similarities through generations

I've been thinking about a couple of my "past" aunts recently.  Both Miller aunts.  I connected with a cousin a couple of years ago who had information on my Miller ancestry.  More than I thought was out there.  As a result, I have become very curious about a couple of my aunts, Theresa and Sophia.  Neither Theresa nor Sophia ever married.  Sophia gave her life to the service of the Lord, and I admire that greatly.  I don't know a whole lot about Theresa but I do know that she never married. Both of the ladies had the Miller last name.  It may sound strange, but knowing about these two aunts makes me feel a little better about my singleness.  When I think about my future, marriage is never in my thoughts.  I firmly believe that God has called me to be single and that I will never marry.  It's something I struggle with on a daily basis.  Am I a lesser woman because I'm single?  Is there something wrong with me that would not make me a good wife or mother?  No.  I don't think there is anything that causes this.  It all falls under the will of God.  I don't understand it all yet but I know that one day I will see the completed puzzle and it will all make sense.  Being single today doesn't carry as big of a stigma as it when my aunts were alive.  I don't think that it would have bothered Aunt Sophie as she gave her life to the service of the Lord.  I do wonder about Aunt Theresa.  It seems like there was a bigger stigma on single women in the 1800s than there is now.  Did that stop my aunt?  No, not at all.  I have a feeling that she was very successful in whatever she did, and I have historical records to show that she was a respected member of the community. I have also seen an inscription from a Bible that she gave my great-grandpa.  Knowing that she was a woman of strength and of faith, give me strength and faith. It gives me empowerment to get through my day.  Thank you for letting me share with you.

who is my master?

I am going to take the theme from the sermon I heard at church yesterday and run with it.  Bro. Miller (no relation) was preaching on Jesus as Master and the ways we need to let Him be master in our lives.  I have to admit, this was a message that I really needed to hear.  I know of things that need to be done: in my life, at church, etc; but a lot of times I let my "SELF" get in the way and I don't follow in obedience.  This was very true yesterday morning but now is not the time to go into it.  There are many things in my life that I try to do myself and don't let the Lord take control.  I wonder how different my life would be if I would just let Him be master of everything.  I let fear of what I think will happen keep me from following Him fully when he can see the final picture and already knows how my life will turn out.  Who better to finish the puzzle than the one who designed it?  It's hard to tell what the puzzle looks like when you don't have the box, but at least we know who is holding the box.  :-)  I've got to learn to let go of myself and let Him be master, and find the true purpose of who He wants me to be and what He wants me to do.