Archive for the ‘Mother’s Day’ Category

A Mother’s Day Request

Posted: March 18, 2012 in children, English Premier, family, football, friendship, Health, heart, hospital, life, love, Mother's Day, pray, prayer, sport, television
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Today in the UK, it is Mother’s Day, so I’d like to wish all mother’s a very happy Mother’s Day!

I’m sure like me, you thank your Mum often for all she has done, and continues to do for you, and have given your Mum an extra special present today to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Tonight thought I’d like you to spare a thought for those for whom this Mother’s Day has not been the joyful occasion it is for so many others…

There are those who would love to have family of their own, however may have found, for a variety of reasons, they cannot have children. For them Mother’s Day can be a sad reminder for them that they cannot have children of their own.

Mother’s Day can also be very tough on those whose mother is no longer with them. It must be particularly hard for them today and the build up to today with all the advertising and commercialism that surrounds today. Obviously though, the toughest part must be the reminder that their mum isn’t with them anymore. It must leave quite a void in their lives, which must make today difficult.

There is of course another person for whom Mother’s Day must be tough in some circumstances, and that the mothers who have had to cope with the death of a child. Mother’s Day is a celebration of mother’s everywhere, however for mum’s who have lost a child it must be a stark and painful reminder of their lose.

Mother’s Day is a celebration of all mother’s, and all they do for their children, but I’d ask you today to please spare a thought for those for whom today will not have been a happy one.

 

Finally, there is one other family that I feel I have to mention today, and that is the family of Fabrice Muamba. For those of you who don’t know Fabrice Muamba is a 23 year old professional footballer who plays for English premiership team Bolton Wanderers. Yesterday during an FA Cup game at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur, Fabrice collapsed with no other players near him. He subsequently received immediate medical attention, and was then rushed to a local hospital where he is now in intensive care in a critical condition having suffered a heart attack.

We were watching the FA Cup game on TV last night when Muamba collapsed and I have to say it was obvious from the reaction of the supporters and players of both teams immediately that Muamba was seriously ill. It is on occasions like that when football pales into insignificance and players and supports alike from all clubs, come together to support and pray for the stricken player.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I am praying for Fabrice Muamba and his family at what must be a very difficult time. I’d ask that you too pray for Fabrice as he is still seriously ill. I’d also ask that we all pray for all those who witnessed the events at White Hart Lane yesterday as it must have been very traumatic for them too. Finally I’d like to ask you to say a pray of thanks for the medics who rushed onto the pitch to help Muamba as from the reports I’ve read, it seems they had to resuscitate him on the park, and obviously managed to get him breathing again.

Please continue to pray for Fabrice Muamba.

Rotten Week

Posted: September 3, 2011 in dementia, family, Health, life, love, Mother's Day, music, pray, prayer, religion, work
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Well I don’t know about you, but my week has been rotten!

Between running around after hubby, helping Mum, having a problem person to cope with at work, not feeling to great and in a lot of pain and generally feeling alone and unwanted at times, it really hasn’t been one of my most enjoyable weeks.

So how have these events made me feel this week?

A number of emotions have been very prevalent this week, but here are a few of the main ones: I’ve felt invisible, alone, worthless, useless, frustrated, in pain, annoyed and upset – all of these feelings are not very pleasant ones and therefore may help explain why I describe this one as having been a rotten one for me.

So how have I managed to survive my week? My inner strength and most of all my faith!

As I’ve mentioned several times before, these last few years have been tough ones for me and at the moment life definitely seems to be back on a downward spiral again. However, while I still have my moments of complete despair and inability to cope, I’m still able to reassure myself, because of my experiences over the last few years, that God has not deserted me, but is still very much with me, through it all - I simply have to remember to put my full trust in Him despite what life is still throwing my way.

Just to help add to the particularly bad week, Mum’s not feeling too good now either, and is struggling physically and emotionally to continue to care for Dad, who has vascular dementia. So much so, that this afternoon when I was with Mum, she told me she wasn’t sure how much longer she will be able to care for Dad. Obviously I’m upset by this too, however I must be honest and say I’m surprised Mum has managed to cope for so long. Ultimately the decision that Dad needs to go into care is Mum’s not mine, as she’s the one who spends 24/7 caring for him.

