Maria Spencer: What I've Learned

 A note from Kim and Julie: We extend our love and prayers towards Maria and her family as they grieve the passing of her mother.  God is showing Maria so much during this difficult time, and she granted permission that we could post her words here.  If you feel led, you may leave your sympathies in the comment section and we'll make sure Maria receives it.

I’ve learned a thing or two about life over the past nine days.

 

I’ve learned we need to hug each other more. My sweet baby girl Olivia has this down pat. She’s a hugger—even if you don’t want a hug, or ask for one, she’s giving you one. She has a gift of discerning those around her that would be receptive to a hug, and those who are just in need of one. Her giving, outgoing spirit shines through her hugs and she spreads her light wherever she goes.

Just like her MiMi.

 

I’ve learned that we need to give people flowers while they are still alive. Flowers for them to look at and enjoy, while they are here on this earth. Once again, my baby girl, Olivia understands this—she has a way of bringing out the beauty in a dandelion. We see them as weeds, she sees them as flowers. Flowers to give to her mommy, to make her smile. She spreads her innocent un-stained, flawless joy through the simplest things. Her goal is to make others smile just by being who she is, and showing us to see life the way she sees it.

Just like her MiMi.

 

I’ve learned that we need to say what we need to say—what we want to say—to others while they are here with us. Good or bad, happy or sad—if we have words that others need to hear, we need not question what others will think, and just speak from our hearts. And again, my Olivia could teach all of us how this is done. She sees others the way God sees them. She has no agenda. If there are words that she has on her heart, she speaks them out, without thought or reserve—she will tell you what she is thinking, when she is thinking it.

Just like her MiMi.

 

I’ve also learned that we are all in too much of a hurry. No one seems to have any time to do anything that truly matters in this life. We are all running so fast, doing so many “things” at once—sometimes we don’t even know the goal, or where we are headed. We all just need to slow down and enjoy life. Because my Olivia’s muscles don’t allow her to move as fast as other kids her age, she knows life no other way. When we are walking with her, and trying to get to where we are going in a hurry, it’s not physically possible. She forces us to slow down and look around at where we are at the moment, enjoy the scenery, and take in all of life that surrounds us. Most often, in these precious moments, she makes us smile. Because she enjoys each moment of her life, and is forced to move a little differently than we do, she is able to spread some love around with her shining, pure, beautiful spirit. She forces us to slow down, and she fills most moments with laughter.

Just like her MiMi.

 

So in the sadness of this past week, and as I have been struggling to sort through all of the emotions that surround this pain of losing my mother, God reminded me that I don’t have to miss her at all—Her spirit, love, voice, arms, and laughter are alive and well each and every day in my home.

Through her baby granddaughter, Olivia Joanne.

 

Slowing Down

Well, I had the complete privilege of getting away to the beach with my beautiful family for an entire week…and I still have “vacation brain.” (I know it has been 2 months, but I still have it!)

I finally had the chance to unwind and truly enjoy my family. Unfortunately, because I work full time, and between therapy appointments with my daughter, and sports activities with my son, I don’t get to actually enjoy the blessings that are all around me every day as much as I should.

Sooo…between the lazy river, the pool, and sitting by the beach---I had plenty of time to talk to the Lord, and watch in amazement as my children took in all the sights and sounds of our beautiful surroundings.

Because of treatments my daughter received over the summer for her muscles, prior to this vacation, she had casts on both of her legs for 6 weeks.
And four days prior to arriving at the beach, she had them removed. So, as you can imagine (especially if any of you have had to wear a cast for any length of time), her gait was very different, trying to adjust to her newly-stretched out muscles….And, because she normally wears braces on her legs daily, her muscles were fighting to keep her balance without them as we trekked to the beach and pool several times a day.

So needless to say, for the entire vacation her gait was very unusual, and she fought every second of the day, just to stay up to walk.

Because of these factors, I had no choice but to slow down.

Literally.

God knew I needed to slow down, and take my time to enjoy this vacation, and He created the circumstances so that I was forced to move slower.

And in the midst of me having to do everything slower, in order for her to be comfortable, I learned an amazing lesson.

Because I was moving at her pace, on her time, I got to see what was really important.

I actually focused on her beautiful face, and how much she is growing before my eyes.

I took the time to listen to each word she spoke, and tune into her amazing curiosity.

As her little body was struggling, her spirit was shining.

In the midst of her using every bit of energy just to stand up and walk, she was full of joy.

True, pure joy that can only come from a child.
The kind of joy our Lord wants us to have on a daily basis.

I learned this simple life lesson, from the most beautiful vessel He placed in my world seven years ago. She knows life no other way—and she perseveres each and every day. She is the epitome of God’s joy, strength and grace.

If she can have joy in the midst of her challenges than what excuse do I have to complain or fret about any challenge I have to face?

