Today, my Mother, Carolyn Courtney, has a birthday! I love the way her birthday is October 10. I've always loved that. Her birthday is 10-10. It's so ordered and alliterated, if numbers can be alliterated. It defines who she is perfectly. She is orderly, neat and complete! Even her birthday bespeaks that about her.
I've written about my Mom before here and here, but I could write many more posts about her and still never tell you all of her wonderful attributes.
My Mother knows no "excuses". I've seen many folks stop various ministries, or not try to serve the Lord at all, because of weaker excuses than my Mom could come up with. I've known people who don't go soul winning because they are tired. My Mom has gone every Tuesday night, after teaching school or working as an Elementary principal all day long. I remember that she didn't make homemade biscuits or prepare fresh baked apple pies, because she used her time and energy to go out and witness for Jesus. Sometimes, she would buy clothes for a needy lady in our church. Every week, she and my Dad would prepare a sack of food and a note with a little money included and leave it outside my Pastor's office door on Sunday mornings. My Mother has continued this loving gesture for Bro. Graham even now that Dad's in Heaven. I remember my parents both memorizing this little poem. They recited it at breakfast many days, and I learned it too! It says: "It's not what you'd do with a million, if riches should e'er be your lot. It's what you're doing at present, with the dollar and quarter you've got." My Mom and Dad tried to use their "dollar and quarter" for the Lord, and for others. It has reaped them many heavenly dividends.
My Mom and Dad took a two mile walk together every morning at about 6:00. My Mother still rises early each day and walks her two miles, even though she walks alone. The reason she continues serving and walking alone, is because, in fact, she is not alone. My Saviour, whom she and Dad introduced to me years ago by living just like Him, is walking with her. While Dad had to move on to Heaven first, we know we will see him again someday. In the meantime, Jesus has promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). He will continue walking with Mom, and with me, until we see Him face to face.
If you don't know for sure that you will be Heaven someday, please settle that question today. Click here for a video message that can clear up any doubts you may have about attaining salvation. This is what my Mom and my whole family live for.
Happy birthday, Mom! Thank you for walking faithfully through the trials of life. You are my inspiration when I get low. Thinking of you keeps me going when I would rather quit. I am so blessed to have been included in the Courtney family.
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Follow Your Heart ~
My last post was yet another exciting chapter of my love story. There is one point on which I would like to elaborate, if you don't mind. Oh thank you! I know I sometimes go on and on, so I truly appreciate your patience. :) I had wanted to go into more detail while I was writing my last post, but time did not permit it.
In that post, I told about how my parents gave me two options after I finished high school. One was to go away to Bible college. The other was to stay home, get a job and buy my own car. I chose option two. There is a little more to the story that I'd like to share now.
I had dreamed of doing big, important jobs my entire childhood. I wanted to be a lawyer, because I loved history. (Lawyers have to like history. Don't they? Well, I thought they did.)
After that, I wanted to be a writer, because I loved dreaming up stories. I loved trying to make my family cry when they read their birthday cards from me each year. I loved words, I loved being transported to "that other life" via a good book. I wanted to take others to the wonderful worlds I dreamed up. Writing seemed a good fit...then I thought, why not combine the two and write about history? So, that was my dream for a while.
Later, I wanted to teach. I spent many afternoons in an upstairs classroom waiting on my Mom to wrap things up for the day. I can still smell that chalky, sweaty smell that a classroom has at the end of the day, after hosting 130 students! I find comfort in that smell! (Much like I do in the smell of tobacco and funnel cakes. That smell reminds me of the sweet summer days I spent at Magic Springs when I was child. My parents owned a glass shop, called Glass Creations, for several years. I spent many happy days there. Ahhh. Precious memories. What? Oh! Sorry! Where was I? Yes, I remember!) Teaching seemed to be in my blood, because I was exposed to it. My Mother didn't desire to merely "get through the day with all these kids" as some teachers did. She sincerely wanted to make a difference. My brother's life's verse is Jude 22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference." I think he chose that consciously or sub-consciously because he saw this verse lived out by my Mother over and over with her students, and at home too, of course! :] I wanted to make a difference, too.
I also wanted to be a doctor for a while, and help the hurting that way. But, then I realized I fell faint at the sight of blood, so that was out. Oh, I'm not good at math, either, so pharmacology was out as well.
