Today I have the honor of sharing my mom-in-law’s story. I’m loving all these written accounts of all the different ways God pulls His children closer to Him, how He shows His love and Himself! Read part 1 here
In America, one can babysit as well as in Belgium. And I started babysitting two neighbors children, Derek and Kara. The children were dears but with the parents…something was different. The way they got along with each other and with their children? It wasn’t what I was used to. There was also an atmosphere that I couldn’t pinpoint. Love and kindheartedness and patience…I had no clue what to do with it. Especially the tolerant love that was alien to me.
This mother was so committed with her young children and even when they had done something wrong, even when they got spanked, it was in love. And afterwards, they would go on their knees together and ask for forgiveness. I don’t know for sure but I think I stood there open-mouthed more then once.
God softly blew on the little flame inside of me. I was jealous. Healthy jealousy, I’ll call it. What they had, whatever you might call […]
Today I have the honor of sharing my mom-in-law’s story. I’m loving all these written accounts of all the different ways God pulls His children closer to Him, how He shows His love and Himself!
My story is certainly different then others. When the Lord has His eye on you and you leave just a little gap for Him, He’ll take you seriously. Going back in time I want to take you along on a very special journey.
Looking back, I realize that God has always been present in my young life. My big brother, 5 years my senior, went to boarding school when I was 7. He might be a priest when he grew up. He came home 3 times a year: Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Every time, he brought home 2 special gifts. The Old and the New Testament. As I grew older ?and learned how to read, it was these two books that I was occupied with during vacations. I wanted to read in them as much as possible. I especially devoured the New Testament again and again. The man Jesus that was described there had my full attention, and I admired His lifestyle. This […]
It was a beautiful summerday, at the end of July in 1984. The sun was shining and invited you out to eat some ice cream, and the ice cream vendor drove by all the streets in Leuven-Heverlee. Also on the busy Tervuursesteenweg. He took his time to sell his wares. But on this day, time would come to a brutal stand-still in the family of Richard and Maartje Mommaerts…
Richard grew up in a not all too harmonious family. Alcohol played too big of a role in it. Drink made tongs hang lose, as well as hands… His brother died and his father committed suicide.
All the things that happened during his childhood didn’t make him wish for children after he got married. But when his daughter Nicky was born, it did not take long for her to become papa’s buddy. The good years had finally come.
Until that fatal day in July ’84.
“I crossed the street to buy ice cream” Maartje remembers all to well. “Nicky, then 9,5 years old, ran after me. I warned her to look out well for cars, and in the assumption that she would keep following me I went […]
I’m joining The Nester and a lot off others in the 31 Day Writing Challenge. We pick a topic and write a post on that every day in October!
My topic:
Living is learning and living is growing. Being a child of God is that, as well. I’m glad I keep on changing and learning and growing, because I do not want to stay where I am at.
I used to think I had to do it the same way as others. If I looked up to a specific someone, I felt like I was not a good Christian if I did not do it that way.
But I’ve found that since everybody is unique, everybody’s story is unique. During this 31 day series (joining up with thenester.com for the 31 day writing challenge. Check out the others here), I want to share my story. I want to share how I’m changing and growing as a child of God, and what it looks like in my life to be becoming more like Him. I’ve asked some friends to come visit here and share their stories as well! (They said yes!! 🙂 )
Will you come join us on this 31 […]
|
|
