Give a High 5 @ 5

5at5forMomsHasn’t this been a year? Yeah, you could say that again! It has been a year for moms like none other. As a mother and grandmother, I have seen the weariness on their faces, heard it in their voices, and frustration in their comments. My hat is off to moms who have tried to adapt to this Coronavirus pandemic and what it’s done to their family life and especially their children. And if you’re a working mom having to work from home, well, you’re a saint in my book. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has had to adapt and yes, make sacrifices, to keep peace in the home, hot meals on the table, clean sheets on the bed, and be a dr/nurse/playmate/teacher/cook –a what’s ever needed to their children.

My youngest turned 39 yesterday, so I’m way past most of you ladies now that I’m almost 70. As the oldest girl of 9 children, I had the benefit/blessing of being raised by a mom who knew how to organize and “line us up” to get things done. I’ll never forget her wisdom when I had my first child: “Mary, be prepared for the witching hour ’cause it will happen every night when you’re out of energy and done for the day. You’ll need to get a second wind.” All moms know what I mean–that fussy period in babies that starts about 5 o’clock when it’s time to get dinner on and yes, it lasts through dinner, through dishes, and through homework if you have older children.

Let’s Give Them a Hand & a Prayer

Sunday I did sheets and towels for one of my daughter-in-laws and yesterday, I dropped off some Costco frozen meals for a single mom of 4. Yes, I have the energy and time to do practical things. BUT, I believe the most significant thing I can do is the commitment I made yesterday to pray for moms and children at 5PM for 5 minutes. I’ve set my phone alarm to remind me. I’d like to put a challenge “out there” to any who read this. They need us now more than ever, especially with the school year beginning.

Nana’s Nudge:  Set your phone alarm for 5PM and pray 5 minutes for moms, children, and teachers.
Nana’s Songs:  Joy  |  All Things Possible  |  God Bless All the Little Children
Nana’s Prayer: Father, thank You for blessing us with our children. We look to You to watch over our families. Strengthen mothers, bring Your peace into our homes, calm our fears so that we can be confident for our children. Holy Spirit, we ask for Your fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to increase in our lives. May there be a special grace given to mothers of special needs children. Amen.

Are We Shutting In or Shining Out?

Shut in or Shut outIt’s hard to believe it, but three months ago—Thursday, March 19th—Governor Newsom gave a statewide “Stay-at-Home” order to the residents of California. All of us went into our homes and shut the door. What did we shut the door against? Covid-19, yes, but also fellowship, camaraderie, freedom of all kinds, and meeting together on Sunday mornings.

Most of us have stayed in touch with our families and others through our devices: phones, iPads, emails, Zoom meetings, and social media pages. But a “virtual hug” or a wave doesn’t make up for human touch.

I have talked with mothers of school children, who are “done”. I mean really done. The stress of 24-7 kids at home, trying to understand the technologies needed to help their child continue in school, husbands who are working from home and needing quiet… what a challenge! I’ve talked with lonely widows who cry at the sound of a friendly voice. I’ve seen fear in the eyes of strangers in the supermarket as we maintain our 6’ social distance and try like heck to go down the aisle the right way. I miss the sound of laughter. I miss the smiles that I hope are behind all those masks. I miss the hugs from my grandchildren. I long, oh how I long, for how things used to be.

AND YET… through all of this, I have grown. I have rekindled my love for reading the Word. I have been drawn in once more to the promises of God and they have touched me deeply. I have learned to seek Him first in my day and I have been rewarded. One of the “fruits” of this time has been a new habit. I’ve started writing notes to people – friends, family, church goers that I miss. In those notes, I include a recipe card promise from the Word. Many have replied that it was just what the needed. Think about those people who could use an encouragement right about now and ask the Lord for a promise. Let His light shine in the darkness through you.

Dear Child

Sample Promises for Your Recipe Card
For the fearful: Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2Kings 6:16
For the unemployed: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
For the brokenhearted: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
For the depressed: For the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
For the discouraged: Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5

Nana’s Nudge: Let your “little light shine”!
Music has sustained me these past months. Listen with an open heart:
Nana’s Songs
You Are Loved  |  The Blessing  |  Breakthrough  |  You’re Gonna Be OK  |  Our God  |  See A Victory  |  Dancing on the Waves
Nana’s Prayer:  Thank You, Father, that You are always near and You draw us close. Help us to see our brothers and sisters who are in need of encouragement. Give me Your inspiration, Holy Spirit. Jesus, shine Your light through us, Lord!

It is said that there are 7,000 promises in the Bible. I highly recommend Promises of God by Dr. Lester Sumrall – available for free in pdf format.

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