Other various dreams of mine included banking, becoming a librarian, and radio broadcasting. Motherhood would always be included along with these other occupational choices. It absolutely went without saying. I wanted to be a Mother, as 99.9% of women do.
At teen camp one year, however, I gave my life to the Lord. I surrendered total control to Him, to do whatever He wanted for me. If this meant being a missionary to Africa, I was in. Whatever He wanted.
I began to lose interest in my previous passions (except motherhood of course!). I no longer dreamed of becoming a lawyer, doctor, writer, or broadcaster. I even gave up the teaching idea. I basically gave up any idea that involved working outside the home. My Mother, even though she worked a secular job, encouraged me in this idea. Often I would go to my Mom and ask her to go do something and she would be unable to go due to her job. She would look at me compassionately and say "Valerie, when you get married someday, don't work outside your home." I knew what she meant. She was saying, "I hate having to put you behind my job. I hate that you have to be last." Of course, I understood. I knew my Mother loved me more than anything, even is she did miss out on some things I wanted to do. (But right now I can't remember any particular one, so they must not have been that important anyway!)
As I read my Bible, prayed and earnestly sought for God's will, it seemed to me that I should marry a preacher. (I know, what girl doesn't surrender to do that, right? Well, I was no exception!) I felt with all that was in me that I should be involved in ministry alongside my husband, whether he was a full-time pastor, or a secular employed layman. I hoped to have children, but after watching my sister wait for six years to have a baby, I didn't hold my breath. I was prepared to possibly not be able to have any at all.
The time drew near for me to apply to Bible college. Most of my friends were married, or had left our church entirely. The college my brother and sister attended was wonderful. They had fire and vision and enthusiasm. But...I didn't want to go. I had been there many times to visit them, I had loved it as a child. Now, as it was soon to be my turn to pack up and go north, I wasn't so sure. Did I want to pursue a degree in education? Did I really want to be a teacher? Or was that just an excuse to go to a "nest" of Christian young men in search of a husband? If you want a degree, and you want a mate, then Bible college is the place for you. I, however, had to be honest with myself and admit that I only wanted a mate. I asked the Lord to please send the man he had for me to our church. I thought it might be the guy I was dating at that time, but I had my doubts that it would be he. In fact, I had very little faith that God would really send my man there. This lack of faith didn't stop me from proclaiming to my friends boldly, "God could send my future husband to our church!" while inside, my faith was a mustard seed...or less!
I prayed about what to do. Do I go, or do I stay? I felt the loving pressure from my parents. They went to college. They believed strongly in being educated. I felt like I was failing them in some way, though they never once accused me of disappointing them. I had a very good relationship with my parents. I loved them, and I respected them. And they loved and respected me too, and I was just a kid! :] They respected my feelings. When I told them I wasn't too excited about going away, they understood. My Mother told me that college was a good transition from childhood to adulthood. While you're away at Bible college, you are "on your own", yet still under your parents authority. This made sense. But I still didn't have the desire to go. My Mother also told me that when God has a plan for your life, He makes you like that plan! It isn't misery! He enables you to do the task, and to find joy in it. I didn't have any joy about leaving home and heading to college. It was at this time that I was given the two options. This helped me so much. It helped me to know that my parents had given me some "wiggle room". They did not slam down the iron fist of parental authority by saying "This is what Kevin and Melanie did and this is what YOU'RE doing too!!!". Had they said this, I would have obeyed, because the Holy Spirit would not have let me disobey. But I would have had seeds of bitterness and hurt in my heart toward them that would linger to this day. I'm so thankful for option two! I'm so thankful my parents didn't "kick me out". I'm thankful that God gave me wise and loving parents! I'm thankful that they respected me, and my very unique personality, and allowed me to be... me.
I chose option two because a deacon in my church advised me to "follow my heart." Since my parents approved of my staying home, and since this is what my heart longed for, this is what I did. I stayed.
God worked everything out in a way that only He could. I thought I was staying home to continue in a relationship with the guy I was dating. I was wrong on that point. But the Lord led me every step of the way, and I gladly followed. As the path grew darker, I clung more tightly to Him. He did not fail me. He led me toward paths of light, and love, and joy.
To be continued...
In that post, I told about how my parents gave me two options after I finished high school. One was to go away to Bible college. The other was to stay home, get a job and buy my own car. I chose option two. There is a little more to the story that I'd like to share now.
