Nelson Anniversary

We need to keep praying for Moriah and her parents, Victoria and Justin. They celebrated their wedding anniversary this week and Moriah has been running unexplained fevers again. Please click on the photo to update yourself on their story.

This family and their faith through these painful trials have been a blessing and ecnouragement to me. I am certain you will be blessed by them as well!

Prayer Focus Sunday-Memorial Edition

Although my prayer focus is generally on parents with chronically or terminally ill children, I have a lady who needs comfort. Yesterday Russ and I were inspired to visit the local Veterans Cemetery. I have never done this in the 19 years we have lived in the area but I felt moved to go yesterday. I was hoping to find the grave of a local soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2005. As I approached the newer section, an elderly lady came up to me and pointed out over the sea of flags. "Isn't that wonderful?" she exclaimed. I agreed and she asked it I was there to see anyone in particular. I shook my head "No, we are here to honor all of them. I figure that they didn't know me when they laid down their lives for my freedom so I didn't need to have someone in particular to visit".  She proceeded to tell me about her husband who passed in April. They had been married 68 years. She almost gasped "I hate being alone after all the time". She hugged me as she turned to leave and thanked me for bringing honor to those who have given so much. With both of us holding back tears, I forgot to ask her name or offer mine.

As you pray this week, think about praying for the families of countless heroes who didn't need to know your name to fight for their freedom. While you are at it, pray for the sweet widow who stopped to thank the first person she saw at a small cemetery.

Ezekiel

This sweet little family deals with daily concerns and stress over health and developmental issues and they don't even have a diagnosis yet.

Please pray for Ezekiel and Chelsea as the Lord draws them close and the Doctors witness the miracles of the sweet boy and his dedicated Momma.

Another Farewell

Please pray for the Freeman's family today. As we all head out to our daily tasks, remember that life will never be the same for this family after saying farewell to their sweet miracle.

Mother's Day Prayer focus

Mother's Day gets a lot of attention and rightfully so. Many Mother's deserve to be honored and to have their accomplishments noticed. For first time Mother's its an especially happy day.Today I am praying for those who find Mother's Day to be a time filled with more difficult emotions.

For those whose Mother was less than honorable, this day hold feelings of regret. I have a dear friend whose Mother's actions were neglectful and at times abusive. She herself is a role model to other mothers and an encouragement to young women.

Mother's Day is also painful for those who no longer have their Mother here on earth. This is my first Mother's Day without my Mom. The approach to this day has been emotional to say the least. It won't be filled with sadness but their is no denying that its a challenging road.

For the women who have longed to have a child but motherhood has been elusive. Infertility has wounded the heart in a way that makes this day arduous. It may mark their first Mother's Day since the loss of a child or for some their 15th. They may be spending today in a children's hospital praying for the health of their sick one.

Then there are those whose mother/child relationship are estranged. A rift separates a relationship that is so easy to take for granted. Today could be a day of reconciliation or a reminder of what is being lost.

As you go about the activities of today, church, brunch, picnics and celebrations, I encourage you to be tender to those who may not be having a "Happy" Mother's Day. (I'm not suggesting that we forgo celebrating. I believe that mother's deserve honor.) I'm suggesting thoughtfulness.

On this day, Pray for the words to bring comfort. Ask the Lord to heal hearts and to give hope on this special day.

Mother's Day Prayers

So many of us know what it is like to celebrate Mother's Day but so few know what it is like to spend it with an very sick child in the hospital. Tomorrow, many of the Mom's I have mentioned on prayer focus Sunday will be doing just that. What can you do if you know of someone who won't be home on Mother's Day?

First, don't assume that they will have plenty of people in touch with them. When too many people follow that line of thinking, to few reach out. If they aren't taking visitors, drop off a card or a little gift. A note of encouragement will go a long way.

Second, (but not less important) pray for them. Let them know you are praying for them and if appropriate, ask for specific requests. The comfort it will bring is far and above what you might think.

Towards the bottom of my main page you will find links to different blogs where parents have either lost a child this year or are dealing with a pediatric health crisis. Check them out. The Lord may put a specific one on your heart to encourage and it will do your heart good as well!

Above all, have a blessed weekend.

Kayleigh

I can't believe it is Sunday already but it gives me another chance to pass on a prayer need. It gives you a chance to pray for someone you have never met.

My Mom taught me that God gave each of us Moms a "mother's heart" made just for our children. With that, we have the ability to understand with concern about what other parents must be going through with children who are ill.

Here is another family to pray for this day:

Maddie is home which is a praise but its hard on her parents to keep up the medication and IV administration. Please continue to pray for them.