My son wore a bow tie to his 4th grade graduation this afternoon.

Okay ----- do we really need a graduation from Lower School? A good friend reminded me when I asked this question that is important for us to help our children mark those milestone moments in their lives. I am good with that, yet I still wonder if this type event just feeds the whole "notice me" world that we live in. Are we encouraging our young people to believe that it is "all about them" rather than speaking the truth that it is ALL about the sovereign God of the universe? Better save this whole thought process for another blog and get off of this rabbit trail. :-)

Anyway -- my husband and I thought our son looked quite sharp. Khaki pants, blue oxford button down and a festive bow tie. Apparantly his fellow 4th graders did not share our opinion. He told me after the reception that many of the boys told him he looked "gay." What is that about? Where do these kids get that?

As sad as I was that he had gone through that experience, I was thrilled that the bow tie remained in its spot around his neck. He did not let them discourage him from being unique. It also allowed us to have a cool conversation about when people make fun of others it just shows that they are not happy with themselves. Now, whether he truly understands that truth remains to be seen.

I pray that experiences like these will teach him to be an encourager. I'm sure he will make the bad choice to "tease" someone else (other than his sister which we already know will happen), yet I pray we can continue to help him be the young man that God would have him be. I pray for God to provide him with true friends who like him for his character qualities. And I pray he will be a true friend to others.

Another day we will tackle the "all about me" syndrome that we are encouraging in our kids (and in ourselves).

I love my family!!!!

I really am blessed with a great husband, son and daughter. I don't deserve them, but I am very grateful for the gifts they are to me. Thank you Lord for watching over us.

I miss my mom . . .

Recently, all the advertising for mothers' day has made me really miss my mom. It was a little over 6 years ago that my mom unexpectedly passed away in the middle of my dad battling a second round with cancer. Hard times, yet good memories of the faithfulness of God.

Here is a copy of something I wrote in my journal shortly after mom went to be with the Lord January 31, 2001:

"Thank you for letting me be there with mom all that last day -- singing praises, holding her hand and telling her what a good mom she had been. She really was a terrific mom, Lord. Thank you so much for letting me have her in my life for almost 34 years! She always encouraged me to try things; she always believed in me -- and, of course, she thought i was "the best!" All children should have a mom like her."

I really was blessed with a mom who always showed me her love. WOW!

She is gone; so is my dad (that's a story for another day), but I still have a Father in heaven who also always shows me HIS love!!!!

And the great thing is that His love is PERFECT. He always gives perfect gifts (James 1:17).

I am abundantly blessed. If you are a child of the King -- so are you!