Renee Award: Thank You, Andrea!

What a wonderful Mother's Day I had!

My heart is brimming over with several stories, some of which will be shared together with my Ruby Tuesday pictures that I plan to post tomorrow.


But here is one story for today. Andrea, author of A Parson's Wife blog, passed on a blog award to me on Mother's Day.

I was speechless for a few moments as I read Andrea's words about this award:

The following quote is to be passed on with the award, and while it most certainly does not reflect my opinion of myself, it certainly reflects my opinion of ... many other bloggers, who are "intelligent" and "inspirtational."

This fabulous award highlights wonderful blog writing. The Renee Award is one of the most meaningful awards in blog world because it honors someone who is incredibly inspirational in her intelligent and witty writing. And by doing so, this award celebrates women’s smart, strong and inspirational spirit! It honors women who spread joy and love like an Acorn…a small package growing into a tall and sturdy oak tree which gives more acorns….

In her Mother's Day post, entitled A Mother's Day Tribute, together with the moving tribute she penned for her mom and Lord Byron's classic poem She Walks In Beauty, she also wrote the following:

I in no way feel worthy of this award. In my heart and in my life, I simply want to honor God and bring glory to Him. It is I who have been blessed to be part of the blogging world. So many blogs inspire me. I cannot adequately convey how blogging has changed my life. It has, indeed, become a transforming experience, as I have come to know so many godly women, whose faith encourages me each day and whose lives challenge me to grow and become a better Christian.

A particular writer has recently brought me much inspiration. Each time I visit her place, I leave with a song of praise, glorifying God for the work of Christ in her. She is a mighty blessing to me and others who take time to read her posts and bask in the love of God that flows in her heart and through her writing. I would like to pass the Renee award on to Lidj, of Crown of Beauty....

Please take time to visit her place, for you will leave refreshed, renewed, challenged, and stronger in your faith, as she shares her walk with God and the joys and trials of serving Him. God bless you, Lidj! Thank you for making a difference in the blog world and for your love and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wow! Such beautiful words, and what an honor to be included in the very post that Andrea did for her mother on this special day for mothers.
Thank you, Andrea!

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Now what is my humble response?
I finished reading a Bob Sorge book not too long ago. A very important spiritual principle he wrote struck me as I was reading the last few pages.
The last chapter of his book begins this way:

What should I do when others affirm me? What do I do when another believer, in a genuine effort to encourage and edify me, praises and honors me for something I've done?
He goes to the crux of the matter by quoting Romans 15:7

Therefore receive one another,
just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Here's the correct response to praise that Bob teaches:

When you praise me, I do not receive your praise, I receive you.

He goes on to say that as fellow believers we are right to encourage and affirm one another. We need it, just as a plant needs nourishment and sunlight to grow healthy and strong. Words of blessing make us strong, motivate us to do better, reinforce us to continue doing the good work that God has begun in us! It is vital to our faith.

But the reason why we are to praise and encourage one another is this - that we might receive one another!

The praise, the glory, the honor... they are immediately passed on to the Lord.

It is the love of the sister, or brother, giving the praise that is received.

Thank you, my dear Andrea. I feel the very same way you do.

Using your own words, "I in no way feel worthy of this award. In my heart and in my life, I simply want to honor God and bring glory to Him. It is I who have been blessed to be part of the blogging world."

But I certainly receive your love, and your affirmation of what God is doing in my life.

And now, here's the most exciting part: passing on this award to a fellow blogger.

It is not difficult for me to choose the next woman who will receive this prestigious award. Her blog posts in the recent weeks have been few and far between because of a deep loss in their family. Nevertheless, through her tears, and the grief that she is still going through, she has been willing to share the jewels of her life.

I have read many of her previous posts, and each one is well written, carefully thought out, and always giving the ultimate glory and honor to her Creator, whom she fondly calls "Papa God."

During the early days of my just having gotten to know her, I told her that I think we will enjoy being neighbors in heaven because we think and feel so much alike on many things.

Without hesitation, I believe that Julie of Jewelz Sightings is truly deserving of the Renee Award. I pass it on to you, beloved and precious sister in Christ! Thank you my dear friend for the tenderness of your heart, your sensitivity, your gentleness. Your love for your Savior is always like a breath of fresh air to your readers, the fragrance after the rain! May your blog continue to be an inspiration to many others!


And now, here's a song of praise that's welling up in my heart this very moment. This song gives the reason behind my life, my words, my motives, my outlook!

It is the song, What A Difference You've Made in My Life.
B.J Thomas was one of Ernie's favorite singers, and we listened to this song countless times during the early years of our marriage. I'm sharing the version of the song as sung by Amy Grant. In this video, I really feel like I'm the one playing the piano and singing this song, giving the tribute to God for what He has done in my life!

What a difference you've made in my life
What a difference you've made in my life
You're my sunshine day and night
Oh what a difference you've made
In my life.

What a change you have made in my heart.
What a change you have made in my heart.
You replaced all the broken parts.
Oh, what a change you have made
In my heart.

Love to me was just a word in a song
That had been way overused.
But you gave love a meaning,
So I joined in the singing,
That's why I wanna spread the news.

What a difference you've made in my life.
What a difference you've made in my life.
You're my sunshine day and night.
Oh, what a difference you've made,
(what a difference you've made,)
What a difference you've made in my life.

What a difference you've made in my life.
What a difference you've made in my life.
You're my sunshine day and night.
What a difference you've made.