Author Archives: Sheila Rhodes

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

 I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed  for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, “Mommy, I’m over here.”

 It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, “Hey Buddy, what’s your name?”

 “My name is Denny and I’m shopping with my mother,” he responded proudly.

 “Wow,” I said, “that’s a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve.”

 “Steve, like Stevarino?” he asked. “Yes,” I answered. “How old are you Denny?”

 “How old am I now, Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

 “You’re fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by.”

 I  acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone’s attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

 Denny’s mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn’t even look at him, much less talk to him.

 I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God’s Garden; however, “Blue Roses” are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn’t stop and  smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they’ve missed a blessing from God.

 She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, “Who are you?”

 Without thinking I said, “Oh, I’m probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God’s garden.”

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, “God bless you!” and then I had tears in my eyes.

 May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE , whichever differences that person may have, don’t turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their  family.

 From an old dandelion! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to the powers that be.

(My husband received the story of “THE BLUE ROSE” from a dear friend he has known for many years. It was so meaningful that I wanted to share it on Sheila’s Heart with you!)

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:28)

As a child I grew up in a very tiny Southern farming town in North Carolina. Those years of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s in my household sort of remind me of the T.V. program in the late fifties called, “Leave it to Beaver.” It was a little town environment where my large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents lived within walking or driving distance from us. Family gatherings and being there for one another in times of need, joy, celebrations and death were at the top of the list. I soon discovered that Family was truly the center of all life!  At least it was in the family I had grown up in.

My mother, born in 1916 was the first born of ten children. She told me the stories of how she and her siblings worked the cotton and tobacco fields at a very young age while the other younger sisters would help with preparing the meals for such a large family. My mother had a “work ethic” like none other. She had been taught by her own parents the importance of working hard in order to succeed in life and being able to provide for your family. She would work from sun up to sun down in the home and outside of our home. I saw this quality about mother all my life. I often wondered if she ever slept. Back in those days it was not very popular to work outside of the home. However; mother made the decision to use her teaching degree to teach children in the public school in order to assist the family’s needs financially. She was indeed “one of a kind” and I loved her with all my heart.

I’ve discovered that my mother’s tenacious love was not just human…it was God’s love and life shining through her. My life will always be guided by the light God deposited in my mother. I see so many attributes that live on in me that were so much my mother. My eyes fill with tears when I remember her. I miss her daily and yearn to have mother/daughter time with her.  I HONOR YOU MOTHER this Mother’s Day and always!  You influenced my life in a million ways and helped to mold me into the Mother, Wife, and Woman of God that I am today.

My mother had the kind of love that never gave up on her children. Regardless, of how much heartache my sister, brother and I might have caused her over the years in growing up, she was quick to defend, restore and love us unconditionally. Only that kind of love can come from a loving God. I have never forgotten my mother’s love…I HONOR YOU MOTHER this day!  You showed me by example how to be a proper mother to my own children, grandchildren and now your Great Grandchildren.

Learning to listen to mother’s warnings in life showed me over the years that it was her abiding love that would keep me on the correct path of life. All I had to do was take heed to her warnings…they were God’s warnings speaking to me. AND, my mother’s love was a Heritage that she was transferring to me.  That heritage has now been passed on to my own daughters, Jenny and Anna. Prayerfully, I believe this transference of motherhood and God’s love from one generation to another will continue and live on in my family and in my children’s children.

When my mother passed away on March 3, 2010 at the golden age of “93” my husband asked me this question, “What was the most important thing I received from my mother’s life.” Without hesitation, I responded, “To love and take care of our children.”  By her example lived out in front of me, I learned the true meaning of God’s Love in and for my life. It is the kind of love that will bring healing, wholeness, restoration, encouragement and purpose from one generation to another.

MOTHER, THIS DAY….I HONOR and ADORE YOU! You deposited gold nuggets of love and life into my very being. I’m deeply grateful God gave you to me as my mother!

Happy Mother’s Day to my precious mother and to all the millions of mothers across this land and nation!