On the plus side, Dad’s booked into a local care home (the same one one of my aunt’s is in), for one week’s respite care at the end of October/beginning of November. I’ve taken that week off so I can spend it with Mum, so she’s not completely on her own. I’m hoping that week will be a huge help for Mum and that Dad will settle in at the care home ok. But ultimately I hope it may help Mum make a decision on the future, and how much longer she continues to care for Dad at home.

So there’s my rotten week in a nutshell. I hope your week has been far more positive and encouraging than mine! Let’s hope we all have a far more positive and helpful week next week!

In conclusion I’d just like to thank all of you who have supported and prayed for me and my family over the last while, I really do appreciate it, and ask that in these coming days for your continued prayers as these coming weeks are likely to be difficult ones for us all.

Thank you.

I love the song Through It All which really sums up my Christian experience over these last few years in particular, so I hope you enjoy this version of the song performed here by The Three Sopranos:


Through It All
Though the future seems uncertain
Though the fear erodes my peace
Though the circumstance seems hopeless
And the doubting will not cease
I will claim what He has promised
For my heart must recognise
Mine is not to question
But keep focused on the prize.
 
Through it all I choose to serve the saviour
Through it all I claim Christ as my friend
Through it all my faith will never waver
Till He calls me home or comes again
 
This path now set before me
Is not my route of choice
Yet I must keep moving forward
Listening to His still small voice
This step along this journey
He reminds me I’m His own
And through the cold dark loneliness
I’m aware I’m not alone
 
Through it all I choose to serve the saviour
Through it all I claim Christ as my friend
Through it all my faith will never waver
Till He calls me home or comes again

Dedication

Posted: July 13, 2011 in birthday, children, family, Father's Day, friendship, life, love, Mother's Day, music, religion
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Many couples try for a long time to try to have children, but are unsuccessful. Others seem to have no difficulty at all at conceiving.

When you find out you’re expecting a child, do you thank God for the privilege He has bestowed on you, or do you simply get caught up in the news?

1 Samuel 1:28 (NIV)

So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he shall be given over to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

When we have children, one way we can give thanks to God for the child, is to “give the child back to God” – But what does this actually mean? This is usually done in a dedication or christening service:

  • The child is blessed, to represent what Jesus did when children were brought to Him: “he took the children in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16)
  • The parents make promises to bring the child up in a Christian way, and to teach the child about God

Give thanks to God for the children. Teach the children about God and show them how to live their life for God.

How Many Children?

Posted: July 12, 2011 in children, family, Father's Day, friendship, Health, heart, life, love, Mother's Day, music, nature, prayer, religion
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When I was younger, I used to dream about having children. I never really had any great thoughts on how many kids I wanted or whether I’d prefer boys or girls. Now however, I dream of what life might have been like if we’d ever had children…

When you meet new new people or get into conversation with someone you’ve never really spoken to before, what are some of the first few things you ask them about themselves?

My guess is, if they’re married or you know they have a partner, you’ll ask them if they have any kids, or how many kids they have, would I be right?

It’s funny how when you’re married or have a partner, it’s almost expected by most people that you’ll have kids. Sometimes when I’ve been asked if we have kids and I’ve answered no, I seen looks of shock and confusing and it’s almost as if people are trying to compute why having been married for a number of years we’ve not had any children.

Yes, maybe most couples do have children and it isn’t the “norm” not to have children, but have you ever considered that maybe it’s not through choice that some couples are childless? Unfortunately for many, for a variety of reasons it’s not been possible for them to have children. e.g. infertility of male and/or female, concerns over health of childbearer.

I still find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that we’re not going to have kids, and often struggle when asked about whether we have kids or not. I sometimes wonder if I am in fact jealous of those who have kids, and often pray that God will continue to help me totally accept my situation and not feel any jealousy towards others just because they are fortunate to have children.

God decides what happens and doesn’t happens in our lives. He has decided that children are not part of His plan for us. I know He has very good reasons for this and know He has other things in life planned for me.

So in answer to the question, “How many kids do we have”, my answer is “none”, but please please please don’t look all shocked and surprised by my response.

Childless = Excluded

Posted: July 11, 2011 in Bellshill, blogging, children, church, family, Father's Day, friendship, life, love, Mother's Day, music, religion, Rutherglen, Salvation Army, Scotland, sport
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…sadly, this is often how it can feel when you have no children and all those you spend time with, have kids.

