God’s Unique Plan: A Mother’s Day Retrospect
God’s unique plan for each life is what I celebrate on Mother’s Day. Two special women hold my eternal gratitude …
God’s Unique Plan: A Mother’s Day Retrospect
A 2MefromHim Devotional
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:15, 16
God’s Unique Plan for Each Life
God’s unique plan for each life is what I celebrate on Mother’s Day. Though the observance comes once a year, two special women hold my eternal gratitude—the birthmothers of my adopted children. Without them, my life would be much poorer. I honor them throughout the year.
I honor my children's birth mothers throughout the year for the gift they gave... #MothersDay #birthmothers #adoption Share on XAs an adoptive mother, I participate in an eternal and loving plan of God. I witness the miracle of my children’s unique genetic makeup influenced by non-biological parents chosen by the Father. With no blood between us, we are family.
God has a Unique Plan for Each Person
Our world no longer cares if unmarried women raise their children. Unfortunately, the idea of adoption isn’t always greeted in a positive way. Radical movements have convinced women it’s kinder to kill a child than offer a life with two loving parents. However, our Creator values each unique life he designs.
Adoption is so special to God that he uses it to describe his relationship with believers... #Godislove #adoption #salvation Share on XThe recent outcry against abortion accompanies technology which reveals babies moving, stretching, and sucking their thumbs. Psalm 139 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” The psalmist goes on to speak of God’s handiwork as he forms a child and plans each life from the moment of conception.
Psalm 139:16 reveals God’s unique plan for each life. “…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” What comfort to know that despite the circumstances of someone’s birth, no one is an accident to God. No one was unplanned. From eternity, God created each person for his purpose.
From eternity, God created each person for his purpose... #God #prolife #purpose Share on XGod’s Unique Plan Includes Adoption
God likens his relationship with believers to that of an adopted child, “the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15) Paul uses adoption multiple times to explain the intimate relationship of the Christian to the Almighty God.
Mother’s Day lives in my heart as a memorial to the courageous and unselfish choice of two young women. My children are a unique creation of God, who granted them two loving mothers. Adoption is a reminder that we should cherish each and every life. To be a mother is a privilege to never take for granted.
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Isaiah 49:15 #children #blessing #love Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, May 9, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
Meet Kieran MacDonell from Within Golden Bands
Meet Kieran MacDonell from Within Golden Bands, the sequel to Land of My Dreams, which releases on May 19th!
Meet Kieran McDonnell from Within Golden Bands
Character Interview
Congratulations on your recent marriage to Bonny! How are you settling into married life?
Thank you. You know, I was married for fifteen years before Bronwyn and our son died in childbirth. Therefore, I thought I had marriage figured out. Bonny’s as different from Bronwyn as night from day. She’s passionate about everything, wants to be involved in the farm, and always has an opinion. Life will be an adventure, but I knew that when I met her.
We haven’t had a chance to settle in. We discovered Bonny was pregnant on our honeymoon—such a miracle. I prayed for a child. In other words, I refused to believe the doctor’s predictions that she’d never have children. And they were wrong. To know she carried our child was the most exciting—but, in the long run, the doctors were right. I remind myself that it wasn’t my prayer for a child that endangered her life. God’s in control of it all.
But to be attacked and discover my wife almost died in my absence? Ach, I could have lost her. Since I already lost one wife, I’ll never take Bonny for granted, not for a second. Above all, each day is a gift.
Meet Kieran MacDonell from Within Golden Bands, a romantic suspense novel releasing on May 19th! #RomSus #Christfic #characterinterivew Share on XTell me about your attacker and how that’s affecting your lives?
I wish my parents hadn’t kept secrets. All my life, I was taught about ancestry, inheritance, and clan, however, I didn’t know about the people who could destroy everything we’ve built. Stonehaven Farm is known for our fine wool, mutton, and Highland cattle. Of course, it unnerved me to discover someone wants to steal all that.
