My mommy is the best mother in the whole world, in my opinion. She is talented, kind, loving, and yet willing to correct where needed. I smile ruefully as I look back at the years when I hated the idea of a spanking, and realize how it shaped me into the person I am. I look at all the teenagers of my time, and know that this world needs more mothers who are willing to spank their children, to discipline, to teach right from wrong. And because she was willing to do that, I am the person I am. Thank you, Mommy.
My mommy passed down to me her love of arts and crafts. When I see a blank paper, I have to put a pencil or pen to it; otherwise it sits there and calls to me. I get my abilities to actually do well at it from her, too. She has taught me how to sew, to knit, to draw. She showed us how to cook, to clean, to do everything to the best of our abilities. She taught us of God’s will, His love, and His work. Thank you, Mommy.
But in the last seven years, since an accident, she has been almost completely disabled. Tremors racked her body, making her unable to hold a fork, a spoon, or a glass. Dressing herself became impossible and her balance was so far gone she could not stand properly. Talking was hard and took all her energy – energy she simply did not have while she tried to calm the tremors. All the crafts she had once loved so much were gone. But, yet, she never once gave up. She never blamed God. She never let it define her. She was still Cheryl Eggers. She was still God’s child. She was still MY mommy.
And we loved her, all through the years, even as we fed her, we took over all the house work, and we found small ways to help. Her face lost all emotion. However, we kids never realized, in our hearts, that it was hard. If Mommy needed the help, then it was our job to help her. Because: we love her. She is our mommy. “It is Essential Tremor,” the doctors told us. They tried medication after medication, nothing worked. Herbs, minerals, vitamins – all of them tried, all of them failed. More doctors. “It is Essential Tremor, there is nothing we can do. Not unless you want to try this expensive, experimental surgery.
And suddenly, seven years after all this began, a miracle happened. Not the type that happen with a bolt of lightening, a huge bang. It was the type that cost $18.00 at a pharmacy, and a movement disorder specialist. When mom saw there was a specialist in town, she called to get an appointment. Several months latter, she got in. The doctor looked at her, did a couple simple tests and told my mom, “You have Parkinson’s. Take this pill and come back in a month. We’ll see how you progress.”
She took the pill. She is playing the piano again, dressing herself, standing in place without problems, drinking tea without a straw – and holding the cup herself! She is signing her own name, helping chop pears for canning, cleaning the house, and driving the van. Her face is showing emotion again (at first it looked really funny) and she is practically floating about the house, proclaiming triumphantly, “I can do this again! I can do this! Did you see that?” We loved her when she could do almost nothing. She is our mommy. We love her now, when she can do almost everything again. She is still our mommy. She will ALWAYS be our mommy.
God gave us a miracle. Not the fancy, suddenly nothing is wrong type. But the type you go to your local pharmacy and buy a month’s supply of pills for $18.00. It is, as my Aunt Miriam put it, our $18.00 miracle.
Thank you, Lord.
Mandy
Our Fireworks
I took this picture at a fireworks display a few years ago.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
My People
It is different for me, as an author, I see things that my readers can simply never see – I feel things that they cannot understand. My characters are a part of me, each and every one holding a place in my heart, and each one having one of my faults, my characteristics, and my hopes. It is even different for me concerning my bad guys. My readers might feel the satisfaction of seeing them fall to good and right, but I feel something else, because I understand, they’re gone, they cannot be saved. They weren’t the good guys, but they were my people. I could have saved them, but I didn’t. It is always for a reason, but it still hurts to see them go.
Is that how God feels when the unsaved die?
Mandy
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wild Horses or Tamed Kittens?
My pastor gave a wonderful sermon a couple weeks ago that I wanted to share. Thank you, Pastor Nick.
2 Corinthians 5:11-21:
"11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold , all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
As Christians, we should be like wild horses for God, not tamed kittens that just anyone can stick in a box and make silent.
What is the goal of missions? To proclaim Jesus to the world, to shout it from the roof tops, to tell it in the streets, to whisper it to our children as they fall asleep. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Matthew 16:15) We are supposed to tell them of Jesus - of his life, of his death, of his resurrection.