Before I go any further with this blog post I just want to clarify a couple of things following my blog post Childless = Alone from Friday night:

  • I really do love children, I’m just sorry we’ve not gt any of our own.
  • I do not dislike others talking about their kids, however if all you want to talk about in my presence is your kids and how much you want another child, and that you can’t wait to have another child, please don’t be surprised if I’m just a tad upset!

I don’t know about you but have you noticed how many leisure activities/events are geared towards families? I have!

I’ve found that no matter where we go or what we’re involved in, many of the events or activities that are organised, are focused on families and/or the children in particular. Again I must stress that children are important and we must ensure we do all we can to make them feel wanted and part of the group, however what are those of us without kids supposed to do, or feel?

If we turn up to family events, there’s little for us, as much is aimed around the children or the parents and their children. If we don’t turn up at all, no-one notices…and then we feel excluded.

Can I tell you the one place when I find I feel excluded most, because we have no children? Sadly I have to tell you that it’s at my church. What makes it even more difficult for me at my church is that I’m the only person in my family who attends that particular church, and therefore whenever there are family events on I really am excluded as I have no family there.

The worst occasions for me are always the meetings when we are told it’s a family service so instead of sitting in our usual place in the band/songsters/congregation, we’re asked to sit with our family – These are the times when I seriously wonder if anyone considers how those of us with no family there, feel. I can honestly say I always avoid attending these meetings, and as far as I’m aware no-one has ever noticed – at least I’ve never been asked why I wasn’t there.

I know no-one will even intentionally have meant to make anyone feel excluded or uncomfortable, because I can assure you it is hard on those of us with no children, and doubly hard on those of us who have no other family at the event.

Please remember we are all God‘s children, and as such we must love everyone equally. Don’t discriminate, either on purpose or by accident, against those of us who have no children or have no other family members around them, as we can feel alone and excluded during family events.

I hope you enjoy this video of Child of God by Kathryn Scott:

Childless = Alone

Posted: July 8, 2011 in children, family, Father's Day, friendship, life, love, Mother's Day, music, pray, prayer, religion
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…sadly this is how it can often feel just because we have no kids.

I’m sure people don’t mean it but I often find when around others who have families, there’s so much talk about their child did this or tha, or it was nice to go here or there and do such and such with the kids, that’s it can sometimes be very hard to feel at ease.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect other to stop talking about their kids when I’m around, that would be ridiculous, and I’d find that even more uncomfortable. However in saying that, there are definitely some situations, and some people who seem to be oblivious to other people – yes, those I’m talking about know nothing about the reasons why we’ve not had any kids, nor should they have to.

Don’t get me wrong I love kids, and am always delighted when I hear of family and friends when I hear they are expecting a child. I love kids and would have been delighted had we ever been privileged to have any, however for reasons I’m not going to get into, we have never  had any kids.

I just pray that those of you who have children truly appreciate and love them, because you are so lucky, there are many of us who would have loved to have children but have for one reason or another not had any. If you have children and are estranged from them, please, I urge you try and rebuild those bridges and pick up a phone and give them a call today, say a pray for them as God will always listen to your prayers and will answer them in some way at some time.

God loves us all, because we are all His children – Therefore we must appreciate and love our children, just as God loves us.

With every breath with every salt
From what it seem to the deepest part
I offer all that I?ve come to be
To know your love fathering me

Father you’re all I need
My souls sufficiency
My strength when I am weak
The love that carries me
You arms enfold me
Till I am only
A child of God

With every step on this journey’s walk
And wisdom songs
But the soul is sad
I give my self unreservedly
To know your love fathering

Father you’re all I need
My souls sufficiency
My strength when I am weak
The love that carries me
You arms enfold me till I am only
A child of God

Like Children

Posted: July 4, 2011 in family, Father's Day, friendship, heaven, life, love, Mother's Day, music, pray, prayer, religion
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Matthew 18:2-6
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Jesus tells us that we must “become like little children” if we are to enter into the Kingdom of God. But what does this actually mean? Should we all start acting and talking very childishly and immaturely? No I don’t think that’s what Jesus meant.

Here’s some of my thoughts on this -

Children tend to be full of life and fill of joy. When they rest or sleep, they are very peaceful and look almost angelic. But most of all they tend to be very loving, and less embarrassed than us adults at showing love and affection towards others.

