life

God Held Me From Start To Finish

/ Marianne Memoirs / Leave a comment

      – God Held Me From Start To Finish – 

Screen Shot 2019-02-13 at 7.26.54 PM.png

Picture a time in your life that stands out. One you can perfectly picture after ten, twenty, or even thirty years.

It’s been 31 years now since that certain day I shared in my last posting. That day I can still picture perfectly. That day that changed my life, and turned my ‘Me, Myself, and I ’ into a ‘Me, My Daughter, Together ’. (last writing) That day that I turned into a 19 year-old mother, opening my eyes a bit more to just how much God held me from start to finish.

I had learned what feeling like dirt really meant the night my dream of ‘waiting for my wedding night’ evaporated. But thankfully I learned what something else meant; forgiveness. God showed me through that entire pregnancy that I was forgiven. But that’s not all. He knew I needed to know He was going to continue carrying me. The support I got, (1* – 2*) the doctor I had, (3*) it being an easy pregnancy, (5*) the okay to enjoy Hoagy sandwiches, (6*) and of course the very short labor I endured are just a few of the ways, I like to say, He proved His Fatherly love to His nineteen year old daughter.

I don’t want anyone to think I was tearless at all. Nope. There were many tears the entire pregnancy, but God kept lifting me up. When I was holding that baby, it felt like God was holding me, letting me know I was His child, having me feel the promise He’d never let me go. He helped keep me going with a little more pease that day I saw my daughter than I expected, even after that peaceful feeling inside grew as each month of my pregnancy went by.  This song words it perfectly.

 

 

Now being 32 years older, a wife, mother of four, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, a gramma, plus more, life is quite a bit different than it was back then. I see, however, how that entire nine month of being pregnant gave me a bit more strength as years followed. I have gone through more situations and circumstances I would have loved to have just driven around and not through. But no. God saw fit to have me drive smack into a few more trials on that road He knew was best for me to go on. I am, however, convinced God used my unplanned pregnancy to show me He’s there, and that He cares for whatever would take place.

Act-on-Faith-Not-Logic.jpg

I’d like to encourage you all, that, even if you do not feel it 24/7, God is right there 25/8 no matter what situation you are in. He will, if you put Him first, eventually raise you up so you can feel like you can stand on a mountain, or walk on that stormy sea.

 

On His own shoulders He will make you strong and make you more than you think you can be. 

 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. (Psalms 145:8)

 

If you want to read the entire story, grab it in book or kindle form through Amazon – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blogs, mariannesmemoirs.com.

Ready or Not . . . PUSH !

/ Marianne Memoirs / 1 Comment

                – Ready or Not . . . PUSH ! –

images

Pick a word you’re pretty sure you know what it means but you really don’t. That is, you don’t until you experience it. The word I’m talking about is ‘contraction‘. Yep, I finally was learning what that word REALLY meant.

The morning of March 9, 1987  I, a pregnant nineteen year old, woke up early a bit more uncomfortable than normal. Then, pondering if I should get up . . .

. . . my water broke.

images.jpg

 

–  “EEK!”  –

 (1* Click to read what led up to this unforgettable moment) 

The saying ‘Scared silly’ fit’s perfectly right here, knowing my new life as a mother was about to begin.

As soon and my dad left for work, out popped “MOM! QUICK!” as my thoughts took over a mile a minute.

What’s all this going to be like? How long will this take? I can already tell this is not gonna be fun. NO! Not the next contraction already!

My mother, your typical 55 year old driver who normally took backroads to go anywhere, zoomed right along that freeway, by-passing all other cars.

I’m at the hospital now. It’s actually happening. I can’t believe it!

I don’t dare go into detail what took place. Having my older sister right by my side sure helped. I felt she was a ‘pro’ having had her youngest child just a few years before. Contraction after contraction went by. The increasing of the pain and frequency seemed to be far above what I expected.

clock2clock 1clock2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five hours felt like five years, but at the same time felt five minutes. I’ll never forget something I finally told my doctor. “I feel I need that epidural stuff now being I’m so young, and going to be a single mom. I don’t think I’m really mature enough to go through it all. If it’s this painful, and I most likely have hours still to go . . . ”

Please oh please oh please let that be a good enough excuse to TAKE THIS PAIN AWAY! 

