Lion and Lambs

Today I was honored to be a guest at a Symphony performance which included favorite patriotic songs and the great grandchildren of the Captain and Maria Von Trapp. How appropriate to include children whose family escaped domination during the war with songs that celebrate freedom.

Of course the children, three sisters and a brother, sang several of the Sound of Music favorites, and included a few from their grandparents homeland. They were even okay with the audience singing along to a few of them. Although one of my favorites, I could never dream of singing along to The Lonely Goatherd. The children were amazingly talented and sang several songs a cappella. They are not asked to perform simply for the novelty of their background.

The children made the performance even more fun by telling some of the secrets of the family that were not quite accurate in the movie. For instance, the events took place over eleven years, not three months, before they escaped, not over the mountains, but on a train. One of the reasons for the escape was from persecution that stemmed from the Captain twice refusing to sing Happy Birthday to Hitler. The Captain and Maria were married already, had two children, and one on the way at the time of the escape.

Of course they wore the traditonal costume from the homeland. The oldest girl wore a dress that was Maria’s, the next oldest wore one that belonged to her grandmother, and the youngest wore a dress that belonged to one of the other children in the Captain and Maria’s family. Now I would have never thought to save my children’s clothes for future generations, aside from the coming home from the hospital outfit that my son, his father, and grandfather wore. I think I will go right now and get a couple of their pants to hold onto. How do you think future generations will do with pants that the metal from the chains, zippers and D rings weigh more than they do??

Since I am a mother and I am happy, today is my day, and I love it! I am so thankful to have my children, who make this day a special one for me. I’d like to think I have the world’s best children, but I do see clearly without my rose colored glasses. I know that God knew they were the best children for me, and I love them more dearly than would be possible without Christ’s love in me. They are both teenage boys, does that explain it? I hear some parents don’t survive the teen years; since I am almost out of them, I must be doing okay. One of the most endearing things is how well they get along with each other, it really does a mother’s heart good. I watch other people’s children fight with their siblings and I count my blessing that my sons are such good friends!!

That said, Miss Vox and I do have the WORLD’S BEST MOTHER!! I am sure there are several out there that come a close second, but I am very thankful God chose the best one for us!! I am very thankful that I have her excellent example and incredible love, to look to as I raise my sons.

For all those who today is not so special for, due to tragedy, my heart goes out to you, and tears roll down as I pray for your strength to make it through for one more year, and special, special blessings in the coming days. I am sorry for your loss.

As I was out putting numerous miles on my car today, I read a great quote on someone’s window.

To give anything less than your best,
is to sacrifice the gift.

How profound…I love it! That made all the driving worthwhile.

Perhaps my sister will be along and be able to attribute it to someone. The print was too tiny for me at those speeds from that far away.

Thinking about the National Day of Prayer, I remembered something someone told me a L O N G time ago. I like to reflect on it from time to time, and put it back into practice. Using it today as worship is so appropriate.

This speaker told me that to get our attitude in check, and remember our relationship to the Lord, we should go a whole week with nothing but prayers of thanksgiving. No asking…just thanking.

My sister and I, rode our bikes to work this morning and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to prayer, so decided once again to use this. (though wondering if I should be praying for strength!!)

It is amazing how many things we have to be thankful for, from pretty trees and birds singing, to my appreciation that God chose me to be His child. As strange as I thought it would sound before we left this morning, I am thankful to have the ability to ride a bike. More importantly, I am VERY thankful to have a sister to bike with!!