| Today, society dictates that women are to be wives, mothers, teachers, chauffeurs, accountants, nurses, and bread winners. We are to take care of not only our husbands and children, but our grandparents, parents, and sometimes our grandchildren. We are expected to be soccer coaches, Girl Scout leaders, the neighborhood moms. We are to be involved in various clubs and charities, and don’t forget to go to he gym. And sometimes, whether it is due to death or divorce, we must be both mom and dad, the ‘super parent’. But how? To have all of the burden and responsibility without anyone else to share the load is, to say the least, overwhelming. My mother was one of these women who was widowed in her mid-thirties with five children to raise. She could not turn to her parents; they died when she was a young teen. She struggled to keep a roof over our heads and bread on the table. Public Welfare was not ever considered. Mom believed that was for people who were in very desperate need due to severe sickness only. We and our home were always kept clean, and we were always in church on Sunday. Even when she had no car we walked. She made sure we knew her love for her family and her faith in God. She did not just tell us, she showed us in everything she did. She worked (many times 60 hours a week or more), taught Sunday School, and made sure we learned the Scriptures. She never hesitated to pray asking for God’s help, or to give thanks to Him. She was not perfect. But all through my life, she never complained of her lot in life. She taught us all by example to tackle one day at a time with courage and a smile. I, for one, will always be thankful to her and I will always rise up and call her blessed. Children listen to everything we say. But more than that, they watch us. All that we do and don’t do is noticed. They watch our reactions to everything. They even notice our facial expressions. How do you react under stress? The Bible says in Luke 6:45 that what is in our hearts is what our mouths speak. What is in your heart? Is it bitterness, envy or even hatred? Or is it love, patience, and charity for all? Jesus taught us how to live, and how to love even our enemies. But much more vividly, He showed us, by example, the true meaning of love; so much so that He gave us life that we all might live forever in Heaven. What kind of example are we? So many families want to live in love and harmony and to teach their children a better way to live than gangs and drugs, but they just don’t know how. At Family Life Church in Victorville, California, they teach not only the Word of God to families so that they can learn what God intended families to be. We all need to learn God’s way. Sometimes it is real important to be reminded of these truths. Not long ago, my son gave me a note, and with it he included a Bible reference, which in the Amplified Bible states, “Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things (fix your mind on them)” Philippians 4:8 About that time I also read 1Corinthians 13. This chapter explains what love is supposed to be. If we would remember these verses and really live as they suggest then perhaps all of our children would rise up and call us blessed. |
| First Peter 3:3-4 3. Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. |
ARE YOU CALLED BLESSED? by Kathleen Puccio |
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