For the life of me, I’ll never forget her reply.

“Too late. Time to push.”

To be continued.

_______________________________________________

If you want to read the entire story, grab it in book or kindle form through Amazon – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blogs, mariannesmemoirs.com.

 

 

Ready Or Not . . . Something Broke

/ Marianne Memoirs / 2 Comments

          – Ready Or Not . . . Something Broke

ec58bf0d437da63dd1fd40ab41a4c229

When you know one of the most unpleasant activities is about to happen to you, admit it, you prefer it happen the most common and best way possible, right? That’s how I sure was thinking, knowing something like that was soon to happen to me.

What was it, you ask: MY WATER BREAKING ! 

Being pregnant, I was award of what was to take place that showed the baby has prepping to pop out. I assumed I would be like most others, and be at the hospital when my  water would broke. I learned quickly my assumption was wrong. I also couldn’t help but give credit for this unexpected happening to what took place the night before. (1*)

Here’s a bit from my book, God and Your Pillow,  that better explains what took place.

cropped-godandyourpillowfrontfinal-5.jpg

6:30 a.m. that next day

Oh, this uncomfortable baby. Why, oh why does it have to feel like this? Come on, baby. Relax and let me sleep.

I know I feel uncomfortable in bed now all the time, but… but what’s this weird feeling? This isn’t normal, is it? No. NO!

Just then, yep, MY WATER BROKE! EEK! Twenty-million thoughts began.

Water breaking. Great. Now what? Where’s Mom? I have to call Kelly. Where’s my stuff I packed? This is gross. Ick. When do I start breathing weird? I’M ABOUT TO BECOME A MOM! I need to find Mom. Wait, I’d better clean a bit of this up first.

When done, I calmly and quietly walked downstairs. Why calm? Because as I began walking down, I heard my dad in the kitchen eating his routine bowl of cereal with fruit. I just wasn’t ready to face Dad and say “Good morning, Dad. That cereal looks good. By the way, my water broke.”

No, I wasn’t ready for his response that early in the morning. Fortunately I knew he’d be going to work very soon. I tried my best at hiding the increasing amount of pain I was feeling.

————————————————————————————————————————–

God had been showing me month in and month out before this date had arrived that He was by my side all along. Because of that, I knew that He chose the perfect time and place for this unforgettable day to occur.

images.png

I also discovered that morning on March 9th, 1987, that God also wanted me to know what a great actress I was. 

To be continued.

1* – click here to find out what took place that night before.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on blog, mariannesmemoirs.com.

 

Influence – Five Minute Friday

/ Marianne Memoirs / Leave a comment

          – Influence – Five Minute Friday –

 

download-1

 

Quick, think of that person who has influenced you. I sure can. I’ll never forget this one certain camp counselor at a Christian youth camp I went to some 37 or so years ago. He payed attention to what you had to say. He came up to you to share his thoughts, noticing at the right time, the right thing to share. I don’t remember what we talked about, what questions I had asked, or those perfect words he had said. I do remember though how much he stood out to me those few day. He knew just what this here 14 year old at the time needed.

I like to say he was the tool God used to open my eyes to how important it is to make others feel welcomed. He influenced me greatly, molding my thoughts to have the ears others might need, along with giving a few encouraging words.

How about you? Can you think of someone that stood out? Can you think of that one who influenced you, who made that mark in your heart? Think of a tool God used years ago that helped make you who you are today.

son-father-pointing-away

 

 

 

Better yet, think of a way God might be using you to influence others.

 

 

 

 

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

Ready or Not, Her New Life Soon Begins

/ Marianne Memoirs / 1 Comment

         – Ready or Not, Her New Life Soon Begins –

 

ec58bf0d437da63dd1fd40ab41a4c229

 

How was your break from any routine life this last month or so? Have you gotten life all back to normal? A few months back, I took a break from sharing bits and pieces of my book called God and Your Pillow.  With projects, the holidays, visitors, plus more, I wasn’t able to keep up with sharing more about my book. Finally, with things slowing down, I’m now back to sharing more about the trial I went through, hoping to encourage others going though an unplanned pregnancy. But I also want to touch the hearts of all, showing that God is there with His perfect plans at His perfect time.

For those of you who have not read my last posting on this subject, or need a fresh reminder of my last, I’ll have you read it now before going on next week.                     Click  here to read. –  I’ll wait till you’re done.

