Notice I’ve changed my code this year. Can’t keep the same one. The Internet is awash with all sorts of skullduggery. So even though I bravely insert my picture (which really is completely unlike me—my hair is more like Chris Archer’s actually and I don’t usually suck my forefinger), I don’t want to compromise you. (These first two paragraphs are vaguely similar to your sister’s, because my creativity is dwindling.)
Wonder why I risk wishing you Happy Mother’s Day so publicly? Two reasons. One, everyone who reads this gets to know what a wonderful daughter and mother I believe you are. You deserve it. Two, I get a blog out of the way. I deserve it. Killing two birds with one stone, you know? Come to think of it, that may be an inappropriate reference, since today I’m thinking of you as . . .
a mother hen. Not a glamorous image, is it! But I mean it in a good way. I watch you with your children. (Nameless and numberless here—security, you know.) I watch you stopping what you’re doing to shut everything else out to listen to them. I see you hugging them. I listen to you explain why what they said or did was wrong and how they should have done it. I listen to you tell how proud you are of how they did do it. I hear you encourage them and firmly discipline them in love without anger or belittling. I see the tears in your eyes when you look at them realizing the years are quickly passing and it won’t be long before they’ll be out reflecting to their children the good you’ve instilled in them.
Most of all, I know you’ve faithfully and sacrificially taught them about Jesus. With words. With attitude. With actions. Your commitment to Christ is commendable, and to your children life-giving. They know they’re safe in your arms, because you show them you (and they) are safe in the arms of Jesus.
I’d be the first to say church is crucial. And living out the faith in the marketplace is part of our calling. But nowhere is faith and faith-lived out more vital than at home. Inside our four walls we are who we are. No pretense. Hair down. (Bad illustration.) Inside your four walls your children see, not a perfect mom, but a God-honoring, Jesus-following, Holy Spirit-filled mom who is solidly there for them because she loves the God who is for us who are his.
And, though you don’t put your hands to the distaff (?–I don’t think) or hold the spindle with your hands (Proverbs 31:19), your “children [will] rise up and call [you] blessed; [your] husband also, and he praises [you] (Proverbs 31:28).
Me too.
Happy Mother’s Day, MXJXCX! I love you so very much.
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