Being a blessing...

3/26/11

Well, we seemed to have recovered from being sick for the most part. It was a LONG week of sickness, and I'm so very thankful that everyone is finally feeling better.

We stayed in Friday night to give the boys time to recuperate. They were still both running fevers, so it was nice enjoying family time, and snuggling them on the couch.

My boys are so snuggly when they are sick, and are definitely Mama's boys. I'm not complaining about this at all. I love it.

After we put them to bed, I was struggling and was really missing Madeline.

My mind won't let me forget those moments I had pictured for so many months. I always do feel like someone is constantly missing, and she is.
I just wish she could have been home with us that night, making sweet memories with us on the couch.

So, as I pondered these things, I was having a hard time.

I was a little bummed too, because I was supposed to have gone to a Ladies retreat with my sweet friend Jenny that day. Since the boys and I weren't feeling well, I couldn't go.

I knew that it would have been good for me to hear the speakers and their stories, so I was a upset that I couldn't make it. I hadn't really been out of the house all week and was really looking forward to going, and being encouraged.

On her way home, Jenny called me to check on me and tell me how it went.
I went upstairs to talk to her, and I completely broke down. I was telling her how much I was missing Maddie and how I just wanted to hold her again. I was sobbing on the phone.

Jenny completely understood, she loved Maddie too and being the Mommy of two little girls, it really hits close to home for her.

Jenny and I have been friends since freshman year of college. We were in each others weddings and have been there when each other's babies were born.
She was by my side at each of my boy's births, and she was with me when Maddie Grace was born. She took the video of everyone giving "well wishes" and caught some amazing footage of my sweet girl in her first moments of life. I'm so happy that she took that video and that I have it to cherish.

Mine and Jenny's husbands are best friends too, and we have so many wonderful memories of the four of us. (and if you count her girls and my boys, the 8 of us :)

Nick has been such a blessing and rock for Rick in the last 2 1/2 months, and we honestly feel so blessed to have good friends like them in our lives. They are the best.

After letting me cry, Jenny encouraged me.

She was telling me about some of the things the speaker was saying that night. She told me about all the trials she had been through in her life.

She met her husband in bible college, and after two years he cheated on her. They restored their relationship and after 10 years of marriage, they were unsuccessful getting pregnant. They looked into adoption at this point and were going to adopt a child, but the birth mom changed her mind after the baby was born. Then they finally adopted a set of twins, born at 27 weeks old. They were 2 lbs each. Three weeks after the little boy was born, he had to have heart surgery.

So, as you can see, she had quite a story.

Then, Jenny said that she said this.... (and I'm paraphrasing here) When we are able to take the focus off of ourselves, and pour our lives into someone else, and mentor that person; then we can be a blessing.

We, in return are the ones who are blessed, and this will lessen our own hurt, and the problems we are going through...

Wow! What great advice from a lady who had been through so much. Her words were so encouraging, and so true.

I know that whenever I'm out and about and busy with someone else, I'm not constantly thinking about my pain and sorrow. Especially on Sundays, when I'm busy teaching my girls and pouring everything God has given me into them, I'm happy. I feel blessed.

I've decided to try to make this a goal in my weekly routine. I'm going to try to just pour myself in others, including (you) who are reading here now.

I want to be a blessing, and in return, I know I will feel blessed.

There is no greater place to put an investment, than into someone else's life. Especially into the eternity of someone else's life. I want to point people towards the Lord and towards Heaven. I have so much waiting for me there. I want others to know that they have the same.

If I can spend my days trying to encourage and uplift someone else, then I'm sure I will feel good in return. I always feel good when I'm doing something for someone else.

I mean, yes, I could totally throw myself a pretty good pity party ever day, and many of you would probably come to it for me. =)

But, I don't want to live my life like that. Maddie Grace is happy, and I want to be too.

So, today my prayer is that the Lord will make me a blessing in the lives' of others. I want God to use me to bless someone else's life, and I hope that He will.


Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Jenny, Maddie and I at my Baby Shower

Waiting for Maddie Grace to arrive

Little Miss Maddie Grace. I wish I had a picture of Jenny holding her.



Make me a Blessing

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
Tell of His pow'r to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True every moment you live.


Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.