On My Mind...
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. “A” day hardly seems sufficient. Being a mom is tough. Endless hours, exhausting work, little thanks and the pay stinks! I don’t know why any woman would aspire to it. I guess God just gives a mom an extra helping of grace along with a healthy dose of courage. It is hard for me to believe my mom went home to glory 26 years ago this July. Most of the time when I have a service at Floral Haven, I find myself at her grave. I stay for just a minute, and I whisper a pray of thanks for God’s grace to me through my mother. Mom always believed in me, always cheered for me, always defended me (whether I deserved the support of not).
I remember sitting down with her before coming to Trinity. I said, “Mom if I come folks, from time to time, are going to say things about their pastor. They will not be talking about your baby – they will be talking about their pastor. Some will be hurt or disappointed because I have failed them in some way. Occasionally I will be unjustly vilified, most of the time they will be justified in their disappointment. Can you handle that?” After a long pause she said, “Do I have to like it?” “No mom, you don’t have to like it.” “Okay but if someone ever…” I put my arms around her and said, “I know mom. I know.”
Mom was there every afternoon when I got home from school anxious to hear about my day, to listen to my complaints, to dared me to dream, and to challenge me to follow the will of God. 26 years seems like yesterday. I still find myself thinking, “I need to call mom and tell her about this” only to remember she’s gone. Gone, yet not gone. She is with me every day in a thousand different ways. She is still shaping and influencing who I am.
I’m grateful that my children have an exceptional mother. Unselfish, caring, giving exemplary in character, in attitude and in action. And believe me, she had her hands full with her four – Zac, Jessie, Ben and me! I’m pretty sure if you go to Proverbs 31, you will find her picture. I have a daughter and two daughter in-laws who follow in her footsteps. God has been exceedingly gracious to me. I’m sure to you as well.
Sunday is Mother’s Day. I day to give thanks and to remember.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
I remember sitting down with her before coming to Trinity. I said, “Mom if I come folks, from time to time, are going to say things about their pastor. They will not be talking about your baby – they will be talking about their pastor. Some will be hurt or disappointed because I have failed them in some way. Occasionally I will be unjustly vilified, most of the time they will be justified in their disappointment. Can you handle that?” After a long pause she said, “Do I have to like it?” “No mom, you don’t have to like it.” “Okay but if someone ever…” I put my arms around her and said, “I know mom. I know.”
Mom was there every afternoon when I got home from school anxious to hear about my day, to listen to my complaints, to dared me to dream, and to challenge me to follow the will of God. 26 years seems like yesterday. I still find myself thinking, “I need to call mom and tell her about this” only to remember she’s gone. Gone, yet not gone. She is with me every day in a thousand different ways. She is still shaping and influencing who I am.
I’m grateful that my children have an exceptional mother. Unselfish, caring, giving exemplary in character, in attitude and in action. And believe me, she had her hands full with her four – Zac, Jessie, Ben and me! I’m pretty sure if you go to Proverbs 31, you will find her picture. I have a daughter and two daughter in-laws who follow in her footsteps. God has been exceedingly gracious to me. I’m sure to you as well.
Sunday is Mother’s Day. I day to give thanks and to remember.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod