You Lift Me Up

You lift me up when I am weak, your arms wrap around me, your love carries me, so I'm letting go. You lift me up, when I can't see, your heart's all that I need. These words are from the song, Lift Me Up by The Afters. These are the words that came to me today while watching one of the residents at work.
His wife faithfully comes to visit everyday and most days she is accompanied with a milkshake in hand. Not just any milkshake though, Cookout milkshakes. Only the best for her husband. Today I sat and watched them from my desk. The day was coming to an end for me and I was already finished with what had to be done. Today the residents wife had brought a special treat for him along with an ice cold Mt. Dew (like I said, only the best for her hubby). I watched them make their way out onto the front patio. The resident soon began to chow down and chew on what looked like chocolate yumminess. When finished eating, his wife gently took the napkins she had and washed his mouth clean.
I thought about this and I could feel the tears welling up in the corners of my eyes. Think of something else Dallas, anything else and look away, that is what I kept telling myself. But I couldn't turn away, still I sat and watched and thought about this. An action that may seem so small to others had now consumed my mind. I pondered life and what the future holds for me. How well will I be able to take care of myself?
I have always pictured myself as some fiesty old lady. One quick on her feet-old yes, but not incapable of doing things for myself. Especially something as simple as cleaning my own mouth. Am I wrong for thinking that I will go on living my life without any complications? Absolutely not! But, I should also remind myself that it is okay to let others do things for me from time to time. If you know me, and you know me well, then you know just how stubborn I can be. I guess it's that Dulin blood in me. I had to remind myself that life might not always go as planned. I may be incapable of doing things at some point in my life. I may need someone to take care of me. While this saddens me, I also have to know that this is okay. It is okay to let others do for me.
So if that day should ever come when I need someone to simply wipe my mouth off, I pray that my husband will be right by my side to do so. After all he is the one to lift me up when I am weak, he wraps his arms around me, his love catches me, so it is okay to let go and let him do for me. I also need to know that no matter what the future has in store for me, I can also rest assured that God will ultimately do the same. He does lift me up when I am weak, he wraps his arms around me when I need it the most and his love always carries me through. He continues to be with me when I can't see, and to seek his heart is all that I need. I praise him for reminding me that it is okay to let go and allow others to do for me. I can't do it all by myself. Thank you Lord for lifting me up and always carrying me. I know you will do the same when I am old and gray.

Seize the Day!

If you knew the very day, even down to the moment you were doing to die, would you choose to live your life differently? This is a question I have often pondered. To me, death is not something to be taken lightly, as we are NOT promised tomorrow. Just like a theif in the night, death is coming. It is up to us how we choose to live our lives. How differently would you do things tomorrow? Would you in fact even want to know?
I think sometimes we forgot how fragile life can be. Sometimes it takes a tragedy for us to receive a "wake up" call. We tend to go on about our daily rountines and death seems to be the farthest from our minds. I am not saying we should think about death constantly. Who wants to live their life in fear? I just think we need not forgot about it.
So then, how differently would you choose to live out your life? Would you choose to hold your spouse a little longer? Would you call up that old friend you have been meaning to call for weeks now? Would you tell your loved ones how much they mean to you? A billion questions come to mind when I asked myself that very question.
When I do die, I would like to say that I have lived my life to the fullest, that I have loved with all my heart, that I did make those calls, that I told my husband, son and family how much I truly love and care about them. The truth of the matter is, we all have an expiration date. Some may go on to live a lifetime, while others may live only a few seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months or years. We don't know what tomorrow holds. We go about our busy lives making plans and looking forward to what the future has to bring. I don't think this is a bad thing, it just makes me realize more and more the things I take forgranted and just how much God has truly blessed me. I should pick up that phone and make that call, tell my family and friends how much they mean to me, and how much I appreciate them. I should be thankful that the Lord has given me another day to do just that. Don't be afraid to live your life. Go out of your way to make someone else happy, plan a trip to the beach, have ice cream for breakfast, dance in the rain, play hide and seek, sing to the tops of your lungs, laugh till you cry, roll your windows down and let the wind blow through your hair, go skinny dipping, walk bare foot through the grass, love like you have never loved before, live life to the fullest! Sieze the day! These are all things we should do. Do not take your life forgranted, or the life of another. Cling to what is dear to you!
I am not scared of death, I know it to shall come. I can rest assured that I will spend the rest of my days in glory with he that is seated on the thrown! It is my prayer however, that I do make the most of my days here on Earth. I pray that I hold tight to my husband and my son. That they know how much I do love and cherish every day with them. I pray my friends know how much I value them and their friendship. I pray that I live my life to the fullest, and that I never take my life or anyone else's forgranted. I praise the Lord for all of life's blessings, as I know I surely don't deserve them. Thank you Lord for the big and little things. Thank you for reminding me of your almighty power and love.
Thank you for choosing to lay down your life, so that I might spend eternity with you in Heaven. Thank you for giving me another day!

Happy Mother's Day

Being a Mom is one of the most rewarding jobs there is in the world.  I could not have asked for a better son. The Lord has truly blessed me and I could go on and on for days bragging about my four year old, James. I honestly never knew my heart could love so much, and sometimes I am so over filled with joy, that I feel like I could literally burst. Sometimes I just look at him in amazement. I have said it before and I will say it again, my cup runneth over! My son always knows how to lift me up when my spirits are down, he always knows how to put a smile on my face. The sound of his voice alone, brings a huge smile. He is my everything. I love that little Butterbean. There is nothing sweeter than the sound of him laughing, and when he sleeps, there is nothing more precious and content. He is my world, my MIRACLE, and I can never thank God enough for allowing me to be called his Mother.
 I never knew how rewarding being a Mother could be, until I held my little bundle of perfection for the first time. My heart had melted. He had me wrapped from that moment on. The smell of baby lotion, pampers diapers and baby shampoo have forever impacted my life. I never knew little naked butts could be so cute! I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to be called a Mom. I wish I could put into words how much my life has changed. I find myself so madly in love with this little man. I will forever be thankful for God for allowing me the privledge to be a Mom, as I know others aren't as lucky as I. I can't imagine my life without him. When he is away, I feel like something is missing, and I find myself longing to be in his presence.
I thank my Mom for being an example of what a loving Mother should be and it is my prayer that I can live up to her potential. If I can love my son, like my Mother has loved me, then I know I am doing a good job. I pray that I never take being a Mother, forgranted. I pray that I never take my son forgranted and I pray that the Lord blesses me with many days to spend with him. My Monkey, My Butterbean, My Peanut Butter Cup, nothing and no one could ever change the fact how much you mean to me.
I pray that all Moms have a very blessed Mothers Day, and I also pray that we Mom's never take this valueable role forgranted. There are many Moms out there, who have lost sons and daugthers. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain their hearts must feel. It is my prayer that those Mothers remember their loved ones and I pray that there hearts be filled with much joy. I also pray for those who have lost their Mothers. There is no one in the world who could ever take their place. I pray the Lord brings you much needed peace and may you rejoice in their memories. As for me, I will treasure the time I have with my son tomorrow and I pray that these moments will forever be embeded in my heart. Happy Mothers Day to all!