Archives for May 2020

No Beauty By Accident

During a visit to Mom and Dad’s several years ago, I woke early one morning and looked out the bedroom window. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I took a few moments and basked in the beauty of their then-backyard in the lush woodland hills of Missouri. The photo above shows part of what I saw, but my camera and photography skills don’t do it justice. They had a gorgeous view that was not only a treat for the eyes but for the spirit as well.

My thought that morning as I feasted on the scene before me? Beauty doesn’t happen by accident.

That’s right. No accidents in the world of nature. There is a Creator. Whether it’s the hills of Missouri, the beaches of Mexico, or the birds that sing outside my door each day, the beauty of the world around us proclaims the handiwork of a Master Designer.

Each one of us bears his signature as well “For we are God’s workmanship…” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). And just as our outward beauty (yes, we are beautiful!) is no accident, our inner beauty doesn’t happen by accident either. The same Creator who sculpted the mountains and painted the seas will mold us into loveliness if we present ourselves to him and submit to his loving and all-wise touch.

Do we trust him? Are we ready to become the masterpiece he envisions? Let’s allow him to unleash his handiwork on the inside, too. After all, beauty doesn’t happen by accident.

“Yet, you LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 NIV

*What is beautiful about the masterpiece God has created in you?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

Turn Ordinary Wedding Items Into Keepsakes

Mother of the Bride, why not turn a few of the ordinary every-wedding-and-bride-must-have items into something more? Why not transform them into keepsakes that will remind the newlyweds of precious wedding day memories for years to come?

For instance, instead of picking up a set of standard wedding garters (one to keep and one to toss) at your favorite craft and hobby store, ask a family member or dear friend who loves to sew if she would be willing to make garters for your precious girl.

My friend Teri made garters for both of my girls (see Kelli’s above), and her loving touch and personal effort instantly transformed the garters into precious keepsakes for both Kristin and Kelli. And since Teri and I had great fun selecting the lace and ribbon she would use to craft this traditional part of the bride’s attire, the whole experience made for a great memory for us as well.

Toasting flutes can also become a treasured keepsake. I found a special and elegant set for Kristin’s wedding, but for Kelli’s, we decided to ask a friend to dress up some standard flutes. This time we asked Teri’s daughter Stephanie for help. With her creative knack and a little input from Kelli on what she would like, Stephanie transformed the flutes into something far more beautiful than we could have found at any wedding supply or craft store (see below; click on the photo to see it better).

MOB, these are just a couple of ideas—I’m sure other possibilities will come to mind as you think of your own daughter and her desires and style. Have fun turning the ordinary into keepsakes for her. She’ll be forever grateful—and you may make some great memories along the way!

*You might also like to read Craft It: Bridal Keepsake Box, A Keepsake Photo of the Wedding Invitation, Deciding On a Wedding Guest Book: Ideas to Get You Started, and Wedding-Themed Shower Gifts.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Photos by Will Flowers

Love Anyway

You may remember that my theme word for 2020 is love. I’m so grateful that God extends love to me daily and sets the perfect example for how he wants me to love. May this latest poem of mine meet you at a point of need today. Be blessed, my friends!

Love Anyway

Thank you, Lord, for loving me
For understanding that I’m but flesh
For knowing I’m only human,
For realizing that I indeed will fail
And for graciously loving me anyway.
Now help me, Lord, to love like you
Knowing that others are only human too,
And when they fail or do me wrong
Help me follow your example—
And love them anyway.
For when I’ve been given grace untold
How can I withhold the same
From others like me who stand in need
Of that gift of loving them anyway.
Thank you, Lord, for showing the way
Of how to love anyway.

“‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’” John 15:12 NIV

*Who do you need to love anyway today?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by Robert Hruzek, Creative Commons License

Mother of the Bride Pep Talk: Encouragement for You

All mothers of the bride need some encouragement from time to time—and never more so than now. Some of you are helping your daughters navigate the disappointment and stresses of a postponed wedding during the current COVID-19 crisis while others of you are weathering the frustrations of delays in your wedding-planning timetable. Nothing like making a challenging job even more challenging, huh?

So Mother of the Bride, here’s an acrostic designed especially for you. Think of it if you’d like as pep talk—my gift of encouragement to you during this season of uncertainty. Hope it refreshes you today!

Mother of the Bride Pep Talk

Moments to treasure forever are unfolding all around you. Soak up each one.
Offer your daughter your continual support. She’ll always remember your love.
Thank God for adding a son to your family. What a gift and blessing!
Helpers greatly ease your stress and most are happy to help. Call on several.
Each step on your MOB journey can hold a blessing. Look for them.
Rejoice that your daughter has found the love of her life. Welcome him with open arms.

O
ther people will follow your lead. Let it be gracious and loving.
Fun is important too. Enjoy plenty with your family and friends.

Tell your husband or best friend about your current stresses. You need a listening ear.
Have a to-do list. Let it take the pressure off and help you stay organized.
Easy is good. Keep things simple wherever you can.

Believe the best about yourself and others. Nurture your positive attitude.
Remember to rest and refresh yourself. This will help you be at your best.
Imagine the wonderful celebration your hard work is helping make possible. What joy!
Daughters are one of the best gifts God gives. Celebrate and cherish yours!
Every blessing of wedding day will forever bring you joy. Start thanking God today!

Blessings to you and yours, MOB!

*You might also like to read Wisdom and Encouragement for the Mother of the Bride, Spirit and Soul Refreshment for the Mother of the Bride, and 9 Quotes to Encourage and Help You on Your Mother of the Bride Journey

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by Artem Beliaikin, Creative Commons License