Dear Rachel,
You never thought life would be like this, did you? If you had known what would you have thought? Would the struggles have scared you? And did you ever imagine that you would be blessed with seven kids? I know, I know, seven kids — crazy, right? And yet they bring such joy to your life. Don’t forget the joy — the laughter — the love. They teach you.
You see life different.
I know that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How could it not? Samuel’s Celiac Disease, and homeschooling, and running a house, and parenting, and being a wife. Don’t lose the real focus. It really doesn’t matter if every single page on the math book is filled out. Or if your kids can speak Greek. What matters are their hearts. Keep looking at their hearts. I’m going to say it again — keep looking at their hearts. ♥
And they will teach you to see life different.
But, above all, seek the Lord. Not just in the hard times — when you have no choice but being on your knees — but in the good times or those days in-between. Those half-sunny, can’t make up it’s mind Minnesota normal weather type days. In all that you do, do it for the Lord’s glory. Whether it’s writing your blog, or preparing dinner, or reading to your children, or talking with friends, or folding laundry, or sweeping, or more. Give all and do all for Him.
And your life will be different.
And, Rachel, don’t worry about cancer so much. God knows. You don’t need to worry. But celebrate — celebrate five years now of your husband being cancer free. Celebrate the clean report that you just got and knowing that you don’t need to go back for an entire year. Rejoice. Seriously rejoice and breathe the gift of his health deeply.
Live different.
Just sit for a moment and look around. Breathe in the joy and the goodness and the life. Don’t rush through this gift of time. Linger over your coffee. Hug Samuel just one more time. Laugh and play cars with Elijah. Read that John Deere book to Caleb. Watch Brennan ride his bike outside. Braid Gracie’s hair. Help Chloe cook her next favorite recipe. Listen to Hannah dream. Tell Todd you love him.
That’s real living.
You’ve got this chance of today.
You can sit there, at the computer, overwhelmed at starting. Or you can get up, and let the Lord fill you with His strength, and then begin to move through the day. His gift to you. These 24 hours of April 4, 2011 are only going to happen once. That’s it. One day. Today.
What are you going to do?
You need to live. Really really really live.
I love it.
Like today.
30 comments
I’m rejoicing with you over Todd’s cancer free report!!! Thank the Lord!
You are gorgeous. Stunning! The pictures are beautiful. And that bracelet? So special.
Enjoy living on this pretty April 4th day!
Love and hugs!!!
WOW…very touching and heartfelt. I have to agree with you that it is the heart that matters most. Sounds like you are doing a remarkable job as a beautiful mother to all your little hearts and souls. Beautiful post 🙂
lovely reminder. especially today my dear. especially today. really live…thanks for sharing your heart!
Rejoice! What a beautiful letter!
Praise God for the good health report for your husband! So glad to hear it.
Rachel, this is a letter to go back to and remember. God is so faithful and He created us to LIVE, so way to go, and I will praise Him with you along the way!
What great words for yourself (and the rest of us!). I love the sitting and taking it all in…taking a deep breath. That’s wonderful about Todd’s check up…so awesome. Cute bracelet. Happy Monday dear Rachel 🙂
Wow Rachel….I had to sit and reread that 3 times this morning so the weight of it could really soak in. What a powerful, beautiful, life changing point of view. Thank you for the reminder:)
Beautiful post. Praises for the clear report. This was such a great reminder to focus on the heart. Sometimes I think that gets lost in the “everyday” of things. Thank you, and the pictures are stunning.
Thanks for sharing; I think I am going to write a letter today, too.
Thanking God for the good report for your husband! Rachel, you have got to be one of the most beautiful women I know, although I’ve never met you. You have a way of weaving the heart of God into my soul with your writing. That bracelet is gorgeous!
Wow, that is a great bracelet! thank you for sharing such a sweet letter to self. There are many things in it that I connect to and many things that I also need to be reminded of.
🙂
Beautiful post, Rachel! And your husband being cancer free for five years – that’s great! ^_^
This is an amazingly written, heartelt post. I loved every word of it. Thank you for sharing!
http://penelopeblue.blogspot.com/
If this was a Facebook post I would “Like” it 10 times over. You have such a gift of writing what your heart is speaking.
As always I love your post….and you are such a beautiful woman, inside and out.
Praising God with you for a cancer-free report!
Enjoy today and thanks for the inspiration. : )
Thank you for stopping by blog and becoming a follower. I am your newest! Your blog is so beautiful. I’m looking forward to following!
So happy for your good news for your husband!
This was a beautiful post – Your HEART is beautiful.
So glad you found my blog so I could find yours!
Number 1, you are strikingly beautiful, inside and out.
Number 2, praise God for a good report from the oncologist!
Number 3, this was so encouraging. Thank you.
What a beautiful post! I don’t know when you find the time to blog, but I’m sure glad you do. Blessings abundantly to you and your beautiful family!
Thanking the Lord for the clean report!
Continuing to pray!
Psalms 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Prayer Bears
My email address
Praise God for the health report! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog! That was a lovely letter to you. You have an amazing spirit, very admirable!
Beautiful post! And the first thing I was drawn to was your beautiful bracelet in the photo! It is such a beautiful picture!
OH wow, I loved this! Thanks for the reminder to see the blessing in each day and to live life to the fullest while we’re in it. Thanks for stopping by my blog today, hope you’ll come back soon!
Both the letter and the picture are truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us.
This really challenged me to take a second glance at what I am doing today… Beautiful letter. Thank you for sharing your heart!
Rachel, again your words have encouraged me SO MUCH. I’m printing out part of this post (a couple of names changed!) and taping it up where I can be reminded. Thank you.
Oh, this was so beautiful. And such a reminder for all of us to give thanks for so many things.
God is so faithful!!
Blessed to read about your husband’s good report.
We’re tying to get past our 6 month scans with our son now.
Rejoicing with you. (our scans are next month, please pray!)
It’s 5:00 am and I’ve been up all night. Unable to sleep because of the guilt of not being a good enough mother to my kids. The Lord led me to your blog and I’ve been reading for hours. Thank you so much for posting these encouraging messages. My name is Rachel Marie, too. 🙂 I’m mamma to six girls. May the LORD bless you and your family!!