I had dreamed of doing big, important jobs my entire childhood. I wanted to be a lawyer, because I loved history. (Lawyers have to like history. Don't they? Well, I thought they did.)
After that, I wanted to be a writer, because I loved dreaming up stories. I loved trying to make my family cry when they read their birthday cards from me each year. I loved words, I loved being transported to "that other life" via a good book. I wanted to take others to the wonderful worlds I dreamed up. Writing seemed a good fit...then I thought, why not combine the two and write about history? So, that was my dream for a while.
Later, I wanted to teach. I spent many afternoons in an upstairs classroom waiting on my Mom to wrap things up for the day. I can still smell that chalky, sweaty smell that a classroom has at the end of the day, after hosting 130 students! I find comfort in that smell! (Much like I do in the smell of tobacco and funnel cakes. That smell reminds me of the sweet summer days I spent at Magic Springs when I was child. My parents owned a glass shop, called Glass Creations, for several years. I spent many happy days there. Ahhh. Precious memories. What? Oh! Sorry! Where was I? Yes, I remember!) Teaching seemed to be in my blood, because I was exposed to it. My Mother didn't desire to merely "get through the day with all these kids" as some teachers did. She sincerely wanted to make a difference. My brother's life's verse is Jude 22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference." I think he chose that consciously or sub-consciously because he saw this verse lived out by my Mother over and over with her students, and at home too, of course! :] I wanted to make a difference, too.
I also wanted to be a doctor for a while, and help the hurting that way. But, then I realized I fell faint at the sight of blood, so that was out. Oh, I'm not good at math, either, so pharmacology was out as well.
Other various dreams of mine included banking, becoming a librarian, and radio broadcasting. Motherhood would always be included along with these other occupational choices. It absolutely went without saying. I wanted to be a Mother, as 99.9% of women do.
At teen camp one year, however, I gave my life to the Lord. I surrendered total control to Him, to do whatever He wanted for me. If this meant being a missionary to Africa, I was in. Whatever He wanted.
I began to lose interest in my previous passions (except motherhood of course!). I no longer dreamed of becoming a lawyer, doctor, writer, or broadcaster. I even gave up the teaching idea. I basically gave up any idea that involved working outside the home. My Mother, even though she worked a secular job, encouraged me in this idea. Often I would go to my Mom and ask her to go do something and she would be unable to go due to her job. She would look at me compassionately and say "Valerie, when you get married someday, don't work outside your home." I knew what she meant. She was saying, "I hate having to put you behind my job. I hate that you have to be last." Of course, I understood. I knew my Mother loved me more than anything, even is she did miss out on some things I wanted to do. (But right now I can't remember any particular one, so they must not have been that important anyway!)
As I read my Bible, prayed and earnestly sought for God's will, it seemed to me that I should marry a preacher. (I know, what girl doesn't surrender to do that, right? Well, I was no exception!) I felt with all that was in me that I should be involved in ministry alongside my husband, whether he was a full-time pastor, or a secular employed layman. I hoped to have children, but after watching my sister wait for six years to have a baby, I didn't hold my breath. I was prepared to possibly not be able to have any at all.
The time drew near for me to apply to Bible college. Most of my friends were married, or had left our church entirely. The college my brother and sister attended was wonderful. They had fire and vision and enthusiasm. But...I didn't want to go. I had been there many times to visit them, I had loved it as a child. Now, as it was soon to be my turn to pack up and go north, I wasn't so sure. Did I want to pursue a degree in education? Did I really want to be a teacher? Or was that just an excuse to go to a "nest" of Christian young men in search of a husband? If you want a degree, and you want a mate, then Bible college is the place for you. I, however, had to be honest with myself and admit that I only wanted a mate. I asked the Lord to please send the man he had for me to our church. I thought it might be the guy I was dating at that time, but I had my doubts that it would be he. In fact, I had very little faith that God would really send my man there. This lack of faith didn't stop me from proclaiming to my friends boldly, "God could send my future husband to our church!" while inside, my faith was a mustard seed...or less!
