I think back twenty eight years ago on a day in July, where summer heat hung heavy from morning till night. My heart was unprepared for the love at first sight experience that was about to take place. I never really believed that when your heart is full of love that it could grow and hold more. It was on that day my first son was born and when our eyes met in the recognition of a son gazing at his mom for the first time, the deal was sealed. Mother love was born that day and that small beginning has bloomed into a love that grows with every year.
But love did not stop growing when my first born son entered my life. Three years later, as spring was bursting forth, my second son was born. As the world was awakening from its winter slumber, so did the dawning of a new love. My full heart opened wide to embrace the joy and wonder of my second son. In that moment of reaching to hold my son, love snuck in and when I didn’t think it was possible to love more, I was blessed with the gift of a heart big enough to hold more.
Now a new season is beginning in my life that encompasses huge life changes for my family. It is a time to learn how my already full heart can possibly open wider to embrace new love. It is God teaching me once again that love can grow as you learn to share it with others. It is knowing that God has been preparing my heart for years for this very moment.
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This summer I am blessed with loving two new people. In the month of August, both of my sons asked their girlfriends to marry them and in that instant I was given two daughters to love. In two blessed moments, my family is changing and what once was three will become five in 2016. What looked like an already full heart, just exploded open to love two soon to be daughters.
I am learning that God never hesitates to show us love and we must do the same. I am also learning…
1. God begins preparing our hearts from the moment we are born.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
2. God provides beautiful moments to show and teach us about life.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
3. God works in our hearts with every joy and heartache to show us how to open wider to His love and the love of others.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Every life experience is preparing us for the next moment when our full heart needs to open wider, love more and learn that God has been showing us the way all along.
Today I am praying that we open our hearts wide in anticipation of new love, new possibilities and the chance to share the overflow with others.
In grace and peace,
Mary
Joining these lovely blogs this week:
Speaking from my perspective, a woman engaged to one of Sweet Mary’s sons (Daniel), I am beyond humbled and priveledged to even be mentioned in such a sweet post, let alone have the honor of joining the family! Mary, you’ve shown countless acts of kindness and love to me already. Thank you for all you do, because I am one VERY lucky woman to have you as a mother! ♡ God is so good.
I meant to congratulate you in the last post that you mentioned your sons’ engagements, Mary. So I’m glad you’re giving them a post specifically for celebrating these ever widening circles of love in our families. Congratulations, sweet friend! I can’t wait till all three of mine find the women they want to spend the rest of their lives with, but I also don’t want to rush them. The two younger ones have a bit of “growing up” to do, in this meddling mama’s opinion! 😉 I can’t wait to hear more tales of the growing Geisen’s and their impact on your already sweet heart, my friend!
How very exciting for your family- and how blessed are those girls to be so warmly welcomed into the family!
It is so exciting and I love how God blesses us big even when we feel like we might not be ready. He knows we are ready and He prepares us for the next steps by walking with us. Thank you for stopping by, Kathryn. I really appreciate it.
mary, so excited for your happy news:) sounds like GOD is showing you how you will be spending your retirement in ever increasing clarity:) delightful!
God does have a way of showing up big to let us know that He has been listening to our prayers. Yes, this will be a part of my retirement but I am sure there is so much more. Love having you here, Martha! Hope you are doing well!
I am so excited for you in this new season. You will be a fabulous mother-in-law to those beautiful new daughters of yours! 🙂
Thank you LeeAnn! The blessing of daughters is something I have always wanted and now it will come true. God loves to bless us with more to show His amazing love for us. Love you girl!
Congratulations on the new additions to the family! The move love is given, the more love grows. It’s a pretty amazing thing, isn’t it? Praying along with you, Mary, about an open heart where loads of love is given.
Thank you for your prayers. As God blesses us it is important to turn to Him in thanksgiving for those gifts. I appreciate the congratulations! Blessings to you!
Mary,
Isn’t it truly amazing that God broadens and stretches our hearts to include others in our circle of love?! So excited for you and for your new family to be! Sharing in your joy in this awesome blessing!
((Hugs)),
Bev
I love that you are here cheering with me. This is such wonderful news and God loves blessing us with these gifts of love and grace. God is amazing in how He teaches us through these life experiences to open our hearts wide to receive more. Hope you are continuing on your road to recovery. Hugs!
What a beautiful season for your family, Mary! And this? “Every life experience is preparing us for the next moment when our full heart needs to open wider, love more and learn that God has been showing us the way all along.” Yes!!
So glad to have you join me today. God certainly is working on and in my heart. He is teaching me that love is only love when we share it with others and in the process love grows. It is a beautiful thing. Blessings to you!
So sweet my dear friend. Many Congrats to you and your family.
I am so happy for you and your sons. May there be more happy and memorable years ahead.
Many Blessings to you
Thank you dear friend! I am thankful for the blessings of two wonderful sons who have chosen amazing girls to spend their lives with. God continues to show me over and over how deep is His love. Blessings to you too!
Mary, congrats, girl! I am so excited for you. 2 daughters!
Trust me, your heart just keeps expanding and growing as you welcome more people to love, to enfold, to cherish.
What a summer joy this is for you.
;-}
And those rings are absolutely fabulous!
Two daughters! I always wanted a daughter and now I will have two. I am awed by our God who continues to teach and grow me through these life experiences. It is a beautiful way to end the summer. Hugs to you!
I am so excited for your Mary! When are the weddings?
The wedding dates are not official yet but I do know they will both be in 2016. It is going to be an amazing whirlwind. Thank you for being here friend! Much love to you!
Oh, congratulations, Mary! What a huge blessing to have your family growing! Welcome to the two new ladies and best wishes to the happy couples!!
Blessings, Joan
So good to see you here Joan! I am very excited to watch my little family grow. I am blessed by the two amazing women that my sons will spend their lives with. Blessings!
Yay! So exciting! May God bless this beautiful family and the love that flows from it.
Thanks Marcy! It is so exciting and a little daunting at the same time. Lots of new emotions going on here but lots of happiness at how good God is in all of our lives. Thank you for being here and sharing in this news with me.
Wow, August was a big month for your people, my friend! What exciting news for you all. That “mother love” is just breathtaking and overwhelming at times. I love the picture of your little boys. They are precious as I’m sure they remain today, even all grown up :).
Praying this with you: “that we open our hearts wide in anticipation of new love, new possibilities and the chance to share the overflow with others.” Love is truly what it’s all about, giving and receiving it. Thanks for the beautiful reminder! I’m so looking forward to hanging out today. See you soon!
It sure was such a treat being with you today! We are blessed! A mother’s love is something that I continue to learn as my sons move from season to season in their lives. I cannot even imagine what it will feel like when it becomes grandmother love! Oh, be still my heart! So glad we are on this journey together! Love you girl!
What a great post! Beautiful words of encouragement! It’s so important to share what God as put inside of us with others. I’m visiting you today from Testimony Tuesday.
Hugs,
Tayrina
I write because God has words for me to share and I love being able to do that. I am blessed by how God heals, teaches and points us to Him through writing. Hope your week is blessed.