Sheila Rhodes

This is to all the mothers who had to be father, coach and uncle to their children.  Many single mothers have to be all to their children… mine did.   She gave up many things for my brother and me.  She spent hours and wee earlier hours driving to and from swim practices.  She sat for as many hours watching and timing at those weekend swim meets.   She spent countless hours standing at our soccer practices and games with our dogs in the Oregon rainy weather.  Not to mention all the snacks and meals prepared for her athletic children in training.  She made sure that we had family vacation.  So, we never made it to the big expensive theme parks.  But we did go back to our roots on the farm: fishing, riding horses, bringing in and milking the cows.   I have great memories even though dollar signs don’t go with it.  Our life was simple but I do not remember ever lacking for anything.

Throughout my life I don’t remember the hugs or her saying “I love you” (she grew up in a home where love was not expressed and there by rarely expressed it herself) BUT,  I do remember her putting our needs before hers.

I learned a couple of things not to do by her example:  spend money out of frustration/anger or maxing out multiple credit cards.  Boy, that one causes a lot of trouble for many a family.

I learned to shop the weekly grocery ads and buy canned goods and frozen items in bulk, so those items would last until the next time a store would have a sale.  I also learned how to use coupons, 2 for 1 special, double value days.  I’ve learned to take that extra couple of hundred dollars and pay down our mortgage/car loans.   I pay off all credit cards at the end of the month when they are due.  Mom also taught me to wait and buy big purchase items at the beginning of a billing cycle on a credit card. This way I get an extra 30 days before having to pay for it.

Today, I am the woman of God I am because of her.  I tell my children/grandchildren, “I love you.”  I give them hugs whether they want them.  My 6’5” son sometimes puts up a fuss but he knows that I will win in the end.  My grandbabies know there is always love and safety at mama’s house.  We play a game of who loves who more.  You all know the game “I love you ““No, I love you more.” One day my granddaughter responded to my “I love you 100 times more.”  With “I love you zero mama” being 4 ½ years old she didn’t understand the value of “zero”.  But as I thought about the power the number zero has…. Ten fold return…. 100 fold return… one can cast a 1000 to flight…2 can cast 10,000.  Zeros make a big difference in this grammas’ heart.

Thanks mom for all the life’s lessons: the good, the bad and the ugly.  May I be able to pass on to the next generation as many of life’s lessons as my mother did.  Mom just turned 75 years young.  May you have many more years with us.

 Renee Akiu lives on the beautiful and breathtaking Island of Hawaii with her husband and family. She teaches school on the island. Renee’s “Mother’s Day” Tribute to her own mother is one of deep abiding love and appreciation for the sacrifices made in raising her brother and herself as a single parent…the impact of her mother’s love lives forever!

My family of five was enjoying the new Disney Film “Chimpanzee” in the local movie theater this afternoon. This was the first time in sixteen months that we have attempted going to the movies with all three children, so we were prepared for an adventure. With popcorn, fruit snacks, gummy bears, raisinettes, and juice, we were ready. My five year old daughter was engrossed in the movie from the very beginning, but my three year old and eighteen month old boys didn’t have quite the attention span. I hear “mommy, love you” over and over from the boys.

 As I am reflecting on this moment, I realize just how many times I have heard “mommy, love you” in the last five years. It must be thousands! I always remember how excited I was the first time each one of my babies repeated those first “love you”. I am very blessed that I am a stay at home mommy and I get to hear lots of “love you’s” all day every day from my three precious children.

 I have gone through many stages of joy with each one of my children, from various milestones to just little things that make me feel so blessed to be their mother. I sometimes look out at them playing nicely together in the yard or pretending to go on a treasure hunt.  I feel such joy when I put on bible songs on my phone or on the TV and I hear “Yay!  Bible Songs” as they start singing and dancing!  I look at their little faces every day when their eyes are wide with questions about the world and God and Jesus and when they wrap their little arms around my neck and want to curl up in my lap or under a homemade “fort” while reading books and think that God has surely blessed me with one of the greatest joys on this earth: Motherhood. 

Megan Sorrell is from Fuquay, Varina, N.C.  I’ve known her ever since she was a young child. Never have I met anyone more “Called to Motherhood” than Megan.  She has such a special heartfelt love for her family and says, “God has surely blessed me with one of the greatest joys on this earth…MOTHERHOOD!” Megan makes motherhood look easy!

