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"Christmas Memories"

11/29/2014

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"If you know someone who has lost a child and you're afraid to mention them, because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died, they didn't forget they died. You're not reminding them. What you're reminding them of is that you remember that they lived, and that's a great, great gift."

                                                                             -Elizabeth Edwards

I was caught by surprise that I "lost it" emotionally, when the Christmas song 
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" began playing the other day.

And, as I am writing this now, the same song is playing in the background; and I believe that's no coincidence, but rather one of those awesome God moments, as His spirit lives and moves in "mysterious ways" among His people.


Each year, as I prepare my heart and home for the Christmas season, I realize at some point (or many points) during the season that I will experience emotional times. For all who have suffered a deep loss and are missing someone who won't "come home for Christmas," this time of the year naturally brings an element of nostalgia and reminds us of who and what is missing. Hopefully, the emotions are not all connected with our loss, but also to the joy in recalling cherished Christmas memories. 

The Christmas season is a very special and "magical" time of year for our family. We are playful, passionate people who enjoy celebrating, and we put a significant amount of time and energy into "making merry" in celebration of the unconditional love we share, our many blessings and the awesome birth of our Redeemer King Jesus.  

This year our family will all be together in California for Christmas. I told my husband and our son, David, that I would probably not put up the Christmas tree and minimize decorating, since no one would be "coming home for Christmas." Bob said "whatever you want to do, honey," but our 45 year old son said "What? That's just not right! You HAVE to put up the tree and decorate, Mom - it's Christmas!"  And, so the tradition of celebration goes on, because it's not only a part our past,
 but of our present and future.

In a poem that our son, Kevin, wrote for me one Mother's Day, he writes "I'm sorry for those who can't remember Christmases with you in the month of December." He also wrote "I still look back at what I miss, so many things you healed with just a kiss."  


He wrote this poem when he was 26 years old, just two years before he headed off to Heaven. I treasure this poem, and his words remind me that, I too, "still look back at what I miss."  Though there is an element of sadness in remembering, as Elizabeth Edwards said, to remember is a "great, great gift."

How I wish that Kevin, and all those I love who are no longer here with us, could be home for Christmas, but the reality is they are "HOME," and one day we will all be together again and we are one Christmas closer!

With gratitude for the "great, great gift" of cherished Christmas memories,

Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikem@gmail.com







 



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"I'm Not Bragging, It's Just the Truth"

11/16/2014

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"To God be the glory for the things He has done!"

I believe that there is only one true God, the great I AM, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I also believe with all of my heart that He is good, merciful and full of love and grace no matter our circumstances or the state and/or condition of the world.

My Dad is the person who introduced me to and role-modeled Jesus in my life. 



Paul Elliot Ford grew up very poor in humble circumstances in rural Mississippi; he lived through World War II after seeing his best friend's head blown off; he gave his heart and life to the Lord and entered theological seminary in his early 20's when he had a vision that he was only going to live to the age of Jesus (33 yrs).  

The focus of his life changed dramatically after that vision, and he lived his life with renewed passion and purpose, and a sense of humor that kept laughter alive and well in our home.

To this day, my Mom recounts the vision concerning the foretelling of my Dad's pending death as though it happened yesterday, because she was also a witness of the vision and she knew that they had been visited by the Holy Spirit not to scare them, but to prepare them for what was to come. 

My parents' love and passion for one another and for God established a firm foundation of faith that has helped me weather the storms in my own life.  My parents also made sure that I knew and understood that the Bible was the "light unto my path and the lamp unto my feet." We tested everything under the light of Christ, as set forth in the Bible, which I was told was not a book, but rather the "inerrant Word of God" - all about Jesus and the roadmap for abundant living and peace.

Throughout my life, my faith in the Lord has been tested and I have been confronted by counterfeit religiousity and philosophies. There have been well-meaning and not so well-meaning people who have tried to convince me that their spiritual path toward little gods and idols is the right path, and I have faced some personal persecution for my faith, especially for believing and testifying that Jesus is  "the way, the truth and the life" in this world and in eternity.

To say this today is not politically correct or popular, but all I know about the God of the Bible has proven true in my life, and the more I know about Him, the more I KNOW. The more I know about Him and the deeper I go in my intimate relationship with Him, the more He (and His Word) confirms that I am His and He is mine. and "I'm not bragging - it's just the truth!"

What is true for you? In who or what do you put your confidence and trust? What lights your way?

As we approach the seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is my fervant prayer that God will give us all something to "brag" about with all humility and hearts full of gratitude and praise, as we "stand alone on the Word of God . . . 
the B-I-B-L-E!"  

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie (a mom like you)
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme@facebook.com




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