wonder is when someone gives you a tight embrace that communicates their love for you, and you, your love for them. Yesterday I experienced that kind of hug with someone in my church. I’d not been at my church for several weeks. When you see the people you love and care about and their eyes light up while they talk to you, you can tell they’re glad to see you. Those feelings mean a great deal. One person’s embrace was especially long and warm-tight. Another person’s hug was a close second. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Today’s post delivered a card that reads “Happy Thanksgiving” from The Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux. The photo is of walnut trees on the monastery’s Vina ranch. I spent 2014 writing, praying, and contemplating at the abbey. Warmth for the monastics resurfaced and the sweetness of the memory kindled a spark in me. I have missed them. The monks pray for the world and love the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for His mercy endures forever.

Most of all, I am grateful for the gift of our Maker, the Triune God: Giver, Sustainer, Lover, Joy-Giver, Friend, Helper, Forgiver, Healer, Life, Redeemer, Creator and, basically, the reason for everything that matters for now and eternity. We are so fortunate to have a relational God, Who cares about our souls and being. He is Being. He is Life. He is Salvation. God makes every day better.

“Give Thanks” by Don Moen
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.”