Why? Why do we tell them? Why do we bother to throw ourselves into awkward postions, hard places, just to tell others? because we know the fear of God. The unsaved will die an eternal death and be seperated from Our Lord and Savior forever. There will be a day of judgement. So we tell them! We don't tell them for some self gain. We tell them, to save them.
And, yes, by doing this, we are going to appear utterly crazy to the world. They are going to think our cheese has slipped off our cracker, that our happy meal is a few fries too short (thanks to all my friends for the sayings.) To the world, we're crazy. And if we're not, there is a problem. Christians should disregard every part of self preservation. Christians should be the first ones to dive into the banged up lives, the dying people, the run-down, rat-infested places of the world. Why? To help them, to tell them! We should jump into angry, infuriated mobs! Why? To help them, to tell them! We should welcome dangerous people into our homes! Why? To help them, to tell them! We should give to others even if we have nothing! Why? To help them, to tell them. Our job in life isn't to protect ourselves. It is to show others, no matter the personal hardships it might cause, the Love we have found, the Hope that we now have as our own. It is to go to the worst in this world and to tell them about the Best that our world has ever known.
This is crazy. A sane person would not give away their food if they don't have enough to feed themselves. A sane person wouldn't dive into the world's worst places to tend to their poor. A sane person wouldn't give up luxury for pain, suffering, illness, hurt. They wouldn't be willing to risk the emotional pain to become attached to a bad, sure-to-disappoint person so they could tell them of God's love for them. Sane people, don't do such things. Sane people stay home. Sane people see the worst of this world and quickly walk the other way. Sane people do not willingly risk illness or death to go to the people in jungles or swamps.
Sane people do not see a drunk and go over to talk to him and tell him of Christ. Sane people don't invite the homeless into their homes to have a hot meal - or go farther and help them find a place to stay, a job. Sane people don't get involved. Sane people stay away.
But Christians aren't supposed to. Christians are supposed to look at the worst and see a price tag on their clothes saying, "God's Blood." That is their worth to God. That is what He has given. We are supposed to give with everything we have. Why? For Jesus. For Jesus.
Love hurts. Love is stepping between the guns, the fights, the hurt, the greed, the sticks and stones, and the harsh words. Love is telling a sinner he is wrong. Love is getting into someone's life, invaiding their space with every ounce of your power, and learning what is happening in their hearts, even if it breaks your own. Love is telling someone about God, even if they will hate you for it.
That is the love Christ has for us. That is the love we are supposed to have for everyone else. That is the love we are supposed to display towards everyone, even the people that we hate, that annoy us, that have hurt us. It is not our job to judge them. It is our job, our life, our gift, to love them - as Jesus loves them, as he loves us.
Are you willing to be a wild horse, that will always do what God wants, no matter the risk? Or are you going to be a tamed kitten, locked in a box, silent, sane, preserving yourself from harm?
Mandy
2 Corinthians 5:11-21:
"11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold , all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
As Christians, we should be like wild horses for God, not tamed kittens that just anyone can stick in a box and make silent.
What is the goal of missions? To proclaim Jesus to the world, to shout it from the roof tops, to tell it in the streets, to whisper it to our children as they fall asleep. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Matthew 16:15) We are supposed to tell them of Jesus - of his life, of his death, of his resurrection.
Why? Why do we tell them? Why do we bother to throw ourselves into awkward postions, hard places, just to tell others? because we know the fear of God. The unsaved will die an eternal death and be seperated from Our Lord and Savior forever. There will be a day of judgement. So we tell them! We don't tell them for some self gain. We tell them, to save them.
And, yes, by doing this, we are going to appear utterly crazy to the world. They are going to think our cheese has slipped off our cracker, that our happy meal is a few fries too short (thanks to all my friends for the sayings.) To the world, we're crazy. And if we're not, there is a problem. Christians should disregard every part of self preservation. Christians should be the first ones to dive into the banged up lives, the dying people, the run-down, rat-infested places of the world. Why? To help them, to tell them! We should jump into angry, infuriated mobs! Why? To help them, to tell them! We should welcome dangerous people into our homes! Why? To help them, to tell them! We should give to others even if we have nothing! Why? To help them, to tell them. Our job in life isn't to protect ourselves. It is to show others, no matter the personal hardships it might cause, the Love we have found, the Hope that we now have as our own. It is to go to the worst in this world and to tell them about the Best that our world has ever known.
