This time of year I am tempted to look back at the two individuals who have done most to shape who I am today.
Lately, I have been struggling mightily in my personal life, and in doing so I have turned inward to examine myself, who I am, and who I want to be. With Mother’s Day recently coming upon us, I have taken the opportunity to examine someone who best exemplifies who I should be. Many of the best things about me, are a direct result of the guidance and example of my mother.
Mothers are incredible people. There is no better example of unconditional love on this earth than to see a mother with her children. My mother is no different.
Growing up, my mother was a busy and hardworking person. When I was born, my parents didn’t have much. Much of my life, I grew up in childcare. It’s unfortunate that so many children nowadays have to do so, but that is part of the reality of the life we live. But I was fortunate because I feel that I never missed a step with my mother.
My mother was a hardworking, busy person. She put in a full day in her career, doing all she could to help contribute to the family. But she was a full-time mother as well. Although, she was probably tired she nearly always prepared a home-cooked meal for the family. She maintained the house. She made time to drive my brother and me to extra-curricular activities. She found time to read to us and pray with us at night.
In doing so, she created so many special moments that to this day I treasure, far beyond any material gift I have ever received.
I remember when I was four years old and got chicken pox. My mom took off an entire week to care for me. We did puzzles all day, read stories together, played with my blocks and other toys.
I remember when I was twelve years old and my mom would drive me to various activities such as karate or church youth group, how my mom and I would speak with each other about anything and everything that a young boy has on his mind. Other times, as I am introverted, I would spend long moments in silence, thinking. My mom would just hold my hand, letting me know she was there for me and loved me.
I remember singing together in church.
At other times as an adult, when I thought my life was falling apart, she was there for me at five in the morning when I was pulled over at the side of the road, overcome with grief and anger. Only she had the words that could soothe me, providing gentle advice to put me back on the road I needed to go.
You can’t put a price on moments like that.
Jesus speaks of love. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” I have no greater example of this in my own life than my mother. She always set herself aside to be the mother we needed. It was moments like the ones above that taught me what love is.
I look back on some of the ways I have failed in my own personal life, and see my mother’s shining example of unconditional love. And I realize who I should be to my own family.
The other great gift my mother gave to me was my faith. As a young child, my mom was the one who brought my brother and sister and I to church. She was the one whose example I followed early on, who taught me who Jesus is both through the written Word, and through her own personal examples, that led me to a faith in Christ. She was the one whose example even brought my father back to the family of Christ. I can never repay her for the gift of faith she passed on to my brother, sister, and I.
I want to be that same example to my own family.
Mama, thanks for being such an inspiration. Thanks for loving us even though we probably made it tough to do so often. I just want you to know what you mean to me. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day to my Mama.
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