LIFE_SELF-DOWNTIME-MEDITATION_TB-938x535.jpg

Glad you’re back. As you wait till next week when I continue, here is a bit more I want to share.

I grinned big time when something dawned on me during this break. My last story I wrote months ago, the story you just read, shared my last day I needed to only think of me, myself, and I. The first new writing after this long brake explains when my new life began. Perfect timing ! Perfect time to end my old me, and perfect time to start the new me.

Do you ever think how even something simple as that, like the perfect break between my writing, is in God’s hand. I know I didn’t plan that. I’d much rather think of something as simple as that to be in His hand than to just think ‘oh, that’s cool,’ and leave it at that. Are you like that? Do you find that the simplest things that bring you a smile are still a part of God’s plans? Try to remember in all times that God uses all circumstances, sweet and simple or, yes, even tough and terrible, to move His perfect plan forward.

Let’s just try to recognize that whenever you focus on your small or big plan, keep your thoughts focused on the planner. Like it says in Ephesians 1:1 – All things are done according to God’s plan and decision.

8db992572e787edf60aacea5d5f5e95d--gods-plan-trust-god.jpg

 

Make sure you catch next week’s writing as my  next posting shows . . . ‘Ready or Not . . . Her New Life Began.’

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY NEW NOW !

/ Marianne Memoirs / Leave a comment

                    – HAPPY NEW NOW ! –

 

 

fireworks-file1.jpg

Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, and no fast forward, so enjoy every moment as it comes.

A lot of sayings, quotes, and what-nots are showing up today about the year 2019 now upon us, or because the year 2018 is behind us. I could go on and on about all I’ve learned this last year. I could go on and on about my goals in this new year ahead. I just know if I did, my computer would begin screaming ‘Enough is enough, Marianne,’ being I do have much to share.

Instead, I’m wanting to get you to think about the today  we all have. So often we let the present time slip away much too fast, not realizing the simple things in front of us we should cherish. We allow too much time to rush past unobserved. We allow those precious few minutes each day to be unnoticed, pondering too much on the woes in the past or worries in the future.

When working, we dream about vacation, picturing that relaxed atmosphere we crave. But, when on vacation, we grudgingly think about that growing piles of bills at home or paper at work.  We don’t allow enough time to just look around, realizing the little blessing right in front of us.

Instead of thinking that way, find any opportunity you have, day after day, to just ponder on the now. There are hundreds of examples I could give you. For instance…

In the morning, as you give that first look out your window, stop and realize that where you live is much better than where many others live.

Give a bit more thought to just how special of a friend you have the next time you read a text they sent you.

No matter how busy you are, as soon as you feel that heater turn on, stop what you’re doing, take a deep breath while giving a quick thanks to God for keeping you warm.

Look in your children’s eyes a bit longer as they share their thoughts as you. Think how what they are saying means to them. Before you know it, you’ll realize a bit more just how much they mean to you.

So, let’s read it again.

Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, and no fast forward, so enjoy every moment as it comes.

Now sure, enjoying every moment isn’t as easy as we’d like it to be. But see if having a few more positive thoughts here-and-there, day-in and day-out, could become natural for you. I’m sure if God realizes you include Him in those thoughts more and more, you’ll be noticing more of those positive things TO think about, helping you cope with the ups and downs in life with a bit more peace.

So as you ponder a bit more about life this New Years day, think a bit more of it being a Happy New Now !

 

Philippians-4_8.jpg

 

Please feel free to share this weeks post. I bet there are others who can sure use this reminder.

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.

Who To Look To Today

/ Marianne Memoirs / Leave a comment

                  – Who To Look To Today –

z1.jpeg

 

Today I’d like to pass along my hope to all. May you have that extra peace, joy, and thankfulness in your heart, mind, and soul. May the love of family, friends, and our Lord Jesus Christ be that wonderful umbrella over you as we celebrate this precious day, and every day after. May we keep Him in our heart every day of every year.

326e14dfaf03e194bf51cfb99e81eec0.jpg

 

download.jpg                              

 

Marianne Petersen’s book God and Your Pillow is now available. (Amazon) – You can follow Marianne on Twitter at @marimemoirs and read more on her blog, marimemoirs.com.