Sunday, May 8, 2011

Heaven Sent

Every year I'm anxious as Mother's Day rolls around. It starts a few weeks prior as I listen to the people around me make Mother's Day plans and start mentioning Mother's Day gifts. I may buy a few Mother's Day cards but never the card for "Mother," they are always under the label, "For Someone Special."

I wake up every Mother's Day, not knowing if I will be able to keep it together. Will I be able to wish others a Happy Mother's Day without getting a lump in my throat? Can I lift my head and watch the others around me enjoying time with their mothers? Today the answer was yes, yes I could. I said Happy Mother's Day to many this morning and afternoon without the notorious lump. I watched as other people confirmed their dinner plans and talk about how good "mom's" cooking is.

Today as I sat in church, I listened to the  honoring of mothers for all that they do. All the examples given I couldn't relate to. I couldn't say to myself, yea, I did that with my mom; because I didn't. My mother was not able to be there for my first boyfriend, my first volleyball match, or for prom. I sat in my seat and asked God, why am I here? Why am I listening to this? Why am I being subjected to this torturous event? God answered quickly...

I started to think of all those motherly examples given and I realized that I did have all of those experiences; they just weren't with Tasha Dawn. I had those experiences with a handful of special women God placed in my life to get me through those moments of growth. It was that handful of special women who took me under their wing out of the goodness of their own hearts and did all the things I knew my mother would have done. It was this group of special women who took me shopping when it was time to go back to school and did my hair when it needed to be done. It was them who I talked about my crushes to and it was them who gave me affection when I wanted and needed it most. It was them who Invited me to their homes and made me a comfortable bed to sleep in when I needed to get away. It was them who encouraged me to be and see and do all I ever wanted. It was them who honored my mother just by taking care of the daughter she wasn't able to be with.

Though I am not yet a mother, I am proud of the woman I have become. I thank God for a wonderful mother who I know loved me very much and for sending angels to watch over me.

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Home Sweet Home

Long week..long day. I got a lot of sleep last night but I'm really tired. Had a great day in church. I'm amazed at the people around me and how they give so much time to such a worthy place and for a worthy cause. I've never been to a church like mine; where the idea that everything is done for the sake of others.

We don't have a big fancy building with plasma screens or marble floors. We don't have tons of people walking in and out of our doors every Sunday morning. What we have is a beautiful but small place to worship with several people walking in and out those doors almost everyday of the week. We do for others, we give for others. I feel like one day…and one day soon I might add, we will be the big church on the hill but right now the quality surpasses the quantity greatly.

About a year ago I told myself I wasn't going to church anymore. What I probably meant to say was that I wasn't going to go to just any church anymore. I know God brought me there for a reason. I was in need of a home. I needed a place to go back to time and time again. Go back for nourishment and comfort; 2002 Mercer Avenue is where I found it. Today after all was said and done I just sat there. Sat in the pew and finished my lunch while the musicians practiced. It was as if I was sitting on the couch at my house. I suppose I was, just relaxing in my home away from home.

If you haven't, I encourage you to seek God in your own way and a home away from home for yourself. I don't know how I got along without mine for so long. A place to encourage and lift you up. A place that you are eager to get to, and where you don't want to leave. A place where you can lend a helping hand and be a blessing and encouragement for others.

I know that living for yourself and for the moment is easy and popular but just take a second and try living for someone else. You never know how it might make you feel…just sayin..