This is crazy. A sane person would not give away their food if they don't have enough to feed themselves. A sane person wouldn't dive into the world's worst places to tend to their poor. A sane person wouldn't give up luxury for pain, suffering, illness, hurt. They wouldn't be willing to risk the emotional pain to become attached to a bad, sure-to-disappoint person so they could tell them of God's love for them. Sane people, don't do such things. Sane people stay home. Sane people see the worst of this world and quickly walk the other way. Sane people do not willingly risk illness or death to go to the people in jungles or swamps.
Sane people do not see a drunk and go over to talk to him and tell him of Christ. Sane people don't invite the homeless into their homes to have a hot meal - or go farther and help them find a place to stay, a job. Sane people don't get involved. Sane people stay away.
But Christians aren't supposed to. Christians are supposed to look at the worst and see a price tag on their clothes saying, "God's Blood." That is their worth to God. That is what He has given. We are supposed to give with everything we have. Why? For Jesus. For Jesus.
Love hurts. Love is stepping between the guns, the fights, the hurt, the greed, the sticks and stones, and the harsh words. Love is telling a sinner he is wrong. Love is getting into someone's life, invaiding their space with every ounce of your power, and learning what is happening in their hearts, even if it breaks your own. Love is telling someone about God, even if they will hate you for it.
That is the love Christ has for us. That is the love we are supposed to have for everyone else. That is the love we are supposed to display towards everyone, even the people that we hate, that annoy us, that have hurt us. It is not our job to judge them. It is our job, our life, our gift, to love them - as Jesus loves them, as he loves us.
Are you willing to be a wild horse, that will always do what God wants, no matter the risk? Or are you going to be a tamed kitten, locked in a box, silent, sane, preserving yourself from harm?
Mandy
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Don't Judge - Speak Up!
Today, many people are saying, "Shh! Don't say anything, don't judge!" Christians look at Romans 14 and immediately assume this is correct, proper and right. God does say not to judge. We should work hard to not look down our noses at our family and our friends. But is that whole sentence true? Lets take a moment to look deeper.
Don't you just love the Greek and Hebrew langauges? Each word has several very special meanings so you can know exactly what they mean! The particular "judge" used here means: to decide mentally, or judicially, to try, to condemn, conclude, damn, decree, and sentence. Basically what you think when you see the word but so far as I saw, there was absolutely nothing about being silent when you see someone sinning!
Now, lets look at a new passage - just a chapter over! Romans 15:14 says, "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, able also to admonish one another."
Lets take a look at "admonish" and see what this word has to tell us. This word in particular means, "To put in mind, to caution or rebuke gently. Admonish, warn."
What does all this mean? God is not saying, "Hush!" when He says "Judge not!" Paul, and God, expect us to tell others when they are doing something wrong. They may not be aware of it, or they may just need someone to help them hear their conscious again. What it does say, however, is that we should reprove, or admonish, gently. Yelling at them isn't the right way to go about it. It probably won't get you anywhere anyway.
I don't know about you, but this is extremely helpful for me. There are times when we have to put this to use. I know first hand that it is painful and hard to tell someone you love that they are sinning.
I hope this helps you! Thanks for stopping in!
Mandy
Don't you just love the Greek and Hebrew langauges? Each word has several very special meanings so you can know exactly what they mean! The particular "judge" used here means: to decide mentally, or judicially, to try, to condemn, conclude, damn, decree, and sentence. Basically what you think when you see the word but so far as I saw, there was absolutely nothing about being silent when you see someone sinning!
Now, lets look at a new passage - just a chapter over! Romans 15:14 says, "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with knowledge, able also to admonish one another."
Lets take a look at "admonish" and see what this word has to tell us. This word in particular means, "To put in mind, to caution or rebuke gently. Admonish, warn."
