Carefree; thatβs the word that comes to mind when I try and sum up my attitude growing up.Β I am sure I am not alone in this.Β Walking around day to day not worried about a thing.Β Fully convinced that life was easy and that if a little hiccup happened to pop up, mom was going to take care of it.Β β¦And that is the way it usually was.Β Boy, there was nothing mom couldnβt solve!
Whether a last minute school project, or a 3:00am fever, mom would step out of the phone booth and with a faster resolve than superman she would make everything alright again.Β It was as if she had special powers; powers to make things better even when they appeared to be at their worst.Β Β Β It was a sure thing with mom.Β Nothing was left to chance.
I donβt recall exactly when it was that I realized mom couldnβt fix it all.Β Perhaps it was the time when I received unexpected dreadful news at the Doctor, or maybe it was the time when a storm came and destroyed our home. Β Β Some of us wake up to this reality sooner than others but no matter when that time comes, the sentiment is the same; vulnerability.Β It is as if though we are suddenly an open target to everything.
The orange deck of cards in the ever so popular Monopoly game known as the βChanceβ cards remind me of what itβs like to live in this helpless state.Β Going back 3 spaces, paying poor tax, paying money on repairs for all property, and going straight to jail are just some of what may come up when you pick a Chance card;Β not exactly the most favorable moves on the board. Β In fact, some of these moves can break you to where you are no longer even in the game.
Sound familiar?Β A divorce, losing a job, losing a loved one, or even a foreclosure amongst many other things can leave us feeling like we are out of the game.Β This is life without hope.
You see, my mother represented hope for me even in the worst of circumstances.Β Though difficult times came as I was growing up, my faith in that she would come through for me was so big that it diminished the discomfort of the current situation. Difficult times are bound to come.Β Matthew 5:45 says
Rain will fall on the just and the unjust
Itβs about who we have our hope on that makes the difference.
Today, as an adult I recognize the humanity of my mother, and have found a replacement for my hope.Β He comforts me, He keeps me in the game, and He fixes it all.Β He never fails, is always on time, and always makes things better.Β He promises me I donβt have to live by chance.Β And the best part of it all is He tells me to
Advance to Go and collect $200.
Who is your hope set on today?
Really profound. I love the analogy. I looked at my mom the same way. She could make a cut feel better with a kiss. Now, I know her source. She loved Jesus too so much. She passed that love on to me. I only hope I am successful and pass it on to my own daughter. Thanks for sharing.
Thats a great point Mary; we have to pass it along to our children. Well said, it’s the source that makes the difference. I hope to pass it along to my girls as well… thanks for sharing π
Hi Rosie. Stopping by from the link-up at Purposeful Faith. Your words are easily relatable, we do look at our mother’s that way but need to grow up the fact they are human. Real hope can only be sustained when placed in the One who is our hope. Such good news that is! My husband and I also work with folks in recovery. What an interesting ministry and the place that continues to teach me about grace. Thanks for your words today.
Thanks for stopping by Debby. Yes, hope can only be found in Him. Misplaced hope leads to disappointment. Recovery is a beautiful ministry, it is where you can truly see His grace at work. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I love this, how we rely on our mothers in childhood, but life takes over, things happen out of our control–Jesus is our parent always! Your so right chance visits all of us, but Jesus is our constant! I wrote about this in my blog today on change, it’s a hard lesson to remember when the waters of change rise–but God is faithful!! Parents are human like us! Visiting from #intentionaltuesday today!
Welcome Kathy. You are correct, Jesus is our only constant. It takes a moment to realize this but once we do we it is such a relief…we are not alone and don’t ever have to feel that way. I appreciate your comment π
Great post, Rosie! It’s true that as children we believe our parents are superheroes and take care of everything. The sad thing is when we never grow out of that belief …
I like your question, “Who is your hope set on today?” That’s what really matters. And it requires something of me – setting my hope, or in other words choosing to trust.
I choose to trust Jesus!
Thanks for sharing at The Loft.
Yes , it is sad when we grow out of that belief. The renewing comes when we realize that we can have that same relationship in the One that will never fail! Thanks for sharing π
Rosie,
Vulnerability and chance. Oh, yes, life leaves us in those places. Having hope in Him anchors us, gives us hope, and assures us that no matter what, we will be okay on the other side of the storm! I loved this post!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
He sure does anchor us. He is the only “sure thing” we have. I am grateful for that today π Thank you for stopping by Lori!
Thank you for reminding me of this beautiful truth today. Nothing is left to chance because we are never alone. Your mom modeled God’s love in such tangible ways for you!
You are right, we are never alone! I am grateful for that today π Thanks Becky.
It sounds like your Mom was like mine….a wonderful Mom and someone that I am so thankful for. Even as wonderful as our Moms were, Jesus is so much more wonderful. Thanks for linking up at The Loft today on our topic of thankfulness!
Yes!!!! No one can top Jesus! I am so thankful that we never grow out of Him π Thanks for your comment Leah.
Your analogies make me smile! I had to learn the hard way of who/what to put my hope in. For so long it was in my own abilities/gifts. Then it was in my husband. Then God FINALLY got my attention and DING… light bulb.
My hope is in Him!
Yes Sharita, I believe that is a common occurrence. We are always seeking where or whom we can place our hope on but everything aside from God always leads to disappointment. I appreciate your comment. π Be blessed!
So well said, Rosie! Thanks for this great reminder! Love this post!
Blessings on your day!
Pam
Thank you Pam, so glad you enjoyed it!
This is such a creative way of talking about His grace!! Love it!
Thank you Bethany!
So true, Rosie…it’s all about who we have our hope on that makes the difference, but ultimately, people, even parents are fallible. Jesus never lets us down. Thanks for reminding us of this today.
Yes Mary, even parents are fallible. Im thankful that just like a child depends on his/her parent, I can depend on Him π
Well said Rosie! As a child who grew up playing Monopoly with his family,I absolutely love this post!( I always had the top hat game piece) I am thankful that God allowed me to see my vulnerability as I recovered from a stroke in 2010. The time alone in the hospital allowed me to realize I needed to recommit my life to Him. It was the best thing that ever happened and now I can advance to “go” as I seek to glorify Him in everything I do each day! Thanks for sharing such a thought provoking, self revealing, and heartfelt post! Have a wonderful weekend and Blessings to you and yours!
Wow Horace, you have come a long way! I am so happy to hear not only of your physical recovery but most importantly of your spiritual recovery! I myself am bias to the shoe game piece π Thank you so much for sharing from your heart!
I didn’t grow up with that kind of comfort and security – what a tremendous blessing. My parents divorced when I was 5 – and I took hold of Jesus when I was 7 and didn’t let go. He was my security. No – God is where we need to place our hope. I imagine our decisions then are much better than when we place our hope on our parent’s saving us.
Yes, God is where we need to place our hope. I am glad you caught on to that truth so early on, you are blessed!
Good to have hope in your mother as much in a higher power. Inspiring words here hun. Thank you for linking up to Share With Me and I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round. #sharewithme
Hi Jenny. I appreciate your thoughts and thank you for allowing me to link up at Share with Me.