Of the ever growing list of things I'm thankful for, having true Christian parents remains near the top.
While my father is in heaven, my mother continues to serve God here. Being in her 80's, she remains in the trenches as she fights each day for the goodness and grace and mercy only God can provide,to be bestowed not only on her children but her grandchildren & great grandchildren and her choice weapon she's most accustomed to, for she's been at it for decades, is prayer.
She more than knows it's a daily battle for the blessings she prays, to be manifested in the many lives she prays for and she also knows she may never see, on this earth, all the fruit of her prayers, but she remains not only faithful to the task at hand, in praying for her family but she's a lasting testimony to all who knows her.
Often times when I call, after catching up on things, we spend time taking about the Bible and sharing verses, but last night, she took time to read the lyrics to a hymn that recently blessed her and as I listened, I could not help but to be blessed by the joy and enthusiasm and excitement as she read the wonderful words of the hymn.
That kind of joy is real and In a world where there is a shortage of "real" it's not only nice to hear this, but I'm blessed that she's my mom.
The hymn that meant so much to her was :
I sing the mighty power of God -
Lyrics :
1.We sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
2 We sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed,
where'er we turn our eyes,
if we survey the ground we tread
or gaze upon the skies.
3 There's not a plant or flower below
but makes your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from your throne;
while all that borrows life from you
is ever in your care,
and everywhere that we can be,
you, God, are present there.
What a song, by Isaac Watts.
Of course we spend a moment lamenting over the idea that today's generation was robbed of such inspiration and what's more sad is, many,let's say, 30 and under could never admit that she's right.
I must never forget the wisdom and strength of the past and I'm blessed to have a mother who joyfully takes time to remind me.
Love ya mom!