She Was…She Is…My Mom

Mother’s Day is here again––the second Sunday in May! I still have yet to buy the needed cards to cover for the kids, but I will get it done tomorrow, LOL!

Last week, I went to the graveside of my mom. My son and I cried, which in returned caused my wife to cry. My son put a baseball at the base of her gravestone. WOW! I was blown away! He really misses his grandmother. I have to confess something…not as much as I miss her! You see, she was:

• My truest support as I grew “up.”
• My most frustrating check and balance when I wanted things to go my way.
• My favorite card player…she never let me win!
• My most passionate arguing partner during those teenage years!
• My true calm during the summer storms as a small boy.
• My most trusted confidant when dealing with love.
• My most hallowed prayer partner.
• The most excellent example of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!

We didn’t have a lot of great traditions, cool trips, favorite meals, etc. like so many families do. But I do remember the love that we showed each other and her passion and love for Jesus. My mom loved Jesus, and it showed! She was not perfect, but I knew that her heart for Christ was unparalleled to many of the mothers of my friends!

2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT), “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”

As I stood by her “side” last week, after the tears and the “I miss you Mom,” all I could think of was how grateful I am for what she did right––she showed me JESUS! Thanks Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!

After writing this, I found the list below entitled, “My Mother Taught Me…” I quickly realized how much more mom really did teach me! Enjoy!

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. “You’d better pray that will come out of the carpet.”
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. “If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”
4. My mother taught me LOGIC. “Because I said so, that’s why.”
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. “If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”
7. My mother taught me IRONY. “Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.”
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. “Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. “Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. “Stop acting like your father!”
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. “There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. “Just wait until we get home.”
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. “You are going to get it when you get home!”
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. “Stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.”
19. My mother taught me ESP. “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?” 
20. 20. My mother taught me HUMOR. “When that lawnmower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.” 
22. My mother taught me GENETICS. “You’re just like your father.”
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. “When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.” 
25. And my favorite: my mother taught me about JUSTICE. “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

– See more at: http://www.tonycooke.org/holiday-resources/mothers_day/#sthash.BoFaR82E.dpuf