What does all this mean? God is not saying, "Hush!" when He says "Judge not!" Paul, and God, expect us to tell others when they are doing something wrong. They may not be aware of it, or they may just need someone to help them hear their conscious again. What it does say, however, is that we should reprove, or admonish, gently. Yelling at them isn't the right way to go about it. It probably won't get you anywhere anyway.
I don't know about you, but this is extremely helpful for me. There are times when we have to put this to use. I know first hand that it is painful and hard to tell someone you love that they are sinning.
I hope this helps you! Thanks for stopping in!
Mandy
Friday, July 20, 2012
Chicks and God's Plans
A couple weeks again one of our chickens showed back up with five cute little balls of fluff following her. The chicks are absolutely adorable! We fixed up the pen (as I explained in an earlier post, I think...) and put them in there. Well, even though we tried our very hardest to get it chick proff, I am convinced there is no such thing! They can fit through the chicken wire! Yes, that are that small! They are always getting out but, luckily, none have yet died. YAY! This morning I headed out to check on them and feed them and stuff. I feed the other chickens first (because they mobbed me) and then headed over to check on them. Two chicks and one chicken. I felt the panic start up as I imagined little dead babies. I went hesitantly towards the house part of their pen and peered in, asking myself why on earth I wasn't getting Jon to look instead. No chicks in there. So now I started wondering if something had stolen them and eaten them.
I don't remember just how I saw them, maybe it was movement out of the corner of my eye or something, but I did. about ten feel away, weaving through the foot-tall grass were the babies. They were enjoying the freedom and eating the bugs around them. Exasperated, I shooed them back towards the house, trying to grab them so I could put them back. They did not want to be grabbed! They wanted to go back through the holes they had escaped from. They did not fit through the holes anymore! If they would only hold still, I could complete my plan to get them back in and it wouldn't take more than a few moments! But, of course, that was too easy!
It made me think, "Is this how God sometimes feels? When we are all dashing around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to fix something and not taking long enough to just let God fix it?" I wondered how many things God could have fixed long before us that we hendered by our mad dashes and dives. God has perfect plans for us and he can complete them without us getting flustered. He has everything under control. So next time you need to complete something, need to find a way into someone's life or heart, take a few moments to pray and let God work. He is so much bigger and more capable than we are.
Mandy
I don't remember just how I saw them, maybe it was movement out of the corner of my eye or something, but I did. about ten feel away, weaving through the foot-tall grass were the babies. They were enjoying the freedom and eating the bugs around them. Exasperated, I shooed them back towards the house, trying to grab them so I could put them back. They did not want to be grabbed! They wanted to go back through the holes they had escaped from. They did not fit through the holes anymore! If they would only hold still, I could complete my plan to get them back in and it wouldn't take more than a few moments! But, of course, that was too easy!
It made me think, "Is this how God sometimes feels? When we are all dashing around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to fix something and not taking long enough to just let God fix it?" I wondered how many things God could have fixed long before us that we hendered by our mad dashes and dives. God has perfect plans for us and he can complete them without us getting flustered. He has everything under control. So next time you need to complete something, need to find a way into someone's life or heart, take a few moments to pray and let God work. He is so much bigger and more capable than we are.
Mandy
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
What Will You Say?
This morning I turned the computer on and went to facebook and was pleased to find on of the 'Christian post thingies' I enjoy. This one said: Ten Things God Wants You To Remember, which encluded 'He loves you' and 'He protects you'. They were all very true and I enjoyed it very much, even shared it. And then I clicked the 'read comments' button. I enjoy reading the comments as much as I enjoy reading the pictures and sayings. It is nice to see what the Christians around the world have to say but also for another reason. There are always those couple people who get one and say things like, "God isn't real." When I see those comments, I hover over the name and click the 'message' button and write this person, sharing my faith and hope. I don't know if I've ever made a impact on any of them, but it is something I enjoy doing. Sometimes there are even those few people who say, "I'm feeling overwhelmed, God help me," or such things as that.
