girltalk Blog
2006 at 11:51 am | by Kristin Chesemore
My mom has been such a blessing to me!! Even from a young age, I have always looked up to her as my role model of someone’s footsteps I want to follow in. Three particular areas of her life that I would love to emulate are her love for the Lord, her heart to serve, and her joyfulness!
Mom has such a passion to glorify the Lord! Her passion to honor Him in all that she thinks, says, and does has been such a wonderful example to me. Every morning she gets up and sits on the sofa with her cup of coffee and has her quiet time—I have never in my 19 years known her to miss this special time with the Lord. She sets spending time in God’s Word as her highest priority, no matter how busy the day is. Her worship is always so sincere and filled with passion for her Lord! Her desire to study God’s Word and spend time with Him has challenged me to grow in that area of my own life. Her life is one that revolves around the cross and the grace of God!
Mom has always had a heart to serve! Not only does she cheerfully serve, but she serves selflessly. Mom is constantly looking for ways to serve the family, people in the church, neighbors, etc. Yet during all the times she serves, there has not been one complaining word from her lips. She is constantly looking for ways to serve others! Even when she has a very busy day, she jumps willingly at the opportunity to make a meal for a family at church or watch a neighbor’s children. Her wonderful example of devoting her life to serving others for the glory of God encourages me!
Joyfulness is a word that sums up Mom! Mom is so fun to be around! I love being able to spend time with her, whether it’s shopping, making dinner together, or just seeing how each other’s day has been, Mom always has a joyful smile and word of encouragement! I know that this joyfulness comes from time spent with the Lord and worshipping Him. Her life abounds with the Joy of the Lord! When Mom has had something unexpected come up, she doesn’t complain, but responds positively. What an example!
Besides my Savior, Mom is my best friend! I always enjoy spending time with her and learning from her wonderful example as a wife and mother. I want to be just like her when I grow up! I know that God is using her in my life, as well as everyone she interacts with. I can’t wait to hear the Lord say to her on That Day, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master.”
Happy Mother’s Day Mom! May God bless you with His Grace, as you faithfully continue serving Him! I love you!
Jennifer
My mom is truly the greatest example to me of someone allowing their life to be used for the glory of God. When my older sister was born almost 20 years ago, Mom and Dad made the decision to home school. My Mom selflessly laid down her dream career as an occupational therapist in order to become a home schooling mother. And the awesome thing is that over all the years she’s home schooled us, I’ve never once heard one word of regret for this choice, even though I know that occupational therapy was something she LOVED doing. She is a shining example of a woman responsive to the Lord’s will for her life, and pursuing it with no regrets.
The love that my mom displays for her husband, children, and home is contagious! She radiates a gentle, quiet spirit; trusting God and being content with all that she has. Mom serves alongside my dad in leading the welcome team at church, and her heart to reach out to people has affected me SO much. She excels in hospitality and in making anyone feel welcome in her home. Mom is constantly looking for new and tasteful ways to accentuate the meal that she serves. It’s so fun to see her excitement when she comes home from shopping… “Steph! Look at this fun new plate that was ON SALE at Pottery Barn! Next time we have someone over I’ll put some fancy cheeses and crackers on it!” And I must say, her excitement is contagious; come on, a cracker plate? This is exciting stuff! The joy that she shows in reaching out and forging new friendships affects me and challenges me so much. Not a week goes by without some new person coming up to me at church and declaring “I LOVE your mom. I absolutely love her. She has got to be THE coolest, sweetest, most adorable woman I’ve ever met.” Yep. I agree!
Not only does Mom fulfill her role as my mother - she also is a dear friend to both my sister and I. She teaches us biblically and firmly, and yet she makes it a blast to hang out with her! Whether going on shopping trips, Starbucks runs, having girlie movie nights, or putting on some fun music and having a dance party (yes, despite her “home school mom” status, my mom DOES have some pretty sweet moves), she is so much fun! Mom also draws me out on a regular basis. She is persistent in seeking me out for accountability, and humble when she sees a heart area that I need to grow in. My mom is also a very tasteful woman. She decorates her home with style, and her choice of dress is discerning and classy. I have no problem whatsoever shopping with her! She’s a joy, and I count her as my very best friend.
I could go on and on and on honoring mom. Her heart to be content in the Lord, serve the local church, bless and love my dad, care for and befriend her children, reach out to others, and ultimately glorify her God is contagious, provoking, and challenges me on a daily basis. My prayer is that she is blessed and honored this Mother’s Day!