As I sit here with my hot cup of coffee and my very old pink baby book, with only two pages of it filled out, I reflect on what an unselfish loving mother God gave me.  I was sad at first when I discovered that only 2 pages of my baby book were completed.  But,  The Holy Spirit revealed to me that I have 48 years worth of full pages.  This is my story…

I was a miracle born on August 21, 1963 at 1:21 pm on a sunny afternoon.  I was pre-mature (5 weeks early) and only weighed 3 pounds 14 ounces.  The Lord gave me big brown eyes, olive skin and black curly hair. My mom always said that I was the most beautiful baby that she’d ever seen.  (Don’t all moms say that?) Since I was so little, I was put in an incubator to “cook” just a little longer, until my lungs were fully developed.  My mom said she was devastated when she had to leave the hospital without me.  But she told me she visited me every day.  She held me through the glass with her hands in those “plastic sleeves” that were attached to the incubator.

One month later my mom (and dad) picked me up from the hospital.  My mom was just thrilled.

She was ecstatic as a matter of fact.  Later, she told me that she missed me so much and she cried everyday that we were apart.   Actually, she cried every day after I came home too.  As it turned out I was a very sick little girl and became allergic to everything, including milk.  Over the next few years I was in and out of hospitals with pneumonia (9 times), collapsed lung (2 times) and was colicky to top it all off.  I’m not sure if colic was even around back then, but that’s what I was.  However, my mom never complained. She was up night after night walking the floors with me until I fell asleep in her arms.  She was losing sleep and her mind!  But, she was faithful… no matter how difficult it was, she never left me.  She always put me first and put everything else aside. Just like my Father in Heaven; He never leaves us or forsakes us, even in the midst of all our troubles.  He remains right by our side, helping us through our sickness, our hang-ups and heart aches. God never makes a promise that He doesn’t keep!  Believe me when I say that I still put my trust in that promise 48 years later…

After months of not feeling well, I took her to the doctor.  It was February 1, 2010 when my mom and I sat in the hospital room, waiting for the results of her biopsy.  I grabbed her hand and said, “I am here for you mom, no matter what happens we’ll get through this together.  With God by our side, we’ll make it!”   The doctor came in and at that moment her fear became a reality.  She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  My mom began to cry and I began to pray. I knelt down and said, “If this is what it takes to re-kindle my mom’s relationship with you Jesus, than it’s all worth it!”  This marked the first day of our love journey.  I never knew just how much I loved my mom, until I realized that I was going to lose her.

It was strange how our roles had been reversed.  All those years when I was sick, she took care of me.  Now, it was my turn to take care of her.  I believe God had that planned all along.  Over 5 months of doctor visits, medications and many sleepless nights, she frantically looked for a cure as I continued to pray for her peace.  I knew all along Jesus took a stripe for her healing.  However, I allowed her to find Him again, in her own way, not mine.  In the meantime, God gave us many special “mother-daughter” moments that I will always treasure.

It was during that time that I realized how much my mother taught me about real love.  She was a perfect example of what unconditional love was.  When you love someone, I mean truly love someone, nothing else matters.  Your own needs and desires are over written by the needs and desires of the one you love.  As I cared for her, she poured out her love to me.  No matter how bad she felt, she was always concerned for me and what I was going through.  She told me, “She never wanted this… a mother is supposed to take care of her child, not the other way around!”

I reminded her that Jesus took care of His mom by giving up His life for her and for the rest of us too.  I didn’t like seeing her this way, and if I could I would switch places in a minute.  But I knew God’s ways were better than mine.  Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  I held onto that promise!

God turned this “ugly” situation into a beautiful mother daughter bond.  God used me (Thank you, Lord!) to re-introduce my mom to Jesus.   I know she believed because if it weren’t for her obedience and her prayers, I wouldn’t know Jesus today as my Savior.  Over the years I think she just lost touch with Jesus, trying to do things on her own instead of letting Him guide her.