Do you think there’s anything in this? Is it possible that God could just be wanting us to be more fun loving and more willing to share our love with others openly? I guess it would make sense for God to want those who claim to be apart of His family to be full of Joy, because after all, the Kingdom of God should be a Kingdom full of celebration.

All this reminds me of the a drawing a saw a while ago – a pencil drawing of Jesus called “The Laughing Jesus“. In it Jesus is surrounded by children and his head is thrown back in laughter.  What a wonderful depiction of the Kingdom of Heaven this picture gives us.

I hope you enjoy the following video of Jars of Clay singing Faith Like A Child:

Your Name

Posted: June 3, 2011 in family, friendship, life, love, Mother's Day, music, religion
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The last few days I’ve spoken about identity and how as Christians we should try to be more like Christ. So as far as how we act and what we believe, I’ve covered in the last few days, but how about you. i.e. The person God knows as you.

As the header of my blog suggests I believe we each have our own thoughts, experiences and views of life, but ultimate God still knows me as me, Dorothy, Dot, Doffery, Dotiffy, Mrs Neil, DJ, Miss Johnson. i.e. All the names I am known by/have been known as.

So we’re told that God knows us each individually by our name, but isn’t that awesome in itself? After all how many people in the world do you think there are with the same name as you? If you consider when you try and book anything these days, you often have to give your name, date of birth and address and sometimes some kind of reference number as well, before those you’re contacting are anywhere close to uniquely identify you!

God is awesome. He knows every little things about each one of us and He can recognise each of us by our name…

So how did you get your name?

Were you named after anyone?

What other names were considered for you and why did your parents make their final decision?

Do you even like your name?

Here’s my personal answers to those questions:

  • My first name is Dorothy, although apparently Diane was also a possibility for a while.
  • My middle name is Mary after my Mum’s oldest sister, my Aunt Mae (her real name is Mary).
  • My Mum apparently wanted me to go by the name Dorothy Mary, but my Dad thought that was too much of a mouthful for a wee child to cope with.
  • As far as my name is concerned, I’ve got used to it! It’s probably not a name I would have chosen myself, though I must admit I do prefer Dot to Dorothy, although I know mu Mum hates that! Sorry Mum!

Mother’s Day – Positives and Negatives

Posted: April 3, 2011 in family, friendship, Health, heaven, holiday, life, love, Mother's Day
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Maybe I’ve surprised you by the title of today’s blog post, as you’re maybe surprised that I think there are any negatives to Mother’s Day. Unfortunately I see many negatives as well as positives about Mother’s Day and the way in wish we celebrate it, so let me explain further…

Personally I’m not a big fan of Mother’s Day. Not because I don’t love my Mum or don’t think she deserves recognition for all she’s done for me, but simply because I feel, like so many other events or holidays, it’s become too commercial. For me Mother’s Day should be a personal and private thing between mother and child(ren), and therefore I hate the way all the shops and TV adverts at this time make me feel pressurised into buying flowers, a card and all sorts of others things for my mum just because it’s Mother’s Day.

All I want to say to this is, why should I do this on one particular day of the year? Think about those who have can’t afford to buy their Mum’s a present or a gift for Mother’s Day, how do think they feel? It’s not just that though, our Mother’s are our Mother’s all year round, not just on Mother’s Day, so be good to them buy them gifts (if you can afford to) all year round, not just on Mother’s Day.

I also feel deeply for those on Mother’s Day whose Mum’s are no longer with them – particularly those whose Mum’s have died within the last year.

Then there are those who have never known their real mother – maybe because their mother died very early in their  life, or because they were given up for adoption as a young child/baby – Think of those people too at this time, as I know that they have probably have many unanswered questions and lots of what if questions in their mind, particularly around Mother’s Day.

Finally there are many women who would love to have children but either find they are unable to have children or for health reasons, are unable to have children – Mothering Sunday for them (and this includes me) can be tough as it reminds them of what they will never have.

So all that said, despite having taken all my Mum does for me for granted for many years, I do of course love my Mum very much and am so very thankful for all she has done, and continues to do for me.

However for me a number of the things I’ve mentioned above refer to me, so while it’s good to show love for our Mum’s on days like today, just remember it’s not necessarily such a happy day for everyone.

So whether you love or hate mothers day, or whether you dislike Mother’s Day for any of the reasons listed above (several apply for me),I hope you don’t take all your mum has done/continues to do for you for granted, after all, she’s your Mum, and always will be!