Moms & Superheroes

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I was watching a show the other day where the host asked her guest, “If you could be a superhero, what would your name be?” I answered the question easily.

Mom

Then I laughed. Out loud. All alone. Apparently, I am the only one who thinks I’m funny.

But hear me out. I think I’m onto something here. Moms and Superheroes. I’ve even given some thought to the official uniform. It involves a sparkly cape. Maybe a tiara. I’m still in the early stages of design.

A superhero has great skills like speed. So does a mom. Have you ever seen her change 17 diapers, fix two meals, do three loads of laundry, and attend a formal tea party hosted by a four year old all before noon? SPEED!

A superhero has the ability to see through walls. Moms, too. How else could she know that her kids are up to no good when their bedroom door is closed and the silence is deafening?

A superhero has a keen sense of hearing. Not to be outdone by Mom who can hear a whisper from one end of the house to the other, or a whimper uttered from a sleeping child that awakens her in the middle of the night.

Superheroes have amazing courage, the ability to face whatever comes. Moms? they find the courage to send their precious ones to kindergarten, the license branch, on a first date, to college or the military, down the aisle.

A superhero has incredible strength. A Mom? Ever see one carry a car seat occupied by an infant, a diaper bag, and three bags of groceries on one arm while holding the hand of a toddler doing all he can to break free? Strength, I tell ya’!

A superhero has the common good of mankind as his driving force. He would lay down his life for his fellow man. A mom feels the very same way…about her kids. Don’t for a moment think that is any less noble. Ever been up against a mom protecting her child? She’d make Superman run for the hills!

We moms may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or fly…yet but God gave us something pretty super when He created moms.

“Her children rise up and bless her…” Proverbs 31:28

By the way, if you’re looking for any last minute Mother’s Day gifts, I’m telling you you can’t go wrong with a cape and a tiara. Remember, the more sparkles the better.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

             

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Beauty

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beau·ty/ˈbyo͞otē/

Noun:
  1. A combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form that pleases the aesthetic senses, esp. the sight.
  2. A combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense (google definitions)

 

Beauty. How do we define it? Hopefully, we’ve learned enough to know we should not be defining it by society’s standards. Hopefully we know by now that the images we see plastered on the front of magazines and billboards are first and foremost not accurate and secondly, not something we should be striving towards.

I’ve heard it said about a million times (give or take) that true beauty comes from the inside. That statement can even be backed up by scripture. “…People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) So why is it that this is so hard to buy into? I mean shouldn’t we all take a collective sigh of relief that we don’t have to keep trying? No need to spend all of our money on the latest trend. No need to undergo that surgery to lift or tuck or whatever. If our goal is to please God, then we’re good to go. People may look at our hair and makeup and clothes, but God…He is checking out our hearts.

Does that bit of knowledge frighten the daylights out of anyone else? I mean, I’m not sure I want anyone to see my heart. That’s where all the junk seems to congregate. You know, the yuck that accumulates when I refuse to forgive. The boxes of old mementos I just can’t quite seem to get rid of.  I’ve taken a lot of time growing the vines of pride that are meant to prevent pain and disappointment from finding their way inside.  I’d much rather concentrate on the outside. It’s easy. A little blush here, a little mascara there. Just enough to keep people from looking closer.

There’s comfort in knowing my heart is not visible.
But it is to God.
What if I started spending more time on my heart than my outward appearance?  What if I started paying attention to the Truth and not the world around me? What if I began to find my confidence and even my self-worth from God?

The fabulous people at Dayspring sent me a surprise that arrived in the mail a few weeks ago that really got me thinking about all of this. There is a new line called Redeemed and it is absolutely lovely. The products have that beauty on the outside that we as girls seem to be drawn to, but what’s so great is that they come with a reminder of who God says we are.

Redeemed Mirror and Necklace

The verse on this mirror which is now where I apply my makeup every morning says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecc. 3:11)  It’s a great reminder that when God looks at me, He sees His beautiful redeemed child. Because of the blood of Christ, I can be presented flawless to God. He looks past my blemishes (both inside and out) and sees His creation. One that He created with intention and thought. One that He wanted to have blue eyes, but more than that, a heart that would long to tell women how much they are loved by their Creator. He looks past my desire to look a certain way and focuses on my heart that strives to love Him above all else.

Who knew you could get all that from a mirror and a necklace?

Dayspring gave me these products to try out. The opinions are mine and mine alone. 

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It’s Monday…

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It’s Monday.  Easter is officially over.  Kids are back to school.  Adults are back at work.  Routines are reestablished.

We’ve returned to our daily schedule of schoolwork, laundry, housecleaning, cooking, writing, blah, blah blah.  We focused so hard this weekend on Christ and His amazing sacrifice and even more amazing resurrection that Monday seemed to arrive unwanted and bring with it a big helping of letdown.  I know that routine is good.  It’s necessary.  Consistency is a thing to be cherished, but the break from that was nice.  The focus on remembering how much God loves us was like a much needed breath of fresh air.

It’s funny how we tend to leave the church building and go about our daily lives forgetting the things we just raised our hands over.  We worship Him for His life-giving Word.  We sing His praises for saving the wretches like us.

Then Monday comes and we seem to forget to live a life that reflects those truths we proclaimed.  The Easter story wasn’t meant to be celebrated one day a year.  It was meant to be lived.  Every moment of every day we are to live a resurrected life.  Through the good times and the bad, we are to live a life that reflects the living God.

Probably not too tough if your Monday brought with it all things good, but what if it didn’t?  What if your Monday brought with it unexpected news that rocked your world?  What if your Monday brought with it illness, debt, relationship issues, fear?  How can you live a resurrected life when life is doing its best to keep you in the grave?

Like this…the same power that raised Christ from the grave lives in you!

“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11

Think about that for a sec.  Can you even begin to comprehend what that means?  As a child of God, the Spirit is alive in you.  The same Spirit that raised a dead man.  RAISED A DEAD MAN.  That’s power.  And it’s available to all who believe.

All the Easter eggs have been found (or will be the next time you mow the yard), all the chocolate has been consumed, and homes all across America are enjoying egg salad and will be for weeks to come.  And it’s Monday.  But you can face it.  You have resurrection power!

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