♥ ♥ ♥
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV)
Though differences among Christians certainly can bring about divisions, how else could we possibly express understanding of a God as huge as ours? I am convinced that without such diversity, we would see much less of God than we do.
The same is true of expressions of love. Seven members of my diverse household each express love in different ways. Unless we value our individuality, we are certain to either miss the more subtle expressions of love we have for one another, or fail to appreciate the bold ones.
The Lord is Master of both.
He's teaching me new ways to be subtle. Yet I can't imagine that I'll ever weary of the frequent "I love you" or PDA (public display of affection) which either embarrasses or grows old with some people. I grew up amid a family fluent in this open love language.
♥ ♥ ♥
My mother, blind since birth, began playing the piano before she could walk, and can literally play a song by ear if you hum a few bars. Her gift for music includes the uncanny ability to remember nearly every song she's ever heard. The miles and years are often bridged by the music my mother shares with her grandchildren in various ways.
Musical skill skipped over me to my children. My love of music is devoid of the same breadth and comprehension shared by the generations preceding and following me. For example, I did not share my mother's affection for the 60-year-old cowboy tune she passed along to my kids several years ago.
Then on Sunday I did a post about social media, "Following." The same day, my 17-year-old daughter offset every pain in the neck social media has ever been with a simple post to my Facebook wall. It included four words, three hearts, and Youtube link:
I love you Mommy! ♥ ♥ ♥
Here are the words to a song which resounds with love reaching across the generations.
MOM AND DAD'S WALTZ
Words and music by Lefty Frizzell
© 1951 Hill and Range Songs
I'd walk for miles
Cry or smile
For my mama and daddy
I want them
I want them to know
How I feel
My love is real
For my mama and daddy
I want them to know
I love them so.
[CHORUS:]
In my heart joy tears start 'cause I'm happy
And I pray every day for Mom and Pappy—
And each night.
I'd walk for miles cry or smile
For my mama and daddy
I want them to know I love them so.
[violin bridge]
I'd fight in wars
Do all the chores
For my mama and daddy
I want them
To live on til they're called.
I'd work and slave
And never rave
To my mama and daddy
Because I know
I owe them my all.
[CHORUS]
I love them so.
♥ ♥ ♥
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Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree does it? am pretty sure your children are going to add a lot of light to this world, Anne. it's obvious already:)
ReplyDelete....not fan of cowboy music any more then i am of hillbilly bluegrass. but i had to laugh about your mom teaching the kids that song. it's a good start for the day.
Anne, I got teary-eyed reading your post. How special to receive such a message from your dear daughter. Who would have thought Facebook would make such a positive impact on our lives? =)
ReplyDeleteBud ~
ReplyDeleteGlad to give you a laugh. I do hope that the five precious lives entrusted to my husband and me are off to a good start of being fruitful for the Lord.
Keli ~
ReplyDeleteAww! I love to know someone else has been touched by my daughter's thoughtful gesture. I know I don't do as well at Facebook / Twitter / blog communication as I'd like. I'm a horrible pen pal for sure. But wherever else I fall short, my kids know without doubt that I love them and God loves them.
can it get much better than this???!!!! what a gift
ReplyDelete{I healed with soup served in that cup of blessing from you}
That's so sweet! Your mom sounds incredible, although mom's usually are. :) thanks Anne.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet gift! And I did not know that about your mother! God bless her.
ReplyDeleteThat daughter of yours really is pretty sweet! And your mother is truly incredible!
ReplyDeleteSusan ~
ReplyDeleteThat cup would be about the right size for a steaming mug of soup. You tempt me to cook a turkey and make a batch of it—which would be almost as good as that Facebook post was. No, it doesn't get any better than that. : )
Jason ~
ReplyDeleteI don't deserve kids who appreciate me at such a young age when I think of how long it took for me to truly appreciate my mom. Now, I hope I'm becoming more like her.
Tana ~
ReplyDeleteGod does surprise me with gifts like this one. I feel happy and humbled and proud and weepy all at the same time.
Mary ~
ReplyDeleteYeah, my daughter's sweet, even with the name we gave her. And my mother? She seems to have passed on more of her incredible-ness to my younger sister than to me. Today I was asking one of my kids to please be humble and cheerful, and was asked, "How can you do both?" Your name was the first one that came to my lips ...
Well now you are going to make me cry.
ReplyDeleteMary ~
ReplyDeleteGood! That'll learn you to make fun of Mom's song. : )