We were on our way home from an oncologist appointment and my mom blurted out “I want you to be there when I die.”  I almost drove off the road.  I agreed to her request and from that moment on, I was with her as much as I possibly could.   During the time of her sickness we would pray together and I would read her The Word God.  (She had no choice since she was stuck in bed most of the time).  Over time, you could see the fear leave as peace came and settled in her heart.

As she lay in bed, she told me how much she had loved me.  She told me how proud she was of who I had become.  We laughed as we reminisced about all the trouble I used to get into.  I said I was sorry for all the heartache and worry that I caused and she apologized for all of her mistakes too.  I looked into her teary eyes, grabbed her hand and said, “I am who I am because of you Mom! Thank you for introducing me to Jesus.”   We had awesome moments together, including the time when we danced together in the middle of her room at The Hospice House… just 10 days before she died.

On July 10, 2011 my mom went home to be with the Lord.  I was with her (as requested) for her very last breath.  I thanked her for all she had done for me.  I told her there was nothing left to say but it’s ok to go and be with Jesus now.  I reminded her that she was there for my first breath and I call it a gift to be there, for her last.  How I cherish the moment knowing that I was the last voice my mom heard before she heard her Heavenly Father say, “well done good and faithful servant!”  That my touch was the last she felt before Jesus’ arms wrapped around her.

I believe there is no greater love between a daughter and her mother.  There is an old saying, “A son is a son, until he finds him a wife but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life.”

I don’t know much about the son part.  All I know is that I call it a privilege and an honor to be called the daughter of Patricia Marie Thompson.  Until we see each other again, Mom… I will always love you!

~Vicki Lynne

(Minister Vicki is the wonderful wife of Pastor Chris Fisher at “Community of The Holy Spirit Church” in Willoughby, Ohio. My husband and I have had the priviledge of ministering in their church on several occasions and we count them as our “Dear Friends.”)

The title for this short testimony of my mother is borrowed from a teaching by Danny and Sheri Silk.  It speaks powerfully of a moment in my teens, when my mother demonstrated God’s unconditional love precisely at the right moment.  This was close to 40 years ago and it still comes to mind as I parent my natural and spiritual offspring.

Those of you that know me can well imagine the handful that I was for my parents.  I made some very poor choices at about the age of 15 that led to a lifestyle of rebellion and more poor choices.  I had changed, seemingly overnight, into a hard-partying son that was engaging in various criminal activities.  I will write about only one instance, for if I told of all of the times my mother had to choose to love me in the middle of my unlovable behavior, this article would quickly turn into a book.

In Junior High School, I was caught by one of my teachers in the middle of the ongoing criminal activity.  I was the first-chair drummer in band class, and I took advantage of my good relationship with my instructor and had, over time, stolen many pieces of the percussion section at school and added them to my personal drum set at home.  Fortunately, when my teacher learned where the missing pieces were, my parents were informed, rather than the police department.  This, of course, crushed my parents.

In the middle of the discussion with my parents, through her tears and with a quiver in her voice, she looked up at me and made a simple declaration; “No matter what….we are for you”.  In the middle of my guiltiest, most shameful moment, she loved me.  This apprehended my heart.  Fast forward 20+ years, and this is precisely how God apprehended my heart with unconditional love inserted when I least deserved it!

“Thank you Mom for loving me when I least deserved it…..and most needed it!”

A loving son’s tribute written by Pastor Steve Olson from Spring Valley, Wisconsin

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

A “treasure box” is a box filled with valuables and jewels.  The word treasure is defined as wealth, something valued and of great abundance.

The day you were born and when the nurses placed you in your mother’s arms; she knew she was holding someone valuable.  You became your mother’s world and she became your world.  She knew that with every valuable item she put into you that one day it would overflow with abundance.

As children growing up, we do not realize what treasures we have been given by our mothers… such as, unconditional love, support and always making sure our needs are met.  The list goes on and on.  When the teenage years come and our “treasure box “has become a little harder to open, our world seems so far from our mother’s world.  As teenagers, we do not realize that our mother’s unconditional love was always there.  She was the one that when you were having a bad day you could unload all your troubles on. She would always listen and never criticize.  When you thought you could not make it through your first heartbreak, she was the one helping you put back the pieces of your heart.

