Mother’s Day Thankfulness
This is a Mother’s Day post from 2019 being published one year later.
It is amazing to be reminded of how faithful God was and is to us and the steadfast love and service of our family.
I stand in awe of his provision for us in the most crushing season of suffering to date. This was the goodness of God on full display!
From Mother’s Day 2019:
To the people who have enabled me to continue on as a mom, this is by no means an exhaustive list…
My Husband
For your tireless efforts to care for our family, while working a full time job, learning how to cook foods that won’t cause me pain or itching, for the thousands of loads of laundry, for the hundreds of dutiful bath times, bed time routines, teeth brushing Brayden, teeth flossing Brayden, hundreds of outfit changes for Brayden, hundreds of stories for my son (to the extent he’s started to memorize some of them), for the countless ways you have sacrificed for our family. I am grateful for you. God knew the exact man I’d need by my side to go through years and years of suffering—this current season being our hardest and longest yet. When we said forever 11 years ago, we couldn’t have had a CLUE of what God would ordain in our lives. But there is no other man I would want by my side than you. I am so proud of your growth in the Lord and your desire to know Him more, as you listen to hymns, as you turn on sermons, as you pray. I cherish you, Daniel. I’m so thankful for Brayden, and though it’s not an easy ride with him either, the joy, smiles and laughter warm my heart even when I “feel” on deaths door.
My Sister-in-Law
For mentoring me since January and giving me wisdom and power in Christ. The countless hours spent over the phone in love and the prayers you poured into my life and our family can never be repaid. I know God has a special place for you in heaven as you seek to help others love God more. The countless times I have called in tears, as you pointed me to Christ and told me I’d need to learn how to fight the real enemy and strengthen myself in Gods word and my daily bread of the Bible. You have a gift of love and support. I pray that God gives you much strength in your journey to love others and show Christ to them. You have given me the words and helped me form a stronger foundation which enabled me to be the mom I am today, pointing my son to Jesus, no matter the cost.
My Mother
For being the hands and feet of Jesus to me, Brayden, and Daniel. Our’s is a redemption story. For taking me to countless doctor’s appointments, playing with Brayden, being so thoughtful in how you played with him—to educate him. Including cooking, puzzles, math, reading, and physical activity like getting him to work on his muscle tone while riding a bike. For cooking for me when it meant I wasn’t eating if something wasn’t made. For never judging me as one day certain foods hurt my body and the next day a different one. For just going with the flow. For wanting to serve and help me. I trust God had to strengthen you to care for me and Brayden so well. For making an amazing 4-ingredient dairy-free, gluten-free dessert (in the middle of the night) as the highlight of our 11th wedding anniversary. God sees all you have done for us and I could never repay you for serving us the way you have. It’s enabled me to have that hour with my son (most days) and love him well, as you let me rest in bed and heal.
My Father-in-Law
For loving Brayden so well and offering to help us since last October. Thank you for the countless times you’ve picked him up from preschool and spent so much time looking at construction sites with him. He gets so much joy from being with you. We are grateful for your loyalty and love to us through helping care for Brayden. Thank you for helping us even when you are in your own pain. Such as the time Daniel had food poisoning and between your physical pain and my physical sickness we got Brayden bathed and in bed. We are so thankful to have you in our life. And to your wife, who has helped behind the scenes, she has a special place in our hearts as well.
My Friends
AnnaMarie, for the countless nights you have served us every week to enable Daniel 3 hours to himself. You were often my only physical visitor outside of family caring for Brayden. You have bought me water, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned carpet stains, help me put my child to bed, read to Brayden, the list goes on. We are grateful to you and your continuing help in our family! Jess and Naomi, who have come over and helped put Brayden down to bed, cooked me food for the next day, cleaned the kitchen, dropped off bottled water, and pointed us to Christ. Thank you for loving us during another season of hardship. For Bekah & Tom who let us live with them August 2018 when I was not doing well withdrawing from medication. We are grateful for all of you.
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You all have enabled me to continue on as a mom as I strive to live out what it means to love Jesus well and point our sweet boy to the cross—the one who died for us. I pray because of the long-suffering we are going through that our boy Brayden, a gift from the Lord, will grow mighty to know Christ and have an awe and love for him that inspires others. He walks so closely with us in our suffering. I pray my son can grow to be a mighty man of God with unwavering faith, not in spite of, but because he has seen his mom, dad, family and friends live out what it means to love, serve, and praise God’s holy name.
