It has been said that we are our mother’s daughters and for that I am grateful. So many of the shared special moments that I recall from my childhood are the exact same ones I have created with my own daughter – singing loudly in the car together, shopping for just the right outfit and hoping for a bargain, watching movies that make us cry, and sitting together at the end of a long day just talking.
There are many things about being a mother that I learned from my mom. And yet it took years and children of my own to truly realize how fortunate I am to have a mother in my life that blessed me with a wonderful example. My mother gave me many gifts growing up but the ones I am most grateful for are the lasting gifts she gave me that paved the way for my own parenting.
She was there for me. In every sense of the word, my mother was there for me. Not just on the good days, not just in the big moments of life, not just when it was convenient for her schedule. My mother was there for me everyday.
She cared for me. I always had clean clothes without having to search out the laundry room for something to wear. She also put dinner on the table each night and kept our house clean. Oh, how I appreciate all this now.
She encouraged me. When I came home with tears in my eyes, she hugged me, she comforted me, and she always knew the right words to say to encourage me. She gave me confidence to try new things and encouraged me to give my very best.
She took time for herself. She walked with friends in the neighborhood and made time to continue to develop her beautiful talent of oil painting. She understood that allowing time for herself actually made her a better mother.
She allowed me to make mistakes. She didn’t try to fix all my problems or come to my rescue every time but instead gave me some opportunities to learn from my mistakes and even feel the sting of disappointment. She knew it was for my own good even though I know it broke her heart.
She drove me everywhere. To school, to practices, to ballgames, to school plays, to appointments, to church, and to see my friends. My poor mom spent a great deal of time just driving me around. But I have to say, this is where we had some of our best conversations. She made the most of that time in the car with me.
She forgave. Day in and day out she stuck it out with me. Even when I was disrespectful, disobedient, or just plain grouchy, my mom forgave me. She helped me grow into the young lady she knew I could be and showed me that forgiving others is a vital part of any relationship.
She told me no. My mother knew that her role wasn’t just to be my friend, but to help guide me in making good decisions, in learning the value of sacrifice and of waiting, and understanding how Christ’s timing is sometimes different than my own.
She raised me in church. She understood that I needed a community of believers to surround me with the love of Christ to help me grow and flourish.
She loved me. She told me she loved me, she showed me she loved me, and she helped me learn how to love others. She also freely gave love to so many that God placed in her path.
She kept her focus on Christ. She spent time everyday with the Lord in prayer and Bible study. She allowed Him to guide her in parenting, give her strength, bless her with patience, and provide comfort when she needed it.
She prayed. She knew she wasn’t able to be everywhere I was, couldn’t protect me from difficulties and pain, wasn’t able to foresee what was to come, and couldn’t change my heart. But she understood the power of the Lord and she prayed. She prayed for me everyday and still does.
She never stopped. Even when I went to college, even when I got married, even when I am unable to visit as often as I should or forget to call as much as I need to, she has never stopped giving me all these wonderful gifts. Being a mother never ends regardless of our age, no matter how independent our children become, or the distance between us. Our role as a mother changes but always continues.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. I’ve learned so much on this journey and am thankful for God’s great grace, my husband who is a wonderful parenting partner, and two precious kids who love me even on my worst mothering days. And I will always be grateful for the gifts my mother gave me that showed me how to be a mother. Love you Mom!
Happy Mother’s Day,
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