Today the comments loaded and right away, the very first one, was a very long, almost blog size comment. "Christians are stupid and ignoriant. You are all brainwashed, crazy people who don't know anything. I was a Christian once but science proved to me that I was wrong." He went on and on, over and over, telling the whole world that Christian were stupid people who needed to go to church EVERY SUNDAY to be told what to do because they couldn't think for themselves. It made me sad. I hovered over the name in the hopes I could tell him some of our truth, God's love, the hope we have, the science that DOES prove us right. But it wasn't to be. There was only a 'like' button, no 'message' button. I even went to his page but found none. "Is He not one of your chosen, Lord?" I asked. "Or is it just not your time for him yet?"
I did not have the oppertunity to talk to him, to help him but what if you had the chance? What if someone came up to you, no warning, and said these things to you? You have no time to look anything up, no time to find verses, no time to think on how to answer - only time to pray and do? Would you have the answers you need? Would you be able to show them the science that DOES show the Bible is real? There is science out there that proves it. Look at the gospels for example. Have you noticed the disruptancies, the small changes in the stories? A man did quite a bit of research into it and found that, according to high athorities, that these disruptencies actually prove that the Bible was really written by different people that did not conspire to just write it up to confuse or brainwash people. People see things differently and therefore would tell it differently, imphasizing things that others leave completely out because they simply see it as 'unimportant'. I'm sure the police have noticed it - have you? Have five people tell you the same story (they all have to have been there) and listen for those small changes. It will happen unless they rehearsed it!
Another thing: if the people that wrote the New Testament just made it up, would they have been willing to be STONED, HUNG, and PROSICUTED for their lie? Would YOU die for a lie? No, they had to have REALLY, HONESTY believed it and remember, they are eye wittnesses. They couldn't have just been mis-led! They have SEEN with their own eyes the miracles not only done by Jesus but by those who believed him!
Did you know those things? They are out there to be found! God WANTS to use you, is willing to make his Word understandable to you! Get INTO it and LIVE it and USE it. Could YOU answer these questions? Could you help this person if he asked you these things? Do you have facts and verses to help?
You thought I was done? Wrong. He said one more thing that I think we need to face. It is one of those things no one likes to think about and I can tell you why: it is gross! It is sinful! It is wrong! Nowadays we call it 'gay'. I know, you winced, didn't you? This man said he was gay. "I can't help it, it is just natural, but because of it, you say I am sinful," he said. What would you have said? Maybe it is natural to him but you know what? SIN comes naturally to ALL OF US. We are sinful, broken human beings. Stealing may come easily to some, even murder is fairly easy to some people - does that make it right, does it make it okay? NO! It is still wrong. We will face these questions and we have to be ready for them. God gives us verses on this in Romans. Romans 1:21, 22, 24-28 and 32.
The next question is: what are you going to do? Some people say, "But I don't have oppertunities to tell people!" Do you have facebook, twitter, both? Then get on it and USE it for God. Sure, its purpose is to keep in touch with friends but God can use facebook, too! When you see someone say, "I don't believe in God," or other things like it, don't just shake your head sadly - DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! You have the tools you need, you CLEARLY have the time. So take a few moments to tell these people about God. Some of them are just waiting for someone to tell them, to let them know they are loved. Who cares if you don't know much! The Bible promises that God will give you the words. SO DO SOMETHING!
And for all of my wonderful, lovely, protective relatives, yes, my parents have given me permission to tell these people. :) I love you all.
Mandy
Today the comments loaded and right away, the very first one, was a very long, almost blog size comment. "Christians are stupid and ignoriant. You are all brainwashed, crazy people who don't know anything. I was a Christian once but science proved to me that I was wrong." He went on and on, over and over, telling the whole world that Christian were stupid people who needed to go to church EVERY SUNDAY to be told what to do because they couldn't think for themselves. It made me sad. I hovered over the name in the hopes I could tell him some of our truth, God's love, the hope we have, the science that DOES prove us right. But it wasn't to be. There was only a 'like' button, no 'message' button. I even went to his page but found none. "Is He not one of your chosen, Lord?" I asked. "Or is it just not your time for him yet?"
