i had the privilege of going to campus outreach national conference over Christmas break. the Lord was so sweet during this time, and he used it as a way to renew my spirit and draw my gaze from the fleeting pleasures of this world up to him. during one of the women's rallies, ashlee johnson taught out of esther chapter 4. verses 13-15 read,
"then mordecai told them to reply to esther, ""do not imagine that you in the king's palace can escape any more than all the Jews. for if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. and who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?""
mordecai had faith that God would deliver and preserve his people. this plan was going to be brought to fruition with or without esther. mordecai indirectly appealed to God's providential timing by asking esther "and who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" esther obeyed, and God once again sovereignly preserved his people in accordance with his covenant promise to abraham.
today, my mother turns 48. now, i know she won't mind me telling her age because she looks pretty darn good to be 48. i remember talking to my mom one night about what it really means to trust the Lord. she told me the moment she found out she was pregnant with four babies, her faith was tested. really, really, really tested. it was during the early stages of her pregnancy that my mom really searched her heart and believed that no matter what came to fruition, Christ was enough. and from that moment on i truly believe that God was preparing my mom for a lifetime of for such a time as this moments.
people always say that i look just like my mom. my heart always smiles when i hear this. i truly appreciate my mother's beauty, and i take their statement as a true compliment. but above all, i value my mom's heart.
mom, these are just a few of the many things i love about you...
- you love Jesus more than anything in the world. in a recent conversation you said, "if God took our house, i would be sad. but i wouldn't be devastated. because if everything is gone, i still have Christ." and i know without a doubt that you meant every word.
- you love daddy more today than you did they day you got married {25 years ago!!} you humbly submit to his authority, and you are a beautiful example of a godly, biblical wife.
- you prayed for all of your children before we were born and have continued to pray for us everyday.
- every morning when i wake up i know that i will be getting an encouraging text message from you that is either a) a bible verse b) a quote by one of the reformers c) john macarthur, john piper, matt chandler d) all of the above.
- when all of us are home from college you make four different kinds of pancakes because you want everyone to have the kind they like.
- you are the best "bella" to ada.
- it took you an entire afternoon to open your frye boots because you had never spent that much money on yourself. {your constant humility amazes me}
- you spend every friday afternoon during football season cooking and packing the car in preparation for our tailgate in auburn.
- you always let us girls borrow your clothes.
- i don't think i have ever heard you talk ugly about someone.
- you are admired by so many people.
- you are the most disciplined person i know.
- every Christmas, birthday, and mother's day you only ask that all of your children grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
happy birthday mom!!
love you more than whole-wheat chocolate chip pancakes,
cate
love you more than a game of shove up on a sunny afternoon,
