Sunshine On My Shoulders

Integrity

While searching for a gift to acknowledge our young friend's recent graduation from West Point, I ran across this little dresser/desk box. The box's inscription reminded me of the excellent book I am currently re-reading by Charles Colson, The Good Life, and an incident he related concerning integrity.

A marine at Camp Lejeune once asked him, "Is loyalty or integrity more important?"

Mr. Colson comments, "I had to reflect, ruefully, that the truth is so far more important than loyalty."

His answer to the young marine was, "Integrity is...and I wish I had thought of that long ago when I had been a part of the Nixon administration." 

I've included that little vignette inside Walter's graduation card, along with the INTEGRITY box and a devotional book by John MacArthur, From Ordinary to Extraordinary. (What is there about me that I cannot give a gift without including a BOOK?)

Thankfully, Walter's life thus far has reflected godly character. We are so very proud of him. Closing our card to him with these words, "Stay attentive to God's presence, dear boy," the admonition struck a chord in my heart...for it is the only way for me, for Walter, for anyone...to maintain a life...one lived with truth and integrity.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This is my "precursor"..."the day before"..."with more to come" gift. Now tell me...am I blessed, or what?

Happy Mother's Day to one and all!

A Mother's Heart

 

Houston is "geared up" for this Mother's Day weekend. Restaurants will be packed out...shops are profusely selling cards, flowers and gifts...mail and delivery services are especially busy. It seems like even nature has prepared for the occasion, as the magnolias are in full, fragrant bloom, with flowerbeds in residential and business areas showcasing exquisite color and beauty.

I am a blessed Mama, having qualified to receive recognition at church on Mother's Day morning for the past 27 years. The 10 years prior, tears would flow on that significant morning, as I wanted so badly to become a mother. Every Mother's Day card my children have given me through the years has been tucked away in my treasure box.

As happy as I am during this special time...my heart aches for many of the struggling mothers I met in the slums of India. They have never heard of anything such as a holiday called Mother's Day...and could not conceive of ever receiving even the most simple of gifts that we mothers enjoy.

One mother especially stands out in my mind.

This lady followed me around on the morning I came to hold a Bible Club for the children of her village. Noticing her bright, smiling countenance, I stopped to visit. As she could not speak English, and I could not speak Telugu, we spoke in "sign-language," a language, I learned, which could communicate volumes. She pointed to the cross on her necklace...and then to her heart...telling me clearly that Christ lived within her. VERY unusual in that village. We enjoyed a time of sweet fellowship together, as she joyfully introduced me to the pride of her life...her precious daughter.

As my team was preparing to leave, this mother came running toward me, handing me a scrap of paper (a precious commodity), containing Telugu writing.

She placed her hands in a "praying hands" position...pointed to me...then to her child. She did not ask for a hand-out (some did). She did not ask me to pray for her. Her only concern was that I pray for her child. Then she pointed to the paper...then to her child...signifying that she had written her child's name on the paper.

Yes...I will enjoy Mother's Day with my family, and my church family. But I will also spend some extra time in prayer for the one God placed in my path...the dear Indian lady with a true mother's heart.