March 7th 2007
I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
After picking my children up from school yesterday, I let them have their usual snack time and then play time outside. The weather was like a fresh spring day as the trees are beginning to blossom and flowers are peeking their heads.
I stayed inside for a little while longer doing my motherly chores that children just never think about. I emptied their backpacks and am amazed just how heavy they are. As I opened their lunch bags, I smiled when I discovered the notes that I had written them in the morning, were still there. I picked each note up only to discover that both my children had written me a love note in return. My daughter, in her seven-year old print says: “Mama, you are the bestes Mama in the world. I love you so much.” I smiled. I then, looked at my son’s note and noticed that he responded to mine on the back with his beautiful newly-learned cursive handwriting, “Mama, I love you too.” My heart felt full and tears welled up.
I opened the front door and just stood there watching my children play with their friends in the neighborhood. I smiled and felt deep gratitude for the gift of Motherhood. As my children played with their friends with such care-freeness and pure joy for life, I had a prayer in my heart for them all.
Let the innocence of youth stay pure as they grow and mature.
Let their laughter echo around them that others may find hope for joy.
Let their purity be guarded as they wander into the world.
Let their sensitivity grow into greater awareness of You.
Let their hunger to understand lead to knowledge to assist mankind.
Let their mystical hearts gain wisdom and a discerning eye.
And as they grow older with each passing year,
protect them in your loving care.
And as I teach them to be kind, let that truth go deep into their beings,
as they will realize the pain and sufferings of others.
As they shed their own tears, breath upon them Your Holy Spirit -
and comfort them.
And let them always find their way to You.
I closed the front door, stood silently and gained strength once again to be a mother from the heart. My prayer was to trust the wisdom that is deep within me and to know that the Universe that God has created is rich in its desire to give fully and completely.
March 1st 2007
Change is the essence of life. A willingness to surrender for what one is for what one could become. ~Author unknown
Nothing is of greater importance or greater value in this life as spiritual reality. Nothing has any real meaning for any sustained period of time except the spiritual reality of knowing God. Many are familiar with Dr. Scott Peck’s writings. His most prominent book would be, “The Road Less Traveled.” I have read all of his works and was struck when he made his comment, that much human suffering would be eliminated by the sheer surrender to God. The only real cure for many difficult human ailments and complexities is a decision to follow God and to be thankful for all that touches our lives.
The surrender process automatically leads to a greater thankfulness of heart. Understanding that gratitude can bring about an enormous amount of freedom and healing is liberating. It is one of the most important principles that anyone can exercise in their lives, and eventually, it will transform itself into a lifestyle of gratitude. The way we look at things will change and often the problems simply dissolve.
A person who is serious about spiritual growth in their life will find that many deep stirrings accompany a deeper surrender to God. We constantly make discoveries about ourselves that bring discomfort and sometimes even embarrassment. Some would rather not look within at all. However, if we choose to look the other way or walk away from surrendering ourselves to God, these will remain there until we are finally prepared to handle them. We will face these again and again until courage arises to make different choices. Gibran says it beautifully: “Let your stumbling blocks become your stepping stones.” Each and every person who desires to grow will walk a similar path. Men and women who have gone before us and attained great spiritual insights have had to walk this path. We are not alone!
It takes enormous courage to make a decision that, “No matter what, I will surrender ALL to God.” The possibilities of this level of commitment are astounding and unimaginable. The changes that take place in the human heart are sometimes even unrecognizable. Efforts will be blessed because the energy is one of spiritual commitment and integrity. If spiritual pride does raise its head, then that too can be unashamedly turned over to God. A new assuredness has been realized and a deep gratitude for God’s amazing grace is in the heart.
Please let us never judge so harshly against our own growing process and against ourselves. Being willing to change the way we think will help us to embrace ourselves. If we can understand that others are also on their own spiritual journey, then there is no more room left to judge others. This understanding opens the door to a greater lovingness and acceptance. Thus, life is experienced with greater peace as we surrender to Him in great depth.
Viola Jaynes
