Mother’s Day is a day that we set aside as a nation to celebrate and honor our moms. For some, it’s a day of sadness for them because their mom or child is no longer living. For others, it may be a difficult day because of a difficult relationship they have with their mom or because of no relationship with their mom. And for some of us, it is a day of reflection. A day that I reflect on my mom and a day that I reflect on my own mothering.
My own mom is one of the strongest people that I know. When my dad passed away, she was left with an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old. She was 26-years-old.
I never remember a time when I heard my mom complain about her circumstances. Maybe she did in her heart, but never out loud. She is one of the hardest workers I know. And she is rightly respected by many people. She’s steady. A planner. Organized. A good cook. A teacher.
A while back David, and I were doing a Q & A with our college students at church. Our college pastor asked us to name some other Christians that came along side of us to nurture and encourage us. As I thought about his question, this answer came to mind…there have been many other influencers in my life, but the biggest by far is my mom.
We haven’t always had a smooth relationship. Let’s face it, neither of us is perfect and relationships with other sinners are just hard. So I don’t want to paint an overly idyllic picture. But of all the moms out there that I could have had, I am glad that God in His mercy gave me mine. In some ways we’re different and in some ways we’re the same.
She taught me so much about mothering, just by mothering. I love her!
My mom had a hard job. Not only was she mom, she had to fulfill some of the role of dad. She was the provider. She had to be tough. She had to carry the weight of the family. The older I get the more amazing this is to me. I feel the weight of the family at times when my husband is away. But I have never felt the weight like she did. My added weight is only temporary and never the full force of it because even though my husband may not physically be here all the time, his presence is still felt. By God’s grace, he returns home.
In recent days, I have discovered some ways that my mom and I are more alike than I ever thought. I have admired her strengths over the years, but I have come to realize that one of her greatest strengths is not her natural strength. That, like me, my mom is often weak.
In America, we have a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality. When the world knocks you down, get up. She has definitely done this. I have mentioned one way she was knocked down, the death of my dad, but she has had many difficulties in her life. She has lived a much more difficult life than me. And she has always gotten up. But I realize now that it wasn’t just her ability to muster up internal strength or that she was just naturally strong. She’s had to rely on God, her Father, and fight against her natural tendencies and weaknesses.
Sometimes, when you admire a person so much, you only see their strengths and victories. But you don’t consider what they have had to work through daily, to get there.
But Mom, I see you. I see what you’ve endured and I see your faithfulness. I see God’s faithfulness and goodness. Mom, I see you.
So, Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I am thankful for you! I am thankful that I see you more clearly than I ever have. I am thankful for your example of steadiness and persistence. I am thankful to see you work out your salvation. I am thankful for your generous heart. I am thankful that you always put me and Susan first. I am thankful you taught me by example to be unselfish. I am thankful for all those times you took us to church, faithfully. I am thankful for your heart to care for people and to want to do the right thing. I am thankful for the ways we are alike and the ways we are different.
Mom, I’m thankful that you’re my mom!
I know that we will both stand in front of the Lord one day. The words I long to hear are words I see personified in your life, “good and faithful servant”.
I see the march of the Gospel going on in myself, my kids, and my grandkids because of your faithfulness. You, Mom, are my best and first teacher and role model. To God be the glory!
Matthew 25:23, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”
