For the Mothers

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.  When she speaks her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.  She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.  Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: 'There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!' Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." -Proverbs 31:25-30

I know this post is coming a bit late, what with Mother's Day being last weekend, and all.  But due to this past week being filled with finals and paper-writing, I'm choosing to deem my tardiness acceptable.  Nonetheless, the words listed above -- Proverbs 31:25-30 -- are very near and dear to my heart.  This is most likely because I have seen them lived out through the life of my very own mother.

They're the cutest couple in the whole wide world.

I don't know if I've ever met an individual other than my mother who God so EVIDENTLY seeks to use for greatness. I know she doesn't even realize it -- she is so humble -- but her entire life is a testament to the Gospel.  She is a woman of great strength, courage, humility, and love.  Like any other woman -- or any other individual for that matter -- my sweet mommy has faced trials and challenges, as we all have and will in the future.  We'd be silly to think that our lives might go without challenges.  But what sets her apart is the way she handles all things with beauty and grace.

Obstacles in life are inevitable -- truly.  We all are faced with many different challenges that test our characters and our our ability to trust the Lord with all things.  The measure of man, or woman, in my opinion, is not particularly the size of the challenge but his or her ability to say in the face of any trials, "No, I believe in a God who is bigger than all things.  I believe in a God who works all things together for the good of those who love Him.  I believe in a God who is loves me unconditionally no matter what.  And if that God is for me, what can mere mortals or worldly problems do to me?  I will stand firm to see the salvation of the Lord, for the battle is not ours but His.  He has already conquered death because of how much He loves us, and He continues to fight for us every single day.  That is my God.  My identity is not found in who I am or the mistakes I make but in the fact that I serve a God who is all-powerful, all-loving, and all-forgiving.  That is my God.  He is my MASTER.  And no matter what I come up against, He has PROMISED he will be with me to the very end of the age."

That is the kind of character my mother has exhibited for my sissy and me.  How lucky are we?

It's probably not a secret that I absolutely love children.  I can't wait to hold hands with my little munchkins one day and snuggle up with a great picture book and cup of tea (probs milk for them, obvi, calcium = muy importante, so we hear).  But I am confident that one of the main reasons why I am so excited to have little baaabbiiiieeesss one day is because I cannot wait to love them in the way my mommy has loved my sissy and me.

ALL MY LOVE and kisses for my sweet mommy who has taught me everything I need to know about coffee, the importance of education, bargain shopping, character, and unconditional love.   You are loved -- truly loved and cherished -- by countless individuals because you truly care about others.  You are accepting of everyone, a faithful friend, a caring wife, a loyal daughter and sister, an excellent teacher, and the best reader I know.  I hope one day I'm as cool and classy as you.  Love you for always.