Mom by God's Design

Sitting here this evening alone with my thoughts, my mind began to travel on a journey back  through the trails of my life, taking with it my thoughts like a light wind blowing wispy clouds across the sky. Tomorrow is Mothers’ Day and I am a Mom, by God’s design and plan – not me - it was nothing I could do or have done to bring children into this world.  But God brought children to me through the non-repayable gift of life and love.  Without my children, I would not be “Mom” and without my grandchildren, I would never know how good it feels to be called “Mimi”!!  (See God's Other Plan, May 12, 2012) But there are thoughts along those trails, that are like trees planted by the way and they remind me of some great and awesome significance in my life and in my journey – it was the ladies, the moms along the way in my own life.

All the ladies in my life, that are most important to me right now, are in this picture (taken at church on Mothers’ Day 2012).  My daughter is a mom now having blessed us with two beautiful granddaughters; my daughter-in-law is a “mother-to-be” or “mother-in-waiting” for her first child. . . .Mothers. . . . .there were many mothers who helped to shape my life throughout the years, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that God, in His infinite wisdom, ordained the crossing of my life’s path with each and every one of those women’s lives and the touching of their hearts with mine.  They were the mirror of God’s love.

There was my own Mom, my dear, precious Grandmother, and my dear sweet Aunts: Lu, May, Goldie, Anna, Doris.  Mom instilled within me a never give up, don’t quit, hard-working ethic that drives me forward each day.  Grandma and my aunts helped me to learn the qualities of a proper young lady of the day, and shared with me all the “things” girls, growing up, should know.  Only Aunt Anna and Aunt Doris remain today.  I miss all the others very much. There were my dear neighbors from “up on the hill”, Marie and Carolyn, that kept me abreast with “what was happening in the world” – who helped me realize I could be anything that I wanted to be in life.  Carolyn helped me to be me.  She taught me that life was fun and not to be taken so seriously.

There was my pastor’s wife, Doris B., who cared for me as if she were my own mother, putting up with me and my mischief, laughing with me, crying with me, and gently disciplining me in the love of Jesus when I needed it.  In Bible College it was my Dean, a loving example of a Christian woman, who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, chipped away at my rough edges, gave me a feeling and sense of self-worth and encouraged me, with certainty, that God had His hand on my life. Her loving guidance in my life for three years helped me to become the woman I am today.

During my tween years, I was blessed to meet two wonderful women at a Christian camp who would, through the years, become my spiritual mentors and stand beside me during some of the most difficult times of my life.

Now, reflective of some of the wonderful and not-so-wonderful years, I sometimes feel like I am wedged in a time warp between then and now – still wishing I could visit friends and family on Sunday afternoons to enjoy a cup of coffee or sip a cup of tea. . . .But most all of them have made their journey heavenward as angels ushered each of them through the gates of pearl to eternal glory.

And, no one could have asked for a dearer, kinder, more loving mother-in-law than I had.  She loved me and accepted me into her family as if I had always been a part of it.  She may not have been around during the early days of my life, but she nonetheless impacted my life greatly and left a void in our lives with her passing that has never been filled.

It’s difficult to say which of those wonderful ladies with whom I had relationships had the greatest impact on me and the person I have become.   When I think about all of those influential ladies in my life I am instantly filled with gratitude that I have been fortunate enough to have them impact my life! I know that I would not be half of the person I am today if it weren’t for them being in my life. Individually each of those moms has influenced me in a unique way.

I didn’t realize this fact growing up but when I became a mom I understood so well that we underestimate the value of the people we surround ourselves with. It is proven that we become like those with whom we spend the most time with. Those ladies, those caring moms as I grew up, were my influence because they are the people who prayed for me when I didn’t know how to, when I wouldn’t, when I couldn’t pray for myself.  They loved me when I was unlovely and unlovable and their examples influenced my thoughts, my behaviors, and my attitudes.

Proverbs 1:5 tells us “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”

For every soul that will be in the kingdom of God because of my witness – each of those women will share in that joyous reward.

So to all of my family Moms, my friend Moms, and Moms everywhere, remember, you are special to someone today and every day and your influence reaches far beyond what you can imagine. I’m thankful and praise God for each and every woman in my life past and present.  To whom are we being the mirror of God’s love?

 

HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY