Hello Ladies,
We pray you are well and enjoying the warm weather! It certainly feels as though spring is finally here! We often associate springtime with growth and new life. We long for growth in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones, don’t we? Yet sometimes we feel as though we are stuck in a time of waiting, when growth is not evident. What then? Does it mean the Lord is not working? We pray this month’s newsletter will encourage those who are waiting that the Lord indeed is still working!
We have also included a short Mother’s Day note to encourage you mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers.
All mothers are invited to a special Mother’s Day Tea, hosted by the Moms Group. On Saturday, May 19th, from 10:00 - 12:30, please join us for a time of fellowship, encouragement from God’s Word, and of course tea and pastries! Whether you have been part of Moms Group before or not, we would love to spend a morning together! Please note that childcare will NOT be provided and that registration is required. Cost is $7.00 per person. You may register at tiny.cc/momstea.
God Bless You,
Cara Blondo
Worth the Wait
To mark the official start of spring last year, my husband brought home a flower bulb for each of our four children to plant. They excitedly dug out their flowerpots from the shed, which had been locked all winter. Each child poured potting soil into their flowerpot and carefully planted the bulbs, all the while chattering excitedly about the beautiful flowers that were surely going to grow. Not surprisingly, in time, they did grow. But not all of them. You see, three grew into beautiful, vibrant-colored flowers. One of them, however, the one belonging to the youngest child and perhaps the one who was the most excited about the planting, produced nothing. He peered out the window. He diligently trotted outside to check his flowerpot. He faithfully watered the soil. And waited. All…spring…long. Nothing. What was supposed to happen did not. While everyone else’s flower bloomed according to their expectations, his did not. Blame was placed on the flower - maybe it was a bad one? Blame was placed on him - perhaps he had done something wrong when he planted it!? Finally we all simply forgot about that flower, chalking it up as a complete failure.
MONTHS later, one day in the FALL, the kids were outside playing. This same child, who had been disappointed by unmet expectations, let down by failure, and wondered why his was the only one that didn’t “work,” dashed into the kitchen exclaiming, “Mom! Mom! You have to see this!” I went outside and was met with the most surprisingly beautiful flower I had ever seen. The children were excitedly yelling and jumping. All of them filled with joy as they celebrated. Delightful and awe-inspired laughter filled the air. What a picture it was for me. What a lesson I saw unfold right before my eyes. To this day I don’t know if October was when that flower was supposed to burst on the scene, beautifying our yard or if it was meant simply as a lesson to behold. But what I learned was that the measure of JOY that this flower brought in mid-October, when all the colors around it had faded, was GREATER than had it bloomed when we expected it to, when it was “supposed” to, when everything around it was in full color. Yes, indeed, it was worth the wait.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a
How hard it is to wait. How easy it is to forget that it is worth the wait. What disappointments we must endure when things don’t happen when we expect, when we feel alone in our sadness, when surely we think something or someone is to blame (maybe even ourselves), or that something must have gone terribly wrong. But could it be that the beauty meant to shine through us or our situation is going to be all the brighter, all the more worth celebrating, when the right time does come?
Countless times in Scripture we are confronted with what would appear to be ill-timed events. Jesus arrived at the scene of the tomb of Lazarus…four days “late.” Joseph remained in prison for two years…“forgotten” by the cupbearer. David although anointed as king, had to wait fifteen years before actually ruling as king. Yet in all of these instances, the Lord was working out the right thing at the right time. Likewise, while we may be waiting, He is working to bring about His perfect plan in His perfect time, a work of beauty. All we see, all we know, is just one part, one moment in time. We don’t see nor can we know the broader plan that our loving Father knows and sees. This moment, disappointment, period of waiting, is not our entire story. We just can’t see how it is going to be woven into the rest of the story that God is writing. One thing is certain however: it is worth the wait. When we don’t understand the story, we can trust the Author.
Joni Earekson Tada wrote, “Often we twist God’s arm for the ‘reasons why’ before we decide to trust Him with our circumstances. We want the blueprint spread before us. But the bruised and battered apostle Paul who probably had every reason to wonder ‘why,’ never said “I know WHY all these things are happening.” Rather, he said, “I know in WHOM I have believed.” We too know in whom we have believed. He is trustworthy. He is our hope. We are reminded in Ecclesiastes that there is a time and season for everything. We all have to endure waiting of some type or another. Don’t give up or give in. Hang on to the hope that comes from Christ alone. He has not forgotten you. His timing is not off. In fact, His timing will be the most beautifully designed and perfectly timed…just for you. Remember, the joy from an October-bloomed flower was greater than had it bloomed on “schedule.” Whatever “flower” you may be waiting for, whatever delay, detour, or disappointment, look to Jesus, hope in Him, trust in Him, and let us wait with our eyes on Him.
