Thanksgiving for Mom

I meant to write this yesterday but alas travel, preaching and our own family celebration got in the way. I am compelled express my gratitude for my mom. Good has blessed me through the years with an amazing mom. Through difficult days she excelled as a teacher, a mom, a wife and a church leader. I think Mom, more than any other person taught me faithfulness, hard work, and spiritual consistency. These lessons continually challenge me to be creative, to see my children as God's children in my care. I wasn't the easiest of children to figure out throughout my school year. I was very emotional, unusually private in many ways (one of my favorite things to do in my elementary school days was to record radio shows on my tape recorder in my room. I would do it for hours and that's just the tip of the iceberg.) She always encouraged my creativity and challenged me to place it as an offering before God.

I'm convinced that she could have had a career in a number of vocations that could have brought her notoriety and acclaim but she chose to be our mom and Mark's wife instead.

There were certainly times when I was disappointing and worthy of rebuke. I thank her for the lessons of discipline which were sometimes very painful. But there were also times when I would fail so miserably that she could sense that the torment of my circumstances were painful enough and she would show mercy beyond what i deserved.

She continues to teach. She teaches my children every time we visit. And she teaches me.

Her life, I know is a precious treasure broken at the foot of God's throne.

I hope she takes her vitamins, gets rest and exercise and enjoys retirement. I'll definitely need her support in the days ahead.