1 Samuel 1:27

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

Good morning, and a Sweet Sunday Salutation to one and all!

It was on this date, March 15th, in the year of our Lord 1976, rather late at night that my husband and I received one of life's dearest gifts - our first child, Andrew Michael Mills, weighing 6 pounds and 12 ounces, entered this world. We were parents - and I became a mother! What a wonderful blessing we were given that day.

Today, thirty-nine years later, Andrew is still considered a gift. He loves to laugh and always makes me laugh when we are blessed to talk. I receive a text from him almost every morning. He and his wife, Danielle, have blessed us with three beautiful grandchildren, and the gift of that one baby has become a wonderful gift of five! God has been good to me!

Being a mother is a rather complex situation because there is so much love in your heart for that child, but so much responsibility rests on your shoulders to raise that child to fear the Lord. Throughout my years of being a mother, I often wished for a manual that described every situation one might face raising children accompanied by a sure-fire way to solve that situation. As you well know, there is no such manual. So much of mothering is trial and error, and I can only hope that I did the best I could in that department.

Twelve years ago, I was given another gift, again on March 15th, in the year of our Lord 2003. Our daughter, Heidi, wed her best friend, Heath Flowers - and, for the second time, I became a mother-in-law (our oldest son was already married by this time).

As with the title of mother, so the title of mother-in-law brings lots of love and maybe not the same amount of responsibility. In this latter role, a lady must learn to let go; to be wise in her conduct; to be careful in giving advice, etc. But, I have found the role of mother-in-law to be a blessed one. I did not lose a daughter; I truly gained a son!

"The blessings of the Lord , it maketh rich", so says Proverbs 10:22, and I feel extremely wealthy today, as I remember the two special treasures I've been given on this one date, March 15th.

In 2 John 1:4, we read about "children walking in truth", and I can say from the depth of my heart that I pray that prayer for my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren. If they walk in truth and do what is right, this mother is extremely joyful.

God bless all mothers, mothers-in-law, and grandmothers today!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing................