Holidays always seem to get to me here. This never happened to me in America. But now, they sneak up on me and I get emotional. It never fails.
This morning I wrote my mom a message on facebook because I wasn't sure if the trusty postal service between here and America had delivered my written letter in time.
Then we went to church where the mothers were asked to stand. A special song was contributed to them and the children delivered hand-made paper flowers to each of them. I felt my face warming up as the emotions rolled in. Here we go again. I missed my mom.
But this time was somehow different than past holidays. Instead of finding myself in despair, I praised the Lord that I have a mother and that she entrusted me to Him. "Thank You God that I'm in the Philippines and not Mississippi today. I'm right where You want me." As I talked to my heavenly Father, I looked up and a couple of sweet little faces and two precious hands offered me the prettiest flowers. I wasn't standing with all the mothers; I'm not a mom. Both of these girls have mothers of their own. But God has given me the ever-special opportunity for this time in their lives to be a spiritual mother. I play with these little girls every Monday and Thursday at promptly 4:30pm (the only thing they're ever on time for). I've bandaged wounds, held hands, and sang songs with them. I've told them stories from God's Word and prayed for them often. As I took the flowers and offered hugs in return, my eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled with thanksgiving. What a blessing to be a part of their lives. What a blessing that they chose me to receive their flowers.What a blessing that I had a mom who loved me and taught me to love others.
These are my favorites flowers. I receive flowers from these kids a lot..almost weekly (most of them stolen from our own yard, but what can you say?). I like to put them in my hair and they like it even more. It doesn't take much to receive a flower around here..our white skin attracts them. But these flowers are my favorite because they were given out of love- not just love for me, but what I believe is a growing love for the Lord.
I don't know much about being a mother and I don't know when my time will come, but I pray that when Josh and I are blessed with children that we will remember the fruits that come with pouring into them spiritually. And I encourage you to look for the little ones in your life and point them to the only One worthy of their love and adoration.
...So today, the holiday hasn't gotten me down (at least not yet!) but rather has found me with joyful, teary eyes thanking my Father for His goodness.
Happy Mother's Day!!
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