Stephanie
2006 at 6:06 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
“Why are you grateful for your mom?” As a child that was the question that inevitably came around every Mother’s Day. My answers were somewhat simple and typical, limited to what I could externally see in my mom: she cooks for me, she washes my clothes, she cleans the house, she loves me, etc. But now, as a grown woman with my vision slightly enlarged, my answer to that age-old question is somewhat different. Why am I grateful for my mom, well, because she’s my friend. Somewhere along the years our relationship ceased to be just mother and daughter (though it certainly is that still) and became simply two best friends walking out life together. Although I get far more our of our friendship than she does, I am so grateful that I am allowed to call this woman of faith my counselor and friend. One of the things I most love about our friendship is that we can be serious or fun together, it makes no difference. Some of my most meaningful and deep discussions have my mom at the center challenging me, instructing me, and biblically loving me through correction. But we can have fun too, from getting our nails done together to all-day shopping trips. I am so privileged to live with this woman who daily displays biblical femininity to me in our home and family through the way she loves and submits to my dad, serves our family, encourages and counsels other woman, shows hospitality, wisely stewards money, daily pursues God and her growing relationship with Him, and seeks to take all opportunities to shower every person around her with love and care. As I begin to look toward the future and anticipate a day when God gives me a husband and calls me into motherhood, I have such a wonderful path laid out before me. It will be my honor, privilege, and goal to simply attempt to walk in the footprints my mom has laid before me. I’m so grateful that she will still be around then, because I’ll spend the rest of my life learning from her.
Mom – I’m SO grateful God gave you to me! There are simply no words to express my love for you and there is no other woman that I respect more or want to be more like. There is a trail of years and people who have been impacted by your love and care and I’m just so glad I get to be one of them.
Charity
2006 at 2:52 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
My name is Abigail and I am 7 years old, and I live in Australia.
I love my mummy because she tells me about Jesus.
I love my mummy because she tells me I am here for a purpose and I am not a mistake. That I am here for such a time as this…
I love my mummy because she helps me read the Bible too.
I love you mummy!
Love from Abby
2006 at 11:52 am | by Carolyn Mahaney
I am one of sixteen children and my mom, even when she was a single mom for a few of my younger years, has always been a strong godly woman. Mom, thank you for the countless hours you have spent praying for each and every one of us (and with all us kids I can’t imagine how many hours that has been). Thank you for the tea you brought us every morning in our own little personal teapot, and for all the other wonderful and fun things you did for us. I have so many activities and traditions I can do with my family one day and I am so grateful for that. Thank you for your desire to see each one of us know God and grow in our relationship with him. Thank you for the many hours you spent with us memorizing Scripture and reading God’s Word. You are such an example to me as to what a godly wife and mother should look like. Thank you that you were always there for me, even when I had turned my back on God and on the family. I can’t imagine all that I put you through and yet you still welcomed me in with love and were such an example to me of what grace looks like. Mom thank you for all that you have done behind the scenes, for your wonderful hospitality and your heart to serve everyone that you come across. I feel like this doesn’t even cover half of the things that I appreciate and love about you. I love you so much Mom!
Beth Claver
2006 at 6:41 am | by Carolyn Mahaney
Monday morning marks the beginning of the work week for the mass majority of paid employees. Not so for a mom. Monday morning for her simply means a continuation of the work she’s been doing all weekend. In fact, her work-week has no starting time. And neither does it afford her an ending time. For even if she would get a few minutes off for relaxation during the week (which is always iffy), she’s still on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
So, how do you pay a salary to someone who spends this much time on the job? Well, U.S.News & World Report informs us:
According to a new study by Salary.com, a compensation consulting firm based in Needham, Mass., the average stay-at-home mom with two children—if she were to be paid in cash based on current market rates— would command a salary of $131,471 a year.
The company arrived at this figure by surveying stay-at-home moms about all the functions they perform and how much time they typically spend on those jobs every week. Consider all the roles mothers play. First and foremost, mom is the family’s chief daycare worker, according to Salary.com. But she’s also the teacher, the chauffeur, the housekeeper, the cook, the nurse, the maintenance worker, and, yes, even the chief executive of the household.
Now, I doubt there is any mom out there who would begrudge receiving a $2500 paycheck each Friday. However, this salary still doesn’t cut it! That’s because you can’t measure the worth of a mom’s influence on her family in dollars and cents. It is, as Elisabeth Elliot once said, “more profound than can be measured.”
While there’s no way any of us can repay our moms—whether in the currency of dollars and cents or of sincere gratitude—that shouldn’t keep us from trying.
So that’s what were going to do all week on the girltalk blog. We’re going to allow you, our readers, to thank your moms. We received so many wonderful tributes and I wish that we could post them all. However, if yours was not chosen, please give it to your mother on Mother’s Day. You’ll probably never know how much it will mean to her.
Our hope is that not just the moms who are honored, but every mom who reads the blog this week will feel the love and gratefulness of her family and the pleasure of our Savior!
This Friday Funnies was sent to us by our friend Tracey. Upon receiving this idea we all took her challenge and just as Tracey predicted…we all failed! In fact, I just gave it another shot (hoping to beat this thing) and hopelessly fell short once again. I’m gonna try this on Mike when he comes home tonight.
