What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Monday, May 13, 2013

Overexposed









These pictures are all super blown-out and over-exposed, but you know what?  I love them anyway. I don't know why.  Because Judah is just a big 'ol HOSS and can push tractors weighed down by brother and sisters?  In his skivvies no less?!  Because that is JUST the face Little Addie Mae gives when she is happily surprised at something?   Because Andrew and Corynn bear those very same expressions every day?  Because those purple/pink flowers are the first posies to bloom in my flower circle?  Because those wisps of white crowning a pale little bud of a girl?  Probably all of the above.

 How was your Mother's Day weekend?

I spent my Mother's Day gathering armload after arm load of not-quite-opened lilacs into the house and into vases to spread around the house.  I've been looking so forward to lilacs which I haven't enjoyed in ever so long (last years' were zapped by a late frost before they even came close to blossoming) and whose smell happens to be one of my most favorites.  Tonight is supposed to be a killing frost which makes me so sad!  Tonight I will gather all the tarps and blankets I can find and try to cover the lilacs and apple blossoms up but just in case, I have plenty of vases scattered around the house. It is snowing at this very minute. 

Snow in May.  Ridiculous.

And as I plucked baby flowers to save them from a cruel fate...I pondered.

After the last few weeks and all the anxiety of not knowing what was wrong with me  (and assuming the WORST, naturally), I spent my Mothers' Day a bit more reflective than in previous years.  Being a mother is such a joy and such a gift- but with that gift and that joy there is a deep commitment and responsibility that is...dare I say it?... daunting.  As I was considering (what I deemed to be) imminent death, all I could focus on were all the things I SHOULD have done.  I felt gripping fear as I considered "Have I done enough to train my children to love the Lord?  Have I been a good witness to them, a good testament of Christ?  Have I prepared them for life without me but with Christ?  Has my life helped or hindered the gospel in my childrens' lives?"  It is scary to know that there is only so much time to do what you are meant to.  Oil lamps aren't always at the ready.  Sometimes we just get lazy.  Sometimes we just get tired.  Sometimes, the schoolwork or the housework or the yardwork or the ANYTHING gets more attention than the most important things.

When you are a mother, every single day is a gift, but also an obligation.  And knowing that I am put in charge of God's children and have only so much time to do what needs to be done, adds a certain fervor to the equation.  May God grant us mothers unending love and compassion to fulfill our calling, eyes open and grateful hearts for the love and blessings that the Lord has poured out for us,  also wisdom overflowing and a zeal to live for Him and to do His work. 

That is, after all, why we are here.

No other success in life-not being president, or being wealthy, or going to college, or anything else- comes up to the success of man and woman who can feel that they have done their duty and that their children and grandchildren rise up and call them blessed.  
                                                                    ~~Theodore Roosevelt

9 comments:

Jill said...

We live in south central PA. We are gearing up for a frost tonight as well. My youngest daughter gathered bouquets of lilacs for me too! They are my favorite flower. We covered the strawberries and peppers. I am hoping that our blueberries will make it.

This sure is crazy May weather. Last Wed. we had a hail and thunder storm.

Miranda Hupp said...

Thank you so much for your nice comments! You really are an amazing inspiration. I'm glad you are feeling better.

I have had moments lately where I have been asking myself those same questions and feeling the same way!

Tracy said...

It has frosted the last several nights here, too, and I am MUCH farther south than you. No snow, but it really doesn't feel like spring.


I spend every Mother's day in much the way you spent this one. I always feel more melancholy than joyous because I ponder my failings as a mother and find myself longing to do better. Unfortunately, this brings puts a real damper on the day.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Lilacs are my favorite too!! Living in simple trust towards our Heavenly Father isn't always easy but as one song so rightly put it...

"He never said you'd only see sunshine.
He never said there'd be no rain.
He only promised us a heart full of singing at the very thing that once brought pain."

May the Lord continue to bless you dear girl

Leah T. said...

Happy Birthday, Rebecca!!! I hope you have a blessed and joyful day! You have been in my thoughts and prayers since reading about your health issues last week. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Big (((hugs)))!

Abigail said...

Amen to all.

(As for snow, the girls came running in, delighted that they 'd been catching flakes in May. I groaned.)

beth said...

beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, those four children and their momma's heart!!!!

beth said...

p.s. - your blog could never, ever feature too many close-ups of your HOSS. dearest boy. *swoon*