Yesterday I began to think about today’s blog and where I should direct our thoughts on gratitude. I thought of parents.
We all fall into at least one of these categories. We have parents or we are a parent. Elementary but true. This picture was taken last November as some of our family joined with my Mom to celebrate an early Thanksgiving.
So grateful for Mom and her impact in my life. As she says, “I wasn’t a perfect parent but I tried”. That she did. She loved my dad, us kids, her grandkids and greats and she has loved the Lord for almost all of her life. At 95, she has been an influence in the life of many young men and women, some now in there 70’s. She was a school teacher, a Sunday school teacher, a young women’s leader, small group hostess and a welcoming friend.
“Her children say good things about her. Her husband brags about her and says, 29 “There are many good women, but you are the best.” Proverbs 31:28-29 ERV
Very thankful for the wonderful Mom I was given.
I’m also thankful for my children, who made me a parent. They, and their families, are the joy of my life. Life would be empty without them. Like my mother, I was not/am not a perfect parent, but my love for each one of them is unconditional. They could never say or do anything to make me love them more and they could never say or do anything to make me love them less.
“See, children are a gift from the Lord. The children born to us are our special reward. 4 The children of a young man are like arrows in the hand of a soldier. 5 Happy is the man who has many of them. They will not be put to shame when they speak in the gate with those who hate them.” Psalm 127:3-5 NLV
“Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.” Proverbs 17:6 ERV
So thankful for those who call me Besta. Bestamor is the Norwegian word for Grandmother. There are six who call me Besta and that is one of the sweetest words to my ears.
You know I’m going to end this with our heavenly Father, don’t you? It’s from Him we learn to be the loving parents we are. He is our example, it’s His life we try to imitate. Some haven’t been blessed with a good human role model but we have all been blessed with the love of our Father in heaven.
“Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].” Ephesians 5:1 AMPC
He will never turn us away when we come to Him. He will never leave us to flounder on our own. His arms are open wide, welcoming us to come. He has tattooed us in the palms of His hands.
“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. 9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad (earthly) as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV
“Can a woman forget her nursing child? Can she have no pity on the son to whom she gave birth? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. 16 See, I have marked your names on My hands. Your walls are always before Me.” Isaiah 49:15-16 NLV
Oh yes, I am thankful for parents; the ones I had, the one I am and for the One who has always been!