Bonny wants to hide in New Mexico. I won’t run from anyone or anything. I will protect her and this farm, no matter what. I-I wanted an heir to carry this legacy into the future. But right now, we have to concentrate on the bampot in the great kilt, with feathers in his hair, who only speaks in the Gaelic.
It sounds like you’re facing huge struggles. How are the two of you handling that?
Our prayer life is strong. We start and end our days with prayer and Bible reading. You know, we’re building a chapel down near the bridge over Loch Garry. Eventually, I’ll minister to all the people on the small farms and crofts (rented farms), this area is full of people who have no church close by.
I’m blessed that Bonny supports me with the farm and chapel. She’s afraid for me and we especially don’t agree about adoption, but these things take time.
Having lost one wife, well, I’ll never take Bonny for granted, not one single minute. Kieran McDonnell, Within Golden Bands #Christrom #preorder #BYNR Share on X
This must be difficult from the standpoint of being newly married. Does that make it more challenging?
Bonny and I function well as a couple and that will only get better, owing to the fact that we share a deep commitment to our marriage and a love nothing can defeat. I’m excited about the future with her at my side.
I went through such depression after Bronwyn died. What Bonny brings to my life reminds me of the loch on a cloudless day when the water glitters like a million diamonds. We’ll come through this strong and together.
What is your biggest concern right now?
My biggest—it’s for Bonny to recover physically. She’s so tiny—but ordinarily, she’s strong. After all, the woman I fell in love with would tackle anything, no matter the difficulty. Anyone with the courage to turn her back on her entire world and begin a new life on her own is the wife I need.
The farm, well, I know we’ll prevail in court. However, catching the villain who attacked me is another matter. In the meantime, I just have to take one day and one crisis at a time.
What helps you the most in the midst of struggles against such an elusive enemy?
Ultimately, all that matters is our trust in God. He saved me on that flight back to Scotland after Bonny refused my marriage proposal. In spite of my loss, he gave me hope, purpose, and power over the enemies of doubt and depression that almost defeated me. Therefore, I know we’ll win this battle if we honor God and put him first. At the same time, God never promised freedom from trials, only to be with us as we go through them.
God never promised freedom from trials, only to be with us as we go through them. Kieran McDonnell, Within Golden Bands #amazonbooks #RomSus #MustRead Share on XIn light of all that’s happened, Kieran, what are your hopes for the future?
I dinna fash about the future. First, I can only focus on right now. I’m not ready to adopt. even though Bonny would do it today. Ach, I can’t—maybe I’ll never be ready. It takes time to adjust to a future that’s not what you imagined. For instance, when I lost Bronwyn, I thought I had no future. I was wrong, and now I trust God to guide us. All things considered, that’s as far as I can go at the moment.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
For one thing, life will be easier. We’ll settle the decision about a family, although, I’d be fine if it’s just the two of us. The chapel will be strong and growing. For the most part, I see a peaceful future, the one we dreamed about before we married. After all, with God and Bonny, how can life be anything but good?
With God and Bonny, how can life be anything but good? Kieran McDonnell, Within Golden Bands #Christfic #Suspense #Romcon Share on XIf you loved the taste of Scotland you got from Land of My Dreams, be ready for an adventure in the pages of Within Golden Bands!
Author’s note:
While I had a picture of Bonny in mind, I have no photograph that comes close to the Kieran who’s lived in my imagination since 2006. He’s all Scot, stereotypical, redhead, curly hair, six foot five inches tall, 250+ pounds of solid muscle. He competed in the Highland Games and won at Braemar, where the Queen presents the medals to the best athletes.
The closest is Stewart Finlay-McLennan in the old Christy TV series from the ’90s but he wasn’t big enough. Kieran’s an imposing man, spiritually and physically, with a wide smile and sparkling eyes, blue as the Scottish flag. He lives life large, in every way.
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
Mothers with Empty Arms – A 2MefromHim Devotional
Mothers are celebrating today, but for some women Mother’s Day brings tears rather than joy. It is for those women that I post my devotional today instead of tomorrow. My arms are full because two women placed their children for adoption. Many have empty arms for other reasons. Take a moment to offer love to someone who is hurting today.
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