Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

A Letter to My Parents on Their 50th Wedding Anniversary

by 45 Comments

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV

 

Dear Mama and Papa,

 

50 years is quite a legacy. When I saw the scripture verse above, it reminded me of you. I won’t overly romanticize your relationship just because it’s lasted this long. I know that neither of you is COMPLETELY humble, gentle or patient 100% of the time. We are a fully human, fallible family. But as great as I do think you both are, I know it takes lots of “bearing with one another in love” to make it to a 50th anniversary. If the world took that commandment more seriously, many, many more marriages would go the distance.

 

Until I sat down to write this letter, I hadn’t fully grasped of the generational example we are privileged to have. Not one known divorce in my direct line as far as we can trace. How rare and wonderful! I cherish the love stories of you and my grandparents. I still get giddy when I’m lucky enough to hear them. That you grew up together and were always friends makes your two lives joined as one that much sweeter. And what a gift that I witnessed your love and marriage first hand!

 

Papa, your single-minded devotion to my mom taught me what to expect from a man. You may have lost your cool with her occasionally, but your anger never lasted more than a few minutes. I watched you date her and show her affection and prefer her company to any others. You exemplified the Proverbs’ directive to “rejoice in the wife of your youth.”(5:18) I made a lot of mistakes as I searched for my mate, but because of you, I knew the kind of man I wanted to marry. I held out for someone who would treat me like you treat Mama. And he loves me well. Thank you.

 

Mama, you have a servant’s heart. To know you is to be blessed by you. And you serve your husband devotedly. For years you have cooked his meals, mended his clothes and kept a fine house for him. You have chored and worked side by side. But even more important than how you have served is the way you respect him. You believed in him and championed him even when others didn’t. And you prayed. Oh, how you faithfully prayed for your husband and your children. I am not quite the cook and homemaker you are (you learned from the best), but I’m following your example (and asking for your advice) whenever I can – and praying for a similar outcome.

 

You both put God first, and each other second. And that is why we are all here to celebrate such a momentous milestone. I love you.

 

Happy Anniversary!

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, please share to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

 

Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

 

A Different Kind of Mothering

by 53 Comments

Photo by Beatriz Pérez Moya on Unsplash

Although I am looking forward to Mother’s Day (I actually refer to the whole month as Mother’s May – stolen from a friend – because I think I should be celebrated all month long), I know that it is not a happy occasion for many women and bittersweet for others.  My twin sister is one of those.  Many people can’t tell my sister and I apart.  We look alike and act and talk alike in many ways.  But there are key differences.  She is more left-brained and I am right.  She is smarter than I will ever be and I strive to be as thoughtful as she is.  And yet unfathomably, God allowed me to have children, while she remains without.

 

Kristen lost two pregnancies and struggled with infertility for many years.  I will never know or understand her pain from miscarrying a loved and hoped for baby.  I will never experience the dashed hopes of a period that came once again.  Kristen is my only frame of reference for the side effects, monetary cost and inconvenience of fertility treatments.  But I hurt with her every Mother’s Day (and many other days) as she’s once again reminded that this dream of hers never came true.  But as much as it pains me, our loving and compassionate God grieves with her so much more.  Psalm 56:8 NLT says,” You keep track of all my sorrows.[b]  You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”

 

No tear slips past our Heavenly Father. 

Click To Tweet
He knows the cry of my sister’s heart.  And though for reasons we may never understand, He closed her womb, He opened her heart to a different kind of mothering.  Kristen has mentored many friends and younger women in their spiritual journeys and through difficult times in their lives.  Her prayers, wisdom and time bless more than she will ever divulge as she quietly serves.  The children of her girlfriends hold a special place in her heart as well.  And there is no aunt on par with her.  Our younger sister’s daughters adore her and look forward to time with her.  She has taken them to Christmas activities, American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle courses, hosted them for sleepovers and gone to their dance recitals.

 

When she goes out of state to see her husband’s nieces and nephews, she plans and executes “Cooking with Aunt Kristen”.  They all look forward to making a new fun and tasty treat with her at every visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my girls?  They adore Kristen.  She has bedded down for the night with Shelby to give Chuck and I a break and plans special shopping and dining adventures with Allie.  She comes to plays and volleyball games and special Olympic banquets.  As my youngest is firmly implanted in those tough teen years, it brings me joy and ease of mind to know she has a mature Christ-follower who loves her to talk to when she would rather not talk to me.  It really does take a village, and I’m glad my sister is a part of mine. 

 

Order here

I know it can’t possibly remove the pain of a longing unfulfilled, but I hope my sister feels joy and pride in knowing how much she has impacted so many.  My kids…and many, many others are so much better because of her.  And I pray that God will inspire and raise up other women to mentor and “mother” children not born from their bodies.  The world needs more believing women loving and nurturing those in their sphere of influence.

 

A couple of years ago, Kristen’s sister-in-law sent her this bracelet on Mother’s Day to show her just how much she’s needed and appreciated.  I wish I had thought of it.  Romans 16:13 records Paul referring to Rufus’ mother as also being a mother to him.  When Kristen is one day welcomed into her eternal reward, I believe there will be a line of people with the same testimony for her.

Categories

Archives