A member of the Club

Outside of playing ball as a young adult I wouldn't consider myself the "club" member type. I am not one for joining groups of others for socialization. I would never make it as a weight watchers member because I don't particularly care for sitting in a group of women discussing anything least of all my weight. If you were to search through my wallet looking for a membership card to anything I would bet you money you wouldn't come up with one. For most of my adult life I have been content to just be the wife and mom that I believe God made me to be. I have been able to find plenty to occupy my time as I scurry about managing the schedules of those precious people I am blessed to call my family. I'm not one for going out to lunch with the girls or spending a "girls night out" with friends. I have fabulous friends who I love dearly and I know that if I ever had a need I could pick up the phone and they would be there in a heart beat, but scheduling lunch into our busy lives just isn't high on our priority lists. I have never taken part in a parents night out or anything of the like because honestly we just want to spend our time with our kids.

Tonight I figured out that I have been initiated into a club. I didn't really see it coming. I don't remember signing up for it. As I have jumped around blog land today I figured it out. To tell the truth I feel very honored. There aren't that many of us out there, but there are enough to let me know that I am not alone. I am not the only one, but rather I am one of the lucky ones. As I log on to get the update on the children of the other "club members" I never fail to see how very blessed we are. I always find myself praying for these beautiful mommies and there precious children. Mommies and children whom I have never met and probably never will. Mommies and children who have encouraged me with their strengths and have taught me through their weaknesses. As I sit here typing and coming to this realization I am becoming more and more thankful that I have been allowed to become a member of this club. As I struggle to learn just exactly what is expected of me in order to maintain my membership I am figuring out that we all do it just a little differently. We all have days that we feel strong enough to take on the world for our kiddos, and we all have days that we find ourselves pleading for others to pray us through another day. Sometimes we are hopeful. Sometimes we are not. Sometimes we are the encouragers. Sometimes we are not. Sometimes we are ready for battle. Sometimes we are not. Sometimes we think we have figured it out. Sometimes we know we have not. No matter where we find ourselves on a day to day basis the one thing we all have in common is this: WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN. Disabilities, syndromes, transplants, cancers, monitors, "battle" scars and all. We love them just the same, and I am realizing that each one of us would gladly do all that we do a thousand times over just to be allowed to be the ones who have been chosen to be their moms. Of all the clubs in the world I could have joined I am not sure this is one I would have picked, but I know without a doubt I am honored to have my place in it.

Tonight as you lay your heads down to sleep and all is well in your homes, your children have all been tucked in and you are ready to talk to the Father would you please remember to mention these names to Him for us. We would all be grateful for your willingness to take them before His throne on our behalfs. My Ashley, Sarah's Addison, Gwen's Ivey, Jennifer's Jaymun, and Heather's Emma Grace. They are precious to His heart and they are precious to mine. It is because of these beautiful little people that we have become members of this "club" and I know that I for one would never give my seat up.

Thank you for loving us. Thank you for loving others. Thank you for loving Him. Your faithfullness to pray for a baby pickle and her family does not go unnoticed. You are loved and you are appreciated. May God bless you and your families tonight. Trish