A Mother’s Day Note:
“A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school presentation. His mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help. Her son’s memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, ‘I am the light of the world.’ The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud, clear voice said, ‘My mother is the light of the world!’" (source unknown).
There is not enough space on these pages to esteem and encourage you mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers. What a privilege, high calling, and honor you have been entrusted with as you shine for Christ in order to point your children to Him. As we follow Christ and grow in our relationship with Him, we give our children one of the greatest gifts we could give them, an example of what it means to be a Christ follower, while at the same time pointing to and reflecting His love, truth, grace, and forgiveness.
While driving my girls to soccer practice recently, as we chatted away in the car, I realized I was driving in the wrong direction: somewhere along the line I switched to autopilot and was driving to church, the opposite direction of soccer! This misstep would cause my girls to be about twenty minutes late. In my frustration I exclaimed, “Ugh! Why do I always drive to church?” (This was not the first time this has happened!) My youngest son, who is always ready with an answer, cheerfully responded from the back seat, “I know!” I didn’t really want to hear what his explanation might be, certain it might include descriptions of me being scatter-brained, so I reluctantly asked why he thought I repeatedly made this mistake. He proudly and confidently said, “Because you follow Jesus. Church is His house and that’s where you want to be.”
Moms, I know our greatest desire is to follow Jesus. But what struck me about my son’s comment was that he acknowledged my desire to follow Jesus in a moment of frustration, failure, and falling short. In the long run, being twenty minutes late to a soccer practice wasn’t a big deal - but we are often confronted with daily issues that may loom over us, seem impossible to conquer, resulting in frustrations and emotions that seem to get the best of us. What then? Go to Jesus. Follow Him. I’m reminded of Paul’s words found in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” This includes my children watching me trust Him through messy moments. It includes dealing with disappointments by lifting my eyes to Him and placing my hope in Him alone. It includes repenting and asking for forgiveness in times of my failure and frustration. All of this is wrapped up in following Christ. We have the privilege of walking with the Lord and following Him, in front of our children, in both the joyful and difficult times. Let us be the light of the world, as the little boy said of his mother, pouring the Lord’s truth and love into the lives of our children. Let us reflect His goodness, grace, and forgiveness that we ourselves have received. And might we be mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers who have resolved to follow Jesus, that we too can say to those who are watching, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
In Christ’s love,
Cara Blondo (on behalf of the Women’s Ministry)
We pray you are well and enjoying the warm weather! It certainly feels as though spring is finally here! We often associate springtime with growth and new life. We long for growth in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones, don’t we? Yet sometimes we feel as though we are stuck in a time of waiting, when growth is not evident. What then? Does it mean the Lord is not working? We pray this month’s newsletter will encourage those who are waiting that the Lord indeed is still working!
We have also included a short Mother’s Day note to encourage you mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers.
All mothers are invited to a special Mother’s Day Tea, hosted by the Moms Group. On Saturday, May 19th, from 10:00 - 12:30, please join us for a time of fellowship, encouragement from God’s Word, and of course tea and pastries! Whether you have been part of Moms Group before or not, we would love to spend a morning together! Please note that childcare will NOT be provided and that registration is required. Cost is $7.00 per person. You may register at tiny.cc/momstea.
God Bless You,
Cara Blondo
Worth the Wait
To mark the official start of spring last year, my husband brought home a flower bulb for each of our four children to plant. They excitedly dug out their flowerpots from the shed, which had been locked all winter. Each child poured potting soil into their flowerpot and carefully planted the bulbs, all the while chattering excitedly about the beautiful flowers that were surely going to grow. Not surprisingly, in time, they did grow. But not all of them. You see, three grew into beautiful, vibrant-colored flowers. One of them, however, the one belonging to the youngest child and perhaps the one who was the most excited about the planting, produced nothing. He peered out the window. He diligently trotted outside to check his flowerpot. He faithfully watered the soil. And waited. All…spring…long. Nothing. What was supposed to happen did not. While everyone else’s flower bloomed according to their expectations, his did not. Blame was placed on the flower - maybe it was a bad one? Blame was placed on him - perhaps he had done something wrong when he planted it!? Finally we all simply forgot about that flower, chalking it up as a complete failure.