So I meditate on Romans 5:3-5, “ …but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

Slow down.
Rejoice.
Persevere.
Gain hope.


A simple, yet profound lesson from my little girl.

And from my God.



Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy.Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
She is also a contributing author at http://www.mommiesmagazine.com/.Maria's first published work is in Jan Ross and Jeanice McDade's Women of Passion's anthology, "Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God". Both Kim and Maria have been selected to have their work tentatively included in Lori Wagner's upcoming book, Quilting Patches of Life, Volume 2.

Now This Takes Focus

During the afternoon, I'll be with a group of ladies. I get to speak today and guess what the topic is?

Focus.

I'm going to end my presentation showing everyone this picture, challenging myself and them to focus on Him in everything.

Does this picture just sum that up perfectly?

Because you can focus on the crowds, the traffic, the birds, the wire (just like we focus on work, family, finances, church, things), all good things that make sense.

The focus has to be on Him when it comes to the family, the finances, work, church, things...

I'll let you know how it goes...right now I have to...

FOCUS!

Julie Arduini is a wife, mom and surrendering writer. Her personal blog, The Surrendered Scribe, shows her writing resume. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she is also a columnist with Take Root and Write. She recently placed 10th in the JournEzine Christmas story contest about the Good News of Bethlehem. Her verse for 2009 is Deuteronomy 11:11-12. She's a new columnist with the daily online newspaper, The Cypress Times.

A Crafted Prayer for Governor Palin and Her Family

Today I'm setting aside time to specifically pray for America. Over at The Surrendered Scribe and Christian Women Take Root, I shared a prayer I was given earlier this week concerning things to pray for the economy. I hope you check it out.



Last month I received an e mail that was a crafted prayer with Scripture to pray for Governor Palin and her family. I did not research the authenticity of this e mail, but felt how could I go wrong praying Scripture over someone?



Each week at the Scribe I try to give a balanced look at the election, and I've tried hard not to let my red blood show over there. But honestly, I'm posting it here because this is a blog of deeper things of faith, no one sent me a crafted prayer on any other candidate (including Senator McCain) and I personally feel she needs extra covering in prayer. There is something in her, not perfection, but what a bunch of intercessors are seeing as a Deborah spirit. If you know Deborah's story from Judges, she had power in her own right, but not once did she use that power for her own good or to belittle the men around her. In fact, quite the opposite. God used her mightily because she had that alignment. The world hates the Deborah spirit. Unless you live in a cave, you have to admit she has seen unprecedented attack since being named as the VP candidate choice.



For that, I feel led to share that prayer. If anyone has a crafted prayer with Scripture for any of the other candidates, I'd love to know about it. I include that e mail in its entirety.



This email is from Rosemary Dupras, whose daughter is on Gov. Palin's staff. Regardless of your political persuasion, these words are straight from scripture and can be prayed over anyone or any situation, of course Rosanne and Rosemary are asking for your intercession for Gov.Sarah Palin according to Psalms 27.


Sarah Palin is a born-again, Spirit-filled Godly person who said 'yes' when asked recently to serve her country. Since then, Gov. Palin asked my daughter Rosanne, who is part of her staff in Anchorage, for prayer, and so over the weekend Rosanne and I put together the attached 'Psalm for Sarah for 66.' It's intercessory prayer using Psalm 27 for the 66 days between the date of Sarah's accepting McCain's offer and election day, Nov. 4; it's not about who wins the election or about politics or your voting choice. We've sent it to a number of Christians across the county so would you also pray for Gov. Palin in this Esther-like time of her life? You might also pass it along or copy any one who might pray. If this request is offensive to you, I apologize. Rosemary Dupras


A Psalm for Sarah for 66 Days:Sixty-six Days of Intercession for Gov. Sarah Palin according to Psalm 27 Pray for Sarah, husband Todd, sons Track, baby Trig, daughters Bristol, Willow, Piper, from August 29 through November 4.



Pray for: Singleness of Vision, Moral Clarity Ps 27:1a - The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?Fearlessness, BoldnessPs 27:1b - The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?


Protection from Libel, Slander, Hatred, PersecutionPs 27:2 - When [not 'if'] evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.


Confidence in Christ, a Guarded HeartPs 27:3 - Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. Priorities Devotions, Rest, Balance



Ps 27:4 - One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple.


Deliverance, Favor Ps 27:5 - For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. An Overcoming Spirit, a Higher Perspective



Ps 27:6 - And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Direction, Wisdom, Surefootedness



Ps 27:7, 11 - Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me. . . . Teach me Thy way, O Lord and lead me in a level path because of my foes.




A Release of Faith, an Expectancy of Good,Ps 27:13 - I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.



Strength, Courage, Endurance,Ps 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage.Yes, wait for the Lord. And let Your kingdom come and let Your will be done.




'The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:19-20 NKJ



Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Write with her column, Finding Freedom through Surrender. She facilitates a group by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.