I did not have the oppertunity to talk to him, to help him but what if you had the chance? What if someone came up to you, no warning, and said these things to you? You have no time to look anything up, no time to find verses, no time to think on how to answer - only time to pray and do? Would you have the answers you need? Would you be able to show them the science that DOES show the Bible is real? There is science out there that proves it. Look at the gospels for example. Have you noticed the disruptancies, the small changes in the stories? A man did quite a bit of research into it and found that, according to high athorities, that these disruptencies actually prove that the Bible was really written by different people that did not conspire to just write it up to confuse or brainwash people. People see things differently and therefore would tell it differently, imphasizing things that others leave completely out because they simply see it as 'unimportant'. I'm sure the police have noticed it - have you? Have five people tell you the same story (they all have to have been there) and listen for those small changes. It will happen unless they rehearsed it!
Another thing: if the people that wrote the New Testament just made it up, would they have been willing to be STONED, HUNG, and PROSICUTED for their lie? Would YOU die for a lie? No, they had to have REALLY, HONESTY believed it and remember, they are eye wittnesses. They couldn't have just been mis-led! They have SEEN with their own eyes the miracles not only done by Jesus but by those who believed him!
Did you know those things? They are out there to be found! God WANTS to use you, is willing to make his Word understandable to you! Get INTO it and LIVE it and USE it. Could YOU answer these questions? Could you help this person if he asked you these things? Do you have facts and verses to help?
You thought I was done? Wrong. He said one more thing that I think we need to face. It is one of those things no one likes to think about and I can tell you why: it is gross! It is sinful! It is wrong! Nowadays we call it 'gay'. I know, you winced, didn't you? This man said he was gay. "I can't help it, it is just natural, but because of it, you say I am sinful," he said. What would you have said? Maybe it is natural to him but you know what? SIN comes naturally to ALL OF US. We are sinful, broken human beings. Stealing may come easily to some, even murder is fairly easy to some people - does that make it right, does it make it okay? NO! It is still wrong. We will face these questions and we have to be ready for them. God gives us verses on this in Romans. Romans 1:21, 22, 24-28 and 32.
The next question is: what are you going to do? Some people say, "But I don't have oppertunities to tell people!" Do you have facebook, twitter, both? Then get on it and USE it for God. Sure, its purpose is to keep in touch with friends but God can use facebook, too! When you see someone say, "I don't believe in God," or other things like it, don't just shake your head sadly - DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! You have the tools you need, you CLEARLY have the time. So take a few moments to tell these people about God. Some of them are just waiting for someone to tell them, to let them know they are loved. Who cares if you don't know much! The Bible promises that God will give you the words. SO DO SOMETHING!
And for all of my wonderful, lovely, protective relatives, yes, my parents have given me permission to tell these people. :) I love you all.
Mandy
Monday, July 16, 2012
Enough - By My Mommy
This morning I lay in bed, trying to get up the courage to get up. I was feeling sorry for myself and began to think of all the things I had lost and the every day activities that are now so difficult, if not impossible, to do. I dreaded finding clothes for today, I could tell my arms would be too weak to pull up the loosest of pants and my fingers too shaky to button or zip. I thought about how I used to sew, knit and design clothing, things I now struggle to teach my children. I began to remember me, as I used to be.
I used to be an artist, drawing, painting, creating, now I have to try to find the words to tell others how to do the simplest of crafts. I was the “Craft Lady”; I loved showing others how to make something beautiful. Now I may be able to prepare but must rely on others to teach and help with the projects. The tremor has taken my talent.
I used to be proud of my handwriting; forming letters was a joy and an expression of beauty. Now neither the paper nor the pen will hold still and the words are barely legible, and writing a check or signing the receipt in a store is embarrassing. The tremor has taken both my words and my pride.
I used to be a long distance runner. I loved to hike and explore. I dreamed of the day we could go exploring as a family. Now I think about each step, telling my left leg to pick up and put down, pick up, put down, making even the briefest of walks mentally and physically exhausting. The tremor has taken my mobility and sense of adventure.
I used to make music, playing the piano and organ for church, and singing for the Lord. Now my hands hit all the wrong notes and singing causes such violent tremors my muscles cramp and I am in agony. The tremor has taken my song.
I used to be able to lift 90-pound bales of hay, work beside my husband and pull a kid, the goat kind. Now carrying a water glass or lifting a shovel full of dirt is a struggle. The tremor has taken my strength.
