Mother’s Day Memories

My husband, Roger, and I are certified lay speakers and biblical story tellers and we enjoy working together on services. One time, in practicing the telling of Jesus walking on the water, he did the Michael Jackson moonwalk. He had me in stitches and then I worried, would he do that for real?

We both had the honor of speaking for Mother’s Day at our church. I wanted to share some highlights.

Roger began by honoring all mothers and all who have mothered us. He has quite a sense of humor and sprinkled in the Bible according to Roger, starting with the first mother, Eve. “If God created a bacon tree instead of an apple tree, Adam would have beaten Eve to it.”

Then on to Sarah, wife of Abraham, that after she laughed at having a child so late in life, it was God who hid his laugh, for she would have a teenager at 107.

With Ruth, who was a Moabite, known for worshiping many gods, Roger filled us with admiration for a woman who gave up all she knew to be faithful and loyal to Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth’s loyalty story to follow God became a part of the lineage of Christ.

He filled us with beautiful memories of Arlene, his mom, who his dad lovingly called ‘The War Department.’ She loved William F. Buckley Jr. for his intelligence and his vocabulary. They criticized Buckley for using “big words” to inflate himself, to which he responded, “I am lapidary but not eristic.” This sent Roger’s mother running to the dictionary to find he meant I am a polisher of words, not argumentative. She also loved Dick Cavett, Bob Newhart, Phyliss Diller. Arlene was cool, though. She owned a Mustang convertible in Southern California with a cigarette in hand, – Roger and his siblings thought the Beach Boys wrote the song, ‘Little ole lady from Pasadena’ for her.

This is my mother’s favorite verse: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”—Matthew 6:28-30 

My mom used to say this to my brother and me whenever life seemed to be out of order and challenges were facing us individually or as a family. When she said it, it made us stop our complaining and focused us on trusting God. My mom had a very difficult beginning in life. She experienced many tragedies and always amazed me how she could get up from each of these and not be bitter or angry. She taught me this verse by her actions being grateful, faithful in order to embracing find the joy in life. Her strong faith in God inspired the next generations. I am forever grateful.

Recently at a retreat I attended, a woman shared her concern about her expanding role as an executive and how she could be the best mother to her precious newborn baby. I shared the tremendous lesson to see my mom get up from challenges. We need not be perfect parents. It is how we deal with the real hard choices that speak about our character. I learned more from her mistakes and roadblocks and how she rose up and conquered them. It helped this woman see herself in a new light.

It is a glorious time of year when all is growing and bursting forth with life. Spring reminds us to be grateful for all the vibrant colors of flowers and to thank all those who have contributed to our lives, whether our mothers or those who have been a mother to us. It takes a village to raise a child and we thank the teachers, doctors and prenatal care nurses working with children, friends, other relatives who contribute their love, attention, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and selflessness.

May we find the wisdom, courage and grace to mother the next generation.
Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.