To my beloved children; Brian, Lauren and Shannon,

I took a walk this morning on the trail, left around 6:00.

I have been asking the Lord if I could get a toe ring. You know, it’s flip-flop season! Somehow I knew that a toe-ring fell into the category of a “want” and not a “need”, so I figured I wouldn’t be getting one.

While walking and talking with the Lord, I came upon a sparkly pink heart-shaped ring. I bent down and picked it up, put it into my pocket and walked on. I wondered if it would fit me.

I did a good amount of work when I got home, finished the mulch that I had left, put the tables away on the porch, watered the flowers, then finally came in and sat down to watch John Heagy. I decided to paint my toe-nails and sure enough, when I tried the ring on, it fit!

What I felt this morning was an embrace from my Father. Seems appropriate, doesn’t it? Because it is Father’s Day. This day won’t be as I envisioned it, surrounded by my kids, their spouses and my grand-kids, celebrating their Dad and Grampa, the God-ordained head of our family. And my Heavenly Father knows that. So He gave me a gift, a “want” and not a “need”. He reminded me that His heart is for me as mine is for Him.

I bless you Brian, my warrior son, whom God has raised up to be a man of integrity and a lover of his family, a Dad to be honored today.

I bless you Lauren and Shannon, women of strength and character, who love, honor and respect their husbands and nurture and cherish their children.

And I pass on to you the everlasting love of our Heavenly Father…may His embrace be felt by you today.

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Psalm 27:10

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

With overflowing love for you. And still waiting…with confidence,

Mom