There’s no New Year’s Resolutions from me this year. Typically, I make a list of them because I love making lists, and it consists of eat right, write more, travel farther, etc. This year, I’m not going to focus on accomplishments or tasks, which is new for me because I am a very driven person. Instead, I’m going to focus on five lessons of being that my mother taught me. She had a wonderful ability to live in the moment and find contentment where she was even in the most horrible of circumstances. I credit this to her strong will but more so to her deep faith in God, a faith I hadn’t realized was exceptional until it was gone from my everyday life.
My Mother’s Lessons…
1) When choosing between justice and mercy. Err on the side of MERCY.
2) FORGIVE and ask to be forgiven.
3) Doubt in belief is not wrong. FAITHFULNESS amidst doubt leads to hope and ends in salvation.
4) LOVE, but don’t love anyone or anything more than God.
5) Focus on HOPE, hope in Christ and hope in a final reunion.
I hope and pray you have a blessed and happy New Year filled with peace, love, faith, and hope. God Bless.
Amanda Flower-Sweet Cozy reads 
Happy New year Amanda. May your year be filled with many blessings. love from family and friends, faith in the Lord and good health for you and your loved ones.
Your mother is a wise woman.
Amanda – thank you for sharing these wonderful lessons from your mom; I always knew she was extraordinary because she raised you and you reflected the good things that she had taught you all your life. Blessings on you as you approach 2014 – put your hand in the hand of the Lord and walk forward knowing that He is always there for you.
Sheryl D. Hendrix, Administrative Secretary Thorne Library/Learning Resource Center Mount Vernon Nazarene University 800 Martinsburg Road Mount Vernon, OH 43050-9500 shendrix@mvnu.edu Voice: (740) 397-9000 x4242 Fax: (740) 397-8847 ________________________________
Your mother was a wise and special woman. You were blessed to have her, Amanda, and I’m glad I got to meet her.
Would enjoy being a winner of some of those books. sharon, CA