Honoring My Mother

Guests may not have understood why my mom sang "Friends" by Michael W. Smith at my wedding reception. The chorus says, "And friends are friends forever, If the Lord's the Lord of them. And a friend will not say never, 'Cause the welcome will not end." It made perfect sense to me and brought me to tears as I listened to the words. I didn't have many friends in middle and high school. It was usually one close friend that seemed to change every two years or so, and they always had another friend that seemed to be their best friend. I spent a lot of time at home with family. It was my safe place where I could mostly be me. I was blessed with two strong Christian female role models. I saw my nanny and my mom, both divorcees, attend church regularly, practice a private devotional time as well and try to live by a Godly standard daily. Yes, I also saw their flaws which I was able to learn from as well. I admired my mom being able to admit when she didn't make the right move. She didn't try to pretend her actions were justified but simply apologized. It taught me that we all mess up, and that's okay, but we need to be accountable for the way we react. I admired her, was proud of her. I looked up to her and my mom was always my "hero."

My mom, sister and I refer to ourselves as the "Three Strands," based off of Ecclesiastes 4:12 (CSB) "And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three stands in not easily broken." My mom has been there with us from Day One. My parents divorced when I was two years old. I do not remember home life with my dad. Our relationship is good now, but I had a hard time understanding when I was younger. As I married and had kids of my own. I could forgive him and freely love him without any bitterness. My mom remarried when I was seven. The relationship with my stepdad was also good. I know he would have done anything for us and referred to us as "his girls," but he was a hard worker and I remember doing a lot of things with just the three of us, my mom, sister and me. We have a bond that has been tested and has come out even stronger.

My mom did not have an easy life. She did not live the one that she daydreamed about in her teenage years. Her childhood held a lot of hurt of its own. She became a single mom in her twenties who moved back home and had to work long hours to take care of her girls whom, because of that, she did not get to see very much. She remarried and that marriage was full of differences. It was hard work to keep it together and it came down to honoring the commitment. Finally, as things were finding a good rhythm, they had some of their better years together and were talking about ministry work, my stepdad was taken to heaven.  Grandchildren filled her heart with love, but as the years passed, our family was opened up to the dark and helpless world of addiction. There is a lot of heartbreak and disappointment wrapped up in my mother. 

Mom, as I watch you grow older, and follow right behind you, I want you to know that I still admire you, am proud of you. I look up to you and you are still my "hero." As you would freely admit, you still react wrong from time to time, but I thank you for still being quick to apologize. You sob, express your raw emotion and you let your sorrows be known, but you have been an example of turning to God for help, even when things don't make sense. Your devotion to your family is steadfast. Your foundation in God is unmovable and, for that, I am literally, eternally grateful. Before both of my mom's parents passed, she wrote them a blessing. We are commanded to honor our father and mother. Here is my feeble attempt to put into words a prayer of blessing for my mom. 

BLESSING:

God, I bow in awe of You, asking that You watch over my mom. I thank You for walking beside her every step of her life since the day she placed her heart in Your hands. I ask that You grant her with physical health. We know that as this earthly body breaks down, we experience aches and pains. I ask that You give her strength to push through, and I pray that You give her wholeness and healing. We know that we weren't promised an easy life. We are told there will be persecution because of our faith in You. It is my prayer that as heartache continues to come her way, instead of clenching her fists, she is able to hold out her open hands and release it up to You for You to take control. I pray that instead of trying to hold all the pieces together, she is able to collapse into Your arms and be carried until the storm passes. Our Father, I pray that You give her peace beyond her understanding. May her mind and her heart be still in the fact that You have a plan. I thank You for being the only one that can mend her broken heart and fill the lonely voids. I trust that You know what is best for her and I thank You for meeting her every need. Thank You for the blessing that she is to me and those that know her. 

"Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28 (CSB) I know I speak for my sister as well when I say we are blessed to call you mom, and you have blessed us in ways you will never know. Happy Mother's Day, Momma. Live you!!