You know, I've always loved my Mom. But the older I get the more and more I love my Mom. And the more and more I see her as not only my Mom but as my friend. She is my role model of how I want to be as a woman. If I can be half of the woman that she is, I will be a great woman. Today is my Mom's birthday so this post is for her. Happy Birthday Mom!Now this is unusual. My Mom doesn't normally get shout outs. She doesn't normally get thanked in public or recognized for the things that she does. This is one of the many reasons why my Mom is awesome.
My Mom truely has a servant's heart and is very humble. She doesn't do the things that she does to get attention. She does the things that she does because they need to be done, she feels like God has asked her to do them, or because it's something that God has given her a talent in.
I sincerely can not think of a single time that I've seen my Mom put herself before someone else. Not a single time. She lives her life in such a way that she is constantly putting other's needs first above her own.
I don't know this for a fact, but I'm pretty positive that growing up, my Mom would sacrifice buying something new for herself, sometimes things that she needed, for things that her children wanted. She didn't buy us extravagant things, but I believe that she sacrificed things that she could have easily bought for herself.
My Mom stayed at home while I was growing up. I can't remember a single assembly, concert, or game that my Mom did not make it to.
I remember my Mom going out of her way to help me study for Bible Quizzing and to help me study when I was struggling in a class.
My Mom is such a hospitable person and we were always having people over for dinner. She is a wonderful cook. My family ate almost every evening meal together at the table-with a full and delicious meal. No frozen dinners for this family! My Mom made us breakfast (no not bowls of cold cereal) every morning that I can remember growing up. Now of course, I didn't recognize how amazing this was when I was 8, but looking back, WOW, WHAT MOM DOES THAT? I'm sure it'd be SO tempting to sleep in a little longer and just have the kids fend for themselves.
My Mom always made prayer a priority growing up. I remember specifically at Christmas time, Mom would bring in all the Christmas cards and letters that we got from friends and family and we'd pray for each family. What a cool Mom. And you can pretty much every morning find her praying and reading her Bible. What an awesome example she has set for our family.
My Mom has for as long as I can remember been in charge of the kid's Christmas musical at church. WHO wants to take on that responsibility?!?!? A lot of snotty nosed kids who don't bother to memorize their lines till the last minute and having to come up with costumes, and movements, and scenery. . .oh man, what an amazing woman she is for volunteering to do this each and every year. And every year, the program is a blessing for those who get to watch. And I know many a parent who would not normally set foot in the church, come to see their child and hear the message of God's love because of my Mom.
And my Mom is an extremely talented pianist. She learned to play by ear. She definitely reads music but can also hear a song and figure out the chords. I LOVE listening to her play. It's so beautiful and she is so gifted in this. She can even play the accordian! How cool is that!? As a family, we used to go Christmas caroling to older people in our church and she'd play while we sang!
Something I realized in just the past few years, my Mom regularly reaches out to family members-Aunts, Uncles, cousins-whoever needs someone to talk to or a someone to know that someone cares. She regularly calls and sends cards to some of my Aunts who I know for a fact are so greatful for that friendship that she extends.
My Mom has always been such a support to my Dad as well. He's been in the ministry for close to 40 years and she's been right there along with him-visiting people, playing the piano, typing notes, typing bulletins, running children's programs, planning music, leading plays/musicals, pulling weeds, taking kids to camp, planning garage sales-you name it, she's done it.
My Mom has taught me a lot about trusting God and has led an amazing example of this in every area of her life. My Mom and Dad lost their first baby due to SIDS and I can not begin to imagine how they made it through this. I can't wait for my Mom to be reunited with Kimberly in heaven one day.
I sincerely believe that countless people have felt God's love because of my Mom. I'm sure that many have not thought to tell her this, but I know that this is true. There is a really old song that makes me think about what heaven will be like for my Mom. It's an old Ray Boltz song called "Thank You For Giving to the Lord." These lyrics really make me think of her:
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you.
Great is your reward."
"Thank you" seems insufficient for what you have done for me and what you continue to do for me. I love you so much Mom. Hope you have a wonderful day and feel as loved as you are!
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