 A sudden glance in the mirror, I’m startled and I scream out! Oh my gosh! I look closer at my expression and the shape my mouth takes from corner to corner, my eyebrows, and shape of my nose. I lean closer into the view to look deeper into the eyes. It’s then I realize that I look just like my mother! It doesn’t always happen that way, but there seems to be times when a certain glance at myself reveals, “I am my mothers child!” I used to get mad because I didn’t want to look like my mother or act like her! As a first born with strong will and independent personality, I wanted to be an individual, like no other, especially my mom! Now, I see things a little differently and have come to respect most of her views, personality, and the legacy that she will one day leave behind. Now I must explain, that just because Sunday happened to be Mother’s Day, it is not my intention to have you reflect on your mom or lay a guilt trip on you for perhaps not spending the time with her that you could. As a matter of fact, honestly, I’ve never been a fan of Mother’s Day or Father’s Day! That may shock some of you but it is painful for me to think of the millions of kids in the world who are not as fortunate as I am to have such great parents who love the Lord! Sure, the day is designed to honor each of them but it also brings about an enlarged emptiness for those without. My plan is to focus in this week by carrying on the theme of Uniquely Designed With Purpose!  Last week, Kathy posted about us being a masterpiece designed by God to do the good work that He has planned for us long ago. It is true that God has gifted us each with individual abilities, talents and gifts but how often do we think that those things are some kind of “tangible” gift or something that we are good in doing? I know some people who really struggle with not knowing what kind of “masterpiece” they are because perhaps they are not an artist, musician, author, and their gifts are not the type that one can put their hands on or lay their eyes upon. They have a wrong view of what it means to be a masterpiece! Worth is not measured by what you can or cannot do. Worth is something that is valued and given by others. It is God who gives us worth. Because of this feeling of inadequacy, many give up along the way. Others continue yet feel hopeless. That’s certainly not God’s intent. He tells us in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 that it is God who makes us worthy. We are created in his image because he loves us. As others have said, we have been created on purpose and for a purpose. We are to honor God with our lives, not seek to be “good enough” by living by the right rules. We are saved by grace through faith so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8-9). Our boasting is in who God is and what he does through us and among us. God makes you worthy. September 21, 2011 By Dillon Burroughs http://www.patheos.com
Though I may look a little bit like my mom, we are very different, yet very much the same! I tend to live life a little more out loud, while she is much more private. She loves to be educated, but I would rather educate! She likes to read books and I’d rather write them! She is a peacekeeper and I am a peacemaker (making peace by confronting.) I am a social butterfly and she loves to visit but is not really proactive with it. We both like to see new scenery and have a little adventure…however, I like much more adventure! But, somewhere deep in my DNA lies a trail of my mother. Those things that we seem to have in common that have helped develop me into the woman I am and with a love of certain things! We share the taste for the same style of furniture. We both love to grow roses, cut them, and share them with others. We love our coffee in the morning along with some quiet time, and we love a beautifully arranged and set table! We love spending time outside, the mountains, camping, and doing things for others (although she is better at that than I)! My mom is stubbornly diligent and determined. This is a trait that I became aware of in myself over the last few years! We are loyal, faithful, and friendly. Deep within, we both have a servant’s heart. A part of my mother lies hidden within me not only in physical traits, but also the way we think, and sometimes what we say…it’s rather creepy sometimes! There is nothing that she would not do for me! And she helps empower me to do what God has called me to do. Though she doesn’t see herself as a musician, an artist (she does paint really well), an author (she wrote a biography of Lottie Moon), or someone with outstanding talents, God has designed her for a more important purpose. She brings delight to the Lord and she glorifies Him. She was also designed to be my mom! A full time job I’m sure! She is a woman of prayer.  Today I thought about Moses’ mother. Not much was said about her in the Bible, but when I think about his life, there must be some hidden DNA of his mother that also enabled him to carry out great things for the Lord. Perhaps he gained a determined strength from his mom. I’m sure it took a great amount of that to place him in a basket and float him down a river just hoping that his life would be spared. And then after, she had to give him up a second time to become the Pharaoh’s daughter. I believe that God placed within her the insight that he would become great some day. I think of the things that she must have instilled in him as a baby, pouring out her love, rocking him and speaking the things of God. Moses’ mom was uniquely designed with purpose! Though it probably broke her heart, she did what was best for him. Of course too, how about Mary, Jesus’ mom? Talking about uniquely designed with purpose! It was at the wedding in Cana that she told him of the problem of the wine running out. She encouraged the servants to do whatever He asked of them. It was there that Jesus performed His first miracle. Each of us is designed with purpose. Yes, we are made to bring glory to God and help lead others into knowing Him, but I believe it doesn’t stop there. We are also designed to love one another (it’s our spiritual birthmark Jn. 13:35) and encourage them (I Thess. 5:11). It’s also what Jesus did. When we became born again, we received a type of spiritual DNA. We take on the characteristics of Jesus. In Acts 11: 19-26, the disciples were first called Christians. They were identified with Christ. Though some of us appear a little more unique than others, but that is the beauty of variety and how we work together in the body of Christ.  This week (and always), I’m thankful for my mom, and when I glance in the mirror, I am proud that I share in some of her traits. She has helped develop and train me into the woman I am today. And…seeing her in me…well….that’s not so bad afterall! Thanks Momma! Striving to live like Jesus, Sherry  If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner. Instantly a box will appear for you to type in the security letters as you see them and press "submit." It will tell you that you need to go to your email inbox and click the link to verify/activate. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE NEXT STEP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG!
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