I imagine the word “Mother” evokes different emotions for all. There may be fond or painful memories attached to the title--a sense of loss, a longing, or even an indifference. I am so fortunate to have an incredible mother who inspires and challenges me to be better and more like Christ by the way she lives and who has also become one of my best friends. I am constantly amazed and humbled by how she still finds ways to serve my sisters and I as we are raising our own families. When we had our family business, she also became a stand-in mother to several of our employees, many of whom were going through major life events or hardships. Years after she is done raising her own children, she still finds ways to be used in that capacity and is beloved by all who know her.
Missional Motherhood
Gloria Furman hits home again with another book on motherhood. However, unlike her book Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full, Missional Motherhood is not so much about the nitty, gritty of day to day life in motherhood. We find a revealing statement in the Introduction: “The aim in Missional Motherhood is to give you laser focus on what God’s word says about his mission, how motherhood fits in to that, and what Christ has done to fuel and fulfill our everyday ministry as moms” (p.17). She states a few times in her book that this concept is not just for women with children in their home but “the spiritual motherhood of making disciples of all nations” (p. 24). This is for all women!
To All The Pandemic Parents: A Letter From a Teacher
As a second grade teacher during this pandemic school year, I have had more contact with parents than ever before. My inbox is overflowing with questions, comments, frustrations with technology, concerns for their child, etc. You are not alone, and I just wanted to share some encouragement from a teacher’s perspective with you.
For The Love of Commitment: The Love Story of Bob & Alice Reed
For years, I loved listening to Bob Reed‘s wonderfully smooth, deep bass voice as he sang at church. You couldn’t resist returning his ready smile. I knew I hadn’t seen him in quite a while, but didn’t know why until this past year when the CRBC Women’s Ministry started a new ministry called The Table, placing his very spunky wife, Alice, and I in the same multi-generation small group.
For the Love of Family
Love is in the air and it’s the greatest thing in the world! February brings the opportunity to celebrate those we love. We buy cards and chocolates, send flowers, plan romantic dinners at our favorite restaurants and enjoy those seasonal conversation heart candies. Children decorate shoe boxes in red, pink and white to receive Valentine’s Day cards in, while also giving notes with sweet messages to classmates and friends.
Marriage Still Matters
A few years ago, our church created a ministry called Marriage Matters. It’s goal is to encourage and strengthen spouses, helping them grow in their relationship with the Lord and each other. The ministry hosted multiple events throughout the years from Valentine dinners to chill summer hang outs with Roxy’s ice cream. Sadly, 2021’s Valentine dinner has been canceled, but that doesn’t mean taking time to focus on your marriage has to be canceled too.
Have a Very Merry Covid Christmas
When I think back to New Year’s Eve 2019, it feels like another lifetime. Had you shown me a picture of people shopping while wearing masks and face shields, I might have assumed it was a scene from a sci-fi movie. Mention spending months in quarantine, worshipping via Live Stream, navigating Zoom meetings and Easter at home, and I might have assumed the world was coming to an end.