Writers In The Storm

Last week, the calligraphy addressed invitations arrived in everyone’s mailboxes. Yesterday, she purchased shoes that match her dress. They sit in her closet waiting for the big day. The young lady reserved a ranch for the reception and a whole suite of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. On the girl’s finger a ring sparkles.

After months of preparation and planning, she walks the aisle in three more days.

When she extends her hand to receive her diploma, a chapter of her life will end while another unfolds. The paper certificate represents approximately 16,480 classroom hours; plus evenings studying, writing research papers, and attending extra-curricular activities.

Break out the fine china and warm up the band. An investment of this magnitude deserves celebrating.

But do we ever overlook day-to-day accomplishments that deserve recognition? When did you last celebrate completing a task? Accomplishing a goal? Meeting an objective?

Celebrating big and small victories helps us to Live Above Neutral. Next time you finish cleaning the bathrooms, updating your children’s scrapbooks or e-filing your income taxes, celebrate:

Buy a bouquet of flowers. Bake a treat and enjoy with a glass of milk. Take a vanilla-cream bubble bath.

What can you celebrate today?

What makes a person heroic?

In today’s world, Americans idolize actors, athletes and industry moguls. Anyone with brains, brawn or bucks can rise to superhero status.

In order to understand God’s measuring stick for determining who’s worthy of admiration, I turned to the Bible.

One story stood out from the rest. I found my attention captured by a man “highly esteemed by God.”

The word esteemed comes from the Latin for “one who cuts copper.” The concept refers to a person who mints money. The individual creating the coin assigns its value. So, esteem involves estimating value or appraising worth.

In so many words, God told this man, “I assign great value to your life. You’re gold bouillon, a signed-blank check from the IRS, ground floor stock in Microsoft.”

Quick, before I tell you the name of the man God admires, jot down characteristics you think God values.

What wins God’s esteem?

Visit www.sonjiabradshaw.com tomorrow to learn the name of the man God esteemed. Meanwhile, consider characteristics you expect to find in his life story.

Life was good. I had a mom and a dad, two okay brothers, and a pet beagle. Frizzy hair in a spaghetti-straight world was bearable as long as my family and friends didn’t make a big deal of it. Then, Mom’s and Dad’s marriage broke up before my twentieth birthday.

“Mom, I’m home!” The screen door slammed behind me.

No response.

I walked into the kitchen, dropping my schoolbooks on the table beside Mom’s trademark–a chocolate coconut cake surrounded by three presents. Eyeing the carefully wrapped gifts, I knew one was the latest Amy Grant album I wanted. Shaking the others, I discovered the rectangular box held clothes. The other gift, I couldn’t figure out; it would remain a mystery a while longer.

My younger brother Jason soon entered the room, also coming in from school. My oldest brother was at work.

A little later, Mom quietly shut the screen door. The familiar footsteps on the hard wood floor announced her arrival. She sat in the closest chair, barely looking up as Jason and I entered the room.

“Come, sit down. I have something I need to tell you,” Mom began. “I’ve been to the doctor.”

Jason hung his head. We both instinctively knew what was coming next.

“I have a lump in my breast. The doctor is certain that I have cancer.”

The rest of the day was a blur. We probably ate the cake and sang “Happy Birthday,” but I don’t remember any festivity. The next night, Mom labeled three boxes with our full names. Only a mother would do that. She then began to go through the house gathering items to place in the boxes–stuffed animals, newspaper clippings, faded ribbons–long-forgotten memories of our childhood.

The next day, my 43-year-old mother entered the hospital for a biopsy.

She died three weeks later.

I still have the Amy Grant album. The clothes are long gone. The mystery gift has been forgotten. But I received a gift that day I’ll never forget: The certainty that life in this world is short, and relationships are the most important part of that short life. I knew then that I wanted a forever family.

Mom’s death was my call to a life-long commitment to family–where relationships are celebrated as true treasures worthy of my life investment. Her death transported me to the place where personal fulfillment and career achievements rank much lower than the call to hear God’s whisper, “Well done.” Mom’s life and death gave me a longing for lasting relationships, families that beckon us home, and eyes to see the significance of The Forever Mom.

In a couple of days, we’ll flip the page on our calendars and wave farewell to April 2008.

As May unfolds like daisies in a garden, Writers In The Storm will discuss May events: Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Graduation, Memorial Day and end-of-the-year milestones.

Visit back often for timely discussions that will challenge, encourage and stimulate your love for God, His word and His world.