I used to be a teacher and I enjoyed talking with friends for hours (and we had the phone bills to prove it). Now I shake so violently that carrying on the simplest conversation is difficult, just holding still requires all my concentration so the words don‘t come, and my daughter must hold the phone for me. The tremor has taken my voice.
I used to be self-sufficient, independent, and opinionated (ok, I am still opinionated). I could drive a semi-truck, carry my own plate and go where I pleased, when I wanted, and hit a target dead on. Now I drive only on good days, others fetch what they think I would like to eat, and would you want to go target shooting with me? The tremor has robbed my independence.
And in that moment, as I lay there feeling discouraged and alone, I cried out, “Father, What do I have left?”
Softly came the answer, “My child, You have Me.
My strength is made perfect in your weakness.
My song is made new every morning, listen to it in the voices of your children.
My words are eternal and yours.
My grace IS sufficient for even your darkest days.
My love surrounds you, feel it in the love of your family.
You have Me.”
Then my heart cried out, “Abba, YOU are enough.”
Cheryl Eggers
July 2010
I got a lot of my writing talent from my mommy. She is one of the most amazing people I've ever known. She can laugh about her trimor with ease most of the time. She takes lifein stride. There are days for all of us where we wonder about these things but, unlike some, my mom listened for God's answer - and heard it. If you're struggling, don't just get upset, tell God and then not listen for what he says to you! He is always telling us things. This is something I need to learn as much as anyone else.
Mandy
I used to be an artist, drawing, painting, creating, now I have to try to find the words to tell others how to do the simplest of crafts. I was the “Craft Lady”; I loved showing others how to make something beautiful. Now I may be able to prepare but must rely on others to teach and help with the projects. The tremor has taken my talent.
I used to be proud of my handwriting; forming letters was a joy and an expression of beauty. Now neither the paper nor the pen will hold still and the words are barely legible, and writing a check or signing the receipt in a store is embarrassing. The tremor has taken both my words and my pride.
I used to be a long distance runner. I loved to hike and explore. I dreamed of the day we could go exploring as a family. Now I think about each step, telling my left leg to pick up and put down, pick up, put down, making even the briefest of walks mentally and physically exhausting. The tremor has taken my mobility and sense of adventure.
I used to make music, playing the piano and organ for church, and singing for the Lord. Now my hands hit all the wrong notes and singing causes such violent tremors my muscles cramp and I am in agony. The tremor has taken my song.
I used to be able to lift 90-pound bales of hay, work beside my husband and pull a kid, the goat kind. Now carrying a water glass or lifting a shovel full of dirt is a struggle. The tremor has taken my strength.
I used to be a teacher and I enjoyed talking with friends for hours (and we had the phone bills to prove it). Now I shake so violently that carrying on the simplest conversation is difficult, just holding still requires all my concentration so the words don‘t come, and my daughter must hold the phone for me. The tremor has taken my voice.
I used to be self-sufficient, independent, and opinionated (ok, I am still opinionated). I could drive a semi-truck, carry my own plate and go where I pleased, when I wanted, and hit a target dead on. Now I drive only on good days, others fetch what they think I would like to eat, and would you want to go target shooting with me? The tremor has robbed my independence.
And in that moment, as I lay there feeling discouraged and alone, I cried out, “Father, What do I have left?”
Softly came the answer, “My child, You have Me.
My strength is made perfect in your weakness.
My song is made new every morning, listen to it in the voices of your children.
My words are eternal and yours.
My grace IS sufficient for even your darkest days.
My love surrounds you, feel it in the love of your family.
You have Me.”
Then my heart cried out, “Abba, YOU are enough.”
Cheryl Eggers
July 2010
I got a lot of my writing talent from my mommy. She is one of the most amazing people I've ever known. She can laugh about her trimor with ease most of the time. She takes lifein stride. There are days for all of us where we wonder about these things but, unlike some, my mom listened for God's answer - and heard it. If you're struggling, don't just get upset, tell God and then not listen for what he says to you! He is always telling us things. This is something I need to learn as much as anyone else.
Mandy
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