Why not give this little exercise a whirl yourself? And if you feel stupid, take comfort in the fact that many others are trying (and failing) at the very same time!
This is so funny—you will keep trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot. But you can’t!
1. While sitting in a chair, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number “6” in the air with your right hand…Your foot will change direction!!!
I told you so…
And there is nothing you can do about it.
Catch y’all on Monday!
Janelle
for Carolyn, Nicole, and Kristin
We want to conclude our series on good works by introducing you to one woman who has “devoted herself to every good work.” Dorothy Reifner used to be a beloved member of Covenant Life Church. However, a few years back she and her family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to participate in a Sovereign Grace Ministries church plant there. During my recent visit to North Carolina to speak at the Encounter’06 Conference, I had the privilege of seeing Dorothy again as her church participated in this event. On the second day of the conference, to Dorothy’s surprise and to the delight of the rest of us, we were treated to a video presentation of this dear saint’s life. There was not a dry eye in the auditorium by the time it concluded, for throughout this mini-biography, we heard from so many family and friends whose lives have been blessed by Dorothy’s faithful good works. And although most of you will never meet Dorothy Reifner this side of heaven, we trust you will be inspired by her life.
You can download the video by clicking here. It may take a few (up to fifteen!) minutes, but it’s worth the wait!
(If you are on a Macintosh, the Windows Media Player is a free download.)
Now that we’ve spent two weeks exhorting you (and ourselves!) to have a reputation for good works, I want to give a warning. Run! Run away from them as fast as you can!
No, I’m not contradicting everything Janelle said earlier today about being devoted to good works. I’m in full agreement with Scripture: we should give every last drop of energy to doing good works.
But, I know how it happens with me.
After I’ve done a good work, I want to add it to my collection. I put it on my soul’s mantle and I polish it and step back to admire it. What a godly woman I am for doing such a good work! How nice it was to receive the thanks and appreciation of others! What a noble, self-sacrificing person I am!
When I’m thinking like this, I’ve so missed the point.
Good works are not an occasion for self-congratulation. They are a reason to marvel, once again, at my Savior. Only because of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross are my sins forgiven—not because of any good work I have done or will do. Only His grace motivates me to a life of good works. Only because of Christ’s mercy are my good works pleasing to the Father. Only His power sustains me for a lifetime of good works to His glory.
Instead of exalting in my good works, I should be reveling in the Good Work of Christ that has totally transformed my life.
I must follow the example of one David Dickson who said: “I make a heap of all my bad works and all my good works and I flee them both to Christ.”
Yes, I should devote my life to good works in order to bring honor to my Savior. But at the end of the day, I must remember that it is only because of my Savior that these good works are pleasing to God. And I must flee all my good works and run to Christ.
“Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.” 1 Timothy 5:9-10
This final phrase—“has devoted herself to every good work”—may appear, at first glance, to be a little vague. Kinda like what happens when I can’t come up with a concluding sentence for one of my posts, so I just tack on something nice-sounding but essentially meaningless.
Not the case here! There is nothing vague about this concluding remark. Paul is making a very clear point. In case we got the idea that we could check off one of each of these good works and qualify as a godly woman, Paul raises the stakes considerably. He says the godly woman is devoted to good works. As one commentary describes it, she is “energetically and diligently giving herself” to this stuff. I can imagine this woman constantly looking and listening, ready to serve upon discovery of the slightest need.
Do you remember the t-shirt that was popular a few years back with the slogan that read, “Life is Tennis (or Basketball or Fishing). Everything else is just details”? Well, here Paul is saying that the godly woman’s outlook is: “Life is being devoted to good works. Everything else is just details.”
Bringing up children, showing hospitality, caring for the afflicted—these aren’t things the godly woman does one time, like a community service requirement. Good works are what she is giving her life, energy, time, and heart to. Good works are what she is all about.
But there is one other word that makes this phrase even more powerful. Yep, it’s that little word “every.” Every, quite simply means every. It doesn’t mean some or most, but every. The godly woman doesn’t limit herself to good works that are easy, or get her the most attention, or are her top favorites. She practices good works of all kinds. And we can safely assume that they aren’t all pleasant.
Not such a vague phrase after all, huh?
I think John Wesley’s well-known quote expands nicely on what Paul is saying here.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”
Cause everything else? It’s just details.
2006 at 12:10 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
We have received some requests for new pictures of Caly. I’m happy to comply. My camera has been put to good use as of late!
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My mom has been such a blessing to me!! Even from a young age, I have always looked up to her as my role model of someone’s footsteps I want to follow in. Three particular areas of her life that I would love to emulate are her love for the Lord, her heart to serve, and her joyfulness!
