...greatly
desiring to see thee, being
mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled
with joy;
when I call to remembrance the
unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and
thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded
that in thee also.
II Timothy 1:4,5
mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled
with joy;
when I call to remembrance the
unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and
thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded
that in thee also.
II Timothy 1:4,5
Never
can we underestimate the influence of Godly mothers and grandmothers.
My children had a grandmother by the name of Lois. Every time I
read the above verses and see that name, I think of her and thank the
Lord for her Godly influence in the lives of our children and all of
our family. She was a grandmother who faithfully prayed for her
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The mother and
grandmother of Timothy had such a strong influence in his life as
well so that Paul made note of it as he saw their influence in the
ministry of a young Timothy who was of such help to Paul.
All
of we moms have had some of the same desires for our children at
times as we began the adventure of motherhood. God blessed me with
three terrific children and each very different in her/his own
right:
Jennie: our first baby (adopted at birth), brunette
Beverly: our first-born baby, blond
Johnny: our first boy, red hair
Jennie: our first baby (adopted at birth), brunette
Beverly: our first-born baby, blond
Johnny: our first boy, red hair
Each
had different personalities and interests. Even though they may have
wondered at times, I loved them dearly and still do. My frustration
with motherhood was that I had no idea how to be a good mother. I
wanted the same thing for my children that most mothers want for
theirs: that they would grow healthy, educated, have healthy
marriages and happy children. More than all of those frills of life,
I like other Christian mothers desired more than anything that at the
proper time, each of my children would come to know Jesus Christ as
personal Savior. Along with that, I hoped they would grow to be
strong Christians who delighted in a close and growing relationship
with Jesus. I knew if they had that relationship, they would be
equipt to meet life. They have given me every reason to be pleased
with each of them.
I
recently found the most beautiful bookmark at a Christian book store.
I used resources from one of my children to purchase it. It has
flowers and butterflies, some of which are in 3-D. On one side of
the bookmark is a statement I like:
“A mother's love is a garden where the sun
always shines and the season is always spring.”
On the other side are two brief statements:
“Mothers hold a child's hand awhile
and their hearts forever?"
and their hearts forever?"
“Mothers plant the seeds of love that
help us bloom forever.”
help us bloom forever.”
On
the bottom of each side of the bookmark is the word MOM. As I was
sitting in church last Sunday and was turning to the Scripture that
applied to the sermon, I took notice of something that made me smile.
I had my lovely bookmark sticking out of my Bible, but it was upside
down. There was the word MOM, but it suddenly had become a different
word. On both sides of the bookmark, the upside down word read
“WOW.” I know that wasn't the word that was intended, but I must
admit that I forgot for the moment the Scripture I was to look up. I
was suddenly finding myself thinking of the WOW it has been being a
mom to my three children. I've had so many WOW moments that include
first steps, candy corn rewards for successful potty training, school
accomplishments, salvation and baptisms, graduations, surgeries (all
three),courtships, marriages, birth of children and on and on it
goes. It's the similar WOW moments other mothers have experienced
just as I have.
My
regrets have to do with my failures...raised voices, impatience, not
listening as I should have, critical when not necessary, harsh with
discipline and perhaps other mistakes made by parents everywhere.
Somehow God allowed my children to survive me and to benefit from my
mistakes, but that's because they are WOW children. There is no way
they can ever know the prayers, lost sleep, tears, teaching, hopes
and dreams as a MOM I had and continue to have for the three of
them.
We
often won't know some of the things that have stuck in the minds and
hearts of our children as a result of their rearing process. My
mother will never know what a couple of trips to the Smoky Mountain
National Park meant to a very little girl who fell in love with the
trees and streams of that place. Today it's where my husband and I
live. There were other lasting things through the years she
impressed on my mind and spirit. She was a WOW-MOM more often than
she knew.
To
those of you MOMs who read this, have the happiest of Mother's Days.
You may or may not hear from your children, but rest in the fact that
you've so often been that WOW person in their lives. God knows of
your loving care and concern through the years and it's Him we all
want to please. We also know that parenthood is for life, so let's
continue to WOW those children of ours through our prayers, love and
influence.
Happy
Mother's Day !!!
Dear
Father, You're the perfect parent setting always the perfect example
for us to follow. More than anything, no matter what, You are
consistent in Your love for us no matter how we mess up. You are our
Abba Father and we thank You more than we can say. We love You!...in
Jesus precious name....Amen
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