For the mother I have become today, it is because of the “treasure box” that I carry inside of me. It is from my mother who put the valuables into it a long time ago.

Thank you mom for making me valuable! 

I Love You!

Melissa Pirtle is from Katy, Texas. Her “Mother’s Day” tribute is indeed one of the beautiful and brillant jewels from the “treasure chest“ of the heart and one of tremendous gratitude!  

My parents, John and Juanita Haynes, married on July 8, 1946.  She was barely out of high school.  He was a WW2 Navy lieutenant fresh from active duty overseas. I am the first-born of four blessed children from this loving marriage that has grown deeper through the years.  As we married and had children they became known as Nana and Pop.

I look so much like Nana that people have mistaken us for sisters.  Though alike in many ways, our close relationship is enhanced by our differences.  We are both intuitive.  Nana senses a person’s feelings.  I sense a person’s motives. We both love hospitality.  Nana loves to set a formal table of china and crystal.  I love bright table linens and serve-yourself buffets. She is a marvelous, creative cook not afraid to mess up her kitchen.  I am a one-dish casserole kind of girl.  Her home is calm, pastel, and elegant.  Mine is casual, with red and gold and teak wood.  Nana loves silky fabrics, pretty shoes, and manicures.  I love denim and cotton and my Clarks.  Nana loves playing hymns on the piano.  I love to sing praise music.

Defining the most valuable lessons my mom taught me, I can say this:

I learned love for my Lord, faithfulness to my husband, and unconditional love for my children.  She taught me discernment and discretion.  She taught me to cherish relationships in this life, while keeping a Heavenly perspective.

I pray that I will pass this legacy to my own children.

This “Mother’s Day” tribute written from the heart by Marie Haynes Miller from Indianapolois, Indiana is one of purity and deep abiding love that sweetly knits a daughter and mother together for an eternity.

A mother’s love begins with an act of surrender and ends with an act of release.  Just as God breathed life into Mary’s womb, He breathes life into each one of us through our mothers.  Did you know He spoke your name before the foundations of the earth that you were to be born for a certain time, a certain moment for His glory?  The final act of a mother to her grown child is to release him or her back to God.  These children are treasures for her to tend and keep.  God knew a mother’s love was unconditional much like Christ’s.  A mother is given the privilege to raise a child and then release that child back to God. 

As a mother myself, I often think of the miracle it is to conceive a life.  I remember the joy of feeling my baby move, within my womb, for the first time.  I placed Steve’s hand over my stomach in hopes he too would experience what I had.  The joy of what was to come, the preparation, the many announcements to family and friends created a time of celebration.  As time went by and eight months of carrying a child in my stomach began to feel like my body stretching in all possible ways, I was ready for this child to come.  It was the anticipation of life about to be brought into the earth.  The birth of a miracle!

The privilege to have a miracle inside of us is a joy within itself but the responsibility should never be taken lightly.  Each child born is created for purpose.  It is always for them to ultimately choose to be obedient or not but they are created for purpose and for God’s glory.  It is a mother’s responsibility to give them the training, the tools and the confidence to bring this out of him or her.  Yes, Dad is certainly included in these responsibilities but this is Mother’s Day.  Ha!

The Bible speaks of Jesus’ birth as Mary is first visited by an angel – An announcement of God breathing life into her womb by the Holy Spirit.  Yes, a virgin birth but life none the less.  Mary was going to be a mother.  The joy that followed to watch Jesus grow up is not all recorded in the Bible but I must wonder if Mary faced the same questions we all face as mothers.  Am I being too hard, or am I being too soft on him today?  Did I show enough love today?  Is he eating right?  Where is he playing now?  The list of responsibilities were probably much like our own – teaching him to eat, crawl, sit, speak, listen, play, learn, etc.  I imagine her emotions were like my own – joy, sadness, love, anger, excitement, proud, etc., all natural parts of being a mother.

