GRANDMA, FAMILY and the WORD

Before becoming pregnant with my first child, I had not really planned for motherhood. I married the man I loved, to be his wife and to be with him for all time. I was not like many, who enter marriage with a view of what they want for their future life, in the way of family and career; how many children, what sex, how soon, and (so often) what career to pursue.
I did want God's will for my life, which was a major PLUS.
I had been married for four years before receiving the good news, that I was expecting. The realization of this was more wonderful than I had known it would be. My life was changed forever. I was a mother as God had designed me to be and my entire body, mind and spirit had been changed. There was much about how God had made me, that I was yet to learn, but I would be amazed at the wonder that was in the creation - ME! And I was to further be amazed at the power and beauty to be experienced in having my husband, my head, a very real and dear part of who and what I was.
I had already experienced the joy of being a wife. Not only had I been forever changed on November 5, 1970, when I became Mrs. Dwight Brown, but I had found a fulfillment in the thing God had planned on the day of creation, when he made the man and the woman to be one, in His image and likeness.
I had become a great admirer of the man of God I had married; his life of faith, his knowledge of the Word, his care for others and the amazing love he had for me. He was a self motivated and God motivated person, who worked hard and loved much. In fact he gave me a glimpse of the love of God, beyond what I had understood before knowing him, that changed my life as well.
I had skills and abilities of my own, but these were encouraged by my husband and I found a way to use at least some of this to benefit our lives. There was much for me to learn. I was very young. But God gave me a glimpse, of what could be; what I could achieve; what I could contribute, and what life could be when two are united.
Now we were parents. Yes parents even before our eyes looked on the beauty of the tiny little girl snuggled warm and safe in my womb.
One of the things I have learned, is that if we have a desire to know God and His will for our lives and to follow Him completely, He WILL lead us, teach us and help us. He will go beyond the knowledge we have gained by man and show us His own ways.
Before having a child of my own, I had doubted my ability to do so, thinking myself to possibly be inadequate physically to have a child. I did not realize the detailed workmanship of the creator, nor the intricacy of his design in me and His purpose for me.
Before marriage my desire had been to be a professional singer. I did not know what the sound of my voice would mean to a man so wonderful as was the man I married, nor how the very sound of his voice could soothe my spirit.
I had no idea that I would soon be using my voice to sing to my babes as they nursed at my breast.
I had wished for a body that was beautiful in appearance, but had not comprehended what my body would mean to a tiny creation of God, who would find it's comfort, first in my womb, then later in my arms.
I had wanted a beautiful voice, without realizing that it would by MY voice that would teach a special child of God, what God was like; that the sound of my voice would soothe it's heart, give it joy, and make it feel at peace.
As most young girls do, I had wished for a beautiful face, unaware what the mere expressions of my face would mean to my husband and children; what they would view from the window of my soul.
No one had to come and tell me that I needed to change my goals now that I was a wife, or when I became a mother. Nor to the contrary, that I should never give up my original dreams. For as God blessed me with His gifts; His riches from above, my heart and soul adjusted and relished in His gifts.
Others might look at me now, a widow, with four of my five children still alive on planet earth, and the grandma of eleven and one on the way, and think that I have not progressed very far. I am not a celebrated singer. I am not (yet :)) wealthy, in terms of money and I am not living in the big house on the hill. OH but I am one of the wealthiest people who have ever lived. I have enjoyed more love than some will ever know in their lifetime. I have experienced the gifts of God that never die and that bring joy to me even now. I see His gifts grow, blossom and continue to bear fruit. I see the seeds, as it were of the flowers of my garden spread abroad, to bring fruit to others and spread a sweet smelling fragrance, a lovely aroma in the air.
And I have joy that is eternal. I am a grandma, with the Word of God and the Spirit of God shed abroad in my heart, who has been blessed to live and see the work of God continue.
I am a woman who did not say NO! to what is His heritage, His gifts.
I am a woman who will joy in the Lord now and in a day to come when youth is restored and the glory of God is seen in it's fullness!
Feel free to stop by this blog from time to time and look in on this grandma and the Word.