Today, I Am Thankful

“As you do not know the path of the wind, 

or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, 

so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

(Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Today, I am grateful for thoughtful children and a loving husband. 

For people who help those who need them and do so with excellence and compassion.

 For the Father's protection and the Son's selfless love.

For the Spirit's guidance, direction, and inspiration. 

Today, I thank God that although I do not understand,
I can know Him. 

Although I cannot see Him,
I recognize His hand prints everywhere 

and discern His voice in gentle whispers.

Today, I look around and see blessings. 

Some are hidden, like the seed that awaits its blossom.

Others yell out, 

"Open your eyes. 

God is real. 

Love is alive!"

Today and every day, I am thankful.

Joyfully,

Dr Mari

*Photographs by Manuel Díaz. All Rights Reserved. www.manueldiazphotography.com.

Mother's Day Reflections... And A Song

"Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

^'Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.'

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

(Proverbs 31:28-30)

Motherhood is one of the best ways that God teaches us selflessness.

It's a journey for all of us, 

and we are blessed

when we embrace our God-given role as mothers

and live it out. 

I live grateful for my mother and keenly aware of the impact 

her love, wisdom, and example had on my life, 

my brother's life, and so many others.

I, too, aspire to leave a legacy of love and blessing for my children, 

recognizing that only to the extent that I show them God

and reflect His love and His wisdom

will I impart the greatest treasure anybody can possess.

May God help us live into what it means to be a blessing to our children.

May we be parents who leave behind eternal riches.

Happy Mother's Day!

Dr Mari 

For a tribute to my inspiring mother, see Lessons I Learned Watching Mom: A Mother's Day Tribute. To listen to Celine Dion singing Because You Loved Me, click here.

My Injury - A Megaphone!

So I hurt my hand. My right hand. My writing hand. Just as I was starting to add the final edits to my book. So instead of editing bliss, I have four more weeks to learn to appreciate the splint that protects my right thumb and my wrist's scaphoid, the bone I hurt when I fell off my bike.

And, yes, I recognize that I just started two sentences with "so" and another with a preposition, but remember. No editing bliss. My writing captain is on strike. By that, of course, I mean my right thumb. The space bar is critical to a writer, and the left thumb has way too many duties now.

All that said, there have been some benefits to this nuisance of an injury. Like my sweet husband putting my hair up when I opt for a pony tail - which is every morning now - mostly so I get to watch him do it. Too cute!

I've also realized how much I ignore my left hand when I'm well, relying heavily on my dominant hand. How often we use only some of the gifts God gave us while others lie dormant, unused and under-developed! I'm committed to using my left hand more after my right hand heals.

My biggest lesson came last week while Russ fetched the bag of sugar I couldn't quite grasp left-handed. I finally confessed, "I just want to be self-sufficient!"

"Really? That's what you want? Inter-dependent is what you mean. You want to let us help you when you need us, don't you?"

Well, in truth, no; I don't. I want to be able to do everything for myself with little need of others. A recovering perfectionist and type B wanna-be, I live by my to-do list and, lately, I simply cannot get it all done.

Somehow I sense that was part of God's plan in allowing this annoying detour to my perfect plans.

So what's my point? I guess I've realized how much I take for granted every single day. How much I need others. And the blessing of asking for help when I need it and accepting it with grace.

My alarm went off this morning with a song of praise. As I tested my thumb, I noticed it still hurts. So I joined the song on the radio, thanked God for another day, and walked over to my hubby, hair-tie in hand. He knew just what to do.

I'm pretty sure he smiled, and I definitely said thank you.

Grateful,
Dr Mari