Back to Miracles

I realized when I started this blog, I wanted it to be about God and how He works in our lives in miraculous ways. I think I lost sight of that. And you know what? I have some miracles to share.

We've walked a long road with our youngest daughter. A road that started with depression, a cancer diagnosis, and an emotional recovery I thought would somedays take me under. God was truly my strength. Just this week, I watched my baby girl drive off with her dad to start a new life, one filled with promise and independence. A life she is excited to grab hold of! This is a huge miracle to this mama's heart. We pour so much into our kids, so many prayers and aches.

I'm so glad I didn't give up. God answered my prayers in ways I never even imagined. There were days I was afraid this day would never come for her, yet here it is—better than I could have imagined. I love this kids fiercely and letting go isn't easy. But I'm so excited to see her spread her wings and want to finally fly.

And my sweet hubby seems to have had a shift in his beliefs. He's more of an agnostic now than an atheist. I don't know how it happened—yes, I do. God. What blows me away is how quiet and subtle it was. I think that's how it needs to be for him. Nothing earth shattering and sudden. Just a steady progression. Until now, I just couldn't picture how it would happen. I think God wants it that way. LOL!

So, I will end this post here with a question. Miracles come in all sizes. God's love alone is miraculous. What miracles of love is God working in your life?

A Three Car Family

If you've read my blog enough, you know how I am about "landmark moments." We had another one in the family this past weekend. We bought our daughter her first car. Nothing special, just a "92 Mazda hatchback (so she can cart her canvases around) with close to a 100,000 miles on it. Can't believe my baby now has her own car.

A friend of mine told me the other night she went to a meeting at her son's school. When she walked in, a large banner spanned the wall, stating "You have 18 months left with your child." Now she's someone who's constantly say things like this, so I was a bit surprised to hear how strongly this impacted her.

But it's so true. Time is running out. My daughter will be 18 this year. The days of my influence on her life are running short. Being a mother has turned out to be one the greatest challenges of my life. And I'll tell you, a lot of days I feel like I just can't do it right. Thank goodness God is on my side.

He's done amazing things in my girls lives, and I know He'll continue to do so. It's just hard to let go, you know? Sometimes I wish I could just have them back as toddlers just for a day. Just one day...

Yet each day brings new challenge and excitement as I watch them grow, grasp for their own independence, and morph more and more into the young ladies God is calling them to be. I long for the past, but I look forward to the future. It's an interesting place to be.