a mother's gift

Dr. Ben Carson -"I not only saw and felt the difference my mother made in my life, I am still living out that difference as a man".
Dr. Carson's Mom only had a grade three education, worked as a household domestic to pay bills, raising two small boys as a single Mom. She guided those two young lads through school with a lovely but firm hand....she raised one of America's finest neurosurgeons as well as a strong light for the gospel of Christ.

I can only imagine the fights she had to put up with throughout the young lives of those two young lads. But through her faith and tenacity she walked each day knowing she was doing what was best for the future of her children. I believe most Mothers try to do that for their children.

I have been reading the story of Hannah, if you have never read it....it's an extra-ordinary story of unquestionable faith, love as well as suffering. It made me stop in my tracks, literally. So many times, when I give my kids a hug, they just think (I'm sure) that it's just Mom giving another hug, but what they don't know many times over I give thanks to the Lord as I hug them for their presence in my life. I am so thankful for "who" they each turned out to be, different as night and day those two, but I see them through a Mom's eyes and am thankful each day for the gifts they have each given me throughout this life.

Hannah gave up her first born, Samuel, after being barren for so many years then finally having a son, only to keep her promise to give him to the Lord. Which she did, she took him to the priest Eli and gave her son over to God's keeping. Wow. Hannah understood her faith in God, stood firm in it. I have learned much from the story of Hannah. The first thing I noted was to continally stand firm in what I believe to be true....don't let others influence my belief system unless it feels right and I understand it's truth.....I am answerable for ME....therefore I need to stand firm in what I believe, trust God to guide me always. There are many other noteable things, but I have already taken up a lot of your time.
I wish that Hannah's passion would somehow strengthen our faith, today.

God's blessings to all.
My thoughts for today........