When you are going through hard times, what is the last thing on your mind?  For most, it is not the problems of others.  Some justify ignoring the need of others by convincing themselves that they have to worry about their own troubles.  But this way of thinking does not agree with what Jesus did or the example that has been set by our mother, Nora McDaniel.

Each day Nora's thoughts and actions have been to care for and look after the well being of others.  Whether it was at home with her husband, Wllie and the children, helping a neighbor, looking out for a friend, caring for someone in the nursing home, cleaning the church, taking care of the grandkids, or just hanging out with the kids in the community, Nora has devoted her life to serving others.

We are blessed to have a mother who loved us more than herself.  She is filled with the Holy Spirit and fears God.  She has a deep, motivating concern for all of us.  She has grieved about our conditions when change was needed.  She sought the comfort of God and he empowered her to offer suggestions.  She illustrated how to be meek before God and allow God's will to become our will.  She taught us how to stop resisting God's call and decide to live our lives under the sway of God's love and God's power.  She taught us how to take the next step to allow God to bless us with the new life that Christ offered the world through those who follow him.

I am convinced today that it was not by chance that Nora became our mother; but it was through God's divined will for our lives.  We are affirmed that we all matter to Mama and God.  Our faith has been strenghten, our minds have been challenged and our lives have been impacted forever,  We are connected and each time we gather we know its no coincidence but a part of God's divined plan.

Mama we love you and we thank you for allowing us the opportunity to see God through you by the way you've lived your life.

Love,  Your Kids Mother' s Day 2003