As a daughter, I can say that while there are so many things my mother taught me, I was surely never the perfect child and must confess, I probably gave her fits.  I can also say there were times when I was so angry at my mother that I would walk away in frustration.  I was also surrounded by other women who loved me like a mother.  I guess God knew one mother just wasn’t enough.  My mother passed away early in life but I can say it wasn’t the faults that I remember of my mother but the life experiences we shared.  The laughter that left us breathless, the long walks in the woods or adventures we took as kids; the memories of her making our favorite foods; the joy we shared when we gathered to sing songs from the hymnal; the unconditional love she showed to my friends as she embraced them as her own; the window shopping; or the times spent loving her grandchildren.  It is these moments in time that I treasure.

As a child grows to be an adult, a mother’s love takes on a new role.  She must now release this treasure God trusted her with back to Him.  I must admit, I wanted to keep them close and not let go.  I must admit, I shed tears when they left on their own.  I must confess, I wondered if I succeeded.  However, I knew I placed the Word of God in front of them and imparted the love of Christ into them.  I knew they knew I loved them unconditionally and nothing would ever take that from them.  I knew they knew I would encourage them to grow and mature to be the man and women they were meant to be, and I would expect nothing less.  It is time to release them back to God and for them to take the values I placed into their spirits and fulfill their purpose.

Our role as a mother is not promised to be an easy one. I think it is the most fulfilling and difficult job there is.  We surrender ourselves, our time, and sometimes our own dreams temporarily to breathe life into another.  Our obedience as mothers is to raise-up a child in the way he should go and when they are old they will not depart from Him.  See one day, I may be a grandmother who becomes old and soon depends on the child who raised me.  One day the roles may be turned.  I’m counting on my children to take care of me.  Oh, the joys they will have!

This loving “Mother’s Day” Tribute was written by Robin Shirreffs from Duluth, MN.

(Proverbs 31:10-31)

Oh, the unique challenges awaiting the woman approaching middle age! Imagine waking up one morning to find your face sort of lying in a pool beside you. Your once tight abs have been replaced with something rather squishy that has to be gathered up (starting somewhere around the knees) and tucked into industrial-strength, control-top pantyhose. Imagine suddenly realizing that your thighs almost create sparks when you walk. Your biceps are so deflated that in a strong breeze you worry that they might actually make a flapping sound. Maybe you don’t have to imagine it. Maybe you’re living it.

God might have knit these bodies together out of a more “permanent press” kind of fabric. He could have built in a kind of stretch that wouldn’t lose its elasticity around middle age. But He didn’t. And through our aging and all the challenges we live through, He teaches us what’s really important.

The Proverbs 31 “wife of noble character” got in on that teaching. She could “laugh at the days to come” (verse 25). Her future held flabby abs and combustible thighs too. But she could laugh. Why?

The passage describes a woman who seems just about perfect. Many Bible teachers call her the “virtuous woman,” and she makes Martha Stewart look like a novice. She keeps her husband happy; she works eagerly; she gets up early and stays up late. She gives to others generously, makes her own clothes, is an eloquent teacher, and her kids love her. A woman like this “who can find,” indeed! She is a formidable pattern, an intimidating example.

But look past the outward layer. Look deeper. You’ll see a woman of wisdom who fully understood what was really important. She understood what it meant to work hard and to serve God with her whole heart. She understood that everything of consequence was wrapped up in him. Serving others came as a natural extension of serving him.

There’s only one metamorphosis that matters-and it will keep every woman eternally beautiful. It’s a metamorphosis of the heart. The Scripture says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ). Having a heart of unselfish service that has been transformed by Christ-that’s what’s important. And that is what gives us the ability to laugh at the future . . . even if it involves flabby thighs.

Reflection

1. When your attention to appearance gets out of whack and your focus is more on looks than on eternal things, how might “fearing the Lord” turn your focus back to where it needs to be?
2. What are some of the ways the woman in Proverbs 31:10-31 served others?
3. How many different types of people did her daily life and ministry touch? How might you underestimate the many lives you touch each day?

Proverbs 31:25, 30
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come . . . Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

* This posting was shared with me by Minister Vicki Fisher of Community of the Holy Spirit, Willoughby, OH. It was originally written and presented by BIBLE GATEWAY!