MONTHS later, one day in the FALL, the kids were outside playing. This same child, who had been disappointed by unmet expectations, let down by failure, and wondered why his was the only one that didn’t “work,” dashed into the kitchen exclaiming, “Mom! Mom! You have to see this!” I went outside and was met with the most surprisingly beautiful flower I had ever seen. The children were excitedly yelling and jumping. All of them filled with joy as they celebrated. Delightful and awe-inspired laughter filled the air. What a picture it was for me. What a lesson I saw unfold right before my eyes. To this day I don’t know if October was when that flower was supposed to burst on the scene, beautifying our yard or if it was meant simply as a lesson to behold. But what I learned was that the measure of JOY that this flower brought in mid-October, when all the colors around it had faded, was GREATER than had it bloomed when we expected it to, when it was “supposed” to, when everything around it was in full color. Yes, indeed, it was worth the wait.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a
How hard it is to wait. How easy it is to forget that it is worth the wait. What disappointments we must endure when things don’t happen when we expect, when we feel alone in our sadness, when surely we think something or someone is to blame (maybe even ourselves), or that something must have gone terribly wrong. But could it be that the beauty meant to shine through us or our situation is going to be all the brighter, all the more worth celebrating, when the right time does come?
Countless times in Scripture we are confronted with what would appear to be ill-timed events. Jesus arrived at the scene of the tomb of Lazarus…four days “late.” Joseph remained in prison for two years…“forgotten” by the cupbearer. David although anointed as king, had to wait fifteen years before actually ruling as king. Yet in all of these instances, the Lord was working out the right thing at the right time. Likewise, while we may be waiting, He is working to bring about His perfect plan in His perfect time, a work of beauty. All we see, all we know, is just one part, one moment in time. We don’t see nor can we know the broader plan that our loving Father knows and sees. This moment, disappointment, period of waiting, is not our entire story. We just can’t see how it is going to be woven into the rest of the story that God is writing. One thing is certain however: it is worth the wait. When we don’t understand the story, we can trust the Author.
Joni Earekson Tada wrote, “Often we twist God’s arm for the ‘reasons why’ before we decide to trust Him with our circumstances. We want the blueprint spread before us. But the bruised and battered apostle Paul who probably had every reason to wonder ‘why,’ never said “I know WHY all these things are happening.” Rather, he said, “I know in WHOM I have believed.” We too know in whom we have believed. He is trustworthy. He is our hope. We are reminded in Ecclesiastes that there is a time and season for everything. We all have to endure waiting of some type or another. Don’t give up or give in. Hang on to the hope that comes from Christ alone. He has not forgotten you. His timing is not off. In fact, His timing will be the most beautifully designed and perfectly timed…just for you. Remember, the joy from an October-bloomed flower was greater than had it bloomed on “schedule.” Whatever “flower” you may be waiting for, whatever delay, detour, or disappointment, look to Jesus, hope in Him, trust in Him, and let us wait with our eyes on Him.
A Mother’s Day Note:
“A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school presentation. His mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help. Her son’s memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, ‘I am the light of the world.’ The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud, clear voice said, ‘My mother is the light of the world!’" (source unknown).
There is not enough space on these pages to esteem and encourage you mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers. What a privilege, high calling, and honor you have been entrusted with as you shine for Christ in order to point your children to Him. As we follow Christ and grow in our relationship with Him, we give our children one of the greatest gifts we could give them, an example of what it means to be a Christ follower, while at the same time pointing to and reflecting His love, truth, grace, and forgiveness.
While driving my girls to soccer practice recently, as we chatted away in the car, I realized I was driving in the wrong direction: somewhere along the line I switched to autopilot and was driving to church, the opposite direction of soccer! This misstep would cause my girls to be about twenty minutes late. In my frustration I exclaimed, “Ugh! Why do I always drive to church?” (This was not the first time this has happened!) My youngest son, who is always ready with an answer, cheerfully responded from the back seat, “I know!” I didn’t really want to hear what his explanation might be, certain it might include descriptions of me being scatter-brained, so I reluctantly asked why he thought I repeatedly made this mistake. He proudly and confidently said, “Because you follow Jesus. Church is His house and that’s where you want to be.”
Moms, I know our greatest desire is to follow Jesus. But what struck me about my son’s comment was that he acknowledged my desire to follow Jesus in a moment of frustration, failure, and falling short. In the long run, being twenty minutes late to a soccer practice wasn’t a big deal - but we are often confronted with daily issues that may loom over us, seem impossible to conquer, resulting in frustrations and emotions that seem to get the best of us. What then? Go to Jesus. Follow Him. I’m reminded of Paul’s words found in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” This includes my children watching me trust Him through messy moments. It includes dealing with disappointments by lifting my eyes to Him and placing my hope in Him alone. It includes repenting and asking for forgiveness in times of my failure and frustration. All of this is wrapped up in following Christ. We have the privilege of walking with the Lord and following Him, in front of our children, in both the joyful and difficult times. Let us be the light of the world, as the little boy said of his mother, pouring the Lord’s truth and love into the lives of our children. Let us reflect His goodness, grace, and forgiveness that we ourselves have received. And might we be mothers, grandmothers, and spiritual mothers who have resolved to follow Jesus, that we too can say to those who are watching, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
In Christ’s love,
Cara Blondo (on behalf of the Women’s Ministry)