What I've Learned from Marriage and Motherhood

“Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew? Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two?  The Candy Man…. The Candy Man can. The candy man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good.” I first heard the Sammy Davis version of this song on the radio and sang it to myself often. I never realized that I would have my own version of a popular candy: M&M’s®.

A Popular Candy

M&M’s themselves began as a reproduction of a foreign candy, named after two candy makers whose fathers were both candy magnates – Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie. While abroad, Forrest Mars Sr. noticed British soldiers eating small, pill-sized candies called Smarties, made of a chocolate center and a hard candy shell. He was shocked to see that the candies held up in the summer heat and were small and easy to transport. Armed with his new knowledge, he moved back to the states to claim his spot in his father’s company. He secured a patent for the

Badges of Honor

As a little girl, I was a Brownie. Part of being a Brownie is that you earn badges for doing things that are considered important. It's been a while, but I remember the pleasure of earning the badge (not what I did to earn the badge).

As mothers we have our own badges, such as:

• Stretch marks
• Varicose veins
• Sagging breasts
• Wider hips
• Bigger Legs
• A different shoe size
• Different complexion 
• Longer hair then shorter thinning hair

These are the physical things, that we sometimes wish to change because our bodies have gone through childbirth. In our current world, it's so easy to buy in to the myth that something is wrong and we need to have perfect bodies.

I choose to view the physical bodily changes as badges of honor - I've earned them through becoming a mother. I never had stretch marks until after giving birth; I was spared varicose veins, but others weren't; the body changes overall even if you are petite.

To bring a child in to this world is to participate in a miracle. Cut yourself some slack. Take care of yourself and enjoy the person that you have become.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Psalm 127: 3)

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37: 14)

Do you have badges of honor? Do you wear them proudly?

My Cup Runneth Over

Mother's Day and my first child - the Boy, graduating from College - my cup runneth over!
Having most of the family together and all of the antics that entails - my cup runneth over!
Missing one daughter who is still overseas, but using the wonders of technology so that she is able to see her brother walk across the stage - my cup runneth over!
Conversations with my husband and reflecting on how far we've come; talking to our children and hearing and seeing the maturity in them; enjoying the innocence of a 9 year old; visiting the east coast and hanging out with my brother and his family - my cup runneth over!


You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Psalm 23b (NIV)  
When the English began manufacturing tea cups they imitated the Chinese style of small bowls without handles. Around the mid 1700’s, handles were added so that women wouldn’t burn their fingers. Saucers, originally small plates to hold sauce, eventually became part of the cup and saucer set. At the end of the Victorian era and the beginning of Edwardian days, people often poured the tea from their cups into their saucers to cool the beverage before sipping it.  It was an acceptable practice then, but definitely gauche now.  Yes, I drink from my saucer when my family is all under one roof and it isn’t a faux pas.  Whether we are celebrating or struggling, David says in Psalm 16:11, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”  My cup is filled with my Shepherd’s loving security and His love and faithfulness overflow.  The only way to respond is to drink from my saucer to catch all that He has for me. (Excerpted from Nutter, Marilyn (2012-03-16). Tea Lovers Devotions to Go (Kindle Locations 248-250). See Media, Inc.. Kindle Edition)

The tassel was worth the hassle - my cup runneth over!

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day and celebrated with those you love.

I sincerely wish that your cup would run over also!