I prayed about what to do. Do I go, or do I stay? I felt the loving pressure from my parents. They went to college. They believed strongly in being educated. I felt like I was failing them in some way, though they never once accused me of disappointing them. I had a very good relationship with my parents. I loved them, and I respected them. And they loved and respected me too, and I was just a kid! :] They respected my feelings. When I told them I wasn't too excited about going away, they understood. My Mother told me that college was a good transition from childhood to adulthood. While you're away at Bible college, you are "on your own", yet still under your parents authority. This made sense. But I still didn't have the desire to go. My Mother also told me that when God has a plan for your life, He makes you like that plan! It isn't misery! He enables you to do the task, and to find joy in it. I didn't have any joy about leaving home and heading to college. It was at this time that I was given the two options. This helped me so much. It helped me to know that my parents had given me some "wiggle room". They did not slam down the iron fist of parental authority by saying "This is what Kevin and Melanie did and this is what YOU'RE doing too!!!". Had they said this, I would have obeyed, because the Holy Spirit would not have let me disobey. But I would have had seeds of bitterness and hurt in my heart toward them that would linger to this day. I'm so thankful for option two! I'm so thankful my parents didn't "kick me out". I'm thankful that God gave me wise and loving parents! I'm thankful that they respected me, and my very unique personality, and allowed me to be... me.
I chose option two because a deacon in my church advised me to "follow my heart." Since my parents approved of my staying home, and since this is what my heart longed for, this is what I did. I stayed.
God worked everything out in a way that only He could. I thought I was staying home to continue in a relationship with the guy I was dating. I was wrong on that point. But the Lord led me every step of the way, and I gladly followed. As the path grew darker, I clung more tightly to Him. He did not fail me. He led me toward paths of light, and love, and joy.
To be continued...
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
I Miss You, Dad
Four years ago today, my Dad and "partner", Ron Courtney, went home to be with the Lord. I remember thinking after his death that the purpose for which he had lived his life was now a reality. It was no longer something he lived for, but something he had lived for. I remember seeing his Bible and glasses just where he left them. He would no longer need those items, for now he was with the Author and his vision is perfect. His walking shoes were in their place beside my Mom's. He was now walking with the Savior, he would no longer need to walk for exercise. His health is now perfect. His workbench - complete with hammer, screwdrivers, sundry items and, I kid you not, a gillion nails and screws was silent.
I sat down and cried at his workbench that first day home. I cried because of all the time he'd spent there making (or repairing) things for me, such as my bike. I cried because I missed seeing him there, glasses sliding down his sweaty face, and an expression of one who was deep in thought as he fiddled with something that needed fixing. He was such a hard worker.
My Dad was so tender hearted, so kind and generous. He hated being alone. And at his workbench that day, I hated being alone. While sitting there, I wished I could thank him once more for fixing "Lightning", my bike. I wished I could thank him for his love and most of all, the example of what I should look for in a husband. Terry is so much like him. I often think of Dad when I see him fathering our girls. I have had, and still have, some great men in my life.
But Dad came first. And I will always miss him, but, praise the Lord, because of Calvary, we can be together again someday.
Thank you Dad. A million times over, thank you. I wish I had been a better daughter to you and Mom, but as long as I'm living I will do my best to rise to your level of Christianity. I will try to make up for all the wrong I did as a youngster. I will strive to serve instead of be served, to give instead of take, to love whether I'm loved in return or not. I know that if I can be like you, I'll be like Jesus. I saw His reflection in your lives every day I awoke in the Courtney home.
I miss you, and I love you.
Oh, and thank you so much for loving me, just the way I was.
I sat down and cried at his workbench that first day home. I cried because of all the time he'd spent there making (or repairing) things for me, such as my bike. I cried because I missed seeing him there, glasses sliding down his sweaty face, and an expression of one who was deep in thought as he fiddled with something that needed fixing. He was such a hard worker.
My Dad was so tender hearted, so kind and generous. He hated being alone. And at his workbench that day, I hated being alone. While sitting there, I wished I could thank him once more for fixing "Lightning", my bike. I wished I could thank him for his love and most of all, the example of what I should look for in a husband. Terry is so much like him. I often think of Dad when I see him fathering our girls. I have had, and still have, some great men in my life.
But Dad came first. And I will always miss him, but, praise the Lord, because of Calvary, we can be together again someday.
Thank you Dad. A million times over, thank you. I wish I had been a better daughter to you and Mom, but as long as I'm living I will do my best to rise to your level of Christianity. I will try to make up for all the wrong I did as a youngster. I will strive to serve instead of be served, to give instead of take, to love whether I'm loved in return or not. I know that if I can be like you, I'll be like Jesus. I saw His reflection in your lives every day I awoke in the Courtney home.
I miss you, and I love you.
Oh, and thank you so much for loving me, just the way I was.
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