Inspiration

Inspiration is defined: "to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence".

It isn't very often in life that we meet someone or even something that will inspire us. When I think of who has inspired me in my life, the list is very short. When someone that special crosses your path in life, your path changes, your life changes. The people who allow God to use them, to inspire others, create a special bond within our lives, they hold a significant meaning that is not easily forgotten.

I have always known my mother was able to connect with people, she was loved as a youth leader when I was growing up. She is loved by all her friends at the boat, in her church, her small group, pretty much anyone who has had the opportunity to know her. I guess thats the thing about people like her, she enjoys life, she radiates Christ, she loves without boundaries. Its hard not to like someone with those characteristics.

Throughout this last week, I am realizing the magnitude of love she has shared. 1 Corinthians 13:1 says "If I speak in the tounges of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong, or clanging cymbal." She spoke with love, she lived her life pouring out love to everyone she came in contact with.

My mother loved reading the Bible, I remember on many occasion her reading through the Psalms. I will never forget her reading from memory:

Psalm 23:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

As I look at this verse, and the battle my mother continues to fight, I can still hear "I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me... my cup runneth over... I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Many times in the last 15 years, my mothers soul has been restored, many times in the last 15 years God has used my mother to restore my soul. She prayed without ceasing while I was in the service, and while Jeremy was out on the long calls of duty.

She has walked and she has crawled through many valleys, yet she remained trusting in her faith, that God would provide for her, her every need. God has given her blessing upon blessing, and He still gives. Her cup runneth over.

As I look back upon all of this, and wipe tears from my eyes, I see that goodness